POST AND BEAM STRUCTURE AT A MULTI-HEIGHT OPENING PORTION

Abstract

An opening portion (2) having a height of two stories or more is provided in an exterior wall that faces a multi-height space. At least one wind-resistant post (3) is composed of a glued laminated timber, and has a cross-section in which a long axis dimension thereof is at least twice as long as a short axis dimension thereof. The wind-resistant post (3) is disposed upright and extends continuously through upper and lower floors, with a long axis direction of the cross-section being orthogonal to an opening plane. This wind-resistant post (3) exerts a high resistance against wind pressure acting on the opening portion, thereby achieving a post and beam structure that adds excellent spaciousness and visual appeal to the opening portion.

Claims

1. A post and beam structure at a multi-height opening portion, the opening portion having a height of two stories or more and being provided in an exterior wall that faces a multi-height space, the post and beam structure comprising at least one wind-resistant post that is composed of a glued laminated timber and that has a cross-section in which a long axis dimension thereof is at least twice as long as a short axis dimension thereof, wherein the wind-resistant post is disposed upright and extends continuously through upper and lower floors, with a long axis direction of the cross-section being orthogonal to an opening plane, and the wind-resistant post serves to resist wind pressure acting on the opening plane.

2. The post and beam structure at the multi-height opening portion according to claim 1, wherein the at least one wind-resistant post comprises a plurality of wind-resistant posts that are disposed upright in the opening plane including both sides of the opening portion, wherein the wind-resistant posts are linked with each other at suitable middle-height positions thereof, by at least one post connecting member that extends horizontally.

3. The post and beam structure at the multi-height opening portion according to claim 1, wherein a post base of the wind-resistant post is directly fixed on a foundation via a suitable post base fitting.

4. The post and beam structure at the multi-height opening portion according to claim 1, wherein a post head of the wind-resistant post is directly fixed on a pole plate, or on a similar beam member at an uppermost part of a post-and-beam building frame via a suitable post-to-beam fitting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a simplified exterior elevational view of a wooden building according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is an exploded partial perspective view of a post and beam structure at a multi-height opening portion of the building, as seen from an interior side.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a simplified exterior elevational view of a wooden building, showing an example of a conventional reinforcing structure at an opening portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0025] An embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a simplified exterior elevational view of a wooden building according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded partial perspective view of a post and beam structure at a multi-height opening portion of the building, as seen from an interior side.

[0027] A building 1 is a two-story building, with a multi-height space provided through two stories inside. A vertically long, double-height opening portion 2 is provided in an exterior wall facing the multi-height space. FIG. 2 shows wind-resistant posts 3 which constitute the principal part of the present invention, a foundation 4 made of reinforced concrete, pole plates 5 disposed at an uppermost part of a framework for a building frame, and girths 6 that constitute a framework for the exterior wall.

[0028] There are four wind-resistant posts 3 in total, two of them being disposed on both sides of the opening portion 2, and the other two being disposed, in this embodiment, at middle positions that divide the width of the opening portion 2 substantially equally into three parts. The wind-resistant posts 3 are composed of glued laminated timbers having a rectangular cross-section of, for example, 360 mm (long axis)×120 mm (short axis). The wind-resistant posts 3 are disposed upright, with the long axis direction of their cross-section being orthogonal to the opening plane. The cross-sectional dimensions of the wind-resistant posts 3 are not limited to the above example. For suitable strength, the long axis dimension is generally at least twice, preferably 2.5 to 3.5 times, as long as the short axis dimension.

[0029] Each of the wind-resistant posts 3 is composed of a single timber that extends continuously through the two stories. Post bases of the wind-resistant posts 3 are fixed on the foundation 4 made of reinforced concrete via suitable post base fittings 7. Post heads of the wind-resistant posts 3 are joined to the pole plates 5 via suitable post-to-beam fittings 8 such that, in this embodiment, the pole plates 5 are fitted in between the wind-resistant posts 3.

[0030] Post connecting members 9 link the wind-resistant posts 3 to each other in a horizontal direction. Cross-sectional dimensions of the post connecting members 9 are smaller than those of the wind-resistant posts 3. In this embodiment, the post connecting members 9 are composed of glued laminated timbers whose cross-section is substantially equal to, or smaller than, that of the girths 6. The post connecting members 9 are joined on side surfaces of the wind-resistant posts 3 via suitable post-to-beam fittings 10. The installation height of the post connecting members 9 is not affected by the height of a floor framing, etc. provided between the upper and lower floors, and can be suitably set at middle-height positions of the wind-resistant posts 3.

[0031] In the thus configured opening portion 2, the strong axis direction of each wind-resistant post 3 is orthogonal to the opening plane, so that the opening portion 2 can exert a high resistance against the wind pressure acting on the opening plane. This configuration permits a large and spacious design of the opening portion 2. By properly setting the cross-sectional dimensions, mutual interval, and other conditions for the wind-resistant posts 3, it is possible to increase the height of the opening portion 2 to triple-height or more.

[0032] Components such as a window sash (not shown) to be equipped in the opening portion 2 may be mounted on the exterior or interior side of the wind-resistant posts 3 or in the depth dimension of the wind-resistant posts 3. Being made of glued laminated timber, the wind-resistant posts 3 are also advantageous in being used as both interior components and exterior components. Needless to say, the surfaces of the wind-resistant posts 3 exposed on the interior side or the exterior side may be covered with a suitable finishing material.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0033] 2 opening portion [0034] 3 wind-resistant post [0035] 4 foundation [0036] 5 pole plate [0037] 7 post base fitting [0038] 8 post-to-beam fitting [0039] 9 post connecting member