The passing solution in the NCARB example doesn't have any columns on the lower floor. Is that correct? Are we to assume that the bearing walls will carry the load of the beams/lintels that we put over the openings? I see columns in their upper floor layout, but we aren't supposed to transfer that straight down? Does the bearing wall just pick up that load?

*Edit: Also, why do we need a beam over the entry wall, but not over the window wall?

Please see this link

http://arehelp.webs.com/ncarb-errors
scroll down to Structural Systems Vignette commentary.

Also, if you look back in this SS vignette forum history, Coach has discussed this in detail. I will post that if I find it.

Here are threads that refer to Coach and Sparky suggesting the Column/Beam method and avoiding the Bearing Wall only or Bearing Wall+Column method.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=43734&p=150264&hilit=column+bearing+wall#p150264

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=43301&p=148894&hilit=column+bearing+wall#p148894

I used the search function to find the old posts.