Materials

Heavy Timber Connectors

Question: 

I am currently undertaking a project dealing with techniques and methods of joining structural timber members. Do you have any available information on timber connections like split rings and design software?

Lumber Sizes And Properties

Question: 

Where can I find tolerances and measurements of green and dry lumber?

Substituting Fire Rated Wood Truss Assemblies For Light Gauge Steel

Question: 

We recently received bids on a school project, which referenced UL P523. This assembly used light-gauge steel trusses. We noted on the drawing that we could accept an alternate design using wood trusses in lieu of light-gauge steel framing, if the alternate design could meet the fire ratings.

Information On Combo Lock Plates

Question: 

I am investigating an existing wood truss. The pressed plates used are stamped with “Combo Lock.” Do you happen to have any information on them? From what I have been able to determine, they have not been readily used in the last 10 to 15 years.

Information On Frt Roof Trusses

Question: 

I need to obtain some information on fire-retardant-treated roof trusses.

Valley Sets

Question: 

What are the requirements for installing valley sets over roof trusses? I am interested in nailing and support conditions. Some engineers ask for the bottom chord of the valley truss to be ripped to match the roof pitch of the underlying trusses. Is this necessary? How can I calculate values for uplift resistance for the building inspector?

Allowable Quality Tolerances

Question: 

What tolerances are allowed for metal plate connectors in wood trusses? How do you take into account the possible presence of splits, waves and knots?

Floor Performance

Question: 

How do you avoid floor performance problems?

Lumber Grades In Wood Trusses

Question: 

The grading rules usually permit some percentage of visually graded lumber to be below grade – I believe it is 5%. ANSI/TPI 1 requires that all lumber used in trusses be of the grade specified by the truss design. A strict interpretation of ANSI/TPI 1 would require that the fabricator cull the 5% that is off grade. What are your thoughts on this?

Charring Of Trusses

Question: 

Our home caught fire last month and burned partly through a tongue and groove ceiling to the trusses. Some are charred. Our contractor did a moisture meter test. An engineer for the insurance company said the trusses were only smoke damaged & the moisture meter test is invalid (it can be set to read anything). I found one article on charred trusses, but it’s pretty vague. We do not feel safe with the insurance engineer’s assessment because some of the trusses are obviously charred. We hired an engineer who agreed with us.