What is the widest a hammer beam can get??

[wkheathjr]

I was just thinking and wondering if a hammer beam bent can be as wide as 40 or 50 feet wide and using multiple brace in one bent?  I probably need to ask an engineer about this one but I thought that maybe someone already know the answer? 

[moonhill]

Hammer beams trusses were used in the distant past successfully due to the large buttresses, lots of stone.  They have been tried in the very near past with poor success, due to the wimpy post.  The hammer beams truss will spread and direct the forces into the post if the post is not substantial enough it will bend/fail.  If you get the chance you could ask the well known timber framer about this.  He ended up putting steal rods across the eve line of one of his first shop buildings. 

Next question is why a hammer beam truss?  There are other options which will function far better.  At 50' you will want an engineer to consult with.

Tim 

[wkheathjr]

Hammer beam is not really a must and I would go with another design.  It is just that Hammer beam kinda stand out of all other design in appearance for me.  Yes, I plan to consult with an engineering and I hope my cousin knows about TF because he is an architecture and designed a 40' x 20' lean-on stage for me. 

Thanks for giving detail info on history of hammer beam and I think your comment make sense. 

[moonhill]

Most architects are decent folks, they are not engineers and even engineers that are not familiar with timber can give you a fine non timbered building.  If you are looking for structural and esthetic timbers try to find an engineer that understands timber. 

Tim

[Brad_bb]

There is an engineer who has specialized in TF that I believe presented at some recent Timber Framers guild conference.  She lives in the northwest, I'm pretty sure, and consults on frame designs.  I'd have to do some research to find her in past guild literature(within the last year and a half I believe).  You could also ask around on the TFguild.org forums if you are registered there.

[maineframer]

If you are looking for an engineer that is experienced with timber frame I would recommend
Janet Kane. She is in V.T. let me know if you want any contact info.

[scsmith42]

On page 117 of Steve Chappell's "A Timber Framer's Workshop", there is a photo of a hammer beam truss built by Ed and Mary Toole in Chestertown, MD.  Although the width is not mentioned, using the ladder and people in the photo for a scale reference that beam has got to be at least 36' - 40' in span.

Let me know if you need someone to mill some extra long beams - I can mill up to 56' if I can find the right log.  Longest one thus far was 44'.

Scott

[raycon]

No idea on how wide.
If you have the time. Look up Vermont timber works online. Check out their gallery. You'll see some wide frames. Not sure on the width.
I was looking up info on a frame they had built for a museum and stumbled upon the galleries. Their online gallery is quite large. 


http://www.vermonttimberworks.com/timber-frame-post-beam-home.html

[Raphael]

Jim DeStefano (destefanoassociates) is licensed in NC if you need the name of another TF engineer.

[Housewright]

I was just at a meeting with Janet Kane and she said that no one should build a hammer beam truss unless you are prepaired to also build a flying buttress! Apparently they are an engineering nightmare.

Jim

[beenthere]

Did she explain that any further?
Makes it sound like the hammer beam truss won't stand alone, but needs a flying buttress to go with it. 

(can't be that one just has to "prepare" to build a flying buttress, or can it? )

[Housewright]

She did not go into detail but it sounded like the loads imposed on the posts are usually excessive.

Jim