Engineering Timber Columns
Engineering Timber Columns
(OP)
Has anyone here designed heavy timber columns? I'm talking an amish carpenter cutting down a Southern Pine tree, debarking it, and using it as a 20' tall exposed exterior column for a roof on a house. What issues would this create?
questions in my mind are:
1. What design loads could I use since its not graded by any of the agencies.
2. Does NDS even apply to this?
3. How long would it need to age so it limits shrinkage once in place.
4. How to protect it from rotting
questions in my mind are:
1. What design loads could I use since its not graded by any of the agencies.
2. Does NDS even apply to this?
3. How long would it need to age so it limits shrinkage once in place.
4. How to protect it from rotting






RE: Engineering Timber Columns
You may be able to find someone at a timber supply company or the forestry department at a university that could do the grading.
RE: Engineering Timber Columns
RE: Engineering Timber Columns
RE: Engineering Timber Columns
Footnote No. 1 for Table 4D in the 2005 NDS says:
"For 5" and thicker lumber the GREEN dressed sizes shall be permitted to be used because design values have been adjusted to compensate for any loss in size by shrinkage which may occur."
Would that not apply to this case? Having made that note, I will admit that I conveniently ignored Atomic's question about shrinkage. Is there someplace (and enough time) where this "tree" could be dried? The moisture content can be measured using a meter.
RE: Engineering Timber Columns
But even still, I'd be real wary of using green timber like that as too quick of drying, or uncontrolled drying in general, could result in splits and warping that would have a large effect on your structural capacities.
RE: Engineering Timber Columns
http://www.slideruleera.net/AWPI-Page.html
www.SlideRuleEra.net![[idea] idea](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/idea.gif)
RE: Engineering Timber Columns
I think your concerns about the shrinkage are appropriate. Does anyone know of guidelines for proper drying procedures? (e.g. "rate of drying", etc.). Or can one just 'bake' it 'till moisture content is reduced?
RE: Engineering Timber Columns
RE: Engineering Timber Columns
These timbers would be about 25' tall.
SlideRule, that's an excellent paper. thank you
RE: Engineering Timber Columns