Higher than normal load bearings and long spans are features of a timber frame school building project nearing completion in Milton Keynes.
The new Tattenhoe Combined School, a collaboration between engineered wood specialist Boise Building Products and timber frame company Allwood Timber, uses Boise BCI hoists and Versa-Lam beams extensively throughout the first floor and in the roof space. Spans of more than 7m were frequently demanded by the design.
Boise joists are having to meet load bearings of 3kN/m2 live and 0.75kN/m2 dead in the first floor classroom areas, contributing to the overall stability and stiffness of the structure and reducing wear and tear on ceilings below, as well as contributing to savings in long-term maintenance costs.
The roof design required a series of mono-pitch roofing at different heights supported by columns, resulting in Versa-Lam beams spans of up to 14m using 400m centres.
