was this a common building technique?

[robgil]

its a clay lump extension with a corrugated cement roof. the timbers or branches stretch from the original outside wall of the house across to the exterior wall of the extension. the extension is the full length of the house gable to gable and has 2 clay lump partitioning walls to one side.
the roof shouldn't be too heavy and if the outside wall did need bracing would they have used this kind of method?
there are two of them and they look to be evenly spaced.

 

[Cloudscape]

I'm wondering if you're seeing all the "bits of tree", or if the plasterboard is hiding something. Have a look at this pic in a lean-to. The main building is to the right - the wall's not in shot - stone/rubble construction. The parallel external wall is on the left. There's this one 'tree' from one side to the other - its branch (with a squared-up oak prop) is supporting a two-piece 'tree' purlin, which (obviously) runs the length of the room, (17-18ft), and is embedded in a stone/rubble wall at either end.



I'm not saying that you have the same arrangement, but I thought the pic would help .

Actually, something you can't see here is that, on the external wall (left), the tree is carried on the lintel of a window. :?

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Actually, something you can't see here is that, on the external wall (left), the tree is carried on the lintel of a window. :?

That isn't an uncommon gift of our forebears, even with considerably heftier buildings, to puzzle and concern present generations:

 

[robgil]

the bit thats baffling me is this roof is not as old as the extension , its a 60's/70's addition onto an older clay block extension (i think) so i am wondering why they left these branches in , or , if they put them in when the roof went on.
they dont seem to be doing anything except perhaps bracing the exterior wall.

anyhow , what i am getting at is , if i change the roof for something without asbestos in it (tin?) will mr buildings inspector decide them to be against any building regs and have me remove or change them.

 

[Flyfisher]

Actually, something you can't see here is that, on the external wall (left), the tree is carried on the lintel of a window. :?

That isn't an uncommon gift of our forebears, even with considerably heftier buildings, to puzzle and concern present generations:

Yes, we've got a few examples of supporting timbers (some quite huge) sitting over windows and doors. Although, to be fair to the original builders, it wasn't built that way, it's the fault of whoever cut into the timber-frame to insert the current Georgian sash windows.
Would they be classed as 'period cowboys' I wonder?

 

[robgil]

you are lucky , my timber framed walls were chopped out to put in large galvanized metal framed windows. i dread to think what they used under the plaster/render as support when they chopped through the timber studs.

 

[Flyfisher]

you are lucky , my timber framed walls were chopped out to put in large galvanized metal framed windows.

Thankfully I don't think galvanised frames were available at the time our C17 additions were built, otherwise who knows what might have been done.