Wood wall used as a beam 2

[jplay2519]

I keep getting this suggestion from an architect to sheath both sides of a wall to help transfer the loads around an opening. I keep telling him that this is just a wall and trying to figure out if this "composite beam" would work for the high loads I have would likely be time wasting. He keeps pushing it so I'm going to run something but I was wondering if anybody had done anything like this before. Looks like a moment of inertia issue and shear flow issue. How do you go about figuring the moment of inertia though for a beam with holes all in it (16" on center studs so that 16" space is just a hole in my web essentially)?

 

[jayrod12]

Look up plywood box beams. I don't see why it wouldn't work, but you'd be governed by the chord member (wall plates).

The apa put out a publication on plywood box beams that I've attached here.

 

[jplay2519]

Thanks. I don't know why I couldn't find that online. I was looking for something similar.

 

[oldrunner]

Learned this in my junior year timber design course from my prof (from Europe). (1957) Just similar to a box beam with sheathing on both sides and checking the double top and bottom plate continuity. Chords are laterally supported by the supported floor and the ceiling joists. Kind of neat.

 

[racookpe1978]

Glued frame members and sidewalls with screws or bolts? Or should he stick to standard nailed connections?

 

[Contraflexure74]

I have often screw fixed plywood to attic knee walls (both sides) to act as deep roof beams when the attic is being converted to an additional room. It works. Just ensure you have a good end connection into supporting walls.