Approaches to Timber Framing in Architecture - Research Paper Example

 Architecture Hard timber framing is amongst the most commonly accepted construction methods across the world. The technology ranges from the ages of tradition to the contemporary designs which have revolutionized the whole art. Timber framing serves a remarkable history in the field of construction. In some communities are it is accredited to the historical heritages defended by the respective community. Categorization of timber framing is based on several properties, amongst them the nature of the foundation upon which the final construction is based. Others include the composition or the models of the walls utilized, as well as the loci and angles upon which the roof is jolted. In some incidents, the nature of the hard timber utilized is also essential in the quantification. Hard timber technology fetched from the tradition based techniques has several contrasts from the modern technology structures. The culture of utilizing the timber based models dates back to the ancient dynasties with much regard being attributed to the favourable climatic conditions. Such conditions promote the growth of timber, placing them for consideration in house construction. Various factors lead to the preference of timber framing in the traditional moments, as compared to the modern designs. Amongst them are the associated benefits, especially with regards to the utilization of timber in construction. Amongst this is the element of creativity attributed to timber based construction. This technology deploys the effort of crafts persons in the development of the desired designs. The impressive results associated to the resultant designs leads to their preference across the generations. Another essential aspect is the openness accredited to the timber framed designs. Modern designs have borrowed the art of load bearing in the establishment of flexible designs. This implies that the prospective designs can be remodelled in accordance to the preference of the owner. This changes and adjustments can be made by the course of the utilization of the structure, hence the flexibility (Rower, 2011 p.34). Timber is is essentially durable when kept under the appropriate conditions. This makes it of preference in the construction of permanent structures. Timber requires little maintenance costs since a structure can lust for hundreds of years without necessitating essential maintenance services. This is unlike logs which require frequent maintenance in order to ensure efficiency in function. The efficiency in the energy conservation accredited to timber structures is also central in their preference. Timber structures are associated to improved insulation features as compared to the insulator panes. Insulation is essential in containing air leaks, as well as lowering the costing of home heating during cold seasons. In addition, the cost incurred over cooling of houses is also highly reduced. This ability makes timber of increased preference in construction. Methods Traditional methods deployed different methodologies and techniques in construction as compared to the modern methods. A greater variation existed in the manner under which the specific designs were crafted. This focused on both the structures and the craftsmen deployed (Advanced framing: Techniques, troubleshooting & structural design, 1992, p.67). Scotland is the home to some of the earliest timber constructions known in the history of Europe. This identifies it for the study on the nature of designs and techniques deployed in this age. Amongst the common techniques is the carpenter marks. This was based on the artistic skills of the involved craftsmen. The key target was to assist in the identification of various pieces during the assembly of the subsequent frame. On this regard, the carpenters made several cuttings on the wood that were unique in nature. Progressively, the art could be deployed in the establishment of the touches desired by the subsequent client, or de used as a dating technique (Roy, 2004, p.78). Subsequently, some markings were simply endorsed for the observation of certain rituals. This was in accordance to the demands of the subsequent society unto whom the client is enrolled. In some cases, the alteration in the designs focused on the adjustment to the attributed climatic changes. This was in accordance to the demands of the geographies of construction. Unlike in modern day, the tools utilized in the development of the designs of choice were not that advanced. This called for the deployment of the artistic skills of the craft persons in the development of eloquent structures. Cruck frames were amongst the most considered design during this period. These types of frames are developed from curved trees that are designed with extreme creativity (Victoria, 1994, p.56). The trees are halved into identical sets the perfected to the demands of the subsequent structure. The crucks are developed from the logs of hard wood and are assembled to run from the base of the prospective structure to the apex region. The upper section can be extended with the upper structures that resemble inverted crucks. The posts forming the upper apex are jolted together via an improved touch of efficiency, eventuating into a structure that flickers slightly into the roof angle. A continuous principle rafter is then utilized to engage on the final jolting on the flicking ends. Modern techniques deploy a rather advanced technique of hard timber framing. This is based on the dictations of the structure flexibility, a factor that is accredited to the demands of the architecture plan. Contemporary construction is oriented further towards the final design than towards the suitability of the structure. This is based on the lessons accrued from the anticipated demands from designs achieved from other models of construction. The realization of such demands is achieved via the utilization of highly advanced tools, as well as highly revolutionized methods of construction. This art is developed from a collection of tradition approaches and focuses on their strengthening, as well as the sustainability of the subsequent structures. Amongst the techniques and methodologies deployed includes open and closed designs. This is pegged on the final designs of the trusses utilized in the construction. This wide variation eventuates in increased discrepancy in the resultant design. Closed trusses involve the formation of a triangular shaped frame of the trusses. Such designs engage the presence of a tie-beam, which utilize the art of geometry too result into a considerable structure for the principle rafter. The open model is more centred to the horizontal members which pairs up with the lower structures on formations similar to the ones under crucks. The central purpose of the trusses frame is to contain the load of the prospective roof from exerting increased force on the foundation. This is the main principle of construction, and a key contributor to the designs of various houses (Standards Association of Australia, 1992, p. 56). However, further complications can arise in the occasion where the walls are forced to contain the whole load. In this situation, the resultant effects include the overstretching of the walls a feature that may lead to the collapse of the whole structure. This leads to the introduction of the tie – beams which seek to initiate cohesion between the structures. The identification of structures associated to the tradition designs in a modern city such as Miami was a significant challenge to the success of the study. However, similar models were easily identified from the archives from the libraries and other ancient collections. Results An example of a closed roof design, part of the modern designs. An example of the King Post; a hard timber framing design that was initially adopted from the ancient models of timber framing. Singbraces method that is deployed in the strengthening of the walls from the weight of the roof. The interior model of a house portraying the cracks that were used to support the foundation and the walls from the weight of the prospective roof. A structure illustrating the upper apex that is supported by the wallpost. References Advanced framing: Techniques, troubleshooting & structural design. (1992). Richmond, VT: Journal of Light Construction. Rower, K., & Timber Framers Guild. (2011). Timber framing fundamentals. Alstead, NH: The Guild. Roy, R. L. (2004). Timber framing for the rest of us. Gabriola Island, BC, New Society Publishers. Standards Association of Australia. (1992). National timber framing code. North Sydney, N.S.W: Standards Australia. Victoria. (1994). Timber framing manual. Carlton, Vic: Timber Promotion Council. Read More