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Component Manufacturing dverti$ dverti $ er
Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
Adverti$$er
June 2023 #15287 Page #37
Are You Providing Enough Information to Avert Failures? By Glenn Traylor
R
ecently, when a building owner started getting leaks in the roof and noticed unusual variations in the ceiling, I was asked to do an inspection to determine the best way to correct a deflection problem. Upon inspection, it was very evident that the roof trusses had not been installed correctly and lacked the fundamental bracing necessary for the trusses to perform their task. Because of the lack of top chord bracing on the base truss, the following problems were growing: 1. The classic “serpentine” or “S” pattern of chords had developed (see sketch), indicating buckling was occurring on the top chord of the base truss. 2. Heels of the base truss were starting to separate. 3. Interior webs were starting to break and crack due to the excessive forces exerted as the trusses deflected lower and lower. 4. Trusses were out of plane by as much as 6 inches. The truss will collapse if no action is taken. Let me repeat that – the trusses will fail and the roof will come down. The problem is such that the building has been condemned and cannot be inhabited. Because of the scope of the problems and the separation of connectors, given the visible and other hidden damage, the trusses cannot be salvaged safely nor economically. When asked by the building manager what caused the problem, I explained that it began the day the trusses were being set. Apparently, the framing contractor was not aware of the additional bracing requirements. As a result of the framing, the contractor has reduced the life span of this building significantly. Their lack of proper bracing will cost the building owner much more than the original cost of construction.
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