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  |File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 2 Rafter poles staged and ready.jpg |All the rafters awaiting installation |2 |Here we have all the rafters awaiting installation.  The rafters are all cut quite longer than required for the roof. Working with round poles that are not all together straight and have varying taper it is a good idea to leave all your members long so that they can be twisted and positioned right where each piece fits best.   
  |File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 2 Rafter poles staged and ready.jpg |All the rafters awaiting installation |2 |Here we have all the rafters awaiting installation.  The rafters are all cut quite longer than required for the roof. Working with round poles that are not all together straight and have varying taper it is a good idea to leave all your members long so that they can be twisted and positioned right where each piece fits best.   
  |File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 3 Added ties and finding center with string.jpg|Finding the center of a hexagon |3|In addition to the reciprocal top plates mentioned in step 1, three additional members were added atop the hexagon of top plates for more strength. The added members extend from the middle of the top plates' span cross to the center of the opposing span, making the view from above or below a triangle inside of a hexagon. This step is not required for all applications.  It was chosen here because the walls in this particular structure are simple and not reinforced. A circular cob or earthbag structure would likely not require such extra tension support.  The three members were also installed simply to make the installation of the rafters easier by serving as scaffolding to stand on. <br /> String lines across the vertices help us find center so we an determine the position of the charlie stick.   
  |File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 3 Added ties and finding center with string.jpg|Finding the center of a hexagon |3|In addition to the reciprocal top plates mentioned in step 1, three additional members were added atop the hexagon of top plates for more strength. The added members extend from the middle of the top plates' span cross to the center of the opposing span, making the view from above or below a triangle inside of a hexagon. This step is not required for all applications.  It was chosen here because the walls in this particular structure are simple and not reinforced. A circular cob or earthbag structure would likely not require such extra tension support.  The three members were also installed simply to make the installation of the rafters easier by serving as scaffolding to stand on. <br /> String lines across the vertices help us find center so we an determine the position of the charlie stick.   
  |File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 4 Attaching the Charlie Stick.jpg |The distance from the center of the structure to the charlie stick determines the size of the opening |4 |There are several ways to install the temporary support post known as a [http://www.small-scale.net/yearofmud/2008/11/26/how-to-build-a-reciprocal-roof-frame/ charlie stick]. This one is installed by lashing a temporary support between our added support beams. Another way is two lash two charlie sticks together in a cross at the top used in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QanmUUG2wes video]]. In most cases the trick is to keep it temporary; do not bury the charlie stick in the ground, that will make it very difficult to remove later. Lashing, nailing, or screwing knee and lateral braces from the posts to the charlie stick are adequate anchoring. <br /> Notice in the photo the distance of the charlie stick from the center of the structure, this determines the size of the opening of the reciprocal roof. A circular template is also sometimes used.
  |File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 4 Attaching the Charlie Stick.jpg |The distance from the center of the structure to the charlie stick determines the size of the opening |4 |There are several ways to install the temporary support post known as a [http://www.small-scale.net/yearofmud/2008/11/26/how-to-build-a-reciprocal-roof-frame/ charlie stick]. This one is installed by lashing a temporary support between our added support beams. Another way is two lash two charlie sticks together in a cross at the top used in this [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QanmUUG2wes video]]. In most cases the trick is to keep it temporary; do not bury the charlie stick in the ground, that will make it very difficult to remove later. Lashing, nailing, or screwing knee and lateral braces from the posts to the charlie stick are adequate anchoring.Notice in the photo the distance of the charlie stick from the center of the structure, this determines the size of the opening of the reciprocal roof. A circular template is also sometimes used.
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 5 Close up of Square Lashing.jpg |An example of a [http://www.animatedknots.com/lashsquare/ square lashing] used to secure the charlie stick |5 |This close up shows an example of the [http://www.animatedknots.com/lashsquare/ square lashing] used to secure the charlie stick to a temporary beam to the structure .  This lashing was made with nylon rope found in the jungle.<br /> Continued from the previous step: The height of the charlie stick determines the pitch or slope of the finished roof. <br /> The reciprocal roof looses strength with too much rise.  The strength in a reciprocal roof comes compression from the members above and below each rafter. Too wide an opening or too small the compression ring looses strength as well. There are numerous examples of [https://www.google.com/search?q=reciprocal+roofs&client=firefox-a&hs=cMh&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ZplyU4WEEYSSqga_9IKQDg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=471 reciprocal roofs] that all fall within reason.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 5 Close up of Square Lashing.jpg |An example of a square lashing used to secure the charlie stick |5 | This close up shows an example of the [http://www.animatedknots.com/lashsquare/ square lashing] used to secure the charlie stick to a temporary beam to the structure .  This lashing was made with nylon rope found in the jungle. Continued from the previous step. The height of the charlie stick determines the pitch or slope of the finished roof. The reciprocal roof looses strength with too much rise.  The strength in a reciprocal roof comes compression from the members above and below each rafter. Too wide an opening or too small the compression ring looses strength as well. There are numerous examples of that all fall within reason.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 6 First three Rafters.jpg |First three rafters up one laid atop the next. |6 |After the charlie stick is set, the first three rafters went up.  The first rafter laid in the crotch of the charlie stick. '''Remember''' to place the charlie stick far enough outside the final ring in the center to avoid getting the charlie stick stuck from the last rafters installed.  The second is laid atop the first and the third atop the second.  Each crossover is tangent to the radius of the center opening desired.     
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 6 First three Rafters.jpg |First three rafters up one laid atop the next. |6 |After the charlie stick is set, the first three rafters went up.  The first rafter laid in the crotch of the charlie stick. Remember to place the charlie stick far enough outside the final ring in the center to avoid getting the charlie stick stuck from the last rafters installed.  The second is laid atop the first and the third atop the second.  Each crossover is tangent to the radius of the center opening desired.     
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 7 Notching each rafter.jpg  |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |7 |Whatever you do in step 7.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 7 Notching each rafter.jpg  |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |7 |Whatever you do in step 7.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 8 Rafters half way up.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |8 |Whatever you do in step 8.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 8 Rafters half way up.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |8 |Whatever you do in step 8.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 9Temporary Rafter Ties.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |9 |Whatever you do in step 9.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 9Temporary Rafter Ties.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |9 |Whatever you do in step 9.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction10 Fitting Last Rafter.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |10 |Whatever you do in step 10.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction10 Fitting Last Rafter.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |10 |Whatever you do in step 10.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 11 Adjusting the Charlie Stick and Layout Ring.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |11 |Whatever you do in step 11.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 11 Adjusting the Charlie Stick and Layout Ring.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |11 |Whatever you do in step 11.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 12 Cut off Ends of Rafters to Desired Length.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |12 |Whatever you do in step 12.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 12 Cut off Ends of Rafters to Desired Length.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |12 |Whatever you do in step 12.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 13 Wire wrapping center ring.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |13 |Whatever you do in step 13 [[File:Reciprocal Roof Construction video Removing the Charlie Stick Video.flv]][[File:Reciprocal Roof Construction Removing Charlie Stick SWF.swf]]. There is also a video on the removal of a charlie stick on a bigger scale at [http://www.small-scale.net/yearofmud/2008/11/26/how-to-build-a-reciprocal-roof-frame The year of Mud Reciprocal Roof Blog]  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 13 Wire wrapping center ring.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |13 |Whatever you do in step 13 [[File:Reciprocal Roof Construction video Removing the Charlie Stick Video.flv]][[File:Reciprocal Roof Construction Removing Charlie Stick SWF.swf]]. There is also a video on the removal of a charlie stick on a bigger scale at [http://www.small-scale.net/yearofmud/2008/11/26/how-to-build-a-reciprocal-roof-frame The year of Mud Reciprocal Roof Blog]  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 15 Adding more wire and covering with bark strips.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |14 |Whatever you do in step 14.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 15 Adding more wire and covering with bark strips.jpg |Hexagon Structure Awaiting a Reciprocal Roof |14 |Whatever you do in step 14.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 16 Finished Project.jpg |The Decorated Finished Product |15 |Whatever you do in step 15.  
|File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 16 Finished Project.jpg |The Decorated Finished Product |15 |Whatever you do in step 15.  
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Revision as of 22:41, 13 May 2014

Coming Soon! In this page we will describe to you how to build a basic understanding of reciprocal roof construction with step by step instructions.


A reciprocal frame is a class of self-supporting structure made of three or more beams and which requires no center support to create roofs, bridges or similar structures. As quoted from Wikipedia.org

This page is intended to show the basic How-To's of installing a reciprocal roof on a structure.

The reciprocal roof lends itself to round walled structures. This structure is a hexagon, although, an octagon, decagon, or vertex-less/circular one would make installation easier. The reason being that the reciprocal roof pitch is determined by the x distance from the top plate to the tangent of the center ring where the rafters lay reciprocating over each other. If the x distance changes, ex: in a square with four corners the x distance from the center point of the square to the edges of the square box are not equal. It is a greater distance from the center to the corner than to the center of a face/side of the square. Therefore, the pitch of the roof will be shallower at the corners and steeper at the faces. In theory, the non sided circle is the best way to achieve an even pitch around the whole structure making a conical roof.
In this hexagonal structure built in a series of community workshops the roof pitch does vary slightly from vertex to face; but this can be mitigated slightly by placing the rafters a distance away from the vertices.
Enjoy this How-To for educational purposes, if this page does not help or if you are looking for more, here is another reciprocal roof how to with blog The year of Mud Reciprocal Roof Blog, enjoy.

File:Reciprocal Roof Construction 1 Finished walls with no roof.jpg
Round Pole Reciprocal Roof How To:
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