Architectural floor and roof framing system

A load bearing rib structure, comprising:

• a web structure comprising at least two panel layers laminated together, each having a dimension in the direction of longitudinal extent and a dimension in the vertical direction that are substantially greater than a dimension in the horizontal direction, wherein a continuous tunnel is present within the panel layers and aligned with at least one of the panels, wherein the first continuous tunnel extends substantially from one longitudinal end of the web structure to an opposite longitudinal end of the web structure, wherein a vertical position of the first continuous tunnel at or near a midpoint of the web structure in the direction of longitudinal extent is below a vertical position of the continuous tunnel at the longitudinal ends of the web structure;
• a chord member extending in the direction of longitudinal extent adjacent to the web structure at one or both sides of the web structure, wherein a dimension of the chord member in the vertical direction is less than a dimension of the web structure in the vertical direction, wherein the web structure extends in the vertical direction above the chord member, extends in the vertical direction below the chord member, or both, and wherein a depth of the web structure below the chord member has a non-linear profile along a length of a load bearing rib, a height of the web structure above the chord member has a non-linear profile along a length of a load bearing rib, or both;
• and
• a tension element disposed in the continuous tunnel formed within the web structure, wherein the tension element is free to slide with respect to the continuous tunnel.

A method comprising:

• laminating at least two panel layers together to form a web structure, wherein a continuous tunnel is present within the panel layers and aligned with at least one of the panel layers, wherein the continuous tunnel extends from one longitudinal end of the web structure to an opposite longitudinal end of the web structure, wherein a vertical position of the continuous tunnel at or near a midpoint of the web structure in a direction of longitudinal extent is below a vertical position of the continuous tunnel at the longitudinal ends of the web structure;
• attaching a chord member extending in the direction of longitudinal extent to the web structure at one or both sides of the web structure, wherein a dimension of the chord member in the vertical direction is less than a dimension of the web structure in the vertical direction, wherein the web structure extends in the vertical direction above the chord member, extends in the vertical direction below the chord member, or both, and wherein a depth of the web structure below the chord member has a non-linear profile along a length of a load bearing rib, a height of the web structure above the chord member has a non-linear profile along a length of a load bearing rib, or both;
• and
• locating a tension element through the continuous tunnel formed within the web structure, wherein the tension element is free to slide with respect to the continuous tunnel.