Tutorial 10 - Posts (14:24 min.)



Round or Greek/Roman columns would also be a nice addition to this module but I'm not entirely sure on the construction or geometry of them.  They typically have a gradual taper and then the top (capital) always has some interesting geometry (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian):





If I can figure out the math and right proportions for these types of columns then I can probably add them to the module with minimal effort.

Conventional construction is conventional for a reason, it generally offers the most bang for the buck while respecting good engineering practices. Platform framing is pretty simple, adaptable and strong. A very common stock truss is the 24' wide 4/12 Fink type they make for fast, easy, cost effective roof construction. A 24' wide building with a center row of piers and girder within a crawlspace foundation can be spanned by 2x8's, another cost effective size. IMO that building width is where stairways begin to work well within the interior layout if you need a second floor, you may well not need to think "up" if the size of that A frame was adequate.

It might be worthwhile to look at interior floorplans and sketch out what you think would work well and throw that out to the group here for comments/modifications and then back into the structural aspects from there. What I see all to often is someone will find a plan and "buy into" it and when they post it one look shows that it was designed by someone who really was not qualified or knowledgeable in how things should be built. At that point they are really seeking confirmation on their choice and folks that do know how to build are thinking and saying NOooo! It is not particularly hard to build well but it seems that there are more ways to try to cut corners that will inevitably come back to haunt someone than I had ever imagined prior to the internet.

Fabricating EXACT duplicate frames and then dragging them into place, tipping them up and bracing them is something that also needs to be thought through. I've seen and been involved with failure to think through just about every aspect along that path 

That said this is another tilt up rigid frame from that period. This is from an APA publication from 1962, now out of print but I do have Dad's design manual. It can be built with sloping or vertical walls but does enclose more useable space per footprint area, sorta the predecessor of Socket Systems, and actually better structurally.

Version 1.3.2 - 03.31.2020
- Added the ability to draw and edit free standing columns with the Beams/Column Toolset.



View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/e4f8e345-f16f-4d01-985e-3e03fa7be6cc/Free-Standing-Posts

First look at some posts created with the Post module:



The basic module is up and running I just need to spend a few more hours on the advanced options (ie. wrap, wainscot, base, cap and astragal) and then this module will be a welcome addition to the plugin.

View model here:

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/e4f8e345-f16f-4d01-985e-3e03fa7be6cc/Free-Standing-Posts