Fire Tower Engineered Timber, Co-Founder
Ben Brungraber has somehow dedicated his career to new and old heavy timber structures, often connected with traditional methods. Five years of post-graduate study in the field, a year spent repairing covered bridges, and a couple years teaching at the university level led to running away to joining the fledgling circus of contemporary timber frame homes. He spent ten years with Benson Woodworking, largely working on new buildings – but always doing side jobs in historic structures. Fifteen years ago, he ran off to co-start the circus that is Fire Tower Engineered Timber. A few years ago, he went for yet another circus, marrying his co-presenter.
Presentation
Lateral Load Paths in Historic Structures
Establishing how loads applied laterally (typically winds and earthquakes) find their way through a structure – from top to foundation – is often more challenging than finding the equivalent paths that gravity-imposed loads follow. This can be even more true when dealing with historic structures; with their traditional sheathing and common subsequent remodeling and deterioration. Examples discussed will include barns, churches (and their steeples), covered bridges, and open pavilions.