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Charpentes de plancher et de couverture

English translation: Framework or framing or frame therefore "framing of both roofing and flooring"

12:23 Jun 26, 2000
French to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering
French term or phrase: Charpentes de plancher et de couverture
I am translating a report on the degradation of historic buildings in Pompeii and am having difficulties with the following sentence:

"L'absence de chainage entre les murs était provoquée par la disparition des charpentes, de plancher et de couverture (sauf dans les quelques maisons restaurées)."

I am wondering if the term "charpentes de plancher et de couverture" may refer to "floor and roof timbers". I know for sure that "charpente de couverture" can translate as "roof timbers", however, I am worried that "charpentes de plancher" may also be used for concrete or mosaic flooring. I guess the main issue is does the meaning of "charpente" alone equal "charpente de bois" for "timber"? The question also that I have to ask myself is whether the paragraph is relating to flooring at ground level or flooring of upper storeys since the Romans would usually have a solid flooring downstairs and wood upstairs as it was lighter. Hope that all makes sense! Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Helen
Helen
English translation:Framework or framing or frame therefore "framing of both roofing and flooring"
Explanation:
I would not translate "charpente" with "timber". Timber is the translation not of "charpente de bois" but of "bois de charpente"; in other words it refers to the wood and not to the framework. Charpente is described thus in my Petit Robert: "Assemblage de pieces de bois constituant l'ossature, le bati d'une construction." And in my Harrap French-English dictionary I have "Charpente: Frame(work), framing" I think that the (wooden) frame of the building (both of the floor and of the roof) has disappeared in the conflagration, and this in turns explains why there is no longer any "chainage" ( tying or clamping for the walls, to prevent them from separating). Does that make sense?
Selected response from:

Louise Atfield
Grading comment
Thank you very much for your detailed answer. I agree that although the sentence is referring to wooden timbers that "timbers" alone here would not suffice as it is their structure which is being discussed, i.e their framework.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
naI like your "timbers" for both
Yolanda Broad
naFramework or framing or frame therefore "framing of both roofing and flooring"
Louise Atfield
nastructural framework of floor and roof
Gillian Hargreaves (X)


  

Answers


21 mins
I like your "timbers" for both


Explanation:
I certainly agree with your description of Roman (and post-Roman, southern European building construction. And I like the "timbers" rendering of *charpentes*. I can't imagine that the solid floors would have had wooden frames or timbers, and I can't find anything that would indicate that "charpentes" could be anything else--they didn't have steel beams back then...


    Termium / Le grand dictionnaire terminologique
    I've seen lots of Roman, etc. buildings. . .
Yolanda Broad
United States
Local time: 03:53
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 1551
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1 hr
Framework or framing or frame therefore "framing of both roofing and flooring"


Explanation:
I would not translate "charpente" with "timber". Timber is the translation not of "charpente de bois" but of "bois de charpente"; in other words it refers to the wood and not to the framework. Charpente is described thus in my Petit Robert: "Assemblage de pieces de bois constituant l'ossature, le bati d'une construction." And in my Harrap French-English dictionary I have "Charpente: Frame(work), framing" I think that the (wooden) frame of the building (both of the floor and of the roof) has disappeared in the conflagration, and this in turns explains why there is no longer any "chainage" ( tying or clamping for the walls, to prevent them from separating). Does that make sense?

Louise Atfield
PRO pts in pair: 300
Grading comment
Thank you very much for your detailed answer. I agree that although the sentence is referring to wooden timbers that "timbers" alone here would not suffice as it is their structure which is being discussed, i.e their framework.
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12 hrs
structural framework of floor and roof


Explanation:
My instinct is that you are right in saying floor and roof timbers, but if you want to hedge your bets, the above might be safest. Charpente can be metal if it's specified (i.e. charpente métallique) but I think it's usually timber if not specified. See Dictionary of Building and Civil Engineering, Don Montague, pub. E & FN Spon.

Gillian Hargreaves (X)
Local time: 07:53
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 575
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