bottom chord mend alignment
#1
02-17-14, 08:47 PM
bottom chord mend alignment
Going to set trusses on my barn next week. Should all the mends on the bottom chord be aligned or alternated from side to side? My gut says to alternate, but it seems like I have always seen the lined up
#2
02-17-14, 08:59 PM
Group Moderator
Trusses usually are put up the with all the plates the exact same way, which is usually the way they are stacked. Sometimes when you flip trusses the opposite way you will get a little wiggle in the ridge, or if they would be scissors trusses for a cathedral ceiling, it will throw off the inside peak of the room, and put a wiggle here or there, where a truss got flipped. If there is a wiggle in the ridge, it will mean that the tops of the rafters are not going to be planing across one another perfectly... one may be a little high while the opposite side may be a little low. It can also mess with the rafter tails. You would think trusses would be perfect no matter which way you flip them but usually they are slightly off, so that's why you almost always want to keep them oriented the same way.
#3
02-17-14, 09:01 PM
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Ok I give up what's a mend?
Rafter tail?
No way would I want the tails to not line up unless your into the fascia looking like a snake.
Rafter tail?
No way would I want the tails to not line up unless your into the fascia looking like a snake.
#4
02-17-14, 09:02 PM
Group Moderator
I think he's referring to the mending plates on the trusses, and splices in the bottom chord. One side must be longer than the other. Don't flip/alternate them.
#6
02-18-14, 06:43 PM
Member
And make sure to follow the shop drawings' recommendation for temporary, diagonal bracing, starting with the first truss set. I've seen a lot of damage (and one fatality) caused by the "domino effect" when an unexpected, stiff wind comes up.
