Cantilevered Column: Wednesday’s Word Of The Week
Similar to a cantilevered beam, a cantilevered column is fixed at one end and free at the other. However, while cantilevered columns are frequently used in simple structures, it’s not as obvious at first look.
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| Cantilevered columns in picnic pavilion |
Cantilevered columns are often used for picnic pavilions and other simple shelters without walls for lateral stability. The bottom of the column is fixed, usually by embedding 4 feet of it into a concrete foundation, and the “free” end supports roof framing. When wind pushes horizontally on the roof structure, the column base fixity keeps the overall structure stable.
*Each Wednesday our structural engineer, Rik Vandermeulen, discusses a new term associated with glulam manufacturing. He will do this until we run out of words. If there is a timber or glulam term that you have heard of and want to know more about, let us know in the comments.