A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The ‘Belfast’ Roof Truss—Worth Conserving?
Timber trusses have been used in many forms since ancient times. The ‘Belfast’ timber truss was developed around the mid-nineteenth century to meet the demand for efficient, lightweight, and longer span roofs, brought about by the Industrial Revolution. It is a very efficient structural form with a curved top member that behaves essentially as an arch in combination with a horizontal tie member. Several thousand still exist, many in buildings of historic interest. This paper outlines the development of this truss type, explains why it is an efficient structure, and demonstrates that trusses can be replicated in historic buildings almost exactly as the original. This is supported by comparisons of the actual and theoretical load-carrying behaviour, based on the results obtained from new trusses, tested in laboratory conditions, and on trusses tested in existing buildings. In addition, the findings in a report of load tests on prototype trusses in 1906 have been included in the comparative study. All the work on the analysis, design, fabrication, and testing of ‘Belfast’ trusses has resulted in a better understanding of their behaviour, which is not only of historic interest, but also fundamental to the repair and restoration of existing trusses. As well as their significance in historic building conservation, the paper proposes that ‘Belfast’ trusses are an attractive alternative to other structural roof types.
The ‘Belfast’ Roof Truss—Worth Conserving?
Timber trusses have been used in many forms since ancient times. The ‘Belfast’ timber truss was developed around the mid-nineteenth century to meet the demand for efficient, lightweight, and longer span roofs, brought about by the Industrial Revolution. It is a very efficient structural form with a curved top member that behaves essentially as an arch in combination with a horizontal tie member. Several thousand still exist, many in buildings of historic interest. This paper outlines the development of this truss type, explains why it is an efficient structure, and demonstrates that trusses can be replicated in historic buildings almost exactly as the original. This is supported by comparisons of the actual and theoretical load-carrying behaviour, based on the results obtained from new trusses, tested in laboratory conditions, and on trusses tested in existing buildings. In addition, the findings in a report of load tests on prototype trusses in 1906 have been included in the comparative study. All the work on the analysis, design, fabrication, and testing of ‘Belfast’ trusses has resulted in a better understanding of their behaviour, which is not only of historic interest, but also fundamental to the repair and restoration of existing trusses. As well as their significance in historic building conservation, the paper proposes that ‘Belfast’ trusses are an attractive alternative to other structural roof types.
The ‘Belfast’ Roof Truss—Worth Conserving?
Gilfillan, Raymond (author) / Gilbert, Stephen (author)
Journal of Architectural Conservation ; 9 ; 45-57
2003-01-01
13 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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