Upward Deflection of Truss Bottom Chords

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Upward Deflection of Truss Bottom Chords

  • Partition separation is often blamed on a condition known as truss arching. 
  • Wood may expand or shrink depending on its moisture content. 
  • The example given in Figure 2 shows that a 28-ft truss with 19% moisture content that dries to 7% may cause an upward deflection of about 0.7 inches. 
  • Many factors lead to partition separation; the only way to prove truss arching is to use a laser level to assess all the areas of potential movement in the structure.