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Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
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December 2024 #16305 Page #35
What Should a Truss Builder Do About Wane in the Plated Area?
F
irst, wane occurs often when lumber is manufactured and cut close to the outside of the timber, resulting in missing material or a bark area. This is done to increase the yield of the timber, which increases lumber manufacturer profits but creates some issues for lumber users. Prime grades limit wane severely, which results in a more expensive product for truss manufacturing because the lumber manufacturer is sourcing a much lower yield of nearly perfect lumber.
By Glenn Traylor
Given that cost-and-supply dynamic, can we afford to eliminate wane? The short answer is no. Unless you have clients that can afford the premium lumber, you will be utilizing lumber with wane in your operations. So, what is the answer to our question posed in the title of this article – what should truss builders do when they have to deal with wane in the plated area? Because we are not going to throw out usable lumber, the answer is that a smart builder will adjust for the wane and, when practical, eliminate the wane by culling the part or piece.
To Adjust or To Cull Approaching the problem of wane in lumber, the actual decision making can be approached in this order.
Vertical web connecting to a bottom chord with excessive wane.
First, does wane exist? Yes or No. If No, then the lumber still needs to be checked to identify other potential defects. If Yes, then adjust the connector size to add additional tooth count to the connector plate. But, what if “adjusting” is still not a fix because the lumber just doesn’t “exist”? Can I adjust the connector plate size if the lumber is not present? The answer to that question is No. So, how do you determine if the joint calls for lumber replacement? Sometimes this is not apparent until the truss is nearly assembled. These two photos were taken of the same truss on two panel points. The connector plates were getting ready to be installed. Fortunately, before a commitment was made by plating the webs into the truss, the webs were recut and the very marginal materials were replaced. Cantilever slider with heavy wane at the heel of the same truss. Continued next page
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