Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
(OP)
Have a seemingly trivial question. Don't do too much work with wood, so I apologize in advance. I have a building where the owner wants a cathedral ceiling...no ceiling joists/rafter ties. The rafters will sit on glulam beams on each end and probably a glulam ridge beam. The ridge beam frames into a gable end of the building. I have been reading that I need to balloon frame up to the ridge beam, which makes sense. Don't want that weak joint at the top plate. Figure I'll strap across the posts to keep the top plate (chords) continuous across. Since there is an entry on this end, I can't directly support the ridge beam by a continuous post. Thinking I'll have built-up posts or "stud packs" on either side of the entry. Then I'll place diagonals in the plane of the gable end wall down from the ridge beam to the juncture of the top plate and continuouse built-up posts. Is this the best way to do this? Also, I am thinking that the best way to do the posts is by building them up thereby eliminating weak joints at "splices". I would envision staggering the studs as required to offset individual joints. Would appreciate feedback. I can send a sketch tomorrow if necessary. Not in the office right now.






RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
Not sure if I understand the part about diagonals.
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
Dik
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
If that is the case and the columns have to be longer than 12 to 16 feet, you may want to consider using glulam members for the columns. Depending on the tributary area for wind, you may want to do this anyway considering the possible need for locally deeper wind beams.
As you suggested, a sketch would really help here.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
Dik
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
BA
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
Forget the "diagonals". I am planning on using a transfer beam to support the glulam ridge beam. Although I'm not sure about the connection.
Also, thanks for the recommendations about the posts (lvl's, glulams, etc.). But, if solid sawn works, would a built-up stud pack be considered continuous (if the builder can't get 20-foot sticks)?
See attached.
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
You might be able to laminate the studs together (maybe 3 or 4 studs).
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
Dik
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
I would omit the double plate shown and use a sloping double plate under the rafters plus a single horizontal plate above the windows.
Builder should be able to find 20' long Timberstrand, Parallam or similar material. If not, use Glulam.
BA
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
I agree with the full height studs at the end of the window headers too.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
http://mmcengineering.tripod.com
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
I prefer the terms "ganged studs" or "stud posse."
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
BA
RE: Wood Framed Commercial Bldg - Cathedral Ceiling
Dik