Beam ends cut short?

[Chris Weekly]

Open beam ceiling - wood beams extend sidewall to sidewall of the house, but were trimmed at the exterior wall so there was none of the beam extending beyond bearing. I haven't considered this before because I haven't seen the beams cut flush like this with the exterior walls. The last two photos - look hard to see the beam ends cut to match the lap siding.
Does the beam or connection lose integrity when the beam is cut flush with the exterior wall? Beams are typically seen with a foot or more extending out from the exterior walls. As with floor joists extended with a 3" overlap at the middle support, there is the overlap to account for: 1) movement, 2) weak end cuts, 3) positive bearing, 4)...and possibly other reasons for the overlap - so should the beam extend beyond, or overlap the bearing wall?.
Any engineers or others with this type of experience?

[Rick Cantrell]

To me looks like the ends were decoration.
Probably rotted at the ends and cut off.

[Chris Weekly]

To me looks like the ends were decoration.
Probably rotted at the ends and cut off.

Yeah I agree that that may have been a possibility, and now the exposed ends are subject to the same damage or deterioration - any further rot will be inside. But I'm still wondering if this is a problem now with the structural integrity in any way? Hmmmmmmmmmmm

[Rick Cantrell]

I'm sorry, I didn't answer your question.
I am not an SE, but I do not see it as a structural problem
Probe it for rot,
maybe mention it in the report, maybe

[Chris Weekly]

I'm sorry, I didn't answer your question.
I am not an SE, but I do not see it as a structural problem
Probe it for rot,
maybe mention it in the report, maybe

Yeah, there were other beam ends with rot.
thanks for your reply Rick.
I appreciate the feedback.
Chris

[Matt Fellman]

I will generally call out structural things if there are signs of a problem - sagging, rot in beams, etc, etc. Or, if there are signs the orignal structure and design has been modified (seems to be the case here). You don't even have to say it's wrong... just that the original structure has been modified and it's unknown if the work was done properly. We're not engineers and even if we are we're not being paid to run calcs and most SOPs actually prohibit it. The best service to your client is to alert them something was done and they should look into it further.

[Raymond Wand]

In my opinion the beam end should not have been terminated as illustrated.

At the very least the end should be probed for damage and if sound be capped/flashed to prevent damage by the elements through end grain penetration and through the gaps around the end of the beam.

[Thom Huggett]

There is no requirement that a beam extend beyond the exterior wall, from an engineering standpoint. The beam must be anchored to the column/wall that supports it, or course, but that connection is enclosed in the wall so you obviously cannot make that determination.

[Rich Goeken]

There is no requirement that a beam extend beyond the exterior wall, from an engineering standpoint. The beam must be anchored to the column/wall that supports it, or course, but that connection is enclosed in the wall so you obviously cannot make that determination.

Just for clarification, the beam ends in question extend beyond the exterior supporting wall---not terminate at the exterior wall surface.
So they are still exposed to the weather. Had the siding been removed, the beams cut flush with the exterior wall, siding and waterproofing media replaced to prevent the weather from affecting the beams, and the wood was good---there would be no issue.

[Chris Weekly]

Thank you all for your replys.
Thom, I also appreciate your perspective with your expertise. I am less concerned now, except for the exposure to the weather part, which I stated in my report. This house must have been built by a wood slayer. There were a number of funny things going on.
You also happen to be close by to me - just across the Carquinez bridge.

Chris

[Mark Reinmiller]

Open beam ceiling - wood beams extend sidewall to sidewall of the house, but were trimmed at the exterior wall so there was none of the beam extending beyond bearing. I haven't considered this before because I haven't seen the beams cut flush like this with the exterior walls. The last two photos - look hard to see the beam ends cut to match the lap siding.
Does the beam or connection lose integrity when the beam is cut flush with the exterior wall? Beams are typically seen with a foot or more extending out from the exterior walls. As with floor joists extended with a 3" overlap at the middle support, there is the overlap to account for: 1) movement, 2) weak end cuts, 3) positive bearing, 4)...and possibly other reasons for the overlap - so should the beam extend beyond, or overlap the bearing wall?.
Any engineers or others with this type of experience?

I'm late with a response, but as an engineer I will confirm that this is not a structural problem. Probably not much chance of significant deterioration considering the overhang and drying that would occur, but I would recommend cover the beam ends with flashing or siding.

[Thom Huggett]

Just for clarification, the beam ends in question extend beyond the exterior supporting wall---not terminate at the exterior wall surface.
So they are still exposed to the weather. Had the siding been removed, the beams cut flush with the exterior wall, siding and waterproofing media replaced to prevent the weather from affecting the beams, and the wood was good---there would be no issue.

Oh yeah, I didn't notice that they cut the end of the beam to match the siding at first glance. When I saw that I laughed out loud (lol)! I guess they didn't want to remove the siding to fix it correctly.