Log Connections
Log Connections
(OP)
Does anybody have any details on log structures? Project is a house, post and beam roof structure, with varying log diameters and lengths. How to account for shrinkage across diameter and length, beams and columns? Supplier says logs will have less than 15% moisture content but up in the mountains that means still some significant moisture loss. I'm thinking connections must have some means of taking up slack once shrinkage starts but must not restrain shrinkage from occuring. Sounds like a tall order to me.






RE: Log Connections
If you are only doing a post and beam structure with the logs there should be minimal shrinkage to consider. The main shrinkage is when you have log walls laid on their sides so you have lots of radial shrinkage to consider. When you have lots of wall shrinkage you tend to use jacking screws on your columns. If you provide a fax number I can provide more details.
RE: Log Connections
RE: Log Connections
For concentrated loads on walls, we typically resort to wood or steel columns -- perhaps within the log walls -- at some point, but how can we determine the actual concentrated load this stack of logs is capable of supporting? Obviously, it depends on the log size and species, construction method, location of openings, etc.
Re. shear wall, spiked walls are mechanically connected from one course to the next. What about through bolt walls? Do we figure some kind of friction, or what.
Anyone have any ideas, or sources?
RE: Log Connections
RE: Log Connections
I think most of us go with the "when in doubt, provide a steel column within the wall" rule, but obviously there's a better way.
Occasionally I will use an analogy with reinforced concrete, i.e., the logs take the compression, and the rods or spikes take the tension. But with the individual log courses, this isn't exactly a very accurate analogy.
Does anyone know of any published information on this subject.