Log Beam Notching
Log Beam Notching
(OP)
I have a log home project in the southwestern style where the log roof beams are spaced approx. 3'-6" o.c. Structural deck spans over them. The logs are simple span. In several instances, for reasons the builder was exceptionally vague on, the top of the log was notched at the bearing end. There is no notching in the tension zones. In the worst case the notch extends 1/2" past the face of the supporting 2x wall. In the majority of cases the notch is contained within the wall depth. The notches vary from 1/2" to 1/3 the dia. of the log. Any coments, tips and suggestions?






RE: Log Beam Notching
RE: Log Beam Notching
In my experience with timber frames and log homes, beams are often oversized.
Hope this helps, if not, maybe restate your question.
Cheers,
Mike
RE: Log Beam Notching
It is most common to knotch the bottom of the log rather than the top at the support. If you have the log rafters sticking over your gable ends to support the roof rake overhang, the top becomes the tension side of the beam at the roof support. In between your supports the bottom of the log is the tension side but that moment goes to zero at the support leaving you the just the moment from the overhang at the rake. Any engineer looking at your structure would need to know the building dimensions, roof loads, overhangs, type of wood, grading of logs if done, log diameters, etc. I would recommend you get a local engineer with log home experience to look at the structure. It is cheap insurance. Contact some local log home dealers or suppliers to get the name of the engineer they use.
RE: Log Beam Notching