We purchased a farm 2 years ago that includes a 2,000 sq ft, 2 story bank barn built sometime around the turn of the 19th/20th century. The oak beams are hand-hewn; floor joists are tree limbs with the bark. We put a new roof on it last year.
However, the main sills have slipped approx. 6" on its massive concrete foundation. We could use advice on corrective measures. Thank you.
Great. You are in good hands.
Hi, Gary,
Thank you for posting your concerns. Your barn looks to be in pretty good condition, although I cannot see the sill slippage you mention. This may or may not be of great concern, but in order to better understand the problem I would have to have more pictures. In some cases, the foundation will have settled--a condition know as differential settlement. In other instances, the barn itself has slipped on the foundation over time either because of other structural failures, environmental factors, sill deterioration, and the like. I know of at least one case where a barn was literally blown off its foundation by shear winds.
You are welcome to post more pictures here or send them to me directly at my email address, and I will do my best to help you understand both cause and remedy. The Indiana Barn Foundation also offers site visits at a mileage only charge of $.54 per mile, and if you want to send me your address, I will estimate the cost of such a visit for you. Seeing the barn up close and in person would be the best way for one of us to evaluate the barn's overall condition, which would enable a more thorough set of recommendations.
Again, thank you for contacting the Indiana barn Foundation.
-Duncan