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Spine beam
#17049
10/11/08 12:38 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 332
Housewright
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Posts: 332 |
Does anyone know of a written definition for the words "spine beam" I see spine beam used but I cannot tell just what it is.
Jim
The closer you look the more you see. "Heavy timber framing is not a lost art" Fred Hodgson, 1909
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Re: Spine beam
[Re: Housewright]
#17051
10/11/08 06:56 AM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 961
Ken Hume
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Hi Jim,
This term is generally used to describe a large beam that is aligned lengthwise along the centre of a building which either supports or provides housings to accomodate transverse floor joists. The US equivalent would be summer beam. Spine beams have oft times been inserted later than the construction of the original frame and as such they might simply rest upon or be notch lapped over a cross beam at a convenient support point e.g. next to a prick post. These are commonly seen in floored over open halls.
Regards
Ken Hume
Looking back to see the way ahead !
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Re: Spine beam
[Re: Ken Hume]
#17110
10/22/08 02:01 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 332
Housewright
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Hi Ken;
Thank you very much. I have seen houses with a beam running down the length (not the center since the rooms are usually larger on the front side of the houses here) supporting the floor joists/tie beams. When I inquired with experts here they were identified as both a spine beam and a bressummer so I was uncertain. I have been looking at the meanings of words lately and could not find "spine beam" but spine in general relates to the ridge of the building. Also, summer comes from sumpter (pack horse) meaning any beam which carrys a "heavy burden". Your reply seems to be right on the money, either name could apply!
Jim
The closer you look the more you see. "Heavy timber framing is not a lost art" Fred Hodgson, 1909
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Re: Spine beam
[Re: Housewright]
#17112
10/22/08 06:57 AM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 961
Ken Hume
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Hi Jim,
The term bressumer generally applies to a beam carrying the load from a wall above - typically this might describe the beam supporting a projecting jetty wall. I have not seen "spine" used in relation to ridge pieces and the pack horse connection with "sumpter" is a new one for me. A lot of our English terms are derived from the French or maybe more correctly The Normans who use "sommier" insteads of bressumer.
The main room above the parlour in past times was referred to as the "solar" and this term might be derived from the French term "solive" meaning floor joist or "sol" meaning plank i.e. a floored upper chamber.
The linkage of words and their present day usage can be somewhat tenous and difficult to prove with any certainty. Yesterday I was discussing the term "pulley mortice" with some colleagues which provided some surprising results.
Regards
Ken Hume
Looking back to see the way ahead !
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Re: Spine beam
[Re: Ken Hume]
#17116
10/22/08 02:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,687
Jim Rogers
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Ok, Ken now you've done it.... What's a "pulley mortise"...?
Whatever you do, have fun doing it!
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Re: Spine beam
[Re: Jim Rogers]
#17122
10/22/08 08:19 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 570
OurBarns1
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maybe an "empty" mortise... empty except for a peg in the middle... I've seen these in old frames. Maybe they could have threaded a rope through for some sort of lift ???
completely guessing.
Don Perkins Member, TFG
to know the trees...
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Re: Spine beam
[Re: OurBarns1]
#17133
10/23/08 10:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 961
Ken Hume
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Hi Don,
You might well have just put your finger on the answer but not quite in the way that you imagined. You now need to apply some "lateral" thinking.
Any more ideas before all is revealed ?
Regards
Ken Hume
Looking back to see the way ahead !
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Re: Spine beam
[Re: Ken Hume]
#17143
10/23/08 08:08 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 570
OurBarns1
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wow, now I'm intriqued. But not quite figuring out the "lateral" clue... ?? ?? ??
Don Perkins Member, TFG
to know the trees...
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Re: Spine beam
[Re: OurBarns1]
#17156
10/24/08 01:11 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 895
daiku
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Posts: 895 |
Perhaps used during raising to pull bents or walls together?
-- Clark Bremer Minneapolis Proud Member of the TFG
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Re: Spine beam
[Re: daiku]
#17167
10/24/08 06:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 961
Ken Hume
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Posts: 961 |
Hi Clark,
"Pull together" - you guys are getting very hot !
Regards
Ken Hume
Looking back to see the way ahead !
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