Step 4. Roof-Bearing Assemblies
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Step 4. Roof-Bearing Assemblies ilclcngCI First, to have previously selected, from a wide variety of options, the combination of roof-bearing assembly (RBA) and tie-down system that is "right" for you and for your design. Second, to get the segments of your RBA safely up onto the wall (unless you have chosen to create the RBA in place, on top of the wall) and to make strong connections where they meet. Third, to "tie" this assembly to the foundation in such a way that the maximum expected wind velocity (a.k.a. the design wind load) cannot turn the RBA/roof into an ILFO (identified low-flying object). Walk-Through Jt extend continuously around the structure. Every wall carrying any roof load will need an • During the process of finalizing your RBA, but modern roof designs for square and design and creating plans, you will have rectangular buildings very seldom bear on selected the type of RBA to be used. Among more than two of the four walls (assuming a the factors that can influence this decision square or rectangular building). Even so, one are: might still choose to have the RBA be a —whether the RBA will act as a lintel over continuous collar, in order to tie the whole openings; [This would allow you to use less building together. A rigid, continuous RBA wood in creating the nonbearing door and could also serve as the lintel over all door and window frames, but may bring you to use window openings in the building, thus more wood in the RBA itself. It will enabling all the frames to be similar guarantee a straight, and probably level, roof (lightweight, non-loadbearing). It would also line, but may limit the number and size of distribute some of the roof load (otherwise openings, since the load is concentrated on carried entirely by the columns of bales the bale columns between openings.] between the openings in two of the walls) onto —the distance between the points on the the other two walls. RBA at which the trusses/rafters/vigas/ There are, however, advantages to having wooden I-beams concentrate the roof load, the RBA discontinuous (i.e., only on the two the magnitude of the load at each point and loadbearing walls). It saves labor and the whether it is the same for each point; cost of materials (both to the planet and the —the degree of compactness of the bales wallet). If the roof design is a gable, and if that the RBA will rest on; bales are going to be used to fill in the eaves —and, your various concerns about the (the triangular areas formed by the sloping materials required for the different options roof surfaces), builders often put in a light- (e.g., regional availability for purchase or weight horizontal stiffener at the level of the scavenging, cost [planetary and pecuniary], separate RBA's, before stacking bales to fill the tools and skills required to work with the triangles. If securely fastened at both ends them). to the RBA's, it can provide some of the You will have also decided whether it will collar-benefit of a continuous RBA. For more on stiffeners, see page 130. Page 65 Roof-Bearing Assemblies Roof-Bearing Assemblies Page 66 • Before you can fabricate your RBA, you and that the walls are properly aligned and must decide how to dimension it. It is typical secured under the RBA. If your system for to make the width slightly less than the keeping the top of the wall centered under the average width of the bales. This ensures that RBA involves putting holes in whatever is the RBA, which generally acts as the nailer acting as the waterproof cap, be sure to for the stucco netting, does not extend out carefully seal any openings through which beyond the edge of the bale wall at any point. water could get down into the bales. Choosing the length dimensions is more * Unless your RBA already adequately complicated. There are two obvious protects the top of the walls from invasion by approaches, each with potential advantages: rodents, deny them access by utilizing various 1) Use the foundation dimensions, taking materials (e.g., cement-based mortar, metal into consideration whatever setback you want lath, sheet metal, plywood scraps, old boards) to have from the edge of the bales. The alone or in combination. advantages to this approach are that you can * With your wall tops positioned, as finish building all the segments of the RBA appropriate, under the RBA and with the before the wall-raising is finished, that any chosen mechanism in place to keep them in pre-ordered trusses are guaranteed to fit, as this position, "tie " the RBA securely to the planned, on it; and that you will be mightily foundation. For our "model", we have chosen motivated to end up with dimensions at the an external tie-down system (e.g., polyester top of the wall that are real close to those at cord strapping with buckles or crimped the bottom. seals). "U"-shapedpieces of "tubing" (e.g., 2) Use the actual dimensions of the top of irrigation distribution line, salvaged hose), your finished walls as your starting point. positioned at a chosen interval in the The advantage to this approach is that you foundation, provide sleeves for the strapping. can customize both the width and length You will, hopefully, have taken steps to ensure dimensions to accommodate the actual shape that no concrete could get into the tubing and dimensions of your wall top (if this is when you were doing your pour. your first building, you will be lucky not to Straight pieces of plastic pipe, passing end up with walls that flare out a little). horizontally through a "collar" type Possible disadvantages are that you must foundation, have also been used for sleeves. leave some segments of the RBA unbuilt until However, even with bevels created at the the walls are finished, and that you may not openings where the strapping cord emerges, be able (depending on their design) to the right-angle bend may put unwanted, extra pre-order trusses. stress on the strapping at these points. * For the type of RBA on our "model" Regardless of the type of sleeve used, building, fabricate the roof bearing assembly however, care must also be taken to ensure on the ground in transportable sections. that sharp corners have been eliminated Then move these sections to the top of the where the strapping passes over the RBA. wall and connect them, taking care to get Small pieces of sheet metal, bent to make a strong connections between sections right angle, work well. Or, you can buy pre- (especially at corners). Make sure that the bent metal gizmos (e.g., Simpson A35s) at a diagonals are also as nearly equal as possible construction supply yard. Page 67 Roof-Bearing Assemblies Options for RBA's Least Rigid Bamboo Plank or TJI Beam 2 Sheets of Plywood or OSB * Could be used with loadbearing window frames and More Rigid angle iron to stiffen it over a non-loadbearing door frame. Double TJI and 2"X6" Mongolian 2"X6" Ladder (see next page) Two 2"X6"s 2"X6". 2"X4" w/ 2"X6" w/ w/2"X4" cleats continuous plywood plywood "web" Most Rigid "1 Concrete Bond Beam TJI with plywood 2"X6" w/ plywood (added weight will shorten (closed box) (closed box) permissible spans; see page 31) Note: 2" X 4" [5 X 10 cm] and 2" X 6" [5 X 15 cm] Roof-Bearing Assemblies Page 68 Some Examples of RBAs Truss Joist I-Beam (TJI) Box The pieces used for The top is typically "blocking" can be covered with plywood, pieces of TJI or or the equivalent, after dimension lumber. the space is stuffed with loose straw (some Sheetrock, under builders have treated waterproof drape, as the straw with a fire fire break (optional) retardant) TJIs can be ordered in lengths up to 60 feet [18m] to provide seamless rigidity. waterproof drape corner guard' strapping tie-down option Double-Layer Ladder-Type Mongolian Prototype (suggested by Dan Smith &' Associates) 2"X6" [5X 15.2 wooden or metal peg occassional ' cm] or wider fill or cover gap driven into bale through cross-brace with old boards hole in cleat board to exclude secure strapping rodents firmly to RBA strapping tie-down option 1/2" [1.3 cm] or wider 2" X 8" or 10" polyester [5 X 20-25 cm] strapping stuff space with tie-down option 2" X 4" or 6" straw (be mindful [5 X 10-15.2 cm] of rodent access) coil-strapping adjustable strong, overlapped corner connection, tie-down option side pieces set in to metal buckle ideal for handling hip rafters on as diagonal ensure adequate traditional, lightly-framed hip roofs corner bracing seat on bales Page 69 Roof-Bearing Assemblies Seismic Considerations Wooden Box Beam occasional blocking (cavity external cable bent rebar filled with straw) on outside, tie-down pins to hold attach roofing / 2"X6" system wall in place [5X15 cm] felt, expanded stuffed all-thread 2"X4" metal lath \0 cm] straw tie-down and/or stucco 2"X notch top system netting, here [5 X 15 cm] bales bolts TOP extra cross-brace, drilled, positioned, and end-nailed wherever threaded rods penetrate pressure-treated plywood (suggested by Bob Theis) 2"X4" [5X10 cm] provides attachment for notch Concrete Bond Beam stucco netting BOTTOM ^^ bottom sleeve placed here if using internal , .-•;> ^r bale tie-down rod or cable reinforced expansion strip concrete imbedded slab floor V .