Final answer:
The parallel timbers used to support the load of ceilings and floors in a frame house are called joists. These elements of the building's framework work in combination with studs and beams to maintain the structural integrity of a house.
Step-by-step explanation:
The parallel timbers supporting the load of the ceiling and floors of a frame house are known as joists. These are essential components of a building's framework and work in conjunction with other structural elements like beams, which provide support over longer spans, and studs, which are vertical supports within the walls. The pier-and-beam construction method mentioned in the context includes the use of piers (or columns) and horizontal beams, which also support the flooring system. This type of structure is advantageous in certain climates as it can protect the home from moisture-related issues, such as wood rot and termite damage, by raising the structural flooring above ground level.
Various construction techniques, such as post-in-ground or poteaux en terre, have been used historically, illustrating adaptability to climate and available resources. Furthermore, buttresses are structural elements used to transfer the load of a roof or vault to the ground, preventing outward movement of the supporting walls.
Joists are typically hidden in a finished house, but they play a critical role in ensuring the structural integrity and stability of the floor and ceiling over time. Whether in historical or modern construction, the principles of distributing and supporting loads remain fundamental to sound building practices.