Blog Archives

Stair & Ramp Framing

Posted by admin on 21/ 11/ 15

The width of stairs must be a minimum of 36” from finish to finish. Handrails may project into the 36” a maximum of 4%" on each side. (See “Stairs" illustration.)

Two sets of tread and riser dimensions apply to minimum and maximum requirement. One set is for Group R-3, Group R-2, and Group 4 (houses, apartments, dormitories, non-transient housing).

The other is for all other groups. The first set requires a maximum riser height of 7%" and a minimum
tread depth of 10”, while the second requires a maximum riser height of 7”, a minimum riser height of 4”, and a minimum tread depth of 11”.

The variation in riser height within any flight of stairs must not be more than 3/s” from finish tread to finish tread...

MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION OF SIGN SUPPORTS

Posted by admin on 21/ 11/ 15

An important element of a safe highway environment is the proper construction and maintenance of traffic signs. Good designs and the best of materials will not be effective in reducing accident potential or severity if the traffic signs are improperly placed or installed. This requires that field crews be knowledgeable of proper installation techniques and that they report and correct any possible problems instead of merely placing the signs at the roadside. (See also Art. 7.1.2.)

7.6.1 Proper Placement

Important considerations for proper placement include the following:

• Warning signs should be placed sufficiently in advance that the driver has adequate time to perceive, identify, decide, and perform any necessary maneuver...

LAYING OUT CABINETS

Posted by admin on 21/ 11/ 15

Using a long level atop a straightedge, locate the high point of the floor. It’s easier to set a base cabinet (or rough toekick) at the floor’s high point and shim up the other cabinets to that level than it is to cut down cabinet bases and toekicks. From the floor’s high point, measure up the height of a base cabinet (usually 34h in. high) and mark the wall. Use a laser level, as shown in the top left photo on p. 45, to transfer the base cabinet mark to other walls, creating a level line around the room, which we’ll call the base cabinet layout line.

Marking off elements. Along the base cabinet layout line, mark off fixed elements, such as the stove, range hood, and refrigerator. Often, a sink cabinet will center under a window...

Roof Systems

Posted by admin on 21/ 11/ 15

There are basically two different roof-support systems that are appropriate for use with timber framing. Most timber framers continue on with additional timber framing, and I have done this, as well, at Log End Cottage, Log End Cave, and Earthwood, by using methods described in this book. The other support system that should be considered carefully is the truss-supported roof, like the garage at Earthwood and the one that Chris built.

Is one system better than the other? Not necessarily. There are pros and cons for each.

i. Engineering. Trusses are normally designed and built by professionals.

I’m not saying that owner-builders have never done it, and successfully, but, like mixing one’s own concrete, it is hardly worth the effort for the money saved. Engineering is crucial...

Improved Base Devices

Posted by admin on 21/ 11/ 15

A number of manufacturers have developed products so that the anchor piece can be placed almost flush with the ground. These products can be used either to retrofit

FIGURE 7.31 Commercially available hinge plates by Transpo Industries.

existing slip base designs or for new installations. One such manufacturer is Transpo, which markets the Breaksafe breakaway system for ground-mounted signs. These devices use breakaway couplings and brackets designed for different support types and sizes. Included are back-to-back concrete and direct buried U-channel, 3- to 4%-in (75- to 114-mm) round pipe, 3- to 5-in (75- to 127-mm) square tube, and various sizes of wide-flange and standard beam shapes...

Longitudinal Porosity behind the Center of the Paver

Posted by admin on 21/ 11/ 15

Figure 11.21 schematically represents a phenomenon caused by the improper distribution of a mixture with augers. The distribution of a mixture along a paver screed should be checked. If the mixture is not properly distributed across the full width of the paver screed, streaks of porosity may become obvious. Another cause may be the location of the augers’ driving unit (gear box) in the middle of its width.

11.8.2.2 Longitudinal porosity (off center)

Longitudinal porosity parallel to the direction of spreading but not centered behind the paver appears fairly often (Figures 11.22 through 11.24). It may be caused by either of the following:

Longitudinal Porosity behind the Center of the Paver

FIGURE 11.19 Manually corrected edges of a working lane with cooler temperatures and higher porosity.

FIGURE 11...

EPU

Posted by admin on 21/ 11/ 15

Epu is the design I came up with for my house. It features a stainless steel desk, a tiny fireplace, a refrigerator, sink, stovetop, wet bath, a full-sized bed, plenty of storage and integral wheels. The 89 square feet listed do not include the porch or sleeping loft. It is shown here with an optional Gothic window.

: % ч?

Square feet: 102

House width: 8’

House length: 15’

Road Height: 13’-5”

Dry Weight: 4900 lbs

Porch: 2%’x 2%’

Great Room: 6’ x 6%’ Kitchen: 4’ x 4[2]/2’

Bathroom: 4’x2’

Ceiling height: 6’ 6”

Loft height: 3’ 8”

-sizes are approximate

The Weebee is much like the Epu design with the addition of a Dutch hip roof and a bump-out downstairs. The 102 square feet listed only refer to the downstairs and not the porch or loft...

Hinge Plate Designs

Posted by admin on 21/ 11/ 15

There are three basic types of hinge designs. One type, illustrated in Fig. 7.30a, develops a hinge by cutting through all but the back flange. The front flange is connected with a slotted plate known as a friction plate. When the post is struck, the friction plate separates from the slotted bolt holes as the back flange bends. This type of hinge creates a maintenance problem, since the post is destroyed and must be replaced after each impact. It is also more difficult to predict the resistance of the hinge, which is dependent upon the post size and depth of cut.

Another type (Fig. 7.30b) utilizes a rear hinge plate. This plate is similar to the friction plate but does not have slotted bolt holes...

Cabinet Basics

Posted by admin on 21/ 11/ 15

Cabinets today are basically boxes of plywood, particleboard, or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels that are glued and screwed together. Side panels, bottoms, and partitions are typically 3/ in. thick; back panels are usually in. thick. Cabinet faces are either frameless (the edges of the panels are the frame, although they may be veneered or edge-banded) or face frame (a four-sided wood frame covers the edges of each box).

Factory-made cabinets are frameless (also called European style). Having fewer elements and a simpler design, they are easier to manufacture. (The cabinets shown in the installation photos are frameless.) Doors and drawers typically lie flush on the case and overlay the panel edges. Usually, there’s % in. between the door and the drawer edges.

Face-frame cabinets ar...