I am in the process of renovating an old stable and considering reinforcing the rafters. The walls are bulging slightly on each side (less than 5 cm), which isn't surprising given that the stable is over 100 years old. There is no ceiling beam currently, but I am thinking of adding one to each rafter. So the question is, does it provide any benefit? Is there any risk that it might actually weaken the construction?
The new beam is marked in red.
(The black square boxes are longitudinal beams)
The benefit of collar beams is probably marginal. In that case, there are other possible reinforcements that can have a greater effect. Everything depends on the actual execution of the roof construction. They were not so diligent with the spirit level 100 years ago.
There will absolutely be no weakening!
With your specific type of roof construction, a hanbjälke was often included. Your roof is unlikely to collapse, but considering the relatively small amount of work, the hanbjälke provides extra security and increased safety.
There is no real reinforcement either given that all nodes are well anchored to each other. However, I would like to know more about the 5 cm that bulges outward. Is there any node or joint that is slipping? It's more important to find that out. Check the foundation too; the problem might be there.
But as I said, 100 years is a long time, and presumably no action is urgent.
Extra securing is probably the right word I'm looking for. Even though it has stood for over a hundred years, there's no guarantee it will stand for another hundred. The timber looks healthy but is nailed together with forged iron nails in places that might rust. It has bulged out for as long as I've lived here, nearly 20 years. The reason there's no tie beam is that there is a traversing crane in the ridge that has been used as a hay lift, so there has been significant pressure when bringing in the hay, which can probably be attributed to the forces causing the bulge, before my time. As you can see in the drawing, there isn't a whole post from the floor up to the truss; instead, it's two parts with a beam in between. I've seen other stables with the same construction where the upper post also leans out somewhat. I thought that now, while renovating the rest of the stable, one could perhaps strengthen the trusses for safety, but it might be unnecessary. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to propose them.
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