TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

932 AURORA BLVD. CUBAO, QUEZON CITY

ASSIGNMENT #1
TIMBER DESIGN

.
REYES,JAMIELAINE A.
CE42FB1

JUNE 25,2016

TYPES OF TIMBER STRUCTURE

Timber frame
In the frame structure lightweight walls are constituted by frames of elmenti in timber, with uprights and crosspieces,
which may have a size diverse. These frames are closed on both sides with panels of various type (plasterboard, gypsum fiber
board, chipboard, concrete wood, wood fiber, of fibers oriented panels, plywood). The space between the elements of the frame
is filled with insulation (rock wool, mineral wool or glass wool, in recent times also more and more often natural materials such as
cellulose, wool, coconut fiber, hemp, cotton). The structure of the floors is composed of wooden joists of different section, with
paneling on both sides and isolation in large density (mineral wool). On the structure of the floor you can also realize the floating
floor for better sound insulation properties (concrete screed).

Timber skeleton structure

The supporting structure is composed of beams and pillars, placed at determined distances. This allows a freer
configuration of the facades and walls of partition. The walls do not have any support function with regard to the transfer of the
vertical loads, which results in a greater freedom in the design of the spaces. Above or between the major carriers are placed the
secondary load-bearing elements, such as the floors. The forces are transmitted solely through the beams to the pillars, which
are normally independent of the solid elements, which delimit the spaces. The elements of the supporting structure are generally
left exposed to highlight the wood-frame structure. The walls can be made of prefabricated elements made of wood or glass
(even a combination of materials). There are frequent cases of combination of wood framed structure with glass curtain walls.

Solid timber construction

The structures in solid timber are divided into two categories: those with walls made of solid wood beams, circular
section (the typical "Log house") and those with walls of solid wood panels nailed or glued (Xlam). The walls are usually
insulated, and on the one hand, and closed with a panel, but it is possible also an embodiment without finishes, with visible
structure. The exterior walls can be protected from the external finish of wood or plaster or covered with a brick faade. The
structure of the floor is generally composed of solid wood panels (Xlam) or wooden beams and panels connected on both sides.

EXISTING WOODEN
STRUCTURE

Tang Dynasty Wooden Structure

Chinese architecture constitutes the only system based mainly on wooden structures of unique
charming appearance. This differs from all other architectural systems in the world which are based mainly
on
brick and
stone
structures.
There
are four
extant
wooden
structures of
the
Tang Dynasty
(618907), all of
them
being
Buddhist halls
in
Shanxi. They
are
very valuable
especially
important are
the
two big halls Nanchan Temple and Foguang Temple.

Located in the southwest of Wutai Mountains, the Nanchan Temple, built in the 3rd year (782)
during the reign of Tang Emperor Jianzhong, is a very small hall, its plane close to a square shape.

Because it is in great depth, the roof is of a singleeavedXieshan type (two slopes on the upper part and four
slopes on the lower). The slope of the hall is very gentle. Because the plane is close to a square, if the
Chinese hipped roof (four slopes on the lower part) is adopted, the front ridge will appear to be too short,
and the structure will be very complicated. If Xieshan is adopted, the proportions will be very suitable. Later,
this became the method generally adopted for halls of a square or close to a square plane. Located in
Doucun Village at the foot of Wutai Mountains, the Foguang Temple, founded in the 11th year (857) of Tang
Emperor Dazhong, is a mediumsized hall standing on the terrace at the back of the temple. The plane of
the big hall is of rectangular shape. It consists of seven rooms in the front, with a circle of inner pillars within
the hall dividing it into the heart and the surrounding two parts. In the heart is a Buddhist altar on which
there are five groups of statues in tacit coordination with buildings. The roof is singleeavedWudian, the
slope of the house is also gentle.

The composition of the space represents a major characteristic distinguishing architectural art from
other plastic arts. The hall of Foguang Temple provides us with the only important example for
understanding the internal space of Tang Dynasty structures. The core space is fairly high. The walls and
Buddhist altar between pillars also give prominence to its important position. Around the checkshaped
ceilings are slanting rafters, under which are thoroughly exposed beam frames. These beam frames are
both necessary structural members and an important means of expressing the structural beauty and
dividing the space. Between the wooden structural members of the beam is vacuum .The space between
makes "circulation" possible, which is empty, bright and permeable. The grandiose beam frame and the
dense checks of the ceilings form the contrast between the coarse and the fine, and the sense of weight.

The low and narrow peripheral space serves as a foil to the center space. But the designing methods for
the beam frame and the ceiling are identical. The entirety is accomplished at one stretch giving a strong
sense of order. All spaces of different sizes try hard to avoid complete isolation in terms of horizontal and
vertical directions. The complex and interwoven beam frame, in particular, makes the boundary surface of
the space hazy and implicit, without the least sense of rigidity and stagnation. This example demonstrates
that artisans of Tang Dynasty architecture already had a high degree of selfconscious spatial esthetic
judgment and superb spatial handling technique.

ELEMENTS OF TIMBER
The chemical composition of timber varies from species to species, but is approximately 50% carbon, 42% oxygen,
6% hydrogen, 1% nitrogen, and 1% other elements (mainly calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, andmanganese)
by weight.

TIMBER STRUCTURE PARTS

DESIGN SPECIFICATION OF TIMBER STRUCTURE

Closed trusses
Queenposts truss
The queenposts truss has the shape of a triangle with two curved members running from the principle
rafters to the tie-beam.

Kingpost truss
The kingpost truss has a triangular shape with a vertical member called the kigpost in the centre running
from the tiebeam to the ridge. This type of truss is used to make frames with larger spans. The kingpost
prevents the tiebeam from sagging.

Open trusses
Arch braces truss
Arch braces trusses are made up of two principal rafters connected with a collar. Underneath the collar
there are two curved full braces jointed into the collar and rafters.

With this type of truss you can create a curved ceilings as are often seen in churches.

Cruck frames
Crucks are made from curved trees that usually are cut in half to from two identical cruck blades. With full
crucks they run from ground level up to the apex of the building. Then there is the upper cruck where the
cruck blades run from floorbeam level up to the apex. The last type is the jointed cruck here the two
members are jointed to form a cruck. Here a post runs up to topplate level where it flares out into the roof
angle. There it is jointed with a straight principle rafter.

Interrupted tie beams truss

The interrupted tie beam trusses are used when there is not enough height between floorbeam and tie
beam. This can be the case if the building height is restricted by planning regulation for instance, and it is
not permitted to build two full storeys but there is room for one and a half storeys.
To retain the out worth truss of the principal rafters you can omit partly the middle section of the tie beam,
so you are left with two short tie beams where the principal rafters are joint in.
The interrupted ties are connected to upright post, slingbraces or crucks. (See drawings of the interrupted
tie beam, slingbraces truss and crucks). This will stop the outward trust of the principal rafters and walls.

Slingbraces truss
The slingbraces is a truss that has two angled curved members that run from the horizontal wall post up to
the collar. As with the interrupted tie beam truss this truss also has two interrupted tie that are jointed to the
slingbraces to stop the rafters and walls from spreading.

Hammer-beam truss
The hammer-beam truss is an open truss that is constructed by omitting the middle part of the tiebeam.
This type of frame resembles triangles that are stacked on top of each other.