Hi, I'm familiar with the Ed Levin pavilion design, it is indeed a nice frame. The structure uses kingpost trusses, roof purlins, tapered posts, english tying joints.
I am most likely looking at something with just four posts, and a size of perhaps 16' X 16'.
I'm thinking along the lines of a dropped tie beam common rafter structure, with a ridge plate connected to the center of the tie beams with a vertical strut. Braces would also be installed from the vertical strut to the ridge plate (is it called a purlin?).
The ridge plate will eliminate the roof thrust and distribute the roof load equally to the two tie beams (point loads) and the two wall plates (distributed loads).
I believe that the ridge plate would see the largest load and should perhaps be an 8" X 10" with other members being 8" X 8".
What arrangement/joint would you recommend for the rafter pairs meeting on top of the ridge plate? I know that John Milburn is using the step lap joint at both the upper and lower ends of his shed roof rafters.
Any comments or other suggestions?
Thanks,
Chip
