Irregular connection for timber ridge beam

[Fizciv]

Hello, I am designing an addition to the rear of a wood framed two story home and I need help on a support.

The 2nd story is cantilevered over the 1st story 18-inches. I am trying to fit in a structural ridge beam so that I can eliminate ties (Cathedral type framing). On the addition side the beam will be supported by a column to the new foundation – no problem there, of course.

The issue is finding an acceptable way of connecting the new ridge beam to the existing home. This new ridge beam will land mid-2nd story, so the load path will have to go down that 2nd story and then traverse 18-inches back into the 1st story where it will finally be connected into the existing foundation (if that foundation is found to be adequate). The 2nd story floor is constructed of 2x12s. Unfortunately I am at a loss on how to accomplish this.

My only other alternative would be to have the column not traverse 18”s and instead be continuous – Possibly by soffiting in the column in the 1st story it might not be too bad aesthetically. …or ditching the whole cathedral style and go more conventional with ridge board/ties. Hey, thanks for the help in advance.

 

[COEngineeer]

I would use scissor trusses so you wont need a ridge, OR at the end of the ridge, put column down and pick it up by a beam at the top of plate. You wouldnt see this beam because it will look like it is part of the cantilevered 2nd floor.

 

[Fizciv]

Those are two very good ideas, thanks!

 

[COEngineeer]

Fiz, you can also cut the rim board and put the ridge beam between the existing joists (hopefully you have room), then you can bear the ridge on the wall below. Then you just need to match the width of the rige with studs all the way to foundation inside the wall.

 

[ctcray]

Scissor trusses if they can live with the reduced slope of the ceiling OR
Put a girder truss against the face of the 2nd floor wall designed to pick up a point load from a ridge beam. Cover it with drywall and noone will know it's there.

 

[skier1578]

ctcray,

That is what we usually do, but with a ceiling beam of some sort with a king post from the new ridge.