Bracing a Basement Barn Built
on the Plank Frame System.
From E. S. H., Connecticut.—I have been reading the articles of Mr. Shawver on barn framing with a great deal of interest, and I am desirous of obtaining full instructions in regard to bracing the interior of a basement barn: also a complete bill of materials for the frame of such a barn, 40 × 60 feet in area, basement 8 feet high and superstructure 20 feet high. The roof is of the gable pattern, one-third pitch. There is also a bay in each end and a double driveway.
Answer.—In referring to the above inquiry, Mr. Shawver submits the following information, accompanied by the illustrations presented herewith: The sketches here given will explain in detail the manner of inserting the braces and the way in which they are made. Of course, when long braces will not interfere with the desired use of the space they are preferred to short ones, but short ones properly inserted will give the same rigidity to the plank frame that braces of similar length will give to a mortise and tenon frame. The braces C C of Fig. 1 are inserted in the bents as the latter are constructed, but the brace shown in Fig. 2 is not inserted until the barn is raised.
In basement barns the joist bearer, A of Fig. 1, is made to extend lengthwise of the building, and the bents of the superstructure being placed crosswise we find the sill of a bent of a superstructure as represented at F F. But in ground barns the joist bearers extend crosswise of the barn, and the post B is permitted to extend up through the joist bearer about 7 inches. Two posts are then spiked to this projecting portion, one on either side, and thus again the brace shown in Fig. 2 may be inserted if thought necessary. If, however, the braces are properly inserted in the side walls of the frame the short braces may safely be omitted in ground barns.
Fig. 1.—Showing Method of Bracing.
Fig. 2.—One Form of Brace Employed.
The following is a bill of materials for a plank frame basement barn, 36 × 60 feet, basement 8 feet, with wall on one side, 16-foot superstructure, with a 23-foot bay at each end and a 14-foot driveway in the middle. Roof one-third pitch, plain gable, decks over driveway if permissible. Interior posts of basement to stand on stone pillars.
BILL OF MATERIALS.
Floors, siding, roofing, doors, etc., will be the same as in other barns of same dimensions.
ESTIMATED COST OF FRAMING.
| Foreman, $2.50 per day, 3 days | $7.50 |
| Two journeymen, $2 per day, 3 days | 6.00 |
| Two apprentices, $1.25 per day, 3 days | 3.75 |
| Total | $17.25 |
| Raising and inserting braces, 1 day | 5.75 |
| Total | $23.00 |
Cost of completing same as other barns of same dimensions and style of finish.