In article , Fitch R Williams wrote:
Loren Coe wrote:

i hope the hell not. i possibly overstated the intended load, that one
33-34" section was pretty much the max, and not typical. the 40" section
was probably unique, against a plumbing wall, which actually speaks to
your point.

Hopefully it isn't also a bearing wall that is holding up a lot of
vertical live and dead weight load. If the shelf pulls the wall out
of vertical with the plumbing notches in wrong the side of the stud,
it can collapse in buckling mode due to induced eccentricity with,
maybe, a few milliseconds warning. Buckling is a truly nasty failure
mode.

hummm, it's a not bearing wall. hopefully, the ceiling sheetrock helps
to keep the top plate from moving. i can see now that some extra caution
s/b exercised here, tho. possibly strapping the entire length of the
studs being compromised. at the very least, be _sure_ that all three
lag bolts bite into solid wood. if not, install a strap at that loc.

Since I've been doing a lot of structural calculations to firm up this
house design, I've gotten a whole new respect for their structural
integrity, and, possibly more importantly, how it can be screwed up.
The traditional framed house is a really forgiving structure, most of
the time ... Fitch

your comments reflect mine and my brother's experience. i have always
wondered at the performance of connections made with simple nails, often
key members of the roof structure. the nail gun w/glue coated nails seemed
like a real improvement. later i heard that is not always so, the nail
heads came under suspicion, too small or countersinking seemed to be the
issue/s. they were suspected of pulling thru or seperating during earth-
quakes in California.

my brother built a house with engineered timbers, the "I" beam type, and
due to his own lack of knowledge, had big problems with record snow loads
(in Montana). for this one reason, if i were building a home of any
size (read $$$$) or using engineered beams, i would have an architect
sign off before starting. just mho. good luck! --Loren