Ridge Beam Question

[Rick Marton]

The past couple of inspections, I have come across a situation where the ridge beam is not a continuos length from the gable on one side of the house to the gable on the other side of the house. The ridge beam is in two sections just butted up against each other approx in the middle of the house. There are no supports under this joint to safely bring the two butted beams to the load bearing walls below.

The ridge beam is suppose to hold up the rafters. In these cases I feel that the rafters are holding up the ridge beams.

The span is about 60 feet. Why would a framer not run a continuos length of a beam gable to gable?

Thanks for your help,

Rick

[Linas Dapkus]

I've never seen a 60' piece of lumber, never seen a 20'x30' sheet of plywood either.

[KEVIN WOOD]

OK Linas now be nice! A ridge is not needed in some cases at all when the roof has a proper pitch and the rafters oppose each other.

[Randy L. Mayo, PE]

Rick

If the rafters are directly opposite each other than it's a ridge board not a ridge beam and it only aids in placing the rafters, no structural function. Many older houses were framed without a ridge board. If the rafters are NOT directly opposite then it is considered a ridge beam and should be designed to take the bending forces created by the offset rafters.

[David A. Andersen]

The ridge beam is suppose to hold up the rafters. In these cases I feel that the rafters are holding up the ridge beams.

Where did you come up with that one?

Of course the rafters are holding up the ridge beam! Do you think it hangs up there in mid-air?

Simply amazing!!....... again

BTW: Did you know water runs down hill (sometimes)?

[KEVIN WOOD]

Here are pictures from InterNachi graphics to explain.

[Rick Marton]

Randy,

Thanks for your clear answer.

As for David, You sound like a nice tough guy I would like to meet. I would like to see your in the flesh (SAILOR)

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Ridge Beam



Ridge Board



With the proper hangers you can sometimes have a Ridge Board Beam.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by mcyr

With the proper hangers you can sometimes have a Ridge Board Beam.

[Linas Dapkus]

Originally Posted by rmarton

Randy,

Thanks for your clear answer.

As for David, You sound like a nice tough guy I would like to meet. I would like to see your in the flesh (SAILOR)

Are you mad at Dave for pointing out how stupid your question was? How did you know Dave is a former Navy Seal?

[David A. Andersen]

Sorry, This influx of untrained inspectors gets on my nerves about every cycle of FNG's.

I really don't think anyone that does not know the basic "tension - torsion & shear" principles should be inspecting houses...

Just my screwed up warped sense of expectation from self proclaimed experts.

[William T. Misegades]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Where did you come up with that one?
Of course the rafters are holding up the ridge beam! Do you think it hangs up there in mid-air?

The rafters hold up the ridge board... not the ridge beam. The ridge beam will holdup the rafters.

[David A. Andersen]

all right, quit being so damn picky! I'm using his terminology right wrong or indifferent. I don't want to confuse them any more than they already are.

[James F. McKee]

too late !

[John Allingham]

Originally Posted by kwood

Here are pictures from InterNachi graphics to explain.

Kevin or anyone
That graphic shows a load bearing wall on the second floor. I thought trusses needed no intermediate support between exterior walls.