wrote:
On Aug 23, 1:34 pm, wrote:
On Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:11:23 -0700 (PDT), John
wrote:

Heres a few pics of the wall Im talking about. I pointed out a few of
the studs I need to turn. The double joist at the top runs from the I
beam in the middle of the room to the cinder block wall. The other
side of the steps is dry walled but has the same set of double joists
at this side.
Thanks for any help.
John
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...rv331/pic1.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...rv331/pic2.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...rv331/pic3.jpg
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...rv331/pic4.jpg
Based on the fact that your joists are parallel to this wall and there
is no blocking in the wall, my guess is not load bearing. You still
need to look above this to be sure what is up there. Another wall
directly above this one might suggest down load. If you are going to
put the studs back, you could shore it up, cut them out, put them back
turned and remove the shoring.


I don't know, I'm not so sure. The fact that the joist above it is
doubled clearly indicates that doubled joist is carrying some
significant weight from above. The studs that are there now are
part of that overall support structure. Whether there is still
sufficient strength from the doubled joist being only supported on
both ends is questionable.

It's a header over the shelf area. You can see where two studs have been
removed to provide clear access to the shelves. So they ran the header piece
from post to post. I bet it's nailed/bolted more over that free span. How
about taking a look and letting us know if that is so?

As gfretw pointed out, studs will bow under a great weight, so there would be
blocking between the studs to prevent that - *if* the doubling meant what you
are thinking it means.