I want to cut some braces out.

[bad_idea]

I have a 30x40x12 garage with scissor trusses. I balloon framed the gable end walls to meet the wind code in my area. The framer put braces on the lower cord about 10' from each of the side walls. I would like to remove the lower cord braces on one side of the garage. My understanding is the balloon framed gable end walls braces the roof member at the roof, and the lower cord braces are not needed.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Your user name says it all!
Bad idea!!!

 

[strutaeng]

I have a 30x40x12 garage with scissor trusses. I balloon framed the gable end walls to meet the wind code in my area. The framer put braces on the lower cord about 10' from each of the side walls. I would like to remove the lower cord braces on one side of the garage. My understanding is the balloon framed gable end walls braces the roof member at the roof, and the lower cord braces are not needed.

Yeah, the braces are there to brace the discontinuous "hinge" of the bottom and top stud connection. If the studs are continuous vertically (or balloon framed), no need for the braces.


Maybe post a photo so we can confirm. What size studs and spacing?

 

[jack stand]

If you balloon framed the end walls like you said, yes the braces are not necessary.
Some pictures would help for smore confident advice.

 

[WNYflyer]

Yeah, the braces are there to brace the discontinuous "hinge" of the bottom and top stud connection. If the studs are continuous vertically (or balloon framed), no need for the braces.


Maybe post a photo so we can confirm. What size studs and spacing?

If the trusses are manufactured trusses then the truss drawings most likely show the required straight runs of truss bottom chord bracing/bridging the installer needs to put in. If they are straight runs they are most likely required to brace the truss bottom chords against compression buckling if the truss bottom chords go into compression due to wind uplift on the roof/trusses. Of course all speculation without further information.

 

[bad_idea]

I'll see about posting up some pictures. Also, will look in my records and see if I still have the truss installation instructions. Thanks guys.

 

[bad_idea]

Found the truss drawings. Also, the walls are indeed balloon framed with 2x6 studs on 16" centers sheathed with 7/16" OSB.

 

[WNYflyer]

According to your truss drawing the truss designer is saying that truss bottom chord lumber type bracing/bridging is required at a maximum spacing of 15' on center for truss installation/erection only. Looks like the truss indeed has a design load case where wind uplift on the roof will cause the truss bottom chord to go into compression therefore the truss engineer has stated on the drawing that the truss bottom chords need to be braced against buckling by the attachment of a rigid ceiling and that is the assumption he has made when he was designing the trusses. At least those are my interpretations of the truss drawing. I didn't notice you saying anything about a rigid ceiling having already been installed per the truss designers requirement ?

 

[bad_idea]

Nope... no ceiling. Forgot to take the pictures while I was out there, will take them in the morning.