Chapter 1: American Heavy Timber Construction Page 8
Chapter 2: The Origins of Heavy Timber Construction Page 26
Chapter 3: The Great Chicago Fire and Heavy Timber Construction Page 36
Chapter 4: Heavy Timber in the Midwest Page 57
Chapter 5: The End of Heavy Timber Construction Page 67
Chapter 6: The Performance of Heavy Timber Construction Page 85
Chapter 7: The Resurgence of Heavy Timber Construction Page 101
Chapter 8: A Hope for Survival Page 113
Chapter 9: Conclusion Page 152
Bibliography Page 154
Index Page 165
Jesse Heitz is a scholar and former professional firefighter with the
Chaska Fire Department, in Chaska, MN. He holds a BA in History from the
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN; a MA in War in the Modern World from
King's College, London; a MSt in Building History from the University of
Cambridge; and will begin pursuing a Ph.D. in Modern History from the University
of St. Andrews.
This volume presents a
history of heavy timber construction (HTC) in the United States, chronicling
nearly two centuries of building history, from inception to a detailed evaluation
of one of the best surviving examples of the type, with an emphasis on fire
resistance. The book does not limit itself in scope to serving only as a common
history. Rather, it provides critical analysis of HTC in terms of construction
methods, design, technical specifications, and historical performance under
fire conditions. As such, this book provides readers with a truly comprehensive
understanding and exploration of heavy timber construction in the United States
and its performance under fire conditions.