standard
An inverted knee timber placed upon the deck instead of beneath it, with its vertical branch turned upward from that which lies horizontally.
standard: a vertical timber support from a horizontal base
A standard is a vertical timber member seated upon and rising from a horizontal timber base, typically found in wooden shipbuilding and traditional timber frame construction. The piece consists of two components: a horizontal branch lying flat on the deck or platform, and a vertical branch rising perpendicular from it, creating an inverted L-shape or knee. This simple form provides critical vertical support for decks, platforms, and roof structures where a strong load-bearing post is needed without consuming space below the horizontal surface.
The standard differs fundamentally from a standard knee or lodging knee, which sits beneath the horizontal member rather than upon it. This orientation makes the standard useful where headroom or clearance below the horizontal surface is essential, such as on ship decks where the space below must remain open for cargo, accommodation, or structural continuity. The horizontal branch is fastened securely to the underlying platform or support structure, often using knees, bolts, or wooden dowels depending on the era and application.
Common applications and variations
Standards appear frequently in ship construction to support deckhouses, masts, and platform structures. In timber-frame buildings, they serve similar roles supporting upper floors or roof loads. The dimensions vary widely: a deck standard might be 6 to 12 inches square in the vertical member, with horizontal branches 8 to 18 inches depending on the load and the span they must support. Oak and elm were traditional choices for shipboard standards due to their strength and resistance to rot in damp conditions.
The name reflects its practical purpose: a standard is the standard solution when vertical support must rise from an existing horizontal surface without dropping down from above. The term persists in maritime vocabulary even as wooden ships became obsolete, maintaining its specific meaning in restoration work, museum ship maintenance, and historical timber construction. Modern workers encounter standards primarily in restoration projects or when studying plans and records of older vessels and structures.