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.

Explains the genesis,

design, features, and structural development of the heavy timber construction

HTC) in the United States

Provides an extensive

analysis of HTC performance under fire conditions

Examines redesign and repurposing of heavy timber buildings for non-traditional uses and the resulting performance implications in detail

Features a case study exploration of an exceptionally well-preserved heavy timber building

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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.

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