Thank you for all your help, I really appreciated it.

I have constructed a scaled model of a "typical" hammer beam truss, this Monday (18th November) I will be bringing it into the structural labs at my university to perform a full structural analysis on the individual components (tension/compression) and a study on how the force is transferred through the truss down to the corbels. when my research is complete on the traditional joinery I will build another test truss and perform the same test.

I will read your suggested text, and do more investigating into the joinery - possibly build a couple test joinery sections and perform similar tests in my research. I will most definitely provide you a copy of my thesis or web publish it when its complete. The thesis submission will be this coming June 2014. If you like to see the outcomes please let me know.

Thanks again,
Joel