Are the center 4”x 6” poles load bearing?

[RickB]

A foot of wet snow on that roof is about 106,000 lbs.

Snow Load Calculator | Weight of Snow on Your Roof

Not for long.

 

[Rustyiron]

Many of these buildings are engineered so closely (minimally) that with the only "collar tie" being that high you in the rafter span, I wouldn't take them out without an additional "tie" closer to the wall/ roof connection particularly with your location.

 

[s219]

They don't appear to be load bearing. However, it would be good to know the size, spacing, and span of the rafters and your location's typical design snow load. That would very quickly tell us how much margin the rafters actually have.

Also important would be what is under the post. A true footing? If not, then they are definitely of no use for supporting load.

Also, are those purlins notched into the rafters? If so, then the actual rafter height is only the height of the board below the notches. Very poor way of doing it in my opinion.

 

[Fidler4]

Oops I guess I didn’t change my location on TBN. This is in East Tennessee and not in NW PA so less of a snow load here.

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 216442]

Re: Are the center 4肺 6 poles load bearing?

They don't appear to be load bearing. However, it would be good to know the size, spacing, and span of the rafters and your location's typical design snow load. That would very quickly tell us how much margin the rafters actually have.

Also important would be what is under the post. A true footing? If not, then they are definitely of no use for supporting load.

Also, are those purlins notched into the rafters? If so, then the actual rafter height is only the height of the board below the notches. Very poor way of doing it in my opinion.

I agree with previous answers stating it appears the posts were not intended as original load bearing posts and were just installed to separate the stalls and facilitate walls. But they do end up taking some roof loading. However, for NW PA, it appears that the truss design and spacing at 12' intervals was substandard for expected snow loads. I'd have its design reviewed and calculated for expected snow loads. I reckon you will find your building roof structure needs some major surgery. Just the purlins between trusses alone look substandard if that span is 12'.

 

[RickB]

Oops I guess I didn’t change my location on TBN. This is in East Tennessee and not in NW PA so less of a snow load here.

Thanks

Depending on your exact location I'd say there's potential for a large accumulation of wet heavy snow in east TN. Surely not with the same frequency as WPA, but it's something to consider. Good luck with your barn remodel!

 

[Gem99ultra]

I would guess that the poles were added to allow a neat way to run the electric wires down to the stalls. They certainly weren't added to give the roof much if any support, not the way they were installed. The trusses would be my biggest concern. I had my 40x60 barn built but I had an engineer specify the way the trusses were built, and how many. I think I have near twice as many as you mentioned.

 

[Egon]

Do not forget wind loads. There does not seem to be any provisions for lateral wind forces.

 

[the old grind]

Re: Are the center 4肺 6 poles load bearing?

Inspector demanded that we use HD 'barn nails' on a lean-to, big long & fat guys like gutter nails, galvanized, and with ring-shanks. This after saying Gary's roof span was too far for pitch and snow load & we had to add a beam. No notches were required and he approved the 4 nails/side by using those he asked for. As for notching, are the rafter tails not load bearing? They look nailed vs notched into wall posts. Ain't a notch-one in my 40' x 40' x 14' barn. Rafters have x6 top and bottom chords and are spaced at 4'.

So we have three beefy 'trusses' holding up OP's whole roof on 8' spacing plus roof & purlins to hold up insulation ... 3" of wet snow would only add 10 tons or so. This would put a tension load on the rafter cross-braces. Yeah, a few more nails oughta fix the splines. I suggest that x-braces are tied in near the posts as part of original plan and they're not full trusses because the posts obviated them. This hardly resembles a typical workshop over-build to me. More like a $/sq ft loafing shed with doors & stalls.

I'd build the 'trusses' up, esp if not doubling them up before removing the posts. :2cents:

 

[ruffdog]

The door on the far end is the same width as the posts. Is that the case with the near end? Does the OP NEED the posts out? What will be stored that needs more open space? Would it be better to install different doors on the end so the OP has easy access to the outer portions? :confused3: