braced wall, clipped ceiling

[BradleyW]

My inspection department is requiring an engineered design for this townhome project. We can get by with the prescriptive method, but this half wall is driving me nuts. We have not really had to deal with braced walls too much, our state passed a ruling on it; North Carolina. We are an architectural firm that provides our own engineering; you can start to bit your lip now. Should I install rafter eave blocking, straps from the rafters to the top plate, an straps along the braced wall panels to hold downs at the each floor level? I also think we need to beef up the rafters ties with bolted connections at this area. I've explained to my boss that we need to have our next townhome project engineered, but for the time being, I am stuck with this project.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Call an SE

 

[BradleyW]

Way ahead of you. I just had to lay it out to my boss we shouldn't touch this. And I've never seen a design that was similar.

 

[msquared48]

You have two levels of collar ties at the roof, and due to the balloon framing of the exterior studs, the second floor joists are acting as ties too. Lots of brickwork, little engineering, and a lot of liability. Good luck.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com