Curved steel channel header in wood stud wall

[AELLC]

What I am designing is a custom home with a turret-style front entry, the radius being about 9'-6". The exterior wall is 2 x 6 wood stud construction, and there are wide openings, about 8'. Normally I can put a straight wood header, but in this case the header would have to be curved in plan.

Would it be appropriate to specify a curved steel channel, such as C8 x 13.75# ? Would it be OK to provide wood studs or solid wood post to support the steel channel?

 

[CANPRO]

I'm sure you can make curved steel and wood studs/posts work for the support...but what is the connection going to look like? If the header is curved in plan its going to need a moment connection at the supports or more than 2 supports. I sketch of your problem will help

 

[AELLC]

Torsion induced in channel because (1) section is not symmetrical (2) channel is curved in plan

Not sure if it is practical to resist torsion thru connection to wood post - the entire curved wall above is sheathed in plywood, I am visualizing acts solid enough to resolve all the torsion - but Code is probably not addressing all this.

 

[woodman88]

Normally, I would hang the wall, above the entry, from the second floor or roof. What loads are you planning the support from this header?

Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.

 

[AELLC]

There is only 3'-6" of concrete tile roof supported by this header, and only about 2'-6" of wall from the top of header to roof truss bearing (Mesa, AZ)

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Take a good piece of old Southern Pine lumber, wet it thoroughly and bend into position. Barring that use metal stud channel and cut it and bend into shape.

 

[1freewun]

Use a curved laminated header I have used them as lintels on openings 2 m's wide.