Can i move this A frame ?

[onebobo]

Hi people !
I have enclosed some photo's of my problem.
I have a mezzanine bedroom with not much space.This is made worse by an A frame being in the way and was wondering if it could be moved or altered to make more space ? This is in an old barn conversion and i am presuming it is only there to support the 6m long timber beams that have been joined ?(one each side)
Could i not get two beams put in that are not joined or is there another way ?
Thanks.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6597/0003772lk4.jpg
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9468/0003773sm7.jpg
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/6145/0003775as3.jpg
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/711/0003774tq9.jpg

 

[Deluks]

Very tricky. You could possibly replace it with a member that's moved further against the wall, flush with the purlins, and the purlins fixed using a structural bracket of sorts, but it depends on what the a frame timbers are doing once they disappear out into the eaves.

Or you could lose the purlins and replace with hefty steels, and if you mean that they are 6m long each side, then I can only say this:



(12m spans are no fun to deal with in a domestic situation.)


The other option is to remove the 'a frame', and add lots more 'a frames' along the length of the roof, but with shallower depth. You'll lose more ceiling space throughout but will have less chance of banging your head. Talking of which...

...the short answer: Go back to bed and get out of it the opposite side that you got out of this morning.[/i]

 

[onebobo]

This photo may show you better what the frame is doing ?
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6933/0003776tu1.jpg
Is it just a case of it holding the purlins where they are joined ?
The building is a total length of 6m so each purlin is about 4m plus 2m joined.
Can i not put 2 new purlins in and if need be have them joined the other end which is off of the mezzanine and so the A frame could go back in place but would be out the bedroom?
Thanks

 

[Deluks]

As I understand the 'a frame' is supporting the purlin, preventing it from sagging or breaking. But even without the join, and using a single 6m continuous length, it would still need supporting as 6m is too long for timber to span unsupported.

Your idea of 'flipping it all around' so that the a frame is at the other end is a good one, but will be a nightmare to implement, as most of the roof will need temporary propping to enable the work to be done.

One solution would be to install another 'a frame' or struts at the other end, then remove the existing one leaving the purlins in place. The existing overlap can easily be dealt with if it can be adequately fixed, possibly using a fabricated metal bracket.

Also if the other end of the roof is (as I imagine) a vaulted (open) ceiling above the room below, then you could install a beam from wall to wall, and diagonally strut the purlin onto the centre of this. This could all be done in structural timber to maintain the character, or a contrasting steel effort, possible stainless so it looks all sexy and 'grand designs'

Can you do some photos of the mezzanine floor from below, and the stair/ladder that is used to reach it? My thinking is that if there is a wall beneath where the mezzanine starts (beneath where the bannister rail is)then you could use that to strut from.

You ideally need an engineer to advise and come up with a solution. We have one floating around here somewhere and I'm sure he'll be along in due course with a more informed answer... using maths and 'clever stuff'.