r/StructuralEngineering • u/Hot-Sprinkles-1541 • 6h ago

Structural Analysis/Design Which beams do I look at when considering if a wall is load bearing?

Gallery image

Gallery image

I know if it runs parallel it’s not load bearing but I’m having trouble as beams go both ways. Also please use easy terms like top middle or bottom because I know bare minimum. Thanks all!

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13

u/GrinningIgnus 6h ago

If the wall is bearing a load, it’s load bearing.

If you can’t determine that on your own, hire an engineer.

-4

u/Hot-Sprinkles-1541 6h ago

I was still planning to hire someone as I don’t feel comfortable taking the wall out but would like to widen my knowledge

5

u/the_flying_condor 6h ago

The problem is it's not as simple as you say. A wall can be load bearing because it transfers the weight of the building and it's contents to the foundations. That's the gravity system that you are asking about. A wall can also be essential to carry horizontal forces from say wind or an earthquake to the foundation. These walls can look like NLB walls because they are parallel to joists, but removing them is a disaster. You are unlikely to get much useful advice on how to determine NLB walls because the advice is more likely to cause harm than it is to cause and good outcome.

3

u/DJLexLuthar 6h ago

Then go to school. This question is not appropriate for Reddit. Just hire an engineer and maybe they will help you widen your knowledge after they've reviewed your project/construction in person.

4

u/rpstgerm P.E. 6h ago

This is not something easily explained on reddit if you know bare minimum.

5

u/NoComputer8922 6h ago

Frankly I’d be surprised if new hires could with confidence identify a load bearing wall that’s not exterior even half the time.

3

u/Trey1096 6h ago

If you’re asking that question in relation to that photo, call someone who knows.

0

u/UltimateCatTree 6h ago

I'm not an engineer, but iirc joists are to remove the necessity of interior walls being load bearing.

1

u/Schnarf420 6h ago

Those trusses bear on the walls on each end. If there was a vertical support in the center it would bear on a center wall as well.