Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Nonetheless previous discussion and restoration of Neolithic buildings have at
times indicated the use of heavy wooden members in the construction. h is matter
will be referred to again in the treatment of individual instances.
Given the use of wood throughout the history of building from earliest times
the immediate question arises of the means adopted to attach and i x together
wooden members and elements. Here it is possible to give a summary statement
which is reasonably valid. For i xing together structural members a distinction
exists between unhewn and hewn timbers. For rounded poles and logs the natural
(and most ef ective) means of i xation is by lashing together (if advisable the lash-
ings grooved in). For substantial hewn timbers, it may be said that throughout
ancient building they were i xed together by cutting complementary lodgements
and engagements (i.e. projections and recesses) in the members to be joined.
h us they were i xed together by what is technically known as joinery. Carpentry
(= the use of nails) played a minor part in ancient building construction, and some
references to nails, both in ancient records and in modern archaeology, can be
misleading. Generally speaking the use of nails with wood did not refer to i xing
structural members together—but rather to the attachment of cladding, plating,
veneering etc. A notable instance is the attachment of metal sheeting or ornament to
wooden grounds (NB also i xing terra-cotta ornaments and revetments to wooden
grounds, the i ctile revetments of classical temple building). h e wholesale use of
nails as known in the modern world only appeared during antiquity in connection
with the use of wooden shuttering for Roman Concrete.
Two other methods of i xing and attaching wood were practiced in antiquity.
Glue (as a by product of the slaughter of hooved animals) was more apposite to
cabinet making than to building, but could be used on occasion. And a signii cant
means of attaching planks and boards together was by way of sewing. h is may
sound somewhat untoward, but if it is referred to ship building, it is seen to have
been standard practice.
Fixing of
wooden
members
114, 115
C.
Structural Disposition
Wood can be used to fashion both load bearing and framed structures.
Wooden
structures
1.
Load Bearing Structure
In densely wooded regions with suitable trees an “instant house” can be assem-
bled requiring almost nothing except the felling of trees together with the labour
resources to pile the trunks horizontally, one on top of another, to head height.
With these logs jointed together at the angles a very solid and weather tight
