,transcriber's ,notes3 ,underscores 80 before and after a word or phrase indicate italics in the original text4 ,small capitals have been converted to ,,solid capitals4 ,illustrations have been moved so they do not break up paragraphs4 ,typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected4 ,plank ,frame ,barn ,construction ,,by ,,john ,l4 ,,shawver ,,david ,,williams ,,company1 ,publishers #bcb-bch ,william ,street1 ,new ,york #aijd ,,copyrighted #aijd1 ,,by ,,david ,,williams ,,company4 ,,preface4 ,this matter was originally presented in the columns of ,carpentry and ,building1 in response to continued requests for information concerning the plank frame system of construction1 which for many years past has been growing in popularity in various sections of the country1 more particularly the ,central ,west4 ,the author has given a great deal of attention to the subject1 having been associated with the construction of plank frame barns for a long period1 and he is1 therefore1 competent to discuss the matter from the standpoint of the practical builder4 ,barns of the character indicated have been extensively erected through various sections of the ,west1 and it is with a view of presenting valuable data concerning the method of construction that this little work has been compiled4 ,in the course of his articles the author points out the advantages of the form of construction referred to and describes wherein there is a saving of time1 labor and material1 an important consideration1 especially in sections of the country where timber for building purposes is not in plentiful supply4 ,constructing a ,plank ,frame ,barn4 ,,by ,,john ,l4 ,,shawver4 ,the growing interest in the plank frame barn1 as manifested by inquiries which have emanated from many quarters1 calls for specific information which will enable every builder and farmer to avail himself of the many advantages offered by this system of construction4 ,the system has been in use in ,central ,ohio for the past #bj years1 and has been rapidly growing in favor wherever people have had an opportunity of investigating its merits4 ,during these years the system1 which was at first somewhat crude and undeveloped1 has been gradually improved1 until to-day1 after many of the most severe tests1 it is believed to have reached very near perfection as regards economy of material and labor1 strength of frame1 convenience of arrangement and durability of structure4 ,the advantages offered by this method of construction are3 #a4 ,a saving in timber of from #dj to #fj per cent4--a not small item in many localities where timber for building purposes has become a scarce article4 #b4 ,an opportunity to employ for the building of barns timber that could scarcely receive consideration if solid timber mortise and tenon frames were to be built4 #c4 ,a saving in the cost of sawing1 cutting and hauling of about one-half of the timber4 #d4 ,a saving in cost of framing1 ranging from #ej to #ij per cent41 according to the plan of the building and the efficiency of the builders4 #e4 ,in cases where farmers' wives are expected to board and lodge the builders1 a saving in labor and vexation of two or three weeks' unnecessary time for framing old style barns4 #f4 ,a riddance of practically all of the interior timbers1 which are usually an interference with the use of the horse forks and hay slings1 as well as a source of constant vexation at threshing time and all other times when the barn is in use4 #g4 ,the full benefit of the self supporting arch roof1 a construction of combined triangles1 long braces and perpendicular timbers4 #h4 ,durability1 arising from the fact that there are no mortises in which moisture may accumulate and cause the tenons to decay4 #i4 ,the strongest possible support for the track of the hay fork or sling4 #aj4 ,ease of addition to the main building should any ever be required4 ,changes and variations in plans need cause no loss of timber1 as is certain to be the case where a bill of materials has already been placed on the ground4 ,if a piece of timber is too long the piece cut off is used at some point1 though perhaps not over #ah inches in length and containing only #b or more feet of stuff4 ,suppose we cut off #ah inches of an #h #h we have lost #h feet of lumber1 which is worthless for any purpose save for fire wood4 ,if a given piece is too short it is spliced in a moment's time and no loss of strength is sustained4 ,in an old style framing if a piece was too short it required considerable labor to remedy the matter1 and a loss of both timber and strength was sustained4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #a4--;,interior ,bent of ,plain ,gable ,barn with ,basement4 ,herewith are illustrated two bents of a barn1 ,fig4 #a1 showing a plain gable barn with basement4 ,referring to it1 #a #a #a are posts of basement bent1 consisting of five #b #h planks1 two of which are #h feet long and three of which are #g feet #b inches4 ,upon these rest the joist bearers1 marked #b #b #b1 which consist of three planks #b #aj1 extending lengthwise of the barn4 ,these basement bents are thoroughly braced by a method which will be illustrated hereafter4 ,the braces #c #c #c are made of two #b #d inch stuff the required length1 with a short piece of the same material forming a clamp brace somewhat similar in shape to a clothes pin4 ,the sill of the superstructure1 marked #d1 consists of two #b #h inch plank1 with #f-;inch space between them4 ,the posts #e #e are made of two #b #h inch plank1 with intervening #b-;inch space4 ,the purlin posts1 #f #f1 are made of two #b #h inch plank1 with intervening space2 #g #g are roof supports1 consisting of a #b #h inch plank4 ,the collar beams #h are two #b #ab inch plank with intervening #b-;inch space2 #i #i are sub-supports1 made of a #b #f inch plank2 #aj #aj are stays of two #b #d inch plank1 with intervening #b-;inch space2 #aa #aa are the main ties of one #b #h inch piece2 #ab1 #ac and #ad are braces and ties of #b #f inch plank2 #ae #ae are purlin plates1 made of two #b #h inch plank1 with intervening #b-;inch space into which couplings and braces enter4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #b4--;,barn ,bent1 ,showing ,gambrel ,roof ,construction4 ,at #af #af the main plates1 made of two #b #h inch plank1 are placed into a ,v-trough and inverted over the top of the post4 ,the rafters #ag #ag may be spliced on the purlin plates4 ,the topmost intersections are bolted1 as shown by means of the dots4 ,the upper ends of the purlin posts are cut down #d inches1 on a line parallel with the roof supports1 and again at right angles with the first cut1 forming a saddle1 into which are placed the purlin plates4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #c4--,outside ,view of ,end ,bent of ,superstructure and ,basement ,bents4--,scale1 #c-cb ,inch to the ,foot4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #d4--,side ,view of ,plank ,frame ,barn4--,scale1 #c-cb ,inch to the ,foot4 ,in ,fig4 #b is presented a view of an interior bent of a gambrel roof basement barn1 which is constructed on the same general principles as shown in the previous figure4 ,hip roofs1 gothic roofs1 etc41 are as readily provided for as either gable or gambrel roofs1 so any man's taste may be fully met in this respect4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #e4--;,detail ,showing ,section of ,frame4--,scale1 ,inch to the ,foot4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #f4--,section of ,purlin ,plate4--,scale1 ,inch to the ,foot4 ,an outside view of the end bent of the superstructure and an end view of all the basement bents are shown in ,fig4 #c of the illustrations4 ,the braces in the basement are permitted to extend up and between the sills of the superstructure1 thus binding both basement and superstructure into one solid frame work4 ,in the interior of the basement1 where long braces will not interfere with the arrangement or convenience1 they are to be preferred to short ones1 but where short braces are necessary they are inserted in such a manner as to give greater strength than when mortised in as is usually done4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #g4--;,detail at ,peak of ,barn4--,scale1 ,inch to the ,foot4 ,a side view of the frame1 which is of such a character as to fully explain itself1 is presented in ,fig4 #d4 ,the plate is made of two #b #h plank spiked together to form a trough and inverted over the tops of the posts4 ,the manner of constructing the bents of the basement is indicated in ,fig4 #e4 ,if the posts can stand on solid pillars of stone no sills are necessary1 and the fillers extend down to the lower ends of the posts and up to the joist bearers4 ,a side view of the purlin plates1 which are made of two #b #h or #b #aj plank with a #b-;inch space between them1 is shown in ,fig4 #f4 ,the coupling or splicing block extends either way from the roof support a to the dotted lines b b4 ,at c is represented a sectional view of the sub-support1 to which the stays d d are secured1 and also the lower end of the braces e e4 ,this arrangement gives sufficient strength to the purlin plates to sustain a slate or any other roof desired4 ,fig4 #g shows the manner in which the peak of the arch is constructed4 ,the roof supports1 which are usually of #b #h1 are indicated by ,a ,a4 ,the sub-supports1 usually of #b #f plank1 are indicated by ,b ,b1 while the dotted lines represent the collar beams1 ,c1 constructed of #b #ab inch plank1 there being one on either side and bound together by -inch carriage bolts #f inches in length1 their position being indicated by the small crosses4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #h4--;,detail ,showing ,construction of ,posts in ,end ,bent of ,fig4 #c4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #i--,sectional ,view of ,plate4 ,three posts of the end bent1 shown in ,fig4 #c1 are constructed of two #b #h plank1 one #b #d and one #c #f1 all as indicated by the cross section in ,fig4 #h of the engravings4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aj4--,side ,elevation of ,barn ,having ,two ,driveways and ,bay at ,either ,end4 ,it will be noticed that all of this work is easily and quickly done and that there is not only a saving in the timber1 but also in the labor4 ,as an example of the time required to erect a frame1 ,i would state that ,i was recently called to another county to assist in building a basement barn1 #dj #hj feet in size1 #h-;foot basement and #af-;foot superstructure1 with plain gable roof4 ,with three carpenters we commenced work on ,wednesday morning1 and on ,saturday of the same week we raised the barn complete4 ,in other words1 it took four carpenters three days to frame a barn #dj #hj #bd feet4 ,in ,fig4 #aj is shown a side view of a barn with two driveways and bay at either end4 ,a ,a are duplicated on inside of posts1 with bridge blocks at dotted lines2 ,b is main plate2 ,c is purlin plate of two #b #h plank set at right angles with roof and also braced at right angles2 ,d is roof supports1 forming the arch of the barn1 and ,e the collar beams4 ,fig4 #aa shows interior bent of a 8ground0 barn with decks above driveway4 ,should stables be desired in one or both ends joist bearers may extend entire width of barn4 ,there are doubtless many who would like some evidence of the strength1 durability and popularity of this system of barn building1 and ,i therefore submit a few facts in relation to these points4 ,first ,test of ,strength4--,a small model made of linden strips #c-af inch thick and 1 and in inch width1 made on a scale of to #ab and representing a barn #dj #fj1 with #h-;foot basement and #bj-;foot superstructure1 was found strong enough to support four men of average weight4 ,second ,test4--,several years ago a number of persons at a barn raising were discussing the frail appearance of the frame1 and a test was made with chains and levers in an effort to crush the frame by drawing at opposite angles1 but without the slightest effect4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #aa4--;,interior ,bent of 8,ground0 ,barn with ,decks ,above ,driveway4 ,another example is found in a barn which was put up with a minimum quantity of spikes1 because the owner did not wish to take time to go to town for more4 ,the barn has been standing #ad years1 within which time a number of destructive wind storms have passed over it without damage1 though much damage to fences1 forests and buildings resulted in the vicinity4 ,as evidence of the rapidity with which the framing may be done1 ,i will refer to a basement barn1 #dj #hj1 #bd feet to the square1 recently erected in ,union ,county1 ,ohio4 ,i began with three carpenters on ,wednesday morning1 and on ,saturday of the same week the barn was raised complete4 ,we were compelled to work under the disadvantages of considerable mud on the newly graded foundation site1 necessity of carrying the timber some distance1 and the short days in mid ,november4 ,none of the hands had any previous experience in this work1 so had to learn as they proceeded4 ,a large dairy barn was built the last week of ,october1 #ahif1 just out of ,new ,york ,city4 ,it is #ajj #cf1 with #h-;foot basement and #af-;foot superstructure4 ,we had four house carpenters and two laborers4 ,began work ,monday morning1 but were delayed by the non-arrival of the spikes till nearly noon4 ,the basement bents were each #ajj feet in length1 and there were nine bents in the superstructure4 ,both basement and superstructure were raised on ,friday of same week in six hours with the help of #cj men4 ,still another example may be given to show the difference between the plank frame and the mortise and tenon frame4 ,with three helpers ,i framed a barn1 #dj #gb1 with #bj-;foot posts1 while two carpenters1 one of them a foreman1 framed the sills for a corn crib1 #e #dj4 ,the system has been introduced into #cb ,states and some fair sized barns have been built in this way4 ,one in ,kentucky1 #ef #ajj2 one in ,colorado1 #fj #gj2 one in ,wisconsin1 #dj #abj1 with wing #dj #fj2 one in ,ontario1 #ef #if1 and one in ,virginia1 #fj #ajj4 ,i have yet to learn of any who1 having built strictly to specifications1 are dissatisfied with the frame4 ,on the contrary1 we are frequently in receipt of letters from those who have thus built stating that they are delighted not only because they have saved both money and timber1 but at the same time have obtained a thoroughly strong frame without the usual interior timbers1 which are so much in the way in handling hay or grain4 ,i shall be glad to have the friendly criticism of practical builders given in the columns of ,carpentry and ,building4 ,any suggestions which may lead to further improvements in the system will be appreciated very much1 and due credit will be given to those who suggest them4 ,it will be seen that the system is especially adapted to large grain and hay barns1 to cover barnyards1 which are becoming so popular in many sections of the country1 to tool sheds1 tobacco barns1 amphitheaters1 c4 ,while there is not so large a saving in the timber of the basement as in the superstructure1 there is yet a fair saving of timber even here1 and at the same time there is great saving of labor4 ,the timbers are employed only where they can serve a useful purpose1 and special effort is made to so place the timbers as to secure the maximum amount of strength with the smallest possible amount of timber4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following communications were brought out as the result of ,mr4 ,shawver's invitation to the readers of ,carpentry and ,building3 ,bracing a ,basement ,barn ,built on the ,plank ,frame ,system4 ,from ,e4 ,s4 ,h41 ,connecticut4--,i have been reading the articles of ,mr4 ,shawver on barn framing with a great deal of interest1 and ,i am desirous of obtaining full instructions in regard to bracing the interior of a basement barn3 also a complete bill of materials for the frame of such a barn1 #dj #fj feet in area1 basement #h feet high and superstructure #bj feet high4 ,the roof is of the gable pattern1 one-third pitch4 ,there is also a bay in each end and a double driveway4 ,answer4--,in referring to the above inquiry1 ,mr4 ,shawver submits the following information1 accompanied by the illustrations presented herewith3 ,the sketches here given will explain in detail the manner of inserting the braces and the way in which they are made4 ,of course1 when long braces will not interfere with the desired use of the space they are preferred to short ones1 but short ones properly inserted will give the same rigidity to the plank frame that braces of similar length will give to a mortise and tenon frame4 ,the braces ,c ,c of ,fig4 #a are inserted in the bents as the latter are constructed1 but the brace shown in ,fig4 #b is not inserted until the barn is raised4 ,in basement barns the joist bearer1 ,a of ,fig4 #a1 is made to extend lengthwise of the building1 and the bents of the superstructure being placed crosswise we find the sill of a bent of a superstructure as represented at ,f ,f4 ,but in ground barns the joist bearers extend crosswise of the barn1 and the post ,b is permitted to extend up through the joist bearer about #g inches4 ,two posts are then spiked to this projecting portion1 one on either side1 and thus again the brace shown in ,fig4 #b may be inserted if thought necessary4 ,if1 however1 the braces are properly inserted in the side walls of the frame the short braces may safely be omitted in ground barns4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #a4--,showing ,method of ,bracing4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #b4--,one ,form of ,brace ,employed4 ,the following is a bill of materials for a plank frame basement barn1 #cf #fj feet1 basement #h feet1 with wall on one side1 #af-;foot superstructure1 with a #bc-;foot bay at each end and a #ad-;foot driveway in the middle4 ,roof one-third pitch1 plain gable1 decks over driveway if permissible4 ,interior posts of basement to stand on stone pillars4 ,,bill ,,of ,,materials4 ,basement3 ,first ,bent4 ,ins4 ,ins4 ,ft4 #b sills #b #h #fj 7or six #b #h #bj7 #ab posts #b #h #h #d door posts #b #f #h #f post fillers #b #h #h #d nailers #b #f #ab #a nailer #b #f #ad #c joist bearers #b #aj #fj 7may use #ads and #bds47 #aj braces #b #f #aj ,bents #b1 #c and #d similar4 #ab posts #b #h #h #ah post fillers #b #h #h #bj braces #b #d #f #c joist bearers #b #aj #fj ,ends of ,basement4 #h sills #b #h #i 7or four #b #h #ah7 #d nailers #b #f #ah 7or eight #b #h #i7 #d nailers #b #h #ah #af braces #b #f #aj #ef braces #b #d #f #bh brace blocks #b #d #af ,superstructure3 ,two ,end ,bents4 #d sills #b #h #cf 7or eight #b #h #ah7 #ab nailers #b #f #ah #d beams #b #h #cf 7or eight #b #h #ah7 #bj posts #b #h #af #aj post fillers #b #d #af #h braces #b #f #ah #h purlin posts #b #h #h #h braces #b #d #i #b gable ties #b #f #ah #f stiffeners #c #f #af ,two ,interior ,bents4 #d sills #b #h #cf 7or eight #b #h #ah7 #d sills #b #h #b #h posts #b #h #af #h purlin posts #b #h #bd 7or twelve #b #h #af7 #d roof supports #b #h #bb #d sub-supports #b #f #ag #d collar braces #b #ab #e #h stays #b #d #c #d ties #b #h #h #d ties #b #f #e #d ties #b #f #d #d braces #b #f #h ,two ,floor ,bents4 #d sills #b #h #cf 7or eight #b #h #ah7 #d sills #b #h #b #h posts #b #h #af #h purlin posts #b #h #bd #d roof supports #b #h #bb #d sub-supports #b #f #ag #d collar braces #b #ab #e #h stays #b #d #c #d ties #b #h #h #d ties #b #f #e #d ties #b #f #d #d braces #b #f #i #h joist bearers #b #h #h ,side ,timbers4 #d sills #b #h #bc #b sills #b #h #ad #bd nailers #b #f #ab #d nailers #b #h #ad #h plates #b #h #bc #d plates #b #h #ad #h purlins #b #h #bc #d purlins #b #h #ad #h couplings #b #h #h #d couplings #b #h #d #d braces #b #d #ab #af braces #b #d #g #h deck joist #b #h #ad ,floors1 siding1 roofing1 doors1 etc41 will be the same as in other barns of same dimensions4 ,,estimated ,,cost ,,of ,,framing4 ,foreman1 #b4ej per day1 #c days #g4ej ,two journeymen1 #b per day1 #c days #f4jj ,two apprentices1 #a4be per day1 #c days #c4ge ---------- ,total #ag4be ,raising and inserting braces1 #a day #e4ge ---------- ,total #bc4jj ,cost of completing same as other barns of same dimensions and style of finish4 ,a ,plank ,frame ,applied to a ,skating ,rink4 ,from ,n4 ,b41 ,sussex1 ,n4 ,b4--,we want to erect an auditorium1 #ej #bjj1 with #af-;foot posts and #ab-;foot sheds at each side for offices1 waiting rooms1 saloon1 etc4 ,we want galleries all around and a large band stand at one end1 suspended from the roof4 ,the building is to be used for a skating rink in winter and for public meetings during the summer4 ,will the plank frame system described in ,carpentry and ,building be suitable for the frame8 ,answer4--,the above inquiry was submitted to ,mr4 ,shawver1 who contributed the recent articles on plank frame construction1 and in reply he says3 ,the plank frame is admirably adapted to such a building as that described1 and can be quite cheaply constructed4 ,in ,fig4 #a of the sketches is shown one of the bents near the end on which the band stand is located1 indicating the manner in which it is suspended from the roof by the rods ,a ,a1 together with truss rod ,b4 ,the galleries appear at either side1 above which and beneath the eaves are the windows4 ,if lighted by dormer windows1 or if artificial light is employed1 the shed roofs may be of the same pitch and a continuation of the roof of the main building1 in which case the galleries may extend back beneath the roof of the sheds1 and they need not extend out further than the purlin posts4 ,the sketch1 ,fig4 #b1 shows an interior bent without the band stand4 ,the end bents will be constructed in a manner similar to that shown in ,figs4 #a and #b of my article on plank frame barns4 ,a #bjj-;foot building should have #ag bents placed #ab feet apart4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #a4--;,bent ,near the ,band ,stand4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #b4--;,an ,interior ,bent4 ,construction of ,plank ,frame ,basement ,barn4 ,illustration3 ,basement ,plan4--,scale1 #a-af ,inch to the ,foot4 ,from ,s4 ,h41 ,minneapolis1 ,minn4--,i would like to have the readers experienced in plank frame barn construction comment upon the plans of the basement barn which ,i send herewith and from which ,i intend to build next summer4 ,i would like very much to know the weak points of the barn and the best way to remedy them4 ,i think the drawings showing the plans and details are so clear as to practically explain themselves4 ,illustration3 ,elevation of ,front ,framing of ,barn4--,scale1 ,inch to the ,foot4 ,construction of ,plank ,frame ,basement ,barn4--,floor ,plans4--,scale1 #a-af ,inch to the ,foot4 ,illustration3 ,main ,floor4--,scale1 #a-af ,inch to the ,foot4 ,criticism of ,plank ,frame ,barn ,construction4 ,from ,,john ,l4 ,,shawver1 ,bellefontaine1 ,ohio4--,in response to the wish of 8,s4 ,h410 ,minneapolis1 ,minn41 ,i offer a few suggestions in connection with his proposed plank frame basement barn4 ,it is well1 indeed1 that he should insist on knowing what he is doing1 for many have made blunders because they attempted to build plank frames without having first investigated the proper method of construction4 ,too many guess at it4 ,as pioneers in this work1 we started1 #be years ago1 on small structures1 and month by month studied and contrived until a system was evolved that is adapted to barn structures of any reasonable size4 ,each point has been carefully tested as we proceeded1 and if not fully satisfactory was discarded for something better4 ,we now have over #gjjj structures in some #dd ,states and provinces1 some of them quite large1 and have received many gratifying testimonials as to their strength1 durability and cheapness4 ,the floor plans submitted by 8,s4 ,h40 are very good in design and arrangement1 save that the hay chutes are made to appear directly over one of the main girders4 ,of course1 this he would discover and rectify4 ,should it be difficult to obtain #h #h stuff for posts and #h #aj for girders1 the former may very easily be constructed of two #b #h's and two #b #d's1 box pattern1 thus saving something in materials and risk from dry rot4 ,the girders might be made of two #d #aj's1 or four #b #aj's1 leaving an air space of #b inches in the middle and saving the necessity of making mortises4 ,the drawings indicate the use of two #b #ab's and one #b #h for cross sills1 the #b #h being flat4 ,in my opinion1 the #b #h is needless4 ,the plates are all flatwise1 while they must sustain much weight4 ,we prefer purlin plates set on edge at right angles with the combined pressure of both sets of rafters4 ,the main plates we make of three #b #f inch1 or #b #h inch1 according to the size of the structure when on edge to sustain the weight and two to sustain the outward pressure of the roof and the contents of the building4 ,in this case1 the purlins should incline #de degrees4 ,the drawings of the correspondent indicate that the nailers are cut to fit between the posts1 in which case they must be mortised1 gained or toe nailed4 ,the first two require unnecessary work1 while the latter is not strong enough4 ,if the bents are constructed in three sections1 they will be tedious to raise in position4 ,if completed before raising1 they will be weak at the purlin plate4 ,the drawings indicate also that staging would be required in setting the upper frame1 and that quite a large amount of the work is done as the frame is being raised4 ,in our experience we never use any staging1 and we do most of the work from the ground before beginning to set for the frame4 ,most men can work more rapidly on the ground1 with all materials handy1 than they can aloft1 where materials must be drawn up with ropes4 ,i believe 8,s4 ,h40 can save enough on labor alone to pay his expenses to go to some point and see one of our plank frame constructions4 ,besides1 he will find wherein he can greatly improve upon his method of construction4 ,those who are within convenient reach to do so can visit the barn of ,dr4 ,w4 ,i4 ,chamberlain1 near ,cleveland1 ,ohio1 which is easily accessible by railroad1 while the doctor1 who is one of the editors of the ,ohio ,farmer1 takes great delight in showing his barn to visitors4 ,this barn1 which is #dj #hb feet in size1 required four carpenters two and a half days to frame and two hours and fifteen minutes to raise4 ,we do not usually give name and address of our patrons1 because it leads to much inconvenience to them4 ,should any of the readers write to ,dr4 ,chamberlain1 ,i would suggest that they inclose a stamped envelope1 properly addressed1 for reply4 ,criticism of ,plank ,frame ,barn ,construction4 ,from ,j4 ,m4 ,b41 ,monroeton1 ,pa4--,in the ,december issue of ,carpentry and ,building1 page #cbg1 the correspondent 8,s4 ,h40 of ,minneapolis wants to know the weak points of his barn frame1 a sketch of which was presented in connection with his communication4 ,i think one weak point is what he calls the plate in the gable1 which is made of two #b #h inch pieces1 equal to a #d #h inch1 with a span of at least #cj feet between purlin posts1 which are only #b #f inches4 ,in my opinion1 with the hay mow filled with hay1 the gable will bulge or spring out1 as the weight1 #de to #ej tons1 will exert quite a pressure4 ,as to the remedy ,i am not so clear4 ,he might use a flat truss or a beam large enough to stand the pressure2 one1 say1 #af inches wide at the center and tapering to #h inches at each end4 ,i will say1 in conclusion1 that ,i have had no experience with plank frames4 ,is the ,barn ,frame of ,sufficient ,strength8 ,from ,c4 ,g41 ,vergennes1 ,vt4--,i send herewith a rough sketch of bent of barn which ,i intend to put up in the spring4 ,it is #cj feet wide and has #bf-;foot posts4 ,what ,i wish to know is this3 ,is the truss strong enough to carry the load that will be put upon it8 ,i would like to have the 8wood butchers0 take hold of it and tear it apart and tell me what to put in its place4 ,from ,,john ,l4 ,,shawver1 ,bellefontaine1 ,ohio4--,permit me to offer a substitute for the barn frame proposed by the correspondent 8,c4 ,g40 of ,vergennes1 ,vt41 in the ,march issue of the paper4 ,his timber trusses take up too much room1 and at the same time the timbers are too expensive for this day and age4 ,we place a little more timber in the joist bearer and prefer it in a different shape4 ,he suggests #g #h inches1 and this would be #cj feet in length4 ,we would use three #b #aj's1 and could use any lengths to make the #cj feet2 consequently our timbers could be purchased at much less cost4 ,instead of the #g #h inch truss timbers we would use two wire cables made of galvanized wire1 seven strands1 and doubled4 ,while we would use a little heavier posts in the stables1 the posts of the superstructure would contain only about one-half as much material1 but this1 too1 we would prefer of different shape4 ,in place of the #g #h inch we would use two #b #h's1 and instead of the beam we would prefer the arch and the angling purlin posts1 and thus have the interior entirely free from all timbers4 ,illustration3 ,is the ,barn ,frame of ,sufficient ,strength8 ,after #bj years' experience in building barns without the cross beams it would require peculiar conditions to induce us to use them1 for they are continuously in the way1 both when storing away hay or grain and when getting these out again for the thresher or for the feeding of stock4 ,the upper portion of the frame submitted by 8,c4 ,g40 does not show any braces1 and we are at a loss to know if there is to be none1 or if these were omitted because it is not that portion of the structure that is under consideration4 ,let me say1 however1 that that is one of the most prevalent mistakes in the construction of a barn4 ,there are too few braces1 and the first baby tornado that happens to pass that way will 8lay it out in fine shape40 ,while we use plenty of braces1 they are usually only #b #f inches1 and so do not take timber very rapidly4 ,the geometrical triangle is the strongest figure one can secure1 and it is with that idea always in mind that we do our barn work4 ,bents for #ab-,sided ,plank ,frame ,barn4 ,from ,j4 ,d41 ,ubly1 ,mich4--,i send herewith a rough sketch1 ,fig4 #a1 showing one of the bents of a #ab-sided plank frame barn1 and would like to have the architectural readers of the paper state whether or not it will be strong enough for the purpose1 and1 if not1 wherein changes can be made to advantage4 ,note4--,with a view to obtaining the opinion of an expert who has had long experience in the construction of plank frame barns1 we submitted the inquiry of our correspondent above to ,john ,l4 ,shawver1 who furnishes the following in reply3 ,in the first place1 the purlin posts in the sketch of the correspondent are so sloping that while they brace well they are not in position to sustain the most weight1 and these with the roof supports are so long that they have to be spliced4 ,while this is easily done in the case of posts1 it is not so readily performed with supports1 and1 when so done1 it will not present as attractive an appearance as would otherwise be the case4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #a4--;,elevation of ,bent ,submitted by 8,j4 ,d40 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #b4--,one ,form of ,plank ,frame ,suggested by ,mr4 ,shawver4 ,in the second place1 one of the weakest points about the barn is the shape4 ,it is true it would be a novelty in most communities1 but1 like the round barns1 is wasteful of material4 ,it is out of the question to place joists1 rafters1 flooring1 sheathing1 roofing1 c41 on barns of this shape without much waste of both materials and labor4 ,then1 too1 it is next to impossible to provide for satisfactory lighting or ventilation1 both of which are essential features in every up to date barn4 ,illustration3 ,fig4 #c4--,the ,preferable ,style of ,framing4 ,the frame construction indicated in ,fig4 #b is stronger1 and at the same time gives more open space in the interior1 this being secured by running the purlin posts up to the first purlin plate1 instead of to the second1 and supporting the second plate on the truss brace4 ,this saves in the lengths of the purlin posts1 but requires the same length of supports and longer sub-supports4 ,the form of construction indicated in ,fig4 #c is1 in my opinion1 preferable to either of the others1 if it is found that the vertical posts set in #aj feet will not in any way interfere with the purpose of the structure4 ,in this case all the timbers are either shortened or placed in such shape that they may be spliced without in any way weakening the structure4 ,whichever form may be used by the correspondent1 it is important in bents or arches of this size that the purlin posts should be placed on the inner edge with #b #f1 which will add materially to the strength of the frame1 and at the same time prevent any tendency to spring sideways either in the raising or from the pressure of the hay or grain within after the building is completed4