Hi,
I am a Canadian Journeyman carpenter, fully apprenticed, now living in Israel. I have built 5 full wood framed houses here as well as some additions. I live in a small community ( where I just finished 2 houses) that is currently constructing a new synagogue in wood. They never came to me for advice and hired an Israeli “carpenter” who mainly builds pergolas, garden sheds and frames roofs on top of the concrete and cement block houses that are prevalent here.
The construction of this synagogue, which is over 300 sq. meters (3300 sq. ft.) Is of 2X4’s with semi rounded 1X4 T&G siding. That is it! There are no headers over windows and doors, some of which are over 4′ in width. there is no structural sheathing on the exterior walls, and the siding is stapled directly on to the studs (no house wrap or building paper). The floor plan is completely open (no interior walls) and the roof ridge, a gluelam beam of some sort, will be supported along it’s length by 2 posts spaced 1/3-1/3-1/3. As of now there will also be no structural sheathing on the roof, but 2X6 T&G attached to the, I think, glulam rafters the size and spacing of which I do not know. The support for the ridge beam at the end gable walls does include a header of sorts but no cripple jacks under it to the floor. It is fastened with screws and a couple of angle brackets at the ends for support. All the framing is joinded with 4″ screws, no nails used. The exterior T&G is also not staggered across the studs but whole rows of it are butted onto the same stud. Not only is it ugly, but this woudn’t give it any lateral strength. As of today only the floor and one side wall and one end wall has been built.
There is no concrete foundation, but simply treated 2X6 joists laying directly on compacted gravel. It is the sort of mixed gravel and other materials that does get very hard. But it is not concrete. In this area. when building a house, because of ground movement, the code requires concrete pilings with rebar poured into a hole 50 cm in diameter and up to 13 meters deep. I have about 20 of these under my house. We also get strong winds here (we are on top of a hill), and when it does rain it comes down in buckets. Israel is also in a serious earthquake zone.
The floor is constructed of 2X6 pine T&G
Sometimes there will be up to 250 to 300 people in this building.
I know that this building is being poorly consructed but I am alone here and I would appreciate your thoughts on this.
Thank you very much.
Replies
It's a little hard to evaluate due to not being familiar with the climate and soil conditions.
2x6 car siding is commonly applied directly to roof beams, without sheathing. Not a problem if the rafters are appropriate.
Whether a header is needed over a door or window depends on the loads. If the roof load doesn't transfer to a spot over a door or window then a header is not needed.
Building paper or housewrap behind siding is only needed for wind/water resistance. Depending on the climate these may not be needed.
But the foundation situation and the lack of staggering of the siding is worrisome.
lousy construction continued
Here are some photos I just took of the construction of the synagogue. Remember, the floorspace is going to be completely open.
It does look like lousy construction regarding the points you mentioned.
Supporting the ends of the ridge beam in that manner looks like a major defect. The load goes down to that header, but then the header is only supported by screws into its ends with the screws under a shear load. Not only are the screws inadequate there, but the header itself will be loaded in a way that will want to split it around the screw penetrations.
The two mid posts supporting the ridge beam should be on a footing for their concentrated point loading. I don’t know what is intended there, but those posts cannot be sitting right on top of the finished floor with just the floor joists supporting them. And if they were to sit directly on gravel, they should have some type of footer plate to spread out the load.
Sounds like you are building one of those quick and dirty Settler Outposts! The idea is to put it up as fast as possible before any meddling official notices, then have the Army come and defend the position. Once it becomes a "Fact on the Ground" you can demolish the rickety structures and build the true fortress community. Am I wrong?
So what's the long story on this project? Where is it being built, and how did you get to be part of it?
lousy construction
Hi,
Thanks for your post.
No, this is being built in a community that is in what is called by some as Israel proper. It is on the west side of the"green line".
It is supposed to last. the community is called Nechosha and is SW of Jerusalem. You could Google Map it to see it's location.
Nagar1
I am not involved with this construction.
If I had been involved with this construction none of these problems would have existed. I live in the community and have built 2 wood frame houses there.
In the photo you can see the one that I just completed. We used 2x6 construction, "I" joists and LVL materials as well as other material imported from Canada.
Nagar1
well....
Those scabbed together studs on the gable end wall are pretty cool.
Top plates are scabbed too
Reminds me of building a fort when I was a kid. No piece too small if we had enough nails.
Joe H
I'dconsider this only good for temporary doghouse construction
But don't worry, Iran will take it out before it falls down
I would stay away from it
If it doesn't collapse during construction it will later.
If the ridge beam doesn't crush the end wall when he sets it, the whole thing will go down in a heap when the wind hits the end wall.
Ruining a lot of good lumber there, no engineers in Israel?
Joe H
What's happening with this?
Did it blow over yet?
Joe H