Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
(OP)
I made an inspection of a residence with a newly constructed vaulted roof. The architect has been fired so I am trying to fix the roof which may have to demolished. Essentially its 16 feet high down to 9 feet, 50 long and 30 feet wide. The roof is sliding off its supports at this point and the nails are withdrawing from the ridge beam. I have an idea with a reinforced concrete structure at the low end but I want to be held harmless first. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.






RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
I would look to:
1. The lack of an over-the-top tension tie at the ridge beam; or
2. The lack of a notch in the rafters for flat bearing at the outside walls; or
3. Collar-tie action that was not designed for with collar ties being omitted.
Or something else.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
Well, don't go inside the structure again!
I'm sure the archy loved the way it looked right before it started to collapse.
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
What is the pitch of the roof?
What is the size and type of the rafters?
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
On the other hand if something, and that is natural, you have indemnity of what others have made prior to your engagement to salvage the work. You can get such statement from the owner, maybe. But I doubt anywhere in the world you may be legally discharged -even if you get a bunch of declarations of acquiescence to such thing even by the interested parties- of the results of your intervention taking the maximum authority in the recovery of the building. Society has a say in any potential damage to people, even if they don't care to be harmed.
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
Immediately provide vertical shoring at the splice locations if the building nhas not yet been red-tagged. There is one of the problems and a big one! The splice was not done correctly in all likelihood, and never should have been used.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
Provide a sketch and indicate where it is sliding.
BA
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
The best way to be held harmless is to walk away, right now. It can likely be fixed, but we can't see what you have from here. You have to know enough about the structure to know what is important info. for a meaningful discussion. And, if you don't, that may be another reason to walk away.
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
I would recommend getting a competent structural engineer in your back pocket as soon as feasibly possible here.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
In my opinion, there could be a life-safety condition here, depending on any photos or on-site inspection made by a structural engineer.
The safety of the occupants is first and foremost here.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
the situation sounds pretty dire.
Dont know where the house is located, but the case of collapses due to snow load, they are often abrupt.
Advise the adult occupants of what is on the line here. To hell with worrying about liability, you don't want to be reading about children killed in a collapsed house.
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
BA
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
A sketch of the cross section would be helpful, just so everyone is talking about the same elephant.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
My two cents.
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
I would re-itterate my suggestion of immediate shoring of the ridge beam, in addition to housing the family in another location until the problem is solved. There are community shelters for this type of situation. If they have homeowners insurance, they need to use it for temporary housing assiostance at the least.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
After that, it's time to look after the paperwork and finding out who created the mess.
Dik
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports
RE: Large Vaulted Roof Sliding Off Supports