Support for Gambrel Roof

SUPPORT FOR GAMBREL ROOF. To support a gambrel roof on a barn 36 feet wide, having posts 20 feet high, the floor being 11 feet below the plate, requires extra strong bracing. A con struction using 6-inch studding set on 24-inch Fig. 137. Arrangement of Dairy Barn.

centers, and braced as shown in Fig. 136, can be recommended. The rafters should set directly over the studding, and be braced to same. The floor-joist should be tied to each other, either by letting them lap, or by nailing a board on the side. All parts should be framed accurately, and well spiked.

Fig. 137 is a cross-section of a large dairy barn; it clearly shows the general arrangement of stalls, mangers, gutters, etc., all constructed out of cement laid on solid ground. The stall partitions are built up out of wrought-iron bars and pipes, leaving nothing to get out of order or decay. The wood superstructure is constructed Fig. 138. Self-Supporting Roof Construction.

out of plank; and the roof is self-supporting, without posts or purlins, through each set of rafters being braced, forming a continuous arch from one sill to the other.

This roof gives an enormous capacity to the hay room, and is well braced against sagging and wind pressure.

The framing arrangement for the hay track support is good, since it distributes the stress evenly to all the roof bracing without an undue amount coming on the top rafters.

The exterior of the barn is sided with matched siding, and the roof is of shingles, making a very durable and good-looking build ing, and at the same time a barn that can be built within a reasonable figure of cost.

Fig. 138 shows another type of self-support ing roof construction for use in a very large gambrel roof barn. The bay track is well framed for heavy loads. Bracing to withstand wind pressure—which is a very large factor in the case of such a barn, especially in an exposed location—is amply provided for by this system of framing.