Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
with the eave of the building. If the rafter overhang first has to cover the bales and then
provide an eave, the depth of the straw bale wall will reduce the actual eave over the bales.
It is possible to add additional support to the ends of the rafters to increase the eave
width, and details on this are covered in Chapter 8, Roof framing.
Installing structural posts for infill construction
Establishing the required height of the posts
Before installing the posts and beams, establish the height of the top of the posts, which
will be the same as the ceiling height in the building. This detail will be included in the
approved plans either on the sectional drawing or one of the elevation drawings. Cut all
the posts to length. If the job calls for the beams to be checked into the posts, now is the
time to make the checkouts in the posts. Measure the actual beams to be inserted into the
checkout rather than to work with theoretical timber sizes. If the beam to be inserted is
45 mm thick, make a rip cut down the post 45 mm from the face of the post extending far
enough down the post to accommodate the beam. It may be necessary to make a second
cut from the other side of the post if the saw does not reach through the post.
Cutting a checkout in the post for the beam
Set your saw to a depth equal to the thickness of the beam. Make an incision across the
face of the post so that the section of post to be removed to accommodate the beam is
removed. It will be necessary to cut a piece out of the bottom of the post to allow the post
to sit over the side rail of the bottom boxing (see Figure 4.17). Stand the first post in
position with its face level with the face of the internal side rail of the bottom boxing.
Figure 4.17
Connection of a structural infill post to the bottom boxing
Fixing temporary bracing to the post and securing the post to the floor
Fix temporary braces to the post so that it will stand securely in the vertical position. Fit
vertical noggings against both sides of the post. Nail the noggings to the post and the
bottom boxing. Fit a second nogging horizontally against the two noggings already fitted
against the post. Insert three masonry nails through the horizontal noggings into the
