Wrapping fabric yurt with wood?

[Bob Rowlands]

I'm not a structural engineer, so keep that in mind when you read my opinion. I think you should consult an engineer on this before you proceed. In fact I should have prefaced that in my first post above. At minimum discuss it with your yurt maker, if possible.

IMO I think your yurt will support a hard covered roof. I would increase the cable one size unless it is overkill as is. There are reference tables online that show cable load in poundage, based on grade of cable. There is a decided difference between aircraft grade and 'Depot' grade wire cable. I'd measure the existing cable and assume it is the lower grade, and reference that size in the chart. If it looks too light, or borderline, it just might be. Go up in size to make sure. Again the yurt maker could tell you what grade your cable is.


Additional roof loading. If you roof is about 800 sq ft., and you covered the existing framing with 3/4 boards, or sheathing, the additional wall load would be no more than perhaps two pounds per sq. foot of roof area, or ~1600 pounds. With approximately 95 feet of wall in the yurt, that's an additional load of 14 pounds per foot of run, less whatever the ring supports bear. But, again, I am not a structural engineer. Plus, I am totally guessing what your yurt looks like from a structural pov. That's all I got on this. Good luck.