SBCA Scientific Research Reports

The repair and modification of metal plate connected wood trusses can be a very complicated subject, because each situation must be analyzed individually. This Research Report will give an overview of the fundamental principles behind truss repair that inform the truss designer’s approach in all truss scenarios.

In order to promote the safe installation of building components including trusses, manufacturers send out a Jobsite Package to the construction site with the truss delivery. These Jobsite Packages include the Truss Submittal Package. The Truss Submittal Package includes the information that if required will be submitted to the Contractor/Building Designer, who if required will submit it to the local building official.

Building Designers need to account for the dead and live loads of fire sprinkler systems, in addition to the other load requirements imposed under the model building codes. Truss Designers are responsible for incorporating the additional load from the fire sprinkler systems into the truss design. The information in this Research Report is applicable to both floor and roof systems. Only vertical loads from fire sprinkler systems are discussed; lateral loads, where required, should be evaluated separately by a Registered Design Professional. 

Controlling sound transmission in buildings through wall, floor and ceiling assemblies is important for the comfort level and enjoyment of building occupants as they live, work and play in these buildings. This report aims to explore the methods one can use to reduce sound transmission in assemblies constructed with wood trusses.

It can be often misunderstood whether a Truss Design Engineer has the responsibility to seal a Truss Placement Diagram (TPD). The purpose of this Research Report is to provide the relevant code sections from the latest editions of the International Building Code (IBC) for thorough analysis and interpretation, as they relate to the state of Texas. 

It can be often misunderstood whether a Truss Design Engineer has the responsibility to seal a Truss Placement Diagram (TPD). The purpose of this Research Report is to provide the relevant code sections from the latest editions of the International Building Code (IBC) for thorough analysis and interpretation. 

Minimum top and bottom chord permanent lateral restraint/bracing of structural roof or floor trusses is assumed to be adequate when using code-compliant roof and/or ceiling diaphragms. This lateral restraint/bracing is typically accomplished with code-compliant roof /floor sheathing and fastener spacing and/or code-compliant gypsum ceiling material and fastener spacing or purlins at a given on-center spacing.

This research report seeks to provides fact-based information about causes, effects, and mitigation of mold growth on lumber and wood structural building components. 

A lay-on gable frame is typically connected from the top during truss placement, but after sheathing is installed, this connection is no longer visible for the building inspector to verify. This creates a need for an alternate connection that is visible from below. The goal of this Research Report is to analyze a simple, cost-effective, toe nail connection between the lay-on gable frames and supporting truss system that is visible after sheathing is installed.

This Research Report provides a clear perspective on truss plant quality assurance and third party inspections as they relate to the requirements developed by the International Code Council (ICC) within the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). The same perspective outlined in this Research Report should be applied when discussing how all structural building component third party inspections relate to Chapter 17 special inspection requirements.

Both the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC) require that the top plates of exterior braced wall panels be attached to the rafters or roof trusses above. This report will discuss the code requirements and provide alternate engineered designs and capacities, including heel/bird blocking, partial height blocking and blocking panels.

While the perception of floor vibrations is subjective from one person to the next, overall floor systems which exhibit lower deflections and less acceleration from vibration sources tend to be perceived better than other designs. To accomplish this, the designer may elect to do one or a combination of things, covered in this report.

Many factors go into classifying buildings. Each type will have different allowable height, allowable number of stories and allowable area limitations based on the classification. This report will focus on Type III-A building construction using fire retardant treated wood (FRTW).

Depending on the type of fire-retardant treatment (FRT) used, materials may require a change in design values and reduction in connector capacity. This report intends on providing a clear perspective of interiror FRT wood used in Truss designs.