The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Timber Framing/Log construction => Topic started by: happyj on August 02, 2009, 09:25:07 PM

Title: Timber Frame Gazebo ?
Post by: happyj on August 02, 2009, 09:25:07 PM
I have been messing with sketchup for the last year trying to come up with something similar to this model i recently found on the web.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13816/1587/TimberFrameGazebo.jpg)
It is what i have had in mind but struggled with drawing it in sketchup. I intend to put an open firepit and hood in the middle of it with a chimney up through the top.
Question I have is the timbers are 8x10 and I was wondering if that was wasteful and how would i go about recalculating what would be needed? I live in Washington state so the snow load is minimal but, as tall as it is 20'+ there could be some wind load needs.
Thanks in advance
Happyj
Title: Re: Timber Frame Gazebo ?
Post by: Ironwood on August 02, 2009, 09:54:34 PM
 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11262/Ogazebo2.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11262/OGazebo1.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11262/Ogazebo3.jpg)

This is a gazeebo I built on an estate near by in 1996. I used pine timbers and a standard "compression post" center design (you should check out this)  w/ coped joinery. Not nearly the skills required for your plan, but has really stood up well. 25' free span octagon. Very simple by using a Lancelot cutter and a Makita/ Ryobi 6" wide power planer.

     Ironwood
Title: Re: Timber Frame Gazebo ?
Post by: witterbound on August 03, 2009, 07:47:20 PM
It looks drawable in sketchup.  Once you got one side done, you'd just need to copy and reorient it 8 times.  It took me quite a bit of playing with sketchup before I got the compound angles down.  Then I find it a real bear to get the base of a a compound rafter to spin 45 degrees when you want the top to stay in the same place.    You'd have to find a local engineer to help you with timber sizes.  My hunch is that 8x10 for the hip rafters would be fine, with 8x8 posts and smaller jacks.  Wouldn't seem that hard to cut once you got one laid out and cut, as they would all be the same. 
Title: Re: Timber Frame Gazebo ?
Post by: happyj on August 03, 2009, 08:41:06 PM
Thanks for the pics ironwood I want to keep the center clear so i can run the chimney and hood up it.
Hey witterbound it is from sketchup and yes i have trouble spinning individual pieces around an axis myself. I do not mess with it much I figure i will pick it up over time. Got any ideas on looking up an engineer from my area?
I also need to figure out how to do the joint that attatches the rafters to the topplate/jack post. I am sure I am not using the correct terms for them what I am wondering is the lower end of the top rafters and how to connect it?
Thanks for the help


Title: Re: Timber Frame Gazebo ?
Post by: swampfox on August 03, 2009, 09:28:48 PM
Hey happj,

its not too hard to do the modeling.  if you look at the model you will see a plan over next to it.  The whole frame is laid down in two dimensions. You can then build a lot of it off of that. 

I think you are talking about the hip to post.  zoom in, I put joinery on there (however it would need more bearing surface than just the tenon)

That compression ring and its connections are a little tricky. Have not figured that out yet.  I was looking for something without chords inside and I think that the outside perimeter posts and there bracing would act as buttresses.

Let me know if you ever want to build it...
Title: Re: Timber Frame Gazebo ?
Post by: happyj on August 03, 2009, 10:47:49 PM
thx swampfox pm sent
Title: Re: Timber Frame Gazebo ?
Post by: witterbound on August 04, 2009, 09:19:20 AM
I'm not a timber frame designer, so take this for what it is worth. I'm in Arkansas, but found (and hired) a timber frame engineer in NC on the timber framer's guild website.  He wasn't licensed in Arkansas, but I didn't need a stamp where I am building.  The engineer is gonna say it will spread at the hip feet, so you need something to buttress it.  So, I'd think about extending each post up above the top plate level, just a little bit, say 12 inches.  Then you could cut a seat in the bottom of each hip rafter, and have the hip sit on top of the post, with about 4 inches hanging down on the inside of the post to give the hip something to push against.  Then I'd screw the hip into the top of the post.  I'd have to draw it, but hopefully it would leave enough of the valley tail to hang over the post to provide the needed rafter to support the roof out there.  If this doesn't work, the engineer may want some kind of metal strap or cable around the bottom of the hip feet to hold everything in place.  Might not be a bad idea anyway.
Title: Re: Timber Frame Gazebo ?
Post by: Jim_Rogers on August 04, 2009, 09:43:30 AM
To find an engineering firm in your area that is familiar with timber framing you can go to the Timber Frame Business Council website and under the "Building a timber frame" pull down you can select "resource guide".

Here is the link to the page http://www.timberframe.org/resourceguide2.html

This guide has a list of all engineering firms who have experience in timber frame design, and you can get contact information from this guide in order to find a firm near you.
If there isn't a firm near you, then select one that says "nation wide" and you should be able to find someone who will help you.

Good luck with your search and project.

Jim Rogers
Title: Re: Timber Frame Gazebo ?
Post by: happyj on August 04, 2009, 09:39:06 PM
Thanks for the pointers and advice. I appreciate it.

happyj