Ridge beam at Fireplace

[TRAK.Structural]

Haven't done one like this before. What's the typical scheme to support a ridge beam at an exterior fireplace for a vaulted porch? Can you span a beam left/right to pick up a post down from the ridge?

 

[XR250]

Depending on the load, I will use either a flitch beam or I-beam for the ridge and pocket into the masonry if I can justify the arching action. I cut the wood back on the flitch to give 2" clearance. Have also used a dogleg (kinked) flitch for support of the ridge so it does not need support at the chimney.

 

[SE2607]

Haven't done one like this before. What's the typical scheme to support a ridge beam at an exterior fireplace for a vaulted porch? Can you span a beam left/right to pick up a post down from the ridge?

View attachment 15438

That's what I would do / have done with zero calls telling me "I can't do that".

 

[Eng16080]

Can you span a beam left/right to pick up a post down from the ridge?

I don't see why not, assuming that doesn't mess up the aesthetic of the vaulted roof. You could also design a truss to support the end of the ridge beam.

 

[jhnblgr]

I just do a king post to a beam to add to the appearance.

 

[TRAK.Structural]

Depending on the load, I will use either a flitch beam or I-beam for the ridge and pocket into the masonry if I can justify the arching action. I cut the wood back on the flitch to give 2" clearance. Have also used a dogleg (kinked) flitch for support of the ridge so it does not need support at the chimney.

When you pocket into the masonry, are you doing anything specific for uplift or relying on masonry above to hold it down?

That's what I would do / have done with zero calls telling me "I can't do that".

Based on the layout I've got, seems like the beam would have to pass through the masonry on each side in order to be supported at each corner post of the porch, wondering if that is some kind of fire issue? Also, would the beam then get used to support some portion of the masonry above?

 

[XR250]

When you pocket into the masonry, are you doing anything specific for uplift or relying on masonry above to hold it down?

Not much uplift in my neck of the woods. Usually enough masonry above it.

 

[SE2607]

Based on the layout I've got, seems like the beam would have to pass through the masonry on each side in order to be supported at each corner post of the porch, wondering if that is some kind of fire issue? Also, would the beam then get used to support some portion of the masonry above?

People are still building masonry fireplaces? Who knew?
If it's masonry, I would attach the ridge beam to the face of the masonry and put horizontal bars above the hearth. The structure is there to support it. Use it.

 

[Eng16080]

wondering if that is some kind of fire issue?

It's been awhile since I've designed something like this, but I recall there being a minimum required separation between a chimney/fireplace and combustible construction (like wood).

The original question is unclear to me, but if the intent is to support the ridge on the masonry, I don't think I'd want to use wood for that.

 

[XR250]

It's been awhile since I've designed something like this, but I recall there being a minimum required separation between a chimney/fireplace and combustible construction (like wood).

The original question is unclear to me, but if the intent is to support the ridge on the masonry, I don't think I'd want to use wood for that.

yes, which is why I use steel