Do you need a tension tie?

This truss design did.  Pretty, don’t you think?

Since this structural truss design naturally wants to push out against the wall framing (we don’t want that), bring in the steel tie rod.

Engineering Department is happy (that’s what we want)!

The Competitive BID

Goal = WIN the BID

Challenge = include everything drawn for the lowest price

Another Challenge = what if what’s drawn/designed doesn’t pass engineering (we see this often)

GC says = Just bid as drawn, we all need to bid the same design, apples to apples (doesn’t matter if apples are rotten)?

Next Step = Bid with BIG RED Flags, include an ALT that passes engineering (more expensive), and/or don’t bid at all.

What was the goal again?  Oh right…lowest price.  But, is the lowest price the best value?  Usually no.

Bring on design/build 🙂 Custom design & engineered heavy timber frame structures.

Do the best you can + be awesome (jb)

Engineering Timber

Nature gives us many forces to challenge our lives on earth.

Gravity, in particular, affects construction work.

You’ve heard the expression, what goes up will come down?

Well it will, indeed, if earth’s forces are too great

or…if it is not engineered correctly.

Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans understood the laws of nature,

and their engineers applied this knowledge to their structures.

I find it incredible that pyramids, the coliseum, and aquifers remain standing today.

An arch is not just a curved line!

In timber engineering, although an arch may lie inert in our shop,

once raised it must deal with compression, tension, shear, bending, and twisting forces.

A timber arch or truss must be willing to accept bearing weight as well.

Snow can weigh tons on a large structure.

This residence is in Wisconsin; there will be snow!

Vermont Timber Works applies the ancient art of engineering

to create what will last generations.

We’re engineering our way into the future.