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Code for wood framing gable end wall a vaulted ceiling

C

Cinci-hal

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Oct 15, 2020
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Cincinnati
Is there a section in the residential building code that deals with wood framing gable end walls that have a vaulted ceiling? This plan uses 2x6 stud framing @ 16" O.C. and has per-engineered parallel cord roof trusses. The tallest stud from top of bottom plate to underside of double top plate at the gable walls would be about 16'. I'm wondering if framing with horizontal top plates all the way around and then framing the gable wall separately above it is allowed or recommended or are you required to or recommended to have continuous framing from bottom plate all the way to the top plates at the top of the roof? Are there also other restrictions for how those gable end walls need to be framed?
 
A plan reviewer once nailed me on this issue, specific to story height....my gable end wall exceeded the 11-7" max story height and so they required engineering.

This was for a stick-framed 2x12 ridge-beam supported roof and was only a bit over 12' tall if I remember correctly.

I didn't agree but couldn't argue the point.
 
Review Table R602.3(5) and R602.3(6), and Section R602.3.1.

Basic answer is that you have a tall wall which requires engineering.
 
classicT said:
Review Table R602.3(5) and R602.3(6), and Section R602.3.1.

Basic answer is that you have a tall wall which requires engineering.
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When you want to do something that differs from the limited options addressed by the IRC you need engineering. The IRC was never intended to address all situations.
 
Mark K said:
When you want to do something that differs from the limited options addressed by the IRC you need engineering. The IRC was never intended to address all situations.
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I know. Hence why I indicated a requirement for engineering.

What's your point?
 
ICE said:
It is not a bearing wall. The hinge is not an issue.
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Nothing in R602.3 refers to bearing walls. This section requires all top plates of exterior walls to be supported laterally, bearing or not. Exterior walls receive wind pressure. You must frame a rake wall for a gable end. This is framing 101.
 
If your gable end scissor truss is not a bottom chord bearing truss (check the truss drawing) and the end wall is a non bearing wall, the Table R602.3(5) allows 2x6 studs at 24 inch OC up to 20 feet in height.
 
Mark K said:
When you want to do something that differs from the limited options addressed by the IRC you need engineering. The IRC was never intended to address all situations.
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Yes, In Florida for example. all sections starting after R602.3 are marked as reserved because none of the tables are adequate enough to comply with our wind zones. Here is an example of what that looks like. There are no prescriptive framing methods for wood walls in Florida.

1677094947259.png
 
R601.2 - Wall construction shall be capable of accommodating all loads in accordance with section R301...

I see scissor trusses next to a gable end sitting on a normal top plate condition in the field, I fail it based on those two sections. If anyone complains, we meet on site and I give the wall a good shake, which invariably demonstrates the issue.
 
ICE said:
It is not a bearing wall. The hinge is not an issue.
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If it is an exterior wall, it is considered bearing.



2318.1 Studs in Bearing and Exterior Walls
Studs in walls framing over 8 feet 6 inches (including top and bottom plates) or supporting floor and roof loads shall be designed by rational analysis prepared by a registered professional engineer or registered architect proficient in structural design

I like that last part, Proficient in Structural Design
 
mark handler said:
If it is an exterior wall, it is considered bearing.



2318.1 Studs in Bearing and Exterior Walls
Studs in walls framing over 8 feet 6 inches (including top and bottom plates) or supporting floor and roof loads shall be designed by rational analysis prepared by a registered professional engineer or registered architect proficient in structural design

I like that last part, Proficient in Structural Design
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Do you recall a time when a wall wasn’t bearing until the load exceeded 100 lbs per lineal foot? Fine houses were built from a sketch drawn on a Denny’s place mat. Contracts were a handshake. We have progressed to the absurd position of requiring architects and engineers for everything and somehow it hasn’t produced a better outcome.
 
We had a similar situation in our new house. There were some high windows in the gable, so I had them cut in continuous double studs on each side of the windows.10-28-21 Batt Insulation Installed.JPG
 
Glenn said:
Nothing in R602.3 refers to bearing walls. This section requires all top plates of exterior walls to be supported laterally, bearing or not. Exterior walls receive wind pressure. You must frame a rake wall for a gable end. This is framing 101.
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But if it doesn't have a top plate then a short triangular area above,
Sounds like continuous length studs from the bottom plate to the roof deck or rafter for this non-bearing gable end, seems like you would need to be on the coast with especially high wind loads to be a concern
 
mark handler said:
If it is an exterior wall, it is considered bearing.



2318.1 Studs in Bearing and Exterior Walls
Studs in walls framing over 8 feet 6 inches (including top and bottom plates) or supporting floor and roof loads shall be designed by rational analysis prepared by a registered professional engineer or registered architect proficient in structural design

I like that last part, Proficient in Structural Design
Click to expand...
To say that all exterior walls are bearing is to not be proficient in structural design.

The double top plates need to be braced horizontally to resist wind loads. This does not happen when in the case of scissored trusses the end wall top plates are horizontal.
 
Mark K said:
To say that all exterior walls are bearing is to not be proficient in structural design.

The double top plates need to be braced horizontally to resist wind loads. This does not happen when in the case of scissored trusses the end wall top plates are horizontal.
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To be fair, he said it is considered bearing [by the code], not that it is bearing.
 
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