Hip roof support
Hip roof support
(OP)
Looking at a brick ranch built in the 70's, the roof is hip with a ridge board, house is L shape configuration.So 2 ridge boards and each board has a 2x4 a couple feet from the end, nailed to the side of the ridge board and toe nailed into the top of the wall or ceiling joist. These 2x4's have pushed the sheeting up an inch or so, not sure how many years it has been like this, but should these have been removed when the sheeting was installed? How much movement is normally realized during loading?






RE: Hip roof support
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
Dik
RE: Hip roof support
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Hip roof support
I suspect (as does KootK I think) that the ridge line (and resulting rafters) are dropping.
Often, the 2x4 props were used to provide temporary support (to align things) and in one sense maybe they could/should have been removed but usually they are simply left in place.
The "problem" that I usually find is that the remaining structural components are not truly capable of safely supporting the code required loading.
Roof plan and/or photos will be helpful.
RE: Hip roof support
Yessir.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Hip roof support
I rarely see problems with similar high-pitch hip roofs
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Hip roof support
"L" shaped plans with hip roofs that are stick framed without structural ridges are not likely to work.
When I come across them, I often find that "internal ridges" installed in the attic space can be an effective solution. Although, you want to install that framing in the morning!
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
It's probably not as simple as taking out the 2x4's (that have pushed up the sheathing).
Realistically, stick framed roofs often "settle" a little (maybe an inch or so) but when they don't have a good or robust structural strategy in place and the "settlement" becomes too pronounced, you need to install something that will provide support.
Looks like somebody started out with some sort of internal truss (not a real truss though). Maybe that's in there to create a wide opening and it looks like it is intended to support ceiling weight /loads only. Not likely to be adequate for any roof support so....laying out the existing geometry and alignment of things will be the first step.
The "L" shape of the plan and the use of hips makes it very difficult to get the framing to work well without some designated ridge support. MAYBE the ceiling and rafters are decent size so maybe there is a way to install bearing elements (walls and beams) inside the attic space.
The devil is in the details though. You really will need to find out where walls are located that are suitable for bearing. Start out with a plan drawing to see how things align (ridge lines and hip ridges at the roof and first floor walls that might be suitable for bearing, along with the size and direction of the ceiling pieces.
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
RE: Hip roof support
Start with plan layout drawings for each level. Load path is the key. Bracing of attic beams is also important (remember most joists have continuous bracing but new beams in a ceiling would not necessarily have that).