DOCSLIB.ORG

Revolving Windsor Chair

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Revolving Windsor Chair 16 Revolving Windsor Chair A few years ago it fell to me to write a story about Thomas Jefferson in a chess match with his slave Jupiter. This venture led to a play on the same subject, as well as research into the physical objects used as metaphorical vehicles for the ideas. In this regard, Jefferson makes it easy for us. One of the more obvious physical items is the revolving Windsor chair used by Jefferson when he was working to draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Having seen a picture of the chair in its surviving form and an- other picture of a re-creation of it, I undertook to make a similar one to use on stage. My version differs from the original in the use of a steam-bent arm rail rather than a sawn and carved one, because I could make a bent arm faster than a sawn one. Making this swivel Windsor is in some ways easier than making a normal one, in that the seat is circular rather than a sculpted outline. There are a lot of parts and processes to a Windsor chair, but with the exception of hollowing the seat, you have already seen how to do them all. Windsor chairs, as the name suggests, are of English design. Windsor chair-making in England centered around the town of High Wycombe, but the chairmaking did not begin in town. Out in the woods, workers called chair bodgers felled, split, and turned the beech legs on their springpole lathes, then sold these legs to chairmakers in town. There, craftsmen would join the legs and spindles to the carved seat planks to make completed chairs. Begin this chair as the bodgers would, splitting the wood, roughing it down, and turning it on the lathe. This is not just a random sequence. By Opposite. making the legs first, you ensure that they are completely dry and that Adapted from the chair Thomas Jefferson they will not shrink and come loose from the seat. You can use hickory, used while composing the Declaration of beech, birch, ash, maple, or white oak for the legs and spindles, but Independence, this Windsor chair swivels hickory is the wood of choice for me. If you work from green, wet wood, on rollers inset between the two seat boards. don't hesitate to turn it to a rough, oversized cylinder while it is still fresh. REVOLVING WINDSOR CHAIR I 137 Let it dry about a month, however, before you do the final turning. Work- Begin by turning the spindles so that they ing overly green wood in the lathe will result in a rough surface, and the will be thoroughly dry (and fully shrunk) by piece may shrink excessively, giving you an ovoid cross section. the time y ou join them to the rest of the The arm rail on this version of the chair is also split, not just because it chair. is faster to split a piece but also because the grain must be absolutely con- tinuous for the Vs-by-Vi-inch arm to bend evenly and retain sufficient strength. Shave it down on the shaving horse and reject it if the shaving reveals any knots or excessive waves in the grain. Because this piece must bend in the same plane as its thicker dimension, it will have a tendency to flop over and take the path of least resistance when you bend it. To pre- vent this you can either make it 7/s inch square and then shave it down af- ter bending or make a bending jig with a groove around its perimeter to hold it in the proper plane. In either case, steam the strip for about an hour and bend it around a mandrel 22 inches in diameter. Leave the ends sticking out straight and let it set up for a few days. Both the heat and the moisture make the wood easy to bend, so it must be reasonably dry in or- der to hold the shape. When it dries, give it a final planing for smoothness and glue on extra pieces of oak for the hands. Once the extra pieces have dried, cut them to their final shape with a coping saw. REVOLVING WINDSOR CHAIR 139 The arm rail may be steam-bent around a mold as seen here. The slot in the perimeter of the mold keeps the rectangular oak rail from flopping over as you bend it. If you have access to hickory trees, an easier way to make the rail is to split and shave a three- quarter-inch-diameter length of hickory, then bend it cold. Even with the added thick- ness, it is easier to bend a uniformly round stick (and then shave it down) than to bend a rectangular piece in the same plane as its thicker dimension. Much of the comfort of the Windsor chair is in the springiness of the hickory back spindles. Like the legs, the spindles must be split to shape and then shaved, or turned on the lathe, to their final shape, as you prefer. If you are making shaved spindles, you will need to make a gauge (a board with holes in it) to fit to the diameter at four critical points. These four points are: (1) the base where the spindle fits into the seat, (2) the largest diameter of the spindle, (3) the diameter at the intersection with the arm rail, and (4) the diameter of the top end that fits into the crest. Thus, make your four-holed spindle gauge using the three augers that you will use to bore the holes in the seat, the arm rail, and the crest, plus a 3A-inch auger for the largest diameter. Rough out the spindles with a drawknife and let them dry lor a few days before you bring them down the rest of the way with a spokeshave. The final fit for the top and bottom of each spindle should be pretty snug, so just the very ends should fit in the holes in the gauge. What really makes a Windsor a Windsor is the sculpted plank seat that takes the legs and spindles like an archery target. Because this is a revolv- ing chair, there are two seats, each a bevel-edged disc 13A inches thick. Traditional English Windsors use a single plank of unsplittable elm for seats. I used yellow pine that I joined up with dowels and glue to the nec- essary width. Lay out the discs with a compass, both to their larger diam- 140 I REVOLVING WINDSOR CHAIR After the arm rail dries for four or five days, it will hold the bend and may be shaved to the final dimension. Glue blocks on the ends to add the extra width for the hands, and cut them to shape with a coping saw. eters, and then to their smaller diameters by subtracting an inch from the radius. Saw out the disc and then trim down all the way around to the smaller diameter with a hatchet, bringing it all smooth with a spokeshave. Framing up a chair was a separate specialty task among the English workers, and you could recognize a framer by his socketed breast bib, which acted as a pad for his brace and bit. Because boring the holes to frame up the chair could make or break the work of the previous crafts- men, the framer's bib was a respected badge of office. Again, the round seat of the swivel chair makes the task somewhat simpler, if more re- stricted. The outward splay of the legs, which lowers the center of gravity and resists racking, must, on this chair, be even all the way around, rather than sticking out more on the back legs, because this chair has no back legs as such. The splay for all four legs may be guided by your bevel, set to cross the square at f and 4 inches. A Windsor gains further strength in the legs by using a tapered hole for the similarly tapered legs. Whereas a hole and shaft joint with parallel REVOLVING WINDSOR CHAIR 141 The four holes in the spindle gauge give the diameters of the base, the thickest point, and the intersections with the arm mil and the crest rail. With it y ou can quickly shave the spindles to their proper size. Lay out the seat planks in two concentric circles, ana chop and shave them down to create (he bevels. 142 REVOLVING WINDSOR CHAIR sides becomes loose if the leg shrinks, the tapered hole and matching Use the bevel to guide the auger as you tenon are always being forced tighter as soon as you sit down. The taper bore the initial inch-diameter holes for the on the leg is shaped when you turn it on the lathe, but the hole must be legs. If you have a tapered reamer, making shaped with a tapered reamer. Such reamers were commonly used to bore these holes conical (with the legs turned to tapered holes in wooden casks and are generally available as antiques. You match) will create a joint that works tighter can also make a reamer of any size by turning a tapered shaft of hardwood as you sit on the chair. and inserting a scraper made from a hacksaw blade radially into one side. When all four legs are in place and the splay is even and sufficient all the way around, tap the legs almost all the way into place so you can bore the holes to insert the stretchers.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Practical Implementation of the Stream Function Method for Design of Arbitrary-Geometry Gradient Coils
    Practical Implementation of the Stream Function Method for Design of Arbitrary-Geometry Gradient Coils R. A. Lemdiasov1, R. Ludwig2 1Insight Neuroimaging Systems, Worcester, MA, United States, 2ECE Department, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, United States Introduction Over the past several years a variety of theoretical design methods for the construction of gradient coils have been developed. For instance, in [1] D. Green et al. minimize a weighted combination of power, inductance, and the square difference between actual and desired field. Representing the current as a Fourier series they find optimal coefficients that minimize the cost function. Our work is a continuation of last year’s research reported in [2]. In this paper we describe an alternative implementation of a stream function method to design gradient coils. Using this method we are able to determine the current distribution to achieve a prescribed magnetic field distribution in the Region of Interest (ROI) that is largely independent of the shape of the current-carrying surface. We will demonstrate the successful implementation of our approach as well as experimental results. Theory As mentioned above, a cost function Φ can be introduced in the form K Φ = 1 ()() ()− ()+ 2 +α ∑W rk Bz rk Bdes,z rk Boff ,z Wmagn (1) 2 k =1 () () where W r is a weight function, BZ is the z-component of the total field, Bdes,z r as well as Boff,z are the z-components of the desired and offset magnetic field, and α Wmagn is magnetic energy with being a weight coefficient. In (1), the first term denotes the square deviation of the magnetic field from the prescribed field, and the second term is the magnetic energy of the coil.
    [Show full text]
  • SLO Presentation
    Cerritos College SLO Presentation WMT Date: 09/11/2019 TECHNOLOGY WMT Cabinetmaking--Cert • Students build a 32mm system cabinet project to meet the requirements of specified planning documents. • Students build a faceframe cabinet project to meet the requirements of specified planning documents. • Students design and build a group of kitchen cabinets using face-frame or 32mm construction methods. • Students select and install base, case, and crown moldings. • Students use computer software to create planning documents. • Students, working as a team, design, build, and install a cabinet or millwork project. Furniture Making--Cert • Student utilize handtools to augment machine tool use in the construction of a furniture project. • Students build a casegood project to meet the requirements of specified planning documents. • Students build a table project to meet the requirements of specified planning documents. • Students convert rough lumber to a flat, straight and square-edged piece suitable for project use. • Students prepare and present a design portfolio including concept sketches, scale drawings, and a scale model and/or full-sized drawing of a chair, table, and casegood. • Students select, prepare for, and apply the appropriate finish for a furniture or casegood project. Woodworking--Cert • Students build a 32mm system cabinet project to meet the requirements of specified planning documents. • Students build a casegood project to meet the requirements of specified planning documents. • Students build a faceframe cabinet project to meet the requirements of specified planning documents. • Students build a table project to meet the requirements of specified planning documents. • Students convert rough lumber to a flat, straight and square-edged piece suitable for project use.
    [Show full text]
  • Tips and Techniques for Using a Detail Gouge
    Woodturning Tools, Techniques, and Projects Alan N. Leland Tips and Techniques for Using a Detail Gouge Roughing with a Spindle Gouge I prefer to rough out my spindles with a 1 1/4” roughing gouge or a ¾” roughing gouge. Roughing out can be accomplished with a detail gouge but it takes a bit longer and the finished cuts are not as smooth. Used properly a 1 ¼” roughing gouge can leave nearly the same finish as a skew. For roughing cuts: the cut is started approximately 2” in from the tail stock end and proceeds in multiple 2” increments cutting toward the tail stock until approximately 3” from the head stock end of the blank at which point the direction of cut is reversed toward the head stock these cuts are accomplished with the tool handle perpendicular to the blank and the end of the handle down at approximately a 45 degree angle to insure that when the cutting edge makes contact with the wood that the bevel is rubbing and the tool is not cutting until the handle is raised up to start the cut. Hold the tool firmly but not tight as in all turning the tool needs to be easily manipulated and this can not be done with a tight grip on the tool. The feet should be spread apart and the body should be free to move with the cut. To achieve the most control, the flute of the tool is sandwiched between the thumb and fingers of the left hand. The thumb is exerting pressure down toward the tool rest and is griping the flute against the fingers.
    [Show full text]
  • 2015 Home Staging Catalog
    2015 HOME STAGING CATALOG 888.AFR.RENT | WWW.RENTFURNITURE.COM | SINCE 1975 SOFAS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 ANEW ARMLESS SOFA 7 JACKSON SOFA 76”L x 32”D x 35”H 92”W x 40”D x 36”H 2 BURNISH SOFA 8 LUCKY STAR SOFA 90”L x 40”D x 40”H 91”L x 40”D x 41”H 3 COLE SOFA 9 LUMINOUS SOFA 76”L x 34”D x 33.5”H 83”L x 35”D x 33”H 4 EMMANUEL COBBLESTONE SOFA 10 MARSELLE SOFA 83”L X 35”D X 33”H 85”L x 34”D x 30”H 5 GRACELAND SOFA 11 OMEGA SOFA 80”L x 35”D x 33”H 75”L x 35”D x 34”H 6 HATHAWAY SOFA 12 OATFIELD SECTIONAL 74.5”L x 33.5”D x 34”H Armless Loveseat - 50”L x 35”D x 38”H Armless Chair - 25”L x 35”D x 38”H LAF Chair - 30”L x 35”D x 38”H RAF Chair - 30”L x 35”D x 38”H Corner - 30”L x 35”D x 38”H 2 TO PLACE AN ORDER, VISIT RENTFURNITURE.COM OR CALL 888.AFR.RENT SOFAS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 POLO GREY SOFA 7 TORREY SOFA 77”L x 37”D x 34”H 83”L x 34”D x 30.5”H 2 POLO TAN SOFA 8 WHISPER SOFA 77”L x 37”D x 34”H 87”L x 37”D x 35”H 3 ROCKFORD SOFA WITH CHAISE 9 ZARINE SOFA 107”L x 67”D x 35”H 79”L x 36”D x 33”H 4 SAVANNA SOFA 76”L x 35”D x 38”H 5 SAVANNA SOFA WITH CHAISE 80”L x 37”D/61”D x 38”H 6 SEVILLE SOFA 75”L x 35”D x 34”H TO PLACE AN ORDER, VISIT RENTFURNITURE.COM OR CALL 888.AFR.RENT 3 1 SEVILLE SOFA (pg 3) 5 RIVER LOFT END TABLE (pg 33) 2 SEVILLE CHAIR (pg 10) 6 RIVER LOFT SOFA TABLE (pg 33) 3 SEVILLE ACCENT CHAIR (pg 10) 4 RIVER LOFT COCKTAIL TABLE (pg 33) 3 1 5 4 2 1 ZARINE SOFA (pg 3) 2 ZARINE LOVESEAT (pg 5) 3 ZARINE ACCENT CHAIR (pg 11) 4 WALDEN COCKTAIL TABLE (pg 34) 5 WALDEN END TABLE (pg 34) 1 5 4 2 3 LOVESEATS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 EMMANUEL
    [Show full text]
  • Drill Bits 101 I've Used Dowels in a Variety of Woodworking Projects
    Drill Bits 101 I’ve used dowels in a variety of woodworking projects having bought myself a pretty decent doweling jig a few years ago. The jig itself came with a twist drill bit for each of the three dowel sizes. For my dowel joinery I often need to drill holes of two different depths; so sometimes it is handy to have two bits of the same diameter with stops set at the different depths. One day I inadvertently was using both a twist bit and a brad point bit and noticed very different results. For example, drilling into end grain was far more difficult with a brad point bit than with the twist bit. All of this got me wondering about the different types of woodworking drill bits. Hence my investigation into the family tree of woodworking drill bits. Note that many drill bits may be multi-purpose, but generally speaking there are different families of bits for plastic, metal(s), tile, and masonry, etc. The basic job of a drill bit of course is to stay centered and not wander, cut the wood to form a round hole, and eject the chips. Seems simple, but not so perhaps, which is why there are so many types of drill bits and even options on lips, lands, flutes, margins, and other design elements – details beyond the scope of Bevel Cut. Of all the types, the common twist drill, invented by Steven Morse in 1863 and covered in US Patent 38119 is the simplest. The V-angle of the tip can vary from 60 to 118 degrees, with the latter being most common in today’s hardware stores according to my own research.
    [Show full text]
  • The Dining Room
    the Dining Room Celebrate being together in the room that is the heart of what home is about. Create a space that welcomes you and your guest and makes each moment a special occasion. HOOKER® FURNITURE contents 4 47 the 2 Adagio 4 Affinity New! dining room 7 American Life - Roslyn County New! Celebrate being together with dining room furniture from Hooker. Whether it’s a routine meal for two “on the go” 12 American Life - Urban Elevation New! between activities and appointments, or a lingering holiday 15 Arabella feast for a houseful of guests, our dining room collections will 19 Archivist enrich every occasion. 23 Auberose From expandable refectory tables to fliptop tables, we have 28 Bohéme New! a dining solution to meet your needs. From 18th Century European to French Country to Contemporary, our style 32 Chatelet selection is vast and varied. Design details like exquisite 35 Corsica veneer work, shaped fronts, turned legs and planked tops will 39 Curata lift your spirits and impress your guests. 42 Elixir Just as we give careful attention to our design details, we 44 Hill Country also give thought to added function in our dining pieces. Your meal preparation and serving will be easier as you take 50 Leesburg advantage of our wine bottle racks, flatware storage drawers 52 Live Edge and expandable tops. 54 Mélange With our functional and stylish dining room selections, we’ll 56 Pacifica New! help you elevate meal times to memorable experiences. 58 Palisade 64 Sanctuary 61 Rhapsody 72 Sandcastle 76 Skyline 28 79 Solana 82 Sorella 7 83 Studio 7H 86 Sunset Point 90 Transcend 92 Treviso 95 True Vintage 98 Tynecastle 101 Vintage West 104 Wakefield 106 Waverly Place 107 Dining Tables 109 Dining Tables with Added Function 112 Bars & Entertaining 116 Dining Chairs 124 Barstools & Counter Stools 7 132 Index & Additional Information 12 1 ADAGIO For more information on Adagio items, please see index on page 132.
    [Show full text]
  • Types of Tap
    Types of Tap HAND TAPS ISO 529 These are straight flute general purpose tools which can be used for both machine or hand tapping. They are generally the most economical tool for use on production runs, but are best on materials that produce chips, or where the swarf breaks readily. Where deep holes are to be tapped, in materials which produce stringy swarf, serial taps may be needed, especially for coarse threads. ISO 529 hand taps can be supplied in sets of three; bottom, second and taper leads, or individually. BOTTOM TAPS have a chamfer (lead) of 1–2 threads, the angle of the lead being around 18 degrees per side. They are used to produce threads close to the bottom of blind holes. SECOND TAPS have a lead of 3-5 threads at 8 degrees per side. They are the most popular and can be used for through holes, or blind holes where the thread does not need to go right to the bottom. TAPER TAPS have a lead of 7-10 threads at 5 degrees per side. The taper lead distributes the cutting force over a large area, and the taper shape helps the thread to start. They can therefore be used to start a thread prior to use of second or bottom leads, or for through holes. IMPORTANT NOTE ON TERMINOLOGY! In the U.K. bottom taps are often referred to as ‘plugs’. In North America second taps are often referred to as ‘plugs’! This can easily lead to confusion. To avoid problems when ordering it is best to use the terms bottom, second and taper.
    [Show full text]
  • Building and Testing Theory on the Role of IT in the Relationship Between Power and Performance: Implementing Enterprise Performance Management in the Organization
    Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 2009 Building and Testing Theory on the Role of IT in the Relationship between Power and Performance: Implementing Enterprise Performance Management in the Organization Mitchell Wenger Virginia Commonwealth University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd Part of the Management Information Systems Commons © The Author Downloaded from https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1784 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © Mitchell R. Wenger, 2009 All Rights Reserved © Mitchell R. Wenger, 2009 Page i Building and Testing Theory on the Role of IT in the Relationship between Power and Performance: Implementing Enterprise Performance Management in the Organization A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. By Mitchell R. Wenger Virginia Commonwealth University [email protected] Masters in Business Administration University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 1984 Bachelor of Science in Accountancy University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1982 Chair: Dr. Allen S. Lee Professor and Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies Department of Information Systems Co-Chair: Gurpreet Dhillon Professor, Department of Information Systems Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia, USA April, 2009 © Mitchell R. Wenger, 2009 Page ii Acknowledgements This dissertation, along with the degree work leading up to it, would not have been possible without the support of my wife Deb.
    [Show full text]
  • Dual Marking Gauge
    Dual Marking Gauge U.S. Des. Pat. No. D677,179 The Veritas® Dual Marking Gauge has two rods mounted eccentrically in the reference face. One rod has a non-rotating wheel cutter whose bevel faces the reference face (outside cutter) and the other has a non-rotating wheel cutter whose bevel faces away from it (inside cutter), allowing the gauge to be used in a wide range of applications. The hardened steel wheel cutters cut wood fi bers rather than tear them, and produce fi ne cut- lines, ideal for chisel registration. The most common use for this gauge would be as a mortise gauge for scribing both sides of a mortise. Unlike other mortise gauges, the cutters on the Veritas Dual Marking Gauge are used independently, scribing just one line at a time. As a result, this marking gauge can be used anywhere a project requires repeated marking of two dimensions. The individual wheel cutters can be completely retracted into the reference face, and the gauge can function as a single-cutter marking gauge. For most traditional uses, the outside cutter (bevel facing the reference face) would be used; however, for thicknessing a workpiece, the inside cutter (bevel facing away from the reference face) would be used. The eccentric confi guration of the rods maximizes the size of the reference surface, while maintaining the overall size of the gauge. The short side can also be used if space is restricted. As an added advantage, the eccentric nature means this gauge is much less likely to roll off the work surface.
    [Show full text]
  • Steam-Bending Instruction Booklet
    Steam-Bending Instruction Booklet 05F15.01 Veritas® Steam-Bending Instruction Booklet Bending Solid Wood with Steam and allowed to stretch as the bend progresses; however, the Compressive Force wood face against the form is subject to compression There are three basic requirements for the successful exerted by the end stops. bending of solid wood using steam. 1. The wood must be plasticized. Although wood can be plasticized chemically or even by microwaves when in a green state, the most convenient way to plasticize wood is with steam. Wood cells are held together by a naturally occurring substance in the wood called lignin. Imagine the wood fi bers to be a bundle of rods with the space between them fi lled with lignin. The strength of this lignin bond between the rods can be decreased by subjecting For example, a straight piece of wood 1" thick and 18" the wood to steam. With unpressurized steam at 212° long bent to 90° around a 4" radius will remain 18" Fahrenheit, steaming for one hour per inch of thickness along the outside (immediately next to the strap), but (regardless of the width) will soften the bond enough for will have the inside dimension reduced to almost 16". bending. Substantial oversteaming may cause the wood Nearly two inches have virtually disappeared through to wrinkle on the concave face as the bend progresses. compression along the inside face! 2. Only air-dried wood of an appropriate species Strap should be used. Blank Kiln-dried wood must not be used; the lignin in the wood has been permanently set during the hot, dry 18" kilning process.
    [Show full text]
  • Build a Plane That Cuts Smooth and Crisp Raised Panels With, Against Or Across the Grain – the Magic Is in the Spring and Skew
    Fixed-width PanelBY WILLARD Raiser ANDERSON Build a plane that cuts smooth and crisp raised panels with, against or across the grain – the magic is in the spring and skew. anel-raising planes are used Mass., from 1790 to 1823 (Smith may to shape the raised panels in have apprenticed with Joseph Fuller doors, paneling and lids. The who was one of the most prolific of the profile has a fillet that defines early planemakers), and another similar Pthe field of the panel, a sloped bevel example that has no maker’s mark. to act as a frame for the field and a flat Both are single-iron planes with tongue that fits into the groove of the almost identical dimensions, profiles door or lid frame. and handles. They differ only in the I’ve studied panel-raising planes spring angles (the tilt of the plane off made circa the late 18th and early 19th vertical) and skew of the iron (which centuries, including one made by Aaron creates a slicing cut across the grain to Smith, who was active in Rehoboth, reduce tear-out). The bed angle of the Smith plane is 46º, and the iron is skewed at 32º. Combined, these improve the quality of cut without changing the tool’s cutting angle – which is what happens if you skew Gauges & guides. It’s best to make each of these gauges before you start your plane build. In the long run, they save you time and keep you on track. Shaping tools. The tools required to build this plane are few, but a couple of them – the firmer chisel and floats – are modified to fit this design.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 2 Wood As a Construction Material
    Chapter 2 Wood as a Construction Material David Trujillo 2.1. Introduction: Timber in the Climate Emergency 2.2. Macroscopic Characteristics of Wood 2.3. Microscopic Characteristics of Wood 2.4. Physical Properties of Wood 2.5. Mechanical and Elastic Properties 2.6. Durability of timber 2.7. Variability 2.8. Behaviour in Fire References Chapter 2. Wood as a Construction Material CHAPTER 2. WOOD AS A CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL David Trujillo, School of Energy, Construction and Environment, Coventry University Acknowledgement The author would like to thank Dr Morwenna Spear from Bangor University for sharing her knowledge about microscopic characteristics of timber. 2.1. INTRODUCTION: TIMBER IN THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Masson- Delmotte, 2018), a 1.5 °C increase in annual global temperature since pre- industrial times as a consequence of man-made climate change will place a lot of pressure on numerous natural, human and managed systems as defined. Nevertheless, trying to limit temperatures increases to just 1.5 °C will require a very significant and rapid change to our global economy and our consumption patterns. The IPCC presents four possible pathways for this transition. Some of these pathways rely strongly on Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), which fundamentally consists of using plants to capture carbon, then transforming the biomass into energy but ensuring that the CO2 released is captured and stored permanently on land or in the ocean. When this scenario is coupled with UN projections that there will be 2.3 billion more urban dwellers by 2050 (United Nations, 2018), it is likely that this rapid urbanisation will require a great expansion in housing, buildings 96 Chapter 2.
    [Show full text]