Be it a residential, industrial, commercial or an institutional building, roof of any kind of structure is the most important component of a building as it protects its occupants from the external elements.
It is also the largest and the most expensive structural component of a building so investing some thoughts and knowhow in the design and planning of a roof to create an aesthetically pleasing and sound structure that can safely carry the induced loading, while offering acceptable longevity and an attractive appearance for the lifespan of the building is nothing but logical.
There are basically two kind of material that is prevalent around the globe for fabrication of trusses: Steel and Wood. While steel trusses have the advantages of ease of handling and erection, there are also some huge drawbacks like high material and maintenance cost and low thermal resistance.
Timber/Wood trusses on the other hand have a longer list of advantages and a shorter list of disadvantages. The high strength-to-weight ratios of timber trusses permit long spans, offer greater flexibility in floor plan layout. They can be molded into almost any shape and size restricted only by manufacturing capabilities and handling considerations.
Today, most the house-roofs in USA, Canada and Australia are framed with timber trusses and increasingly, timber trusses are being used in residential and commercial applications. They are gaining acceptance around the world and are being used widely in Europe and Japan.
Incorporation of steel (truss connector plates) in the timber trusses further revolutionized the whole industry. Timber frames with wide-spanning trusses, or softer timbers may require steel for structural support and it can be incorporated either visibly or invisibly into a frame depending upon a person’s aesthetic considerations.
A truss connector plate or a Gusset plate is a thick galvanized steel-sheet that is used for connections at the joints; it is fastened to a beam with bolts. Plates can help support heavier structural loads than timber alone, which allows for wide-spanned truss designs. They can also be used to provide shear resistance and other types of force.
Advantages of Timber Roof Trusses
When the advantages of timber roof trusses are considered, it is not astonishing that their use is increasing throughout the world.
1) Flexibility and Versatility
Timber roof trusses are very versatile and compatible with other structural products. They can be linked to other trusses, or amalgamated with other components, such as glulam and steel beams. The Long spans without intermediate supports create large open spaces that architects and designers can use that with complete freedom. Moreover, the partitions can be moved without compromising the structural integrity of the building.
Read more: Advantages of Timber Roof Trusses in Building Construction
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