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More Garage Headers

A gable end header also acts as a "drag strut" within the prescriptive design

DRAG STRUT. See “Collector.”
[BS] COLLECTOR. A horizontal diaphragm element parallel and in line with the applied force that collects and transfers diaphragm shear forces to the vertical elements of the lateral force-resisting system or distributes forces within the diaphragm, or both.
 
There is no definition nonbearing walls in the IRC. It would be hard to know if there is no load at all above a gable end wall unless there is no framing or sheeting above it at all. In the photo above I see sheeting above it which has a dead load, I cannot see any framing but if there and if is not supported completely by the rafters above there will be a dead load. Rafters can deflect down through the studs to the beam when there is snow on the roof and bear down on the beam. The beam may support a ceiling or a window too.

R602.7.4 Nonbearing walls. Load-bearing headers are not
required in interior or exterior nonbearing walls. A single
flat 2-inch by 4-inch (51 mm by 102 mm) member shall be
permitted to be used as a header in interior or exterior nonbearing
walls for openings up to 8 feet (2438 mm) in width
if the vertical distance to the parallel nailing surface above
is not more than 24 inches (610 mm). For such nonbearing
headers, cripples or blocking are not required above the
header.

Of course, there are requirements for wall bracing in the code for the photo of the wall above, but my state has exempted all those nasty sections from the IRC.
 
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Gable End Bracing​

Question:​

Manufactured gable ends are actually frames even though they are often referred to as trusses. The webs are “studs” oriented vertically and usually spaced at 12, 16 or 24 in. O.C. The gable end frame is designed to transfer vertical loads from the roof to the continuous bearing wall below. Another way gable end frames are different from trusses placed in the interior of the structure is that frames experience perpendicular wind loads. The sheathed frame transfers the wind loads to the roof and ceiling diaphragms and vice versa. The roof and ceiling diaphragms transfer shear loads to the gable end frame, which transfers these loads to the end wall below and into the foundation. In order to do this, the frame relies upon well-designed connections to the bearing wall and diaphragms. If the wind load is high enough and the vertical studs are long enough, the frame may also require a brace to prevent it from rotating the frame and/or buckling the verticals (see Figure 1). This is essentially the same concept as permanent web bracing; therefore, the truss designer is responsible for indicating the location of the bracing for the vertical studs. The building designer is responsible for designing the size and attachment of the brace and how it transfers all the forces into the structure. For gable ends, what is the maximum length a vertical member can be before a lateral brace is required?
 
Definitely not a braced wall. The church steeple and houses in the background look like Pa., so the wind shouldn't be as bad as Fla.
 
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