Darn Architects!

[XR250]

This is the wish of the Arch/Owner on a screened porch. This is the typical eave side of a gable roof. The members support a beam that supports the roof framing. The demand on the 2x6's is about 1,000 lbs. ASD. The 2x6's actually check out (with gravity loads and a 200lb horizontal point load from the guardrail) assuming they are braced weak axis by the guardrail.
They also sorta check out un-braced with just gravity loads. I am assuming everything is concentric etc. The (3)2x10 horizontal beam almost makes it strength-wise for a clear span but fails on deflection so I don't feel there is a safety issue here. Am I being too much of a Cowboy?
I can probably also use PT LVL's which are 1 3/4" thick and are significantly better. The beam will be 3 ply with 2 -layers of PT plywood so it matches the thickness of the supports to help with my concentricity. I might have other options such as using a deeper beam that does require intermediate supports or maybe a flitch beam. But for discussion sakes, what are y'all's thoughts about the 2x6's?

 

[gte447f]

I'll weigh in. I would not even consider relying on 2x6 posts, and I would not even consider relying on the guardrail as a structural brace. Therefore, I would either go with 4x6 or 6x6 posts, or go with a single span beam and expect the 2x6 infill to perform like crap (e.g. visible bowing, etc.).

FYI, depending on how tall the 2x6 studs are, they may end up being easily deflected (perpendicular to the weak axis) by fairly light lateral loads, as in lightly pushing against them or leaning against them. The rail brace will help, but I wouldn't count on it. I recently inspected an unfinished basement with 2x6 stud walls with no weak axis bracing, and the studs could be easily deflected laterally by applying light pressure by hand. Granted, the studs were 12 feet tall, but it was still kind of surprising how flimsy the studs felt, and kind of unnerving.

 

[XR250]

I'll weigh in. I would not even consider relying on 2x6 posts, and I would not even consider relying on the guardrail as a structural brace. Therefore, I would either go with 4x6 or 6x6 posts, or go with a single span beam and expect the 2x6 infill to perform like crap (e.g. visible bowing, etc.).

FYI, depending on how tall the 2x6 studs are, they may end up being easily deflected (perpendicular to the weak axis) by fairly light lateral loads, as in lightly pushing against them or leaning against them. The rail brace will help, but I wouldn't count on it. I recently inspected an unfinished basement with 2x6 stud walls with no weak axis bracing, and the studs could be easily deflected laterally by applying light pressure by hand. Granted, the studs were 12 feet tall, but it was still kind of surprising how flimsy the studs felt, and kind of unnerving.

I went over to my friend's house that has this similar detail. His are painted but they are perfectly straight and cannot be easily deflected by hand. Big difference between 12 ft.unbraced and 5 ft.

 

[cliff234]

Those single 2x6's just don't look right. I don't care what the numbers say.

 

[271828]

Those 2x6 posts will look ridiculous, like an accident. And that's if they're perfectly straight, not with some sweep like others have mentioned above.