Hi DL & J C.

Please note that I used the term "Dragon Tie" and not "Dragon Beam"



Dragon beams are employed when a timber-framed building is jettied on two sides. This is a key building component into which the floor joists are jointed.

Dragon ties run from the top of the wall plate to the tie beam as shown further above.

JC,

It's Phleps and not Phelps.

DL,

I did not say "our" dislike of open frames I said "my" dislike. The reason for this is very simple - "disproportionate collapse" (think Ronan's point) which has been discussed many times on this forum and so rather than me expand on this topic I wonder if Katie Hill PE or Greg Mullen PE would care to chip in and give the North American engineering view on this design issue.

Ken Hume P.Eng.