[Greenbuilding] Sustainable post and beam construction

Tue Nov 5 17:34:36 CST 2013

Yah what is it with the double jacks. I specified load rated simpson
brackets to support the headers and for the inspector it was like declaring
war on carpentry. Also I can just imagine what a 'lightly framed assembly'
means to a carpenter

From: Greenbuilding [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org]
On Behalf Of Alan Abrams
Sent: November-04-13 5:01 PM
To: Green Building
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Sustainable post and beam construction

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
 <mailto:alan at abramsdesignbuild.com> alan at abramsdesignbuild.com
 <http://www.abramsdesignbuild.com/> www.abramsdesignbuild.com

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