Thread: double lintels over large span

Need a little more information. Are the trusses standards? What is the span of the trusses? What is the wall height?

From experience a double 45 stud can carry a fair bit but the grade of timber required will be dependant on the amount of load and that is why I asked the questions above.

roof is simple gable end, trusses standard. Trusses will span about 6.4 m, height of this wall is 3.1m. No detail on arch or engineer drawings except the size of the lintel required.

2/90x45-MGP10 or greater will be sufficient. It will be supported over both studs at each end and the beam/top plate will need to be tied down to the studs with metal brace.

thanks for the confirmation. i assume that the windows and door configuration described above is ok.

greg

Because you are spanning over them their configuration makes little difference structurally. Just make sure that the designer of the beam has kept a strict limit on deflections as large door/window openings are affected more. Especially doors on rails.

Limit on deflections is only part of the solution. The top-of-door detail should allow clearance for whatever deflections are expected.

Joe

I migth have read it wrong ... but if it is a 6.4m wide gable end, that sounds like the back of a single fronted house. So if the end is comprise completely of doors and windows where is the lateral bracing? Am I off track?

Also, I thought that in general a door jambwould require a stu next to it to secure it to. I'm not sure that a window frame would be sufficient unless it is designed for that purpose. Maybe you should ask the guys who designed it because French Doors seem to be hard enough to get right even in the normal method and they are greatly affected by any give in their structure.

I'm not an expert and may be off track but they are just things that come to mind that you might want to check.

Both valid points in the two posts above. I was just talking generally about large openings and deflections and as the wall is only 3.8 metres long, I'd assume that the wall is not the entire length of the bracing in that area. If it is a wall the juts out then there will need to be cross bracing in the ceiling line back to other walls that are braced.

Yeah ... I think I miss-read the wall lengths. Trusses span 6.4 but the wall 3.8, so there must be some areas that aren't windows.

I'd say it is probably a section near a deck or patio area due to the French doors.

Originally Posted by OBBob

I migth have read it wrong ... but if it is a 6.4m wide gable end, that sounds like the back of a single fronted house. So if the end is comprise completely of doors and windows where is the lateral bracing? Am I off track?

Also, I thought that in general a door jamb would require a stu next to it to secure it to. I'm not sure that a window frame would be sufficient unless it is designed for that purpose. Maybe you should ask the guys who designed it because French Doors seem to be hard enough to get right even in the normal method and they are greatly affected by any give in their structure.

I'm not an expert and may be off track but they are just things that come to mind that you might want to check.

hi bob,
didnt know this thread had continued! the discussion is about doors and windows on the east SIDE of the house leading onto a courtyard, not the gable end. I too, thought that a door jamb requires a stud next to it, but if I look at the architects and engineers drawings there is nothing between the door and window. Nevertheless, there is no space even if I wanted to put a stud. So looks like I may have problems with the french doors! Hmm, shouldnt the structural engineers have pointed all this out???
Thanks for all YOUR advice and suggestions, a lot more useful than the engineers and architect.

greg

btw there are some plans at this thread

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=64047

Originally Posted by gg23

So looks like I may have problems with the french doors! Hmm, shouldnt the structural engineers have pointed all this out???

It is actually the architects job. Engineers are only concerned by structural issues.