Fire Resistance in American Heavy Timber Construction

This volume presents a history of heavy timber construction (HTC) in the United States, chronicling nearly two centuries of building history, from inception to a detailed evaluation of one of the best surviving examples of the type, with an emphasis on fire resistance. The book does not limit itself in scope to serving only as a common history. Rather, it provides critical analysis of HTC in terms of construction methods, design, technical specifications, and historical performance under fire conditions. As such, this book provides readers with a truly comprehensive understanding and exploration of heavy timber construction in the United States and its performance under fire conditions.

Autorentext

Jesse Heitz is a scholar and former professional firefighter with the Chaska Fire Department, in Chaska, MN. He holds a BA in History from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN; a MA in War in the Modern World from King's College, London; a MSt in Building History from the University of Cambridge; and will begin pursuing a Ph.D. in Modern History from the University of St. Andrews.

Zusammenfassung

This volume presents ahistory of heavy timber construction (HTC) in the United States, chroniclingnearly two centuries of building history, from inception to a detailed evaluationof one of the best surviving examples of the type, with an emphasis on fireresistance. The book does not limit itself in scope to serving only as a commonhistory. Rather, it provides critical analysis of HTC in terms of constructionmethods, design, technical specifications, and historical performance underfire conditions. As such, this book provides readers with a truly comprehensiveunderstanding and exploration of heavy timber construction in the United Statesand its performance under fire conditions.

Inhalt
Introduction Page 7Chapter 1: American Heavy Timber Construction Page 8Chapter 2: The Origins of Heavy Timber Construction Page 26Chapter 3: The Great Chicago Fire and Heavy Timber Construction Page 36Chapter 4: Heavy Timber in the Midwest Page 57Chapter 5: The End of Heavy Timber Construction Page 67Chapter 6: The Performance of Heavy Timber Construction Page 85Chapter 7: The Resurgence of Heavy Timber Construction Page 101Chapter 8: A Hope for Survival Page 113Chapter 9: Conclusion Page 152Bibliography Page 154Index Page 165