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Construction Materials and Codes

According to Kolb (13), frame structures are made up of the combination of beam, column, and Slab that resist the lateral and gravity loads of a building. Frame structures are either made of steel or timber materials. Timber framing involves the use of structures from a wide category of systems that include post frame, post- and-beam and heavy timber braced frame. Timber framings are divided into two, which include the heavy timber framing and the light timber framing. Therefore, this paper gives a comprehensive exploration of the uniqueness of heavy timber framing as well as providing the reasons behind the preference of heavy timber framing in building codes. Moreover, the paper seeks to establish how the structure and connection of heavy timber frames differ from light timber frames.

Firstly, heavy timber construction has been used for long in the construction industry as it offers a unique quality and potential for the current architecture. The heavy timber frame provides a significant fire resistance to the building. Indeed, the heavy wooden frame does not catch fire easily as compared to the light timber frames. The heavy timber framing is mixed with chemicals that makes it have a higher density and cannot easily catch fire. Moreover, they offer warmth and a good texture of the wood that gives a good aesthetical appearance of the building. Besides, they are a renewable source hence cannot be depleted easily. Lastly, the heavy timber framing have structural features that give definition and order to the interior spaces. Finally, it uses crane to lift either timbers or assembled parts of the frame into place.

Heavy timber framings are preferred for building code because of their fire resistance capability. According Kolb (10), fire resistance is the rating of the amount of time that a frame takes to support its load without collapsing or spreading fire directly or indirectly through heat transfer. Secondly, heavy timbers are durable and can stay for a long a time without collapsing. In fact, there are evidences of heavy timber constructions still in existence in some parts of the United States after five hundred years (Kolb, 10).

Wagner (23) posits that the heavy timber frame structures and light timber frame structure are different in several areas. Firstly, heavy timber frame structures are stronger than light timber frame. In fact, the heavy timber framing structure is more resistance to trauma from earthquakes, the wind, and heavy snow as compared to the light frame construction. Secondly, heavy timber frame is conducive to in filling with natural building techniques. Concerning the infilling in heavy timber framing, it is not important that the exact places of the vertical studs or post be filled. In fact, Masonry equipment can fit in any space. Moreover, straw bales can be directed to fit every space. With the heavy timbers, structural connection is fastened in the outer side of the frame. Besides, the light frame structures are fastened together with nails or screws while the heavy timber structure are joined using mortise and tenon joinery or modern wood connections to join members together (Wagner 23).

In conclusion, heavy timber frames are preferred in the building codes because of their durability and beauty. The timber frames are divided into two, which include the heavy timber and light timber frame. The heavy timber frames are preferred in the building codes because they have high resistance to fire compared to light timber frame. Finally, heavy timber frame uses mortise and tenon joinery while the light frame structure uses the nails and screw to make a connection.

Works Cited

Kolb, Josef. Systems in Timber Engineering: Loadbearing Structures and Component Layers. Basel: Birkhäuser, 2008. Internet resource.

Wagner, John D. Advanced Framing: Techniques, Troubleshooting & Structural Design. Williston, VT: Journal of Light Construction, 2004 Print.