Calculating thickness and width of a yurt Khana

[Keithgrass]

Hi all,

First time posting! My wife and I are planning on building yurts here in New Zealand. I have been searching for months to find willow tress for coppicing to no avail.

Yesterday I came across a mill with 1/4in by 1.5in lathes of grade A Canadian Ceder.

We are planning on making 3 yurts, 12', 16', and 22' (the sizes might be funny because I'm converting from meters)

The question is will these lathes work for all these sizes?

Thanks so much much for your help, I'm so happy to have found the forum.

Best regards,
Keithgrass

[Bob Rowlands]

I scratch built my 16' yurt. I made my wall lattice 5/16ths thick from clear pine stock. I'm sure 1/4" will work for 12' and 16'. 1/4" on a 20'er might work without a big snow load. Rain and wind only I'd guess it would. But that is strictly a guess. Try it and see? Maybe someone here will chime in. Good luck with your endeavors.

[Bob Rowlands]

Whoops left out the lattice width. 5/16ths x 1.5" wide. I ripped lattice from clear pine 2x4 studs. BTW I used 1/4" carriage bolts on 12" centers. That works great. Knotted cordage would also work great as well, and be way more traditional to boot.

[Almosthomeless]

Ok, same question bigger Yurt. With a 30 ft made of yellow pine. 1/2 x 1.5" maybe? I live in South Texas so snow load is a non-issue.

[Bob Rowlands]

I'm not a structural engineer. I'm thinking 3/4 x 1.5 would be better for a 30'er. That's a total guess. The potential wind and roof load on a 30' yurt is massive, in comparison to my 16'er. A 30' yurt is HUGE.

If it were my 30'er, I'd DEFINITELY add a quality 2x4 stud directly underneath each rafter just inboard of the lattice. Cut the stud accurately to fit the rafter pitch. Anchor the stud to the rafter on each side with a couple Simpson Strong Tie plate to truss anchors. Use their nails, not a roofing nail or 8d galvey.

Also two Strong Ties, one each side of the stud, connecting the stud to the deck. Bombproof. Probably add $15 including tax, per rafter, if your wall is 6' or less. Buy 2x4-12 and cut to height. No drops that way.

Good luck.