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March 2021 #13260 Page #39
Can a Fabricator Mix or Substitute Connector Plates from Different Manufacturers? By Glenn Traylor
T
he simple answer is no, not normally, but the reasoning behind that answer merits discussion. It should come as no surprise that truss connector plates are tied to design software and ultimately engineering design.
The problem is one plate manufacture is not equivalent to another plate manufacture. None of them have exactly equal or equivalent properties. Software values can be adjusted to account for plate inventories, but they must consider tooth holding, section, orientation, and tensile strength to name just a few items. Connectors strengths vary by orientation. Reference ANSI/TPI 1 Figure 5.2-3 Test Specimen Fabrication for Gross Area Method, Figure 5.2-4 Test Specimen Fabrication for Net Area Method, and Figures 5.3-2, 3, 4 & 5, Orientation configurations. The strengths and applications of connectors in relation to orientation vary from plate manufacturer to manufacturer. Trusses require a design. The design is based on values. Lumber might be a varying element that is accounted for carefully by the design software or engineer, but connectors are almost always tied to the design. In the case of an individual engineer, they might take this course of action, but it is not recommended due to the increased complexity of the design. There are situations where a manufacturer might migrate from one plate supplier to another, creating a period when production mixes connectors, but this is an incredibly unique and limited situation that requires special considerations. Your new supplier needs to provide a process for using your existing inventory. Sometimes trusses manufactured years ago using a connector that no longer exists might be repaired using a modern connector. These situations must be evaluated by a qualified engineer knowledgeable of truss design and who should design per ANSI/TPI 1 requirements. In the history of the connector industry, consolidations have been made by connector manufacturers. These marriages have created situations where connectors were mixed in designs. An example would be MiTek’s mergers with TeeLok and Robbins or Alpine’s mergers with Clary, Lumbermate, and Truswal. These situations were addressed by the manufacturers for a specific period. Documentation should be retained as long as the business is in business.
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