Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Samoan Material Culture

Figure 41.—Erection of arched purlins:

Figure 41.—Erection of arched purlins:

Figure 41.—Erection of arched purlins:

a, strutting middle arch and upper series of arches: 1. middle arch kept in position by mesial and lateral struts; 2, thatch rafters ('aso vao) in middle line, attached above to ridgepole end piece and passing over middle arch and curb plate; 3, end rafter of middle section, with some of outer 'aso vao attached to it at their upper ends; 4, curb plate showing ends of middle arch resting on it at junction with wall plate; 5, topmost arch (fau tali 'aso); 6, third highest main purlin of middle section; 7, poles used as mesial temporary struts for arches; 8, lateral temporary struts. The thatch rafters are tied in the middle line to the end piece and the end rafter and passed over the middle arch and curb plate. The spacing of the arches is done in the same manner as the spacing of the straight purlins of the middle section on the curved principal rafters. Here the mesial thatch rafters take the place of the principal rafters of the sides. A line is stretched from the ridgepole end piece to the middle of the curb plate over the thatch rafters. The measured line is divided equally into the number of parts required for the whole series of arches including the middle arch, and marked as before with fau bark. The line is again stretched over the mesial thatch rafters and the points, where the strips of bark touch, are marked with charcoal. The middle arch is then adjusted to coincide with its correct mark. The arches of the upper series are lifted into position with ropes, commencing with the highest (fau tali 'aso) which receives its name from tali 'aso (to guide or receive the thatch rafters). The middle of the arch is placed against the under side of the mesial thatch rafters against the highest charcoal mark and the lower ends are directed towards the ends of the third highest purlins (6) of the vsides. It is temporarily strutted in position with one mesial strut and usually 2 lateral. The remaining arches of the upper series are lifted into position and strutted. The highest and the middle arches are complete as regards their ends but the ends of the other arches are left short to be added to as work developes. b, Complete series of arches in position. The lower series of arches are added in a similar way to the upper, but not usually until further thatch rafters have been added. The figure, however shows their relative position on the framework. When placing the mesial struts of the upper series, the arches are pushed up so that the curve may be even between the ridgepole and the middle arch.