Truss modifications 1

[LesCardwell]

So... I was a carpenter/builder by trade (all phases residential) before becoming a software engineer. Recently bought a house, and low and behold, there's enough room in the storage above the garage for a nice size office. It has engineered trusses, and modifying the longest strut is a no-brainer (giving me a 9'x14' office)... but I'd like to push it a bit further giving me a 12'x14' space. Rendering of the truss is as follows (forgive the lack of graphics). On the left is the original design, on the right, how I'd like ot modify it....

//\\
/ / \ \
/ / -----\ <---proposed horizontal
/ / \ <--- proposed vertical
/ / |\
//\ / |/\\
/ / \/ | \ \
-----------------------------
| |
|_| <-proposed Glulam

|----------23'----------|

Essentially, I intend to use a 3.5"x12" Glulam the width of the garage (20'W x23'L - supporting wall to supporting wall), and 2"x6" replacements for the 2"x4" struts, though vertical/horizontal vs. diagonal... and through-bolting into the roof joists and ceiling joists the 2"x6" supports, then removing the diagonal engineered supports.

My entire office load is easily under 2,000#'s... is this a reasonable reconstruction?

Thx,

Les

 

[Ron]

Les,
You haven't provided enough information for adequate response; however, these forums are not intended to do an overall design assessment of something like this.

Since you are modifying an existing structure and it involves code compliance and life safety, you should get a local structural engineer to take a look at it.

Ron

 

[LesCardwell]

Thanks Ron... I did have an architect take a look, and while he didn't think it would be a problem, he suggested I run it by a structural engineer before submitting it. Being 60+ mi from the nearest engineer, I was just hoping for an opinion here...

Les