Optimization

Designing Beyond the Defaults

Better understanding of project nuances can lead to an improved design

Not Your Typical Truss Job

An unusual project with an uncommon shape presented the kind of design challenge truss technicians don’t see every day.
 

Learning Experience

The BFS design team in Shelby, Alabama “collaborate on anything that doesn’t sit right,” says Thom Patton. One result: a roof that rests perfectly on a school building after a simplified build and easy install process.

Lumber Design Values

No matter the species, component manufacturers (CMs) purchase and rely on the accuracy and reliability of many different lumber design properties, including: bending (Fb); shear parallel to grain (Fv), compression perpendicular to grain (Fc^), compression parallel to grain (Fc), tension parallel to grain (Ft), and modulus of elasticity (E and Emin).

Why Are Some Design Choices Better than Others?

Dan Morris—a field service engineer at Apex Technology—and Kelly LaBlance—a technical manager with Builders FirstSource—are both convinced that developing and maintaining a design QC process has helped their companies. Their expertise in analyzing designs and finding creative solutions to solve or even prevent problems was on display as they guided BCMC attendees through common design mistakes and the issues they cause in the field. 

The Difficulty of Differing Deflection: Improving the Performance & Serviceability of Trusses

Communication is key to a successful construction project.

Planning Ahead: What Issues Should SBCRI Explore?

The Industry Testing Subcommittee is making plans to keep SBCRI busy in the coming year.
 

Tending to Deflection: Improving the Performance & Serviceability of Trusses

Many potential complaints and problems can be mitigated by an astute truss technician during the design phase.

Truss Industry Standard of Care Issues: Part 4

Truss industry standard of care items are contained throughout ANSI/TPI 1,* The National Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction. The focus of this article is ANSI/TPI 1 Chapter 2, Section 2.3.5.1 and companion Section 2.4.5.1, which require a truss designer to prepare truss design drawings (TDD) based on design criteria and requirements set forth in the construction documents. The truss industry should expect to get this information from the building designer (BD), which may include the building owner, contractor or a registered design professional (RDP). Particularly when there is an RDP for the building, the design community expects the truss industry to design components that conform to the truss framing plan and specified design parameters within the construction documents, unless instructed otherwise in writing.

 

Framing a House in Three Days: Optimization Is a Key Component

When designed and installed correctly, components can greatly reduce the time and materials required to frame a structure.