THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE. Book II.

the material favthcr above and below the neutral axis. A solid beim, -10 feet long,
9j
inclies
(lo;?p, and
7]
inches wic'e, dt-flected
5^
incljes with a load of 1,700 lbs. When a similar
beam had been cut to '.iG inches of each end, making the upper part 5 inches deep and the
lower part
4^
inches, and separated by blocks until tlie parts were as wide asunder as half
the depth of the beam, the beam suffered a less deflection by
1|
inch. A f.'reater strength
was obtained by separa'ing the parts to the whole depth of the beam, when it deflected
;5 inches less than the solid beam
;
and when separated to 1-^ times the dejith, it; deflected
4 inclies less than the solid beam. The greatest strength is obtained by giving a section
to the upper and lower parts proportional to the poer of the material to resist tension
and compression [Civil Eiujinter for
1840,
page 161,
being a paper read at the Institute
of British Architects).
'iC'ilf. Floors are now largely made of fireproof materials, as referred to in the section
Bricklaver. The introduction of rolled iion joists and girders has enabled the architect
to construct his floors of larger span, by supporting the timber joists l)etw<.ea them. By
using riveted steel girders a saving is made in the cost of construction.
2022. We now return to the subject of binding joists, which ought not to be more than
(> feet ai)art. The depth, if necessary, for accommodating thein to the thickness of the
floor, may he varied irom tlie following table by the rules given under section Beajis, &c.
Binding joists of the length of
6 feet sliould be 6 inches deep, 4 inches wide.
8

7

4i
10

8

5
1.'
_
9
_
5i
14 feet should be 10 iccbes deep, 6 inches wide.
16

11

6i
18

12

f
M
_
13

74
The scantlings of bridging joists are similar to those already given for single flooring.
These, as well as ceiling joists, whose 'cantlings are subjoined, should not be more than
12 inches apart, and they re((uire to be scarcely thicker than is necessary to bear the nails
of the laths fixed to them, for which 2 inches is quite sufficient.
Ceiling joists of the length of
4 feet should be 2i inches deep,
\\ inch wide.
6
_
3j

H
8

4
2"
10 feet should be 5 inches deep, 2 inches wide.
13

5i

*
Tlie weight of a square of framed flooring with counter flooring varies from 22 to 36 cwt.
2023. Though, perhaps, more curious than useful, we should not jierform our duty to
the student, were we to omit a method of constructing floors with short timbers, where long
( nes are not to b.; procured. Suppose it bj recjuired to floor the room ABCD
{fiy.
67().^
Let four joists, as in the figure, be mortised and tenoned at aiicJ, as there shown. N
'w
it is evident th:it these j;;ists will mutually support each i:ther, for each is supported
at one end by the wall, and at the other by the middle of the next joist. Fig. 677.
shows another mode of accomplishing the sam^ objict ; and many other forms would
immediately suggest themselves to the experienced architect. The expedient is of ancient
(=rigin, inasmuch as oiu- old master (so we delight to call liim, notwithstatiding the new
lights that modern critics have found to guide them). Serlio, has described the expedient
without any difference. In the fourth vohune of Rondelet (^4/t f/e .B(///r), an author to
whom we are under infinite obligations, is descrilied a floor executed at .'\msterdam for ;i
room 60 feet square, of exceedingly singular construction, inasmuch as it is without joists
at all. Each side of tiie room is provided with very strong wall plates, whose angles are
secured with iron straps, and are rebated to receive tlie flooring, which consists of three
thicknesses of 1|^ inch boards Of these thicknesses, the first is laid diagonally across the
opening, its ends resting on the rebates of the wall plates, ana rising about 'd^ inclus
towards the centre of the room. The next (second) thickness is laid dirtgonally at light
aJiples to the first thickness, and the two are well nailed together. In the third thickness,