DepartmentofAgriculturalEngineering AEN-15

R/GID-FRAME
GREENHOUSE
CONSTRUCT/ON
b y J . N . W a l k e ra n d G . A . D u n c a n

Universityof Kentucky. Collegeof Agriculture. Cooperative

ExtensionService
Agriculture. Home Economics. 4-H . Development

The developmentof plasticfilm and rigid sheetmate- This publicationprovidesstep-by-step guidelinesfor

rial for the glazingof greenhouses createda needfor a new fabricationand erectionof rigid framesshownby Universi-
classof structuralframes.Such structuresideallyshould ty of Kentuckyblueprintsor other similarplans.
have a minimum of shadingat a minimum of cost. The
surfacesof the framesshould be smooth,to permit easy Rigid-Frame
DesignLoads
coveringwith either film or rigid coverings. To permiteffi-
cient use of equipment for working the soil, interior T h e K e n t u c k yp l a n sw e r e d e s i g n e d( 1, 2 , 3 ) o n t h e
supportsshould be minimal. In addition to theserequire- basisof the main membersbeingof selectstructuralquali-
ments,such factors as simpleconstruction,reducederec- ty. The designloadsselectedwere ten poundsper square
tion time, and a long structurallife are important. More foot live load or wind at 88 milesper hour. Thoughthe live
recently, the availabilityof fiberglasspanelsrequireda load usedis considerably lessthan the designroof loadsfor
structuresuitablefor thesecoveringmaterials. conventionalstructures,experiencewith both glassand
A structurewhich incorporates all thesedesirable
fea- plasticcoveredgreenhouses has shown suchdesignloadsto
tures to a high degreeis the rigid-frame.A rigid-frannis be adequate.However,only high quality dried lumber
essentially/an arch with completelyrigid joints wherethe shouldbe selectedfor the main members.
loadsare transferredto the foundationin an efficientman-
ner. Consequently, lessmaterialis requiredthan for non- Glue-Nailand All-NailedRigid Frames
rigid construction.This resultsin a minimum of cost per
unit of areacovered.Sinceno cross-bracing or chordsare The most efficientconstructionis achievedby usinga
required,there is only one framingmemberto casta shad- v'nterproofglue to fabricatethe rigid-frames.With glue,less
ow; henceshadingis at a minimum.The frarnesshown on plywood is requiredat the joints and fewer nailsneedto be
blueprintsfrom the Universityof Kentucky are of driven. Sufficient rrailsare used,though,to createa
woodenconstructionand haveonly threejoints pressurethat will hold the gussetstightly
per frame.The framesare normallyfabri- againstthe main memberuntil the glue
catedin a jib on a pavedsurfacor sets.
suitable framework and are The all-nailedframesare simi-
thereforesimpleand easyto lar to the gluedframesexcept
construct. larger plywood gussetsare
Th e lack of interior usedfor the joints to achieve
b r a c i n g , c o l l a r b e a m s ,o r the required joint strength.
chords simplifiesthe placing The same designloads were
of the plastic film and/or used.The nailedframeshave
f i b e r g l a s s .F i g u r e 1 s h o w s the advantagethat they can
some details of rigid-frame be built outsidein cold
construction.Figure 2 is an weather; whereasat tempera-
exteriorview of a 28 foot by tures lower than 600 to 70oF
48 foot rigid-frame green- glue will not cure properly
housecoveredwith fiberqlass. unlessused in a heatedarea.
 AEN_15

S I N G L EO R D O U B L E-
L A Y E RC O V E R I N G S
P L Y W O O DG U S S E T S

<-- OPEN INTERIOR

G O O DQ U A L T T YT U O O D E M N EMBERSTpRESERVATIVE
T R E A T E DO R D E C A Y . R E S I S T A N TS P E C I E SR E C O M M E N D E D

S T E E L A N C H O RS T R A P

CONCRETE

Fig, 1.-General features of wooden rigid-frame construction,

masonryfoundationsmust be reinforcedto be adequate.In

commercial buildings, large rigid-framesare frequently
supportedby reinforcrd concrstefootings.Such largefoot-
ingsareexpensive to build and requireskilledlabor.
The support of greenhousesizerigid-frameson con-
crete piers poured in holds dug by a tractor-mounted or
truck-mountedaugerhasbeeninvestigatedat the University
of Kentucky.Thesestudiesshowedthe pier sizeslistedin
Table 1 to be adequatefor greenhouse rigid frames.Piersof
thesesizesarerelativelysimpleand easyto construct.

Table l. Pier Sizes and Depths for Greenhouse Rigid

Franr;sr

greenhouse
Fig.2.-Exteriorviewof 28 by 40 foot rigid-frarne with FrameLegSize(in.) PierDiameter(in.) Pier Depth(in.)
fiberglass
co\rering.

2x4 6 24
Regardlessof the method of fabricating joints, be 2xG 6 30
sureto follow the plansexactly!Strongjoints are extreme- 2x8 I 30
joint con-
ly important in this type construction.Careless 2x 10 10 30
struction can seriouslyweakenthe building. 2x 12 12 36

Foundation Sy*em lThese data are minimum values for typical soil conditions.
The diameters and depths rust be increased 30 to 50 percent for
On transferring load to the ground, the rigid-franc loose, sandy, or wet soil,

developsa relativelylargehorizontalthrust. For the 4Gfoot

greenhouseframe, this thrust is approximately500 pounds Figure 3 shows the construction of a typical pier.
per frame for maximum roof loading. This means that Sheet metal, wood, or heavy cardboardcontainerscan be
 AEN_15
used to form the pier above ground. The aboveground the frame. Toe-nailingof frames to the sill plate is not
portion can be squareor round. A steelstrap is placedin adequateby design standardsand therefore not recom
the pier to reinforcethe pier, permit secureattachmentof mended.Figure4 showsdetailsof properfoundationwall
the frame to the pier, and transferthe horizontalthrust of construction.
the frameto the footing. The positioningof the steelstrap
GALV. METAL FRAMING AIICHOR
must be accurateif the framesare to be uniformlyspaced. ON SILL OR STEEL STRAP
lf framesare to be seton a concreteor block founda- r Nc o N c .
tion, the concretefootingshouldextendbelowthe frostline BOLTS
{ r IO" ANChOR
4'-o'o.c. a 6" MAx.
F R O MS T U O

R I G I DF R A M E L E G
s o L r Dc o N c .
S T E E L A N C H O RS T R A P W A L LO RB L K S .
W/ COFES FILLED
AT FRATES,

SILL SAME
W I D T HA S L E G
S T E E LR E I N F O R C I N C
TO FOOTINOIN CORES
BELOYV RIGIO-FRAME
LEG

S O U A R EO R R O U N D
FORMINA GB O V E
GROUND 8"r t2'CONC.
FOOTING
i+CIRCULARCONCRETE
I p r e nP o u R E D
r NH o L E
Fig.4.-Detailsof continuous
concrete
wall andanchoring
methods
I
for greenhouse
rigidframes.
\
\-
- --/ Concreteblock walls 3-5 blocksaboveoutsidegrade
or wherethe wall is not backfilledrequirecompletefilling
of the coresor similarstrengtheningto withstandthe hori-
of concretepier construction
Fig.3.-Details for greenhouse
rigid zontalthrust of the rigid frames.
frames.

depth, usually eighteeninches deep for Kentucky (use Lumber

properdepth for other locations).A solid pouredconcrete
foundation or blocks should extend at least six inches
abovethe highestsoil level.
When masonry blocks are used with a footing to
support rigid frames,the cellsof the block directly under
the frameshouldbe completelyfilled with concrete.A steel
strap for anchoringthe frame and reinforcingthe founda-
tion must be embeddedinto a concrete-filled cell, as with
the piers describedabove.As an alternative,a sill plate
coufd be anchoredto the blocks with 1/2 inch by 10 inch
bolts four feet apart and the framesattachedto the sill with
galvanizedmetal framing anchorssuch as joist hangers,or
equivalenthardware.Use a framing anchor sized for the
framestudand usepropernailsrequiredby the anchor.The
foundation, however, must still be reinforcedby placinga
steel rod or strap in the core spaceof the foundation below
The lumber for the framingmembersshould be kiln-
dried, good quality structurallumber (f = 1500 Fsi) or
better.This meansthe lumbermust be freeof seriousknots
or undesirablegrain direction. For maximum strength,
minor defectsshouldbe placedin the lower 1/2 of the leg
or the upper 112of the rafter.Thoughroughsawnlumber
can be used,it must be remembered that high-qualityair or
kilndried materialis required.lf the lumber is not graded,
care must be taken to select good lumber for the rigid
frames.For high strengthgluejoints it is importantthat all
rough sawn lumber be dry (below 20 percent moisture
content,dry basis)and the joint endshaveidenticalthick-
nessfor plywood gussetapplication.This generallyrequires
planingto a commonthickness.
No. 2 Southern yellow pine or
Preservative-treated
standardgrade Douglasfir is most commonly usedfor rigid
 AEN_15

frames.lf redwood is usedfor the largerframes,one size Glue

largerlumber may be neededto compensate for the weaker
strengthand easiersplittingof redwood,
PreservativeTreatrnent
The only adhesiverecommended at presentwhich has
capabilitiesdesiredand can be used
the moistureresistance
under normal conditions is ResorcinolResin (Figure6).

Due to the high degreeof moisturein greenhouses,

the use of decay resistantor preservativetreated lumber is
recommended. Though lumbercan be treatedby brushing
or soakingwith preservative, the poor performance of such
treatment when compared to pressuretreated lumber
would make the use of the pressuretreated lumber the
most desirableand economical.ln exposuretestsuntreated
pine stakes in ground lasted 2-4 years, whereaspressure-
treated stakeshad 20 to 30 yearsor more of serviceablelife
(e).
Only the water-borne salt-type preservativesare
recommendedfor greenhouses. Thesetypes permit paint-
ing, are not toxic to plants,and do not causedamageto the
plastic or fiberglasscoveringmaterials(5). The oil-borne
Fig.6.-Resorcinolresinis a two-partglueusedfor strongglu+nail
types, like penta and creosote, are not recommended joint construction.
becauseof their toxicity to plantsand coverings.
For more detailsof preservativetreatment for wood, This glue will "cure" at temperaturesof 600 to 70oF or
seereference(9). above.Do not use it if the temperatureis expectedto fall
Plywood Gusets much belowthis leyelwithin twenty-fourhoursafterapply-
ing the glue. This adhesiveis a reasonablygood gap filler
Becauseof the high moisture conditions cited above, and is tolerantof someminor surfaceirregularities. Due to
its exceptional performance regardlessof the exposure
only exterior plywood gradeC-C or better should be used.
For glued frames, the face to be glued should be the condition and it! easeof use,no other adhesiveshould be
substituted. Resorcinolresin glue is availablein most locali-
smooth uniform face. Pressuretreatment of plywood with
the salt-type preservativesor soak treatment of the cut ties throughthe largerhardwareand lumbersuppliers.Tests
gussetedgesis recommended on the gluingof plywoodto treatedlumberat the Universi-
so they havelife comparable
to that of the treatedlumber. ty of Kentucky (7) indicatethat adequatejoint strength
Plywood gussetsare usedon both sidesof the joint. can be obtainedwith the resorcinolresinglueand salt-type
preservative-treatedlumber if visible preservative crystals
Usea jig to hold the lumberin positionand apply gussets
to
one side (Figure5). The framesmay be prefabficatedin are removedby wire brushingor sandingprior to gluing
(Figure7). The moisturecontent of the lumber shouldbe

Fig. S.-Jig used in positioning and holding members for first gusset
application.

halvesthen latergluedtogetherat the erectionsite. (NOTE:

Apply a ridgegussetto one sideonly of a half-frameso the
halveswill fit together properly when assembledlater. See Fig, 7.-Brushing or sandingsurfacedepositsfrom treatedmembers
F i g u r e1 2 . ) beforegluing.

below20 peroent,dry basis.Preferably,apply a coatof glue
to each surfaceto be joined (Figure8). lf a liberalcoat is
Fig.8.-For glue-nailjoints,applya coatof properlymixedresorcin-
ol resinglueto eachsurface.
applied to one surfaoe,adequate bonds can be achieved
provided a slight bead of glue is squeezedout of the joint
aroundthe edgeswhen the gussetis applied.
Nails
For the glu*nail frames,6d common nails are used.
Thesenailsserveto hold the gussets in placeand to main-
tain surface pressureand contact of the glued facesuntil
the gluesets(24 hours at 600 to 70oF or higher).Useone
nail every3-4 inchesaparton the gusset(Figureg).
Apply the eaveand ridgegussetto the one sidewhile
the membersarein the jig.
Fig, 9,-Nails (6d) are driven to hold the gusset snug against the
rnain members and permit handling until the glue sets. Notice the
beads of glue oozing from the joint, which indicates good glue-wood
contact within the joint.
AEN-15
Handlethe framescarefullywhen removingfrom the
jig. Rotateand lay them asideto apply the remainingeave
gusset(Figure10). The secondridgegussetis not appliedso
the two halveswill mate together properly when later
assembled.
'..1.,,:"
: r,j',r " ,
Fig. 10,-Applying the renniningeavegusset.
Stack the framesasideuntil the glue sets.Whenstack-
ing, place wax papersor plastic film betweenconsecutive
framesif any glue is obaervedrunning from the joints. lf
this is not done, the stackedframesmay be gl.uedtogether.
ln the all-nailed frames, the nails are the fastening
agent and henceare vital. The nail sizespecifiedis 6d com-
mon or deformed shank (ring or screw shank types).
Though the nail patternfor the nailedframesis shown on
the blueprints,some staggering of the nailsmay be neces-
sary to preventsplitting. Use all the nails specified;any
fewerwill weakenthe joint proportionally.Figure1 I shoran
an all-nailedjoint beingconstructed.
joints,larger
Fig.11.-Forall-nailed gussets
and6d common
or ring
shanknailsareused.
ErectingRigid Frames
All concretework (piers,footing,and/or foundatio.n)
should be completed,kept damp, and allowedto cure at

leastthree days beforeerectionof the frames.The exposed
steelanchorstrapsshouldbe paintedwith a rust-inhibiting
paint.
lf the rigid-frames havebeenprefabricated
then completeassemblyof the frames,usingproper glue-
n a i l o r a l l - n a i l e fda b r i c a t i o no f t h e r i d g ej o i n t ( F i g u r e1 2 ) .
Allow glue-nailjoints to cure 24 hours at approximately
70oF or warmer weatherand protect the freshjoint from
r a i nw h i l ec u r i n g .
F i g . 1 2 . - A s s e m b l i n g f r a m e h a l v e sb e fo r e e r e c t i n gt h e f r a m e .
One or two coatsof exteriorwhite latex paint could
be appliedbeforethe framesareerected.
Carefullyrotatethe first frame into verticalposition
on the piers or foundationand temporarilybrace it with
boardsto groundstakes.Anchorthe legsto the foundation.
Erectremainingframes,anchortheseto the first framewith
the eaveand ridge boardsin the gussetnotchessnown on
the blueprints,and anchoreachframeto the foundation,
PerrnanentBracing
Sincethe greenhouses
haveno structuralsheathing
p r o v i d ep e r m a n e nbt r a c i n gw, i r e b r a c i n gr u n n i n gd i a g o n a l l y
- -""t''
* I
,"'
Fig. 13.-Diagonal bracing with galvanized or plastic-covered steel
wire.
AEN_15
both on the sidesand along the roof is necessary (Figure
1 3 ) . F o u r s t r a n d so f n u m b e r 1 4 g a l v a n i z esdt e e lw i r e p e r
bracecable is recommended; however,plastic-covered guy
in halves, wire cable could be used (two or three strandsper cable).
Use 3/8 inch eye-bolts(with washerunder the nut) and
turn-bucklesfor attaching and tightening brace wires.
Bracingis specifiedat both ends. but shouldalso be pro-
vided about every50 to 60 feet alonga house100 feet long
or more.
Add 2 by 4 purlins.4 feet on center,cut-to-fit and
butted between the frames for attar:hment of covering
materials.(Caution: Do not notch the 2 bV 4's into the
rigid-frames asseriousstructuralweakeningwill occur.)
FinishingDetails
Touch-,.rpor final paintingof the framesand other
wooden structuralmembersshouldbe completed.A good
paintedsurfaceimprovesappearance and light reflectionof
the structure.
A suitablecoveringmaterialcan be appliedaccording
to manufacturers' recommendations, Informationon types
and characteristicsof greenhouse coveringscan be obtained
from the sourceslistedbelow.
Plansand LiteratrrreAvailable
P l a n sf o r r i g i d - f r a m eg r e e n h o u s e isn c o r p o r a t i n gt h e
featuresdiscussedaboveare listed in KentuckyBuilding
and EquipmentPlanscatalog,availablefor reviewat your
C o u n t y E x t e n s i o nO f f i c e , o r P l a n S e r v i c e ,A g r i c u l t u r a l
E n g i n e e r i n gD e p a r t m e n tU, n i v e r s i t yo f K e n t u c k y L, e x i n g -
t o n , K e n t u c k y4 0 5 4 6 - 0 0 7 5B. l u e p r i n t sa r e a v a i l a b l ea t a
s m a l lc o s t .O t h e rl i t e r a t u r eo n g r e e n h o u s eh e a t i n g v, e n t i -
lation, covering and related phases of structures and
e n v i r o n m e n ti s a l s o a v a i l a b l ef r e e o n r e q u e s tf r o m t h e
aboveoffices.
to
List of References
( 1 ) C u r t i s ,J . O . a n d H a n s e nE, . L . ," L u m b e r R i g i dF r a m e s
f o r F a r m B u i l d i n g s ,U " n i v e r s i t oy f l l l i n o i s ,E x t e n s i o n
Service C i r c u l a8r 1 2 , D e c e m b e1r 9 5 9 .
t2l C u r t i s ,J . O . . " D e s i g no f N a i l e da n d G l u e d P l y w o o d
Gussetsfor Lumber Rigid Frames," University of
l l l i n o i s E x p e r i m e n tS t a t i o n , B u l l e t i n 6 5 4 , M a r c h
1960.
r ( 3 ) Douglas Fir Plywood Association,"Plywood Rigid
FrameDesignManual,"DouglasFir PlywoodAssocia-
I
tion, Tacoma2, Washington, Form 62-170A.
(4) Forest Products Laboratory, "Wood Handbook,"
United States Departmentof Agriculture,Agricul-
tural HandbookNo. 72, 1955.,

(5) Kaufert, F.H. and Loerch,D.A., "Treated Lumberfor
GreenhouseUse,t' 1il;nn"rotaForestryNotes,No. 36,
Universityof Minnesota,1955.
(6) Walker,J.N. and Cox, E.H.,"Designof Pier Founda-
tions for Lateral Loads," Transactionof ASAE, Vol.
9, No. 3, pp 41742O, 427, 1966.
(71 Walker,J.N. and Walton, L.R., "Gluing of Plywood
to Treated Lumbe4" Transactionsof ASAE, Vol. 9,
No.5, pp 669-670,and 674,1966.
AEN_15
(8) Walker,J.N. and Slack, D.C., "Propertiesof Green-
house CoveringMaterials,"Transactionsof ASAE, In
Press,1971.
(e) Duncan,G.A. and Walker,J.N., "Preservative Treat-
ment of GreenhouseWood," AEN-6, University of
Kentucky, Cooperative Extension Service, July,
1973.
Ofiice, College ol Agticulturc, UniveBity ol Kentucky, Room S-105, Agriculturcl Science Building-North, Lexington, Kentucky 40516.

lssued in turtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts ot May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Charles E. Barnhart, Director ol
Cooperative Extension Service, University ol Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort.

lssued6-73,9M to 11-73;2M-2-87