low celling to Vaulted celling

[AircraftSpark]

Hi Guys,

Just in the pondering stages at the moment. I would like to remove the low celling in an upstairs room, and vault it.
The roof is of a purlin and rafter configuration,covered in slate and sarking, with the purlins embedded into masonry at either end, and they span about 4m. Is there a danger of the roof spreading and pushing out the walls if the celling joists were to be removed.
A structural engineer will be employed if ideas are deemed viable.

 

[catlad]

Its hard to imagine that you wouldn't need
some sort of restraint if you remove the ceiling.

 

[AircraftSpark]

Its hard to imagine that you wouldn't need
some sort of restraint if you remove the ceiling.

I was hoping that the purlins are taking most of the load, and transfering it to the masonary that they are embeded in at either end. the purlins are pretty chunky compared to the rafters.

 

[catlad]

Well their you are variables! How good is the masonry?
how well are the purlins fixed in the walls?
I wouldn't do it to my house without a tie bar or two
or a ridge beam.
Its not just a case of possible roof spread if you remove
the ceiling the rafters may only be fixed to the ridge
by rusting old nails.