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Thread: notching

  1. #1
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    Default notching

    This constitute notching in the center of the beam?

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: notching

    Is it a curved section above the fan mount that you are referring to?
    Was looking for sharp angles.


  3. #3
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    Default Re: notching

    Quote Originally Posted by Marc M View Post
    This constitute notching in the center of the beam?
    Nope.
    Looks like a 3 piece box beam with the electrical supply inside the u shape. Structural support would be coming from the 2 side pieces.

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: notching

    Pretty sure its one piece 4x. Its drilled from top to the bottom.


  5. #5
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    Default Re: notching

    It is not a notch. I am not a structural engineer.

    The lower face of the beam is in tension, and most of the fibers running past the fan are still intact, assuming the hole diam is about 3/4". Usual practice is to use a surface-mounted pancake style j box there and pull a single cable to it from the switch box. But we can't be sure what they did from this pic.

    Billy, your eyes are bad or very very good. That beam looks solid to me too.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  6. #6
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    Default Re: notching

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post

    Billy, your eyes are bad or very very good. That beam looks solid to me too.
    .
    Yeah Thanks,
    Urban Dictionary: Eh hole
    .

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    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
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  7. #7
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    Default Re: notching

    Okay...you're right. Hole.
    They drilled from top to bottom then inserted NM through it.


  8. #8
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    Default Re: notching

    Ok. Was trying to look for a notch in the wood surface.

    The beam looks like a ridge beam. If so, ignoring the size of the rafters, a 1/2" hole through what looks like a 4x12+ beam would not have much effect on the presence use of the beam.


  9. #9
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    Default Re: notching

    Quote Originally Posted by Billy Stephens View Post
    .
    Yeah Thanks,
    Urban Dictionary: Eh hole
    .
    Takes one to know one, eh?

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  10. #10
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    Default Re: notching

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    Takes one to know one, eh?
    .
    Oh ya caught that EH ?
    .

    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
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  11. #11
    Darrel Hood's Avatar
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    Default Re: notching

    If it is a ridge beam and, as it appears, the rafters are opposed, then for practical purposes the beam is carrying no load. In that case, the beam size is only a cosmetic choice.


  12. #12
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    Default Re: notching

    It looks like a rather low pitch roof. If there are no ceiling joists the ridge beam would be structural. Notching is much worse than drilling a hole. The strength of a beam is proportional to the square of the depth. Deflection is proportional to the 4th power. The strength and deflection are directly proportional to the width, so a reduction in width has much less effect. A 1/2 inch hole might reduce the strength of the beam by about 15 percent, but likely a bit less. I would get concerned if the hole was much larger than 1/2".


  13. #13
    Darrel Hood's Avatar
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    Default Re: notching

    Mark,
    Please, teach me. There is clearly a significant if not steep pitch. I'm guessing a 2 - 4
    pitch. I don't understand how opposed rafters with a significant pitch are incapable of supporting themselves without a ridge beam. Therefore, I need to learn what makes the beam structural. Also, I don't comprehend the relevance of ceiling joists to this conversation. That's something else I need to learn. Thanks.


  14. #14
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    Default Re: notching

    Quote Originally Posted by Darrel Hood View Post
    Mark,
    Please, teach me. There is clearly a significant if not steep pitch. I'm guessing a 2 - 4
    pitch. I don't understand how opposed rafters with a significant pitch are incapable of supporting themselves without a ridge beam. Therefore, I need to learn what makes the beam structural. Also, I don't comprehend the relevance of ceiling joists to this conversation. That's something else I need to learn. Thanks.
    When there are no ceiling joists or collar ties the rafters will push the outside bearing walls outward. Therefore the ridge has to be designed as a beam to support the weight and prevent outward thrust.


  15. #15
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    Thumbs up Re: notching

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Reinmiller View Post
    It looks like a rather low pitch roof. If there are no ceiling joists the ridge beam would be structural. Notching is much worse than drilling a hole. The strength of a beam is proportional to the square of the depth. Deflection is proportional to the 4th power. The strength and deflection are directly proportional to the width, so a reduction in width has much less effect. A 1/2 inch hole might reduce the strength of the beam by about 15 percent, but likely a bit less. I would get concerned if the hole was much larger than 1/2".
    Quote Originally Posted by Ray Thornburg View Post
    When there are no ceiling joists or collar ties the rafters will push the outside bearing walls outward. Therefore the ridge has to be designed as a beam to support the weight and prevent outward thrust.
    Both of you explained it well, I agree!

    Thom Huggett, PE, SE, CBO

  16. #16
    Darrel Hood's Avatar
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    Default Re: notching

    I think I understand that you are assuming the beam to be supported by king posts on each end?


  17. #17
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    Default Re: notching

    Quote Originally Posted by Darrel Hood View Post
    I think I understand that you are assuming the beam to be supported by king posts on each end?
    I hope it has posts at each end because the rafters sure aren't supporting it! Although we haven't seen all aspects of this member, I think it is clearly a ridge "beam" and not a ridge "board".

    Thom Huggett, PE, SE, CBO

  18. #18
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    Default Re: notching

    A ridge beam must be supported by columns at the ends. BTW, to me king posts are part of a particular style of truss. I have never heard the term used otherwise.

    Regarding ridge beams, ceiling joists are only effective for lateral restraint of rafters down to about a 3/12 pitch. Below that pitch the lateral forces get so large that it is very difficult to make adequate connections.


  19. #19

    Default Re: notching

    I wouldn't make a big deal about it. I've never seen a beam break from a 1" hole drilled in it. Just my 2 cents...

    Andrew Constantine
    InspectPro Home Inspections
    Charlotte NC Home Inspector
    Charlotte Home Inspections


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