Structure

The existing three stone walls of the original building were in pretty good shape. However, Building Regulation applications require calculations. It didn't seem likely that I would be able to justify adding any weight to these walls, so a different strategy was adopted. This was to build a timber frame on independent foundation pads to support the new inner wall linings and partitions. This would also allow greater freedom in designing the front elevation openings.

A Walter Segal timber frame was selected and I dusted off some old structural calculation notes so as to work out the forces involved. Where large openings were required, box plywood beams were chosen. These work by exploiting the strength of plywood in resisting shear stresses while connecting solid timber top and bottom rails. Usually, the post and beam timber frames are bolted together on the ground and then hoisted upright. In the case of the stables it would be a matter of threading the posts through the existing floor structure and then bolting the transoms in place. Complicated, but it would avoid having to scaffold out the interior and shore up the walls.