Jim Katen Posted November 2, 2014 Report Posted November 2, 2014 I was leafing through the 1911 City of Portland Building Code (thanks, Blair Pruitt) and came upon this interesting entry: Foundation walls are to be laid on solid natural ground wherever practicable. Where solid ground is not obtainable, the foundation walls are to be supported on caissons filled with Portland cement concrete or on piles, spread footings, or ranging timbers. Any idea what the heck a ranging timber might be?
mjr6550 Posted November 3, 2014 Report Posted November 3, 2014 I have not heard that term before, but a mat of timbers was sometimes used as a foundation, especially in swampy areas.
Scottpat Posted November 3, 2014 Report Posted November 3, 2014 With old log homes I have heard the term "ranging timbers" used to describe large logs that make up the perimeter base. Most of the time those logs were set on top of flat rocks.
Jim Katen Posted November 3, 2014 Author Report Posted November 3, 2014 It seems like, whatever it was, they were trying to increase surface area to compensate for soil with poor bearing qualities. At first I imagined something like railroad ties run perpendicular to the concrete stem walls. But it makes no sense to support a foundation on timbers that will be placed underground - especially when the other offered alternatives are concrete caissons & spread footings. It's just strange. Wouldn't the timbers just rot?
Bill Kibbel Posted November 3, 2014 Report Posted November 3, 2014 Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, ranging timber is the name for logs that were rough hewn square. There was a rule in the 18th century that stated all corners must be square and each side must greater than 6" and less than 12".
Bill Kibbel Posted November 3, 2014 Report Posted November 3, 2014 It seems like, whatever it was, they were trying to increase surface area to compensate for soil with poor bearing qualities. At first I imagined something like railroad ties run perpendicular to the concrete stem walls. But it makes no sense to support a foundation on timbers that will be placed underground - especially when the other offered alternatives are concrete caissons & spread footings. It's just strange. Wouldn't the timbers just rot? I've read about old construction methods of using hewn timbers for footings when they are to be below the water table and are likely to remain saturated.
Jim Katen Posted November 3, 2014 Author Report Posted November 3, 2014 I've read about old construction methods of using hewn timbers for footings when they are to be below the water table and are likely to remain saturated. I can certainly believe it. But, in most cases, 1911 building footings around here are nowhere near deep enough for that. In our climate, the soil 6-8 feet down goes through wide swings in dampness and soil saturation. Stuff at or slightly below footing level tends to rot pretty readily. If it's deep enough and wet enough, though, I could see how it would work. I recently worked on a new construction project where the site had been filled in about 100 years ago. During excavation, they discovered all kinds of lumber buried down there - it seemed to be about 20 - 30 feet down. It was all in great shape; solid and hard as a rock. Pics of one chunk are attached. Click to Enlarge 102.05 KB Click to Enlarge 79.08 KB
kurt Posted November 3, 2014 Report Posted November 3, 2014 Old growth timber is highly decay resistant if it's kept wet. Green oak is used extensively for breakwaters and other erosion structures on the Great Lakes. I have green oak timbers that we installed >20 years ago still working fine.
gtblum Posted November 3, 2014 Report Posted November 3, 2014 Saturated wood does not rot? Marc They salvage old growth logs from ship wrecks. Big money.
kurt Posted November 3, 2014 Report Posted November 3, 2014 That's right. Folks are "mining" old timbers out of bays and estuaries where logging was big business >100 years ago. Logs that have been buried in muck for 120+ years are in perfect condition. It's also why one has to be very careful when pulling their old boat out of the water for repairs. When they dry out, they might fall apart.
Chad Fabry Posted November 3, 2014 Report Posted November 3, 2014 Saturated wood does not rot? Marc They salvage old growth logs from ship wrecks. Big money. Gary, I always cringe at your long-winded posts. Please, for the love of God, try to be more concise.
Les Posted November 3, 2014 Report Posted November 3, 2014 Saturated wood does not rot? Marc They salvage old growth logs from ship wrecks. Big money. Gary, I always cringe at your long-winded posts. Please, for the love of God, try to be more concise. Thanks Chad for the kindly direction given to Gary.
Rob Amaral Posted November 3, 2014 Report Posted November 3, 2014 If ye like these things: www.bostongroundwater.org Makes for interesting perusing..
Scottpat Posted November 4, 2014 Report Posted November 4, 2014 I have read about 100 year old wooden dams up along the east coast. I think one made the news a few years back when it finally gave way.
mjr6550 Posted November 4, 2014 Report Posted November 4, 2014 In swamp areas, like Boston ans Washington, D.C. I believe they used timbers for foundations. Timbers, like wood pilings can last hundreds of years if they remain constantly wet. No oxygen is the key. If they get wet and dry than deterioration occurs.
Erby Posted November 4, 2014 Report Posted November 4, 2014 Didn't y'all ever watch Shelby the Swamp Logger on the Discovery Channel?
Les Posted November 4, 2014 Report Posted November 4, 2014 We still have sections of roads that are corduroy type. Some been in the ground for hundred plus years.
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