Behaviour of truss plate and metal web joints in machine-stress-rated lumber trusses
In project A, 1500 pieces of 38 × 89 mm spruce–pine–fir lumber from three mills, in two machine-stress-rated (MSR) grades, 1650f–1.5E and 2100f–1.8E, were proof-loaded to obtain the mean modulus of elasticity, the fifth percentile modulus of elasticity, and the fifth percentile modulus of rupture. Relative density was measured for each piece, and values of the 33.3 and 52.3 percentiles of the relative density ranges were determined for each species/grade category and related to the minimum values stipulated by the National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA) Special Product Standard SPS-2-82 for machine-stress-rated lumber. The values of relative density at the 33.3 and 52.3 percentiles that will cause the NLGA mean modulus of elasticity MOE (mean), criterion to be just barely satisfied were estimated.In project B, the lateral resistances of 480 truss plate joints were determined. The variables were two common types of truss plates (thicknesses of 0.91 mm and 1.5 mm) in two grades of MSR lumber (1650f–1.5E and 2100f–1.8E) subdivided into two species groups (pine alone and spruce–fir combined), tested at four orientations of load to grain and load to plate axis. These tests showed that, in most cases, an increase in the design capacity of truss plates in MSR lumber over the values now used for spruce–pine–fir lumber is justified.In project C, 30 commercially designed metal web floor trusses of three span/depth combinations were tested to determine their stiffnesses and strengths. Trusses with 2100f grade lumber in the chords were stiffer than the trusses with 1650f chords. In both grades, larger trusses are relatively less stiff than smaller trusses. With respect to strength, the results indicate that higher design values may be used with higher grades of MSR lumber provided that design is governed by either tooth withdrawal at the joints or by chord strength. An improved analytical model, taking into account four distinct failure modes, is required for the behaviour of floor trusses. Key words: machine-stress-rated lumber, truss plates, trusses, metal webs, strength, density.