Changing Load Path From Ridge Beam to Ridge Board

[am7553]

I am working on a home where the owner wants to remove the center bearing wall which supports the ceiling framing as well as posts holding up the roof ridge beam above. They want to vault the ceiling by adding rafter ties at each rafter location. By changing the structural load path where the ridge beam is now a ridge board, can I remove the posts that were originally bearing on the wall below since its only job now would be to transfer compression force? Can provide plans if needed. Thank you in advance

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Some thoughts and questions:
1) When you say "rafter ties" you mean at the location where the roof meets the wall, correct? Those will help to protect the walls from too much lateral thrust. But, be sure there is a good connection between them.

2) Do you have any collar ties higher up the roof? If not, you may have a good amount of roof sag / deflection.

3) This is definitely possible. But, it can be tricky. Obviously, you're completely changing the load path for the entire roof support. If you're not careful, you'll see immediate deflection problems that can be problematic.

 

[am7553]

1) Yes I have designed the rafter tie connection near the wall based on the axial load on the member and IRC requirements for the snow load/span
2) There are collar ties currently, I will be adding more
3) Yes I am concerned about the successful transfer of loads and the deflection so I am wondering if anyone has experienced this before

 

[KootK]

By changing the structural load path where the ridge beam is now a ridge board, can I remove the posts that were originally bearing on the wall below since its only job now would be to transfer compression force?

Yes, you can remove the post for just the reason that you stated. There are other design consideration but, clearly, you've got a handle on that stuff.