24A-255 (6) �55
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JACOB SMITH ENGINEERING & DESIGN
March 2nd, 2016
To: Mr. Scott Biddle
25 Norfolk Ave.
Northampton, MA
01060
Re: The removal of an interior bearing wall.
Mr. Scott Biddle,
You have informed me that you intend to remove a portion of a bearing wall inside your
residence at the address indicated above. On February 261h, 2016 I visited you at the address indicated
above to review existing conditions.
The structure at this address is a single family residential structure that conforms to type 5-B
construction. At the time of my observation you haat removed the gypsum board sheathing from the
existing wall faces and you had also removed a portion of gypsum ceiling finish adjacent to the wall to
be removed.
Upon closer inspection of the exposed second floor structure above the wall to be removed, we
could see that the existing ceiling was supported by the bottom chords of trusses that have been
modified as part of a previous second floor addition. The bottom chords of the existing trusses and the
existing ceiling were left in place and a new LVL beam was installed above the wall you intend to
remove. New second floor joists were attached to the new LVL beam via cold form hangers.
The wall you intend to remove is currently performing two structural tasks. The first is that it is
supporting the bottom chords of the original trusses and thereby also supporting the ceiling assembly
in general. This wall is also hiding a(3) 2x4 post that supports the second floor LVL beam mentioned
above. This existing (3) 2x4 post is located at the eastern most end of the wall.
You have informed me that you intend to remove the existing(3) 2x4 post beneath the LVL
and replace it with a 9"diameter exposed tree post. You also intend on installing a second similar tree
post roughly 3-4 feet west from the post described above.
We discussed some options for supporting the existing ceiling system and the requirements for
the new tree posts. See the bullets below for items discussed.
1) Attach the existing 2x4 truss bottom chard elements to the existing second floor lvl support
beam above by pre drilling holes and using 6" long"Timber Lok" screws and screw the
truss bottom chords directly to the existing LVL beam above. Use (2) screws at each
truss/beam connection. An alternate connection shall be to use (2) LTS 12 twist straps at
each truss beam connection, alternate side and orientation or twist straps at each set of 2x4
truss bottom chords.
8 CoA-ms AvENm; SOUTH DEER ui a MA 01373
jacob@jacobsmithengineering.com
VOICE 413-397-3441 FAX 413-665-1142
2) The new tree columns are fine. They have plenty of capacity. Please pre-drill toe screw
holes and set a minimum of(4) 6" long "Timber Lok" screw at the cap and base of the tree
column. Center the new post directly beneath the LVL second floor beam. Install several
solid 2x10 fit block between the existing 2x10 main floor joists directly beneath the new
column above location. Provide enough 2x 10 blocks for full bearing for the new tree
column above. Install new 3'/2" diameter Lally columns with"Heavy Duty" Springfield cap
and base plates. Attach the cap plate with the screws provided and attach the base with 3/8"
x 3" expansion anchors.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Respectfully,
Jacob Sn h Engineering and Design
By 1-4, ..
acob F. Smith, P.E. ,f '
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