A top-beam yoke is a simple yoke construction in which two short posts are tied together at the top by a horizontal beam, without the posts running through to the floor or to the outer wall. It is used as a secondary structure in roofs, lofts and old barns where additional support is needed without erecting a full bent.
Difference from a top-beam frame
The main difference between a top-beam yoke and a top-beam frame:
| Feature | Top-beam frame | Top-beam yoke |
|---|---|---|
| Post height | Full storey height | Short, often on a binding beam |
| Function | Main structure | Intermediate support |
| Location | Full-height bent | Inside the roof or on a floor |
A top-beam yoke usually sits on another structural element — for example an anchor beam or a loft floor — and supports a purlin or a rafter above.
Application
Top-beam yokes are found in:
- Roof structures of long-house and hall-house barns, supporting longitudinal purlins
- Old lofts where extra bearing points were needed for stored hay or grain
- Restoration projects where a historic structure needs renewed stability
In some regions the term is also used for a simple yoke in a half-brick roof structure without full rafter feet.
How it works
The top-beam yoke behaves like a small portal frame: the two short posts carry the top beam, which spreads the load evenly between them. Braces or wind ties give lateral stability. The joint between top beam and post is usually a mortise-and-tenon, and in heavier work a halved scarf joint pinned with timber dowels.
Related terms
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