Imagine you're working on the structural design of a residential extension-renovation project. As part of the scope of the project, a section of the existing timber stud wall, highlighted in orange in the image below, needs to be removed to open up the space. Above the wall, the roof system consists of timber trusses.
Question: is this wall load-bearing?
Question: is this wall load-bearing?
Take a moment to think about how you'd determine that before you scroll down to read the answer.
Got your answer?
Ok, here’s one way to find out if the wall is load-bearing or not. When you inspect the existing roof, look for a key detail—check if there's a gap between the bottom chord of the timber truss and the top plate of the timber stud wall. If you spot a gap, that’s a good sign the wall isn’t carrying the roof load., meaning it's not load-bearing. In other words, it’s not load-bearing (see the image below).
But here’s where it gets a bit trickier. Even if a wall isn’t load-bearing…
(scroll down to read the rest)
(scroll down to read the rest)
Even if a wall isn’t load-bearing, as the structural engineer on the project, can you just mark it for removal? Not so fast. There are other design considerations to account for before you give the green light. You need to think about how this change will affect the overall stability and functionality of the building. Will removing this wall require additional strengthening elsewhere? How will it impact the flow of forces through the structure?
Maybe you already knew this, or perhaps you had a rough idea, but the specifics were and are still a bit hazy? Either way, this is a classic example of the practical knowledge you need to confidently design and draft real-life residential projects. Clients and employers rely on you to make informed, reliable, compliant decisions and designs.
If this kind of hands-on, practical problem-solving excites you, it might be time to consider upskilling. Gaining this in-demand knowledge not only makes you a more competent structural engineer in te residential field but also opens up new career opportunities. If you’re serious about taking your skills to the next level and tackling real-life projects with confidence, consider joining one of our training programs. Let's get you ready to handle whatever comes your way in the field.
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