Evaluations on the Terms and Classification of Traditional Wooden Roof Trusses in Türkiye

Abstract

Different usages of terms related to traditional wooden truss roofs have been observed
in the national literature. Different usages of terms may cause problems in research,
examination, education and application in the field. This study aims to draw attention to
the subject by identifying the differences encountered in the classification of traditional
wooden truss systems and the terms used for system elements, and to present the author’s
suggestions on this subject with justifications. Another focus of the article is to compare
traditional wooden truss defined in the national literature examples applied in the field in
terms of system establishment.
In the study, after the relevant national and foreign literature in English is reviewed,
interviews were conducted with experienced architect academicians who teach
construction courses. Examination of the roof surveys included in the graduate studies
follows a field study was conducted in the Ayvalık region, where traditional wooden truss
is frequently used, and a comparison was made between traditional wooden truss defined
in the literature and field-applied examples.
In line with these studies, it was determined that there were different usages in the
classification of traditional wooden truss systems and the terms which are used to define
the structural elements of truss in the national literature. The author believes that the terms
on which there is no consensus should be reviewed by paying attention to establishing
semantic connections between the function and the term. Within that perspective, the
study suggests a classification of traditional wooden trusses, possible terms for the
system elements of the trusses, and identifies the similarities and differences between the
technology of traditional wooden trusses defined in the literature alongside the examples
applied in the field.