[Greenbuilding] Sustainable post and beam construction

[Alan Abrams]

I've really enjoyed getting back to P&B...since the peeled "vigas" of my
adobe days, and some timber framed houses by Bart Prince....my first more
recent experience was inspired/validated by Auburn U's entry in the 1st
Solar Decathlon (back in the Early Oughts) where they open framed the roof
with beautifully crafted and finished PSL's.  Took that idea (which had
already been percolating) and ran with it.

I like using engineered bolted connectors, because it satisfies the local
BO's concern with wind loading.  I agree with the point a previous writer
mentioned about ease of disassembly; to that I'd add metal fasteners would
facilitate repair/replacement/modification.

lastly, given the contemporary carpenter's predilection for stuffing as
much meat into a stud wall as possible (like double jacks for a 3' header,
etc) there is thermal logic in attaching a very lightly framed assembly to
the outside of an otherwise independent, structural frame.

-AA


On Mon, Nov 4, 2013 at 10:25 AM, John Salmen <terrain at shaw.ca> wrote:

> One of the reasons I used to give for making a life of building things is
> what you describe so nicely as the intimate connection. And that does hold
> true I feel regardless of the tool and the material and technology. That
> said part of that history is also one of servitude and selling labour. I’ve
> seen a lot of pb buildings from the 17-1800’s in north America that are
> poor examples of the skill – representing more a struggle with tools,
> materials and time. I’ve been in attics where wedges and pins have worked
> loose or sheared and joints have failed.
>
>
>
> I liked Ken’s comments and the doubts he expressed. Framing with timbers
> has a place and was the only way I could work with local 60yr old timber.
> Regardless of whether a connection is achieved through wood or introducing
> metal it comes down to the physical properties of the wood and the
> time/complexity/ resources involved in achieving the connection.
>
>
>
> A timber frame though is not a building – it is just a skeleton and my
> only problem with it is that as new builders get involved with it can
> produce a certain blind adherence (similar to other building techniques)
> that can limit all the other knowledge that needs to go into building
> sustainably.
>
>
>
> *From:* Greenbuilding [mailto:
> greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] *On Behalf Of *Clarke
> Olsen
> *Sent:* November-04-13 5:53 AM
> *To:* Green Building
> *Subject:* Re: [Greenbuilding] Sustainable post and beam construction
>
>
>
> True, as we streamline process, we lose our intimate connection with both
> the method and the product.
>
> I didn't mean that traditional methods be scrapped, but that newer
> technologies can be used to our benefit.
>
> Clarke Olsen
> clarkeolsendesign.com
> 373 route 203
> Spencertown, NY 12165
> USA
> 518-392-4640
> colsen at taconic.net
>
>
>
>
> On Nov 3, 2013, at 9:38 PM, Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 3, 2013 at 1:05 PM, Clarke Olsen <colsen at fairpoint.net> wrote:
>
> Maybe it's time to revise traditional timber frame. A system of bolted
> connectors,
> rather then tenons, would reduce both lumber and time, and make alteration
> easier.
>
>
>
> Ah, but where's the fun (history, craftsmanship, beauty) in that?!
> :-)
>
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-- 
Alan Abrams

*certified professional building designer, AIBD certified passive house
consultant, PHIUS*
*certified passive house builder, PHIUS*
Abrams Design Build LLC
*sustainable design for intentional living*
cell     202-437-8583
alan at abramsdesignbuild.com
www.abramsdesignbuild.com
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