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Structures

12-1-1995

Design guide for cold-formed steel trusses

Steel in Residential Construction Advisory Group

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DESIGN GUIDE
FOR COLD-FORMED
STEEL TRUSSES
PUBLICATION RG-9518
DECEMBER 1995

Steel in Residential
Construction Advisory Group

American Iron and Steel Institute

1101 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036-4700
 Design Guide for Cold-Formed Steel Trusses

American Iron and Steel Institute

II 01 17th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036-4700

For more information call I 800 79 STEEL.

This publication is for general information only. The information in it should not be used
without first securing competent advice with respect to its suitability for any given applica-
tion. The publication of the information is not intended as a representation or warranty on
the part of American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), AISI Residential Advisory Group or
any other person that the information is suitable for any general or particular use or is free
from infringement of any patent or patents. Anyone making use of the information assumes
all liability arising from such use.

Design Guide for Cold-Formed Steel Trusses

December 1995

Copyright 1995 by American Iron and Steel Institute

INTRODUCTION

This publication was developed by the American Iron and Steel Institute with guidance from the
AISI Residential Advisory Group. Special appreciation is given to Dr. Roger LaBoube as the
author and primary researcher, and to the Light Gauge Structural Engineers Association for their
valuable input. The development of this publication was funded by the American Iron and Steel
Institute and the National Science Foundation. This document is intended to provide designers
with guidance on design of cold-formed steel roof and floor trusses. AISI believes the information
contained in this publication substantially represents industry practice and related scientific and
technical information, but the information is not intended to represent an official position of AISI
or to restrict or exclude any other construction or design techniques.

American Iron and Steel Institute

December 1995
 INTRODUCTION Structural Submittal -drawings and calculations prepared
by the specialty component engineer the intent of which is
to document compliance with the structural design.
The objective of this design guide it to assist in the design,
and encourage innovative development of cold-formed steel
roof and floor trusses. This design guide prescribes minimum DESIGN LOADS
strength and serviceability requirements for the design of cold-
formed steel trusses. The guidelines have been established to
A roof and floor truss, as a structural component of a build-
complement the Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed
ing, must be designed to support the applied loads that may
Steel Structural Members. For guidance regarding design re-
occur during the life of a building. In addition to dead load,
sponsibility, see Appendix A.
these applied loads are generally live load, snow load, wind
load and seismic load.
GENERAL
Load intensities are generally specified by a building code.
This design guide is limited to the design of cold-formed In the absence of a building code, loads and load combinations
steel truss assemblies that are designed in accordance with the shall be determined in accordance with acceptable engineer-
above Specification. The design recommendations contained ing practice as stipulated by the Minimum Design Loads for
herein assume that the web of the member contains no web Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7).
punchouts. The term truss in this design guide refers to open
web load carrying assemblies that support a roof or floor sys- Dead Load
tem. Dead load consists of the weight of the truss and material
permanently attached to the truss. The actual dead load should
Common definitions as related to truss design are as fol- be applied on a horizontal projection. Attached material may
lows: consist of sheathing, purlins, insulation, ceiling drywall, etc.
For additional information, refer to ASCE 7.
Bracing - a structural element that is always required to
achieve the necessary strength and stability of the
structure. Roof Live Load
Roof live loads are usually created by maintenance activi-
Chord member - top and bottom members of a truss. ties, and represent workers, equipment and materials. Live
loads do not include wind, snow, dead, or seismic loads. Mini-
Eaves- portion a sloping roof that projects beyond the walls.
mum magnitudes for roof live load may be specified by the
Gable - the vertical portion of the end wall of a building applicable building code or ASCE 7.
from the level of the eaves to the ridge of the roof.
Floor Live Load
Heel - connection region between the top and bottom truss Floor live loads are produced by use of the building. Typi-
chords of non-parallel chord trusses.
cal requirements for live loads on floors for different occupan-
Ridge - the junction of the upper edges of two sloping roof cies are summarized by building codes and ASCE 7.
surfaces.
Snow Load
Span - center to center distance between supports. Snow load is the vertically induced weight of the snow, and
is assumed to act on the horizontal projection of the roof of a
Truss - open web load carrying assemblies that support roof
or floor surfaces. structure. The appropriate building code or ASCE 7 may be
consulted regarding the magnitude and application of the roof
Truss panel points - intersection of truss chords and web snow loads.
members.
Wind Load
Web member - vertical or diagonal force carrying truss
Wind creates a pressure that acts perpendicular to the sur-
element connected to the top and bottom chords.
face of the roof and can be inward or outward. The intensity of
Specification- Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed the wind pressure, which is a random dynamic load, depends
Steel Structural Members. on the wind velocity, area of contact surface, air density, and

RESIDENTIAL STEEL FRAMING 1

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building geometry. To alleviate the burden of defining the dy- assemblies. These guidelines do not preclude to use of more
namic wind load, an equivalent static load is used for struc- rigorous analysis or design assumptions as determined by ra-
tural design. The applicable building code or ASCE 7 may be tional analysis and/or testing.
used to define the minimum load intensity.
Unbraced Length
Rain Load The unbraced length of a compression member is defined
Rain loads only become a design consideration if adequate as either the center-to-center distance between truss panel
drainage systems are not provided. In such cases where such points, or connection spacing interval as prescribed by the mem-
drainage systems are not provided, rain loads must be addressed. ber design.
For guidance refer to ASCE 7. The effective length factor, K, may be determined by ra-
tional analysis and/or testing. In the absence of such analysis,
Seismic Load either of the following design alternatives may be used because
Design seismic load requirements attempt to convey the they give similar results:
complicated dynamic earthquake forces into simplified equiva- ( 1) Where a continuous compression chord, i.e. over one
lent static lateral forces. Definition of the minimum static lat- intermediate panel point, is used from heel to ridge of the truss,
eral forces is given by building codes or ASCE 7. Kx, Ky, and Kt may be taken as 0.75 when sheathing is at-
tached directly to the top flange of the top chord. For other
Other Load Considerations compression chords applications, Kx, Ky, and Kt may be taken
as unity.
In addition to the above commonly considered loads, the
design engineer must consider other load conditions. Such con- For web members which are assumed to be pinned at both
ditions may be unsymmetrical loads or hanging concentrated ends, Kx, Ky and Kt may be taken as unity.
loads. (2) For chords or web members in compression, the ef-
fective length may be taken as the distance between two adja-
Load Combinations cent points of contraflexure. The effective length factor is to
One or more of the above loads may occur during the life of be taken as unity.
a building. It is the responsibility of the design engineer to
determine the applicable loads and combination of loads that Cm and Cb
are to be considered. Design loads are to be combined based The end moment coefficient, Cm, maybe taken as 0.85, un-
on their probability of occurrence. Such combinations are speci- less a more rigorous analysis is performed to justify another
fied by building codes or ASCE 7. value.
For an unbraced segment, the strength amplification factor
STRENGTH PERFORMANCE Cb should be computed in accordance with Section C3.1.2 of
the Specification .
.a The members and connections of a truss must possess ad-
equate strength to safely support the design loads. Strength Compression Chord
determinations shall be in accordance with the Specification The compression chord should be evaluated for combined
for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members. For axial load and bending behavior using Section C5 of the Speci-
situations not addressed by the Specification, design criterion fication (1986): at panel points, Specification Equation CS-2
shall be determined by test or rational analysis. applies and between panel points, use Specification Equation
C5-l.
Analysis
Between panel points, the compression chord should be
Applied forces and deflections are to be determined by ac- evaluated for axial load, and major axis bending. Specifica-
ceptable structural engineering procedures. In lieu of a rigor- tion Equation C5-l applies with Lx and Lt equal to the dis-
ous analysis to define joint flexibility, the following analysis tance between the panel points. Ly is taken as the distance
model assumptions may be used: between sheathing connectors to the top chord, or the distance
Chord- Assume the member is continuous, except at between braces.
the member's ends, assume pin ends. A splice must
be designed for the forces applied to it. Tension Chord

Webs -Assume the member connections to be pins at The tension chord is to be designed for both axial loaded
each end. and bending. The axial load may be taken as acting through
the centroid of the section.
Member Design Issues Tension Web Members
The following design guidelines are based on available in- For a web member connected to the web of the chord mem-
formation pertaining to the behavior of cold-formed steel truss bers, or connected to gusset plates, the axial tension load may

2 RESIDENTIAL STEEL FRAMING

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be taken as acting through the centroid of the web member's ing, cross bracing and lateral bracing. Sheathing may also be
cross section. used to provide stability, but reliance on sheathing material
must be documented in the structural submittal.
Compression Web Members
Lateral bracing, as may be required by the truss design to
For a web member connected to the web of the chord mem- reduce the buckling length of individual truss members, is part
bers, or connected to gusset plates, the axial compression load of the truss design and is the only bracing specified on the
may be taken as acting through the centroid of the web truss design drawings. This bracing must be sufficiently an-
member's cross section. chored or restrained by diagonal bracing to prevent its move-
The design strength may be determined using Section C4 ment.
of the Specification ( 1986). When computing the design
strength, the unbraced lengths, Lx, Ly and Lt, may be taken as SERVICEABILITY PERFORMANCE
the distance between the center of the member's end connec-
tion patterns. The effective length factor K may be taken as Midspan deflection of the bottom chord of a truss resulting
unity. from gravity load, excluding dead load, should not exceed the
following:
Connection Design Issues
In the design of the truss connections, care should be taken Span/360 for plaster ceilings
to minimize eccentricities. In such cases where eccentricities Span/240 for flexible ceilings
occur, they should be considered in the analysis and design of Span/180 for no finished ceiling
the truss members. Span/480 for floor systems
It is suggested that the design engineer give special atten-
tion to the heel and ridge connections of the truss to ensure HANDLING AND INSTALLATION
structural integrity of the truss. At the ridge, coped members
may need to be reinforced to prevent web plate buckling. Lat- All trusses should be installed straight, plumb and aligned
eral bracing is also important to stabilize the ridge from over- at the specified spacing. Trusses should also be inspected and
all buckling. At the heel, web stiffeners may be needed to repaired if damage is found.
preclude web crippling. Lateral bracing at the heel may be It is most important to secure the first truss to the end of the
necessary to prevent rotation of the heel connection. building and provide temporary lateral support for the truss at
Bolt and weld capacities shall be defined by the appropriate the end of the building. This can be accomplished by guys,
Specification provisions. For the design of screw connections, braces, or other means.
refer to the CCFSS Technical Bulletin (1993).
Adjacent trusses should be set, connecting each to continu-
For the design of connecting elements, such as plates, gus- ous lateral bracing system on the top chord. Long spans also
sets, and brackets, refer to Section 14 of the American Institute may require diagonal bracing on the top chords. This top chord
of Steel Construction's (AISC) specification for the design of
bracing may be removed as the plywood sheathing is applied.
structural steel buildings. In lieu of AISC, design may be based
on test or rational analysis.
FULL SCALE CONFIRMATORY LOAD TEST
Bracing
The following load test procedure may be performed to
Inadequate bracing is the reason for most erection fail- verify the design methodology.
ures. Proper installation is a vital step for a safe and qual-
ity roof structure. This Guide is intended for use in the testing of truss assem-
blies fabricated using cold-formed steel structural members and
All trusses must be securely braced, both during erection
and after permanent installation. Because individual trusses connections. Either a confirmatory test demonstrating adequate
are designed only as structural components, the function of load capacity, or a test to destruction may be conducted.
bracing is to cause all elements of the roof system to act as a This Guide does not purport to address all of the safety prob-
unit to resist applied loads. lems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
There are two types of bracing: of this Guide to establish appropriate safety and health prac-
Temporary bracing is used during erection to hold the trusses tices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitation
until permanent bracing, sheathing and ceilings are in place. prior to use.
Construction loads, for example stacked roofing material, must A full-scale truss test is the test of a structural assembly.
never be placed on unbraced trusses because trusses are later-
The integrity of a structural assembly is governed by the strength
ally unstable until adequate bracing is installed.
of the weakest element, i.e. compression member, tension mem-
Permanent bracing makes the truss component an integral ber, or connection. Therefore, when determining the appropri-
part of the roof and building structure. ate factor of safety for design, the selection of the factor of
Temporary and permanent bracing includes diagonal brae- safety should reflect the failure mechanism or the weakest ele-

RESIDENTIAL STEEL FRAMING 3

ment. Based on the factors of safety that are prescribed by the men will not result in a secondary collapse of a structural ele-
Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural ment not involved in the test.
Members the following values are suggested:
Number of Test Specimens
Structural Element Factor of Safety The number of similar trusses that should be tested will vary
with the desired precision and reliability of the information to
Member 1.92 be obtained and with the purpose of the test. As implied by
Fastener Type
Section F2 of the Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed
Screw in simple lap connection 3.0
Steel Structural Members, a confirmatory test may consist of a
All other fasteners 2.5
single load test. The final number will be controlled by the
Definitions purpose of the tests, and as agreed upon by the sponsor, testing
agency or regulatory agency.
Truss -A coplanar system of structural elements joined to
gether at their ends usually to construct a series of triangles Materials
that form a stable beam-like framework. Truss assembly elements, connectors, and connections,
which can affect the performance of the test assembly, shall be
Static load- A load or series of loads that are supported by typical of those intended for use in the final product or as re-
or are applied to a structure so gradually that forces caused quired to satisfy the intent of the test.
by change in momentum of the load and structural ele- Physical and material properties of the truss components
ments can be neglected and all parts of the system at any may be determined according to Section F3 of the Specifica-
instant are essentially in equilibrium. tion for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members.

Member- Structural elements joined together at their ends, Fabrication

to include the body of the connection.
Fabrication of the test specimens shall be typical of that
intended for the finished product.
Fastener- Structural elements, screw, welds, etc., used to
Connections shall be made in accordance with good prac-
provide load transfer between two or more members.
tice following the recommendations of the manufacturer of the
connectors or the design engineer.
Purpose
This Guide outlines the procedures to be followed in the Test Apparatus
static load testing of load carrying truss assemblies. While the
A truss test may consist of a single truss or a pair of trusses.
procedure tells what to do, it does not tell the testing agency
how to do it. This leaves the selection of the test fixture and A single truss may be tested in either a vertical position
loading medium to the discretion of the testing agency. (normal or inverted) or in a horizontal position. Additional
If desired, either type of test may be extended to include a loadings must be applied to trusses tested in an inverted or
determination of the magnitude and distribution of the stresses horizontal position to compensate for the effect of dead loads
in the members and connections in order to permit a more com- and gravity. Regardless of the orientation of the truss in the
prehensive analysis of the truss performance. test fixture, the fixture and load application means shall be
designed with an adequate strength and stiffness to ensure that
Significance it is the test specimen that is being tested and not the test fix-
This Guide provides direction to any individual, group, ture.
agency, or code body on the methods of test for truss assem- A pair of trusses may be tested, and shall be supported and
blies fabricated using cold-formed steel construction materi- attached to supports consistent with the design assumptions.
als. Information obtained includes strength and stiffness data,
Reaction supports shall provide sufficient clearance above
and if assemblies are tested to their ultimate load carrying ca-
the ground or restraint frame to allow for normal displacements,
pacity, the failure method or mechanism.
ease of loading, instrumentation, and provide room for obser-
Precautions vations and measurements. Supports shall have adequate
strength and stiffness to resist deformations during tests.
Full-scale load tests of any large size specimen such as a
truss can be hazardous to the individuals performing or ob- Support reaction hardware shall be typical of that planned
serving the tests, and also can damage the testing fixtures or for use in the completed structure or as required to satisfy the
the structure housing the test setup due to a sudden release of intent of the tests. In a single truss test, frequently the support
stored energy at failure. Care should be exercised in the prepa- at one end will allow rotation but not translation (a rocker) and
ration of the test setup to ensure that the failure of a test speci- the other will allow both rotation and translation (a roller) so

4
RESIDENTIAL STEEL FRAMING
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as not to induce additional unintentional secondary stresses into line. Deflections are read on a scale with a mirror backing.
the test truss as it deforms under load. The mirror-scale deflection measuring device is read by visu-
Where lateral support is used, it shall not interfere with the ally lining up the top of the wire with its image on the mirror
free in-plane displacement of the truss assembly. The test and then reading the scale.
trusses shall not be laterally supported in a manner that will Other commonly used deflection measuring devices are such
exceed that intended in a typical installation. Lateral bracing things as direct reading micrometer dial gages, optical levers
used to read scales attached to the truss, linearly variable dif-
between trusses tested in pairs shall be installed in a manner to
ferential transformers (LVDT), or a combination of flexible
prevent both trusses from buckling together. Care shall be taken wire attached at deflection points and monitored remotely
when testing a single truss horizontally to keep the test truss through a system of pulleys attached to dial gages. Deflection
flat to minimize any adverse lateral displacement caused by readings and measuring devices shall have an accuracy of ±
gravity. 2% of design load deflection.
The loading devices shall result in the desired truss loading Strain measurements may be taken on truss elements using
situation regardless of whether uniform, concentrated, or a com- electrical or mechanical strain gages. Approximate stress dis-
bination of both. The loading system shall be such as to allow tribution and magnitude may be observed by the application of
special brittle lacquers made by personnel experienced in the
the application of loads during the test to approximate the over- application and operation of the methods employed on the ma-
all intended in-service load distribution. Care should be taken terial being tested.
to avoid eccentrically applied loads unless this type of loading
is desired. Loading Procedures
When loads are to be applied using dead weight, such as Both dead and superimposed load must be considered when
sand, masonry units, or water, the arrangement of dead load performing a load test. Because these loads are independent
material shall be such as to prevent any arching action that can load types, they must be introduced independently.
seriously alter the intended load pattern. When water is used, Initially the design dead load must be applied. This load
care shall be taken to compartmentalize the water in cells to should be held for no less than 5 minutes. at which time de-
prevent a non-uniform load as the truss and elements deflect. flection readings should be recorded. These deflections are to
Uplift forces such as those caused by wind loads may be be considered the dead load deflections. The design dead load
simulated by reversing the direction of the applied gravity loads; must be maintained during the duration of the load test.
or if the fixture will permit it, testing the truss upside down. It As a minimum, the dead load and total design load dellec-
is preferable to test the truss in its normally installed orienta- tions should measured along the bottom chord at midspan and
tion in order to more typically allow for the uplift forces work- at quarter points. When testing trusses in pairs. the dellections
ing against gravity forces. of two trusses at corresponding locations may be averaged.
When deflection measuring systems that do not compen-
Load and Deflection Measuring Devices sate for support settlement are used, measurement of support
displacement under load is needed to obtain an accurate load-
Loads may be measured using one or more of the following
deflection response.
devices. Pressure gages or hydraulic load cells can be incor-
Although the superimposed load increments may vary with
porated into a hydraulic loading system. These devices must
the intent of the test, satisfactory load-response data can usu-
be calibrated with the jacks or cylinders at different positions
ally be obtained if each of the first four increments of load
of piston travel to ensure a true loading history. Spring dyna-
does not exceed 25ck of the total design live/snow load. Load
mometers, electronic load cells, or the weighing tables of uni-
shall be slowly applied to the truss assembly so as to provide a
versal testing machines have also been successfully used. The static loading condition. The above mentioned load increments
load measuring device or devices used shall be capable of apply to both uniform and concentrated loads.
measuring loads to an accuracy of ± 2% of design load.
The confirmatory test load may be achieved by applying
Deflection readings may be taken in a variety of ways. One load in equal increments of 0.10 times the calculated nominal
of the simplest methods is by the use of a taut wire or mono- load. Nominal load is the design load multiplied by the im-
filament line stretched between supports in combination with plied design factor of safety. If the confirmatory test load is
a mirror-scale located at the desired deflection measuring points. achieved without failure of the truss. the test may be halted.
Such a device avoids any magnification of defection readings
due to a settlement of supports during loading. When the taut Interpretation of Test Results
wire method is used, care must be taken to ensure that the wire Evaluation of the test results shall be made in accordance
will remain under tension during the entire test. This can be with F2 Tests for Confirming Structural Performance of the
accomplished by incorporating a spring into the line or by let- Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural
ting one end run over a pulley with a weight attached to the Members.

RESIDENTIAL STEEL FRAMING

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Report The test report shall also contain a sketch or photograph of

The report shall consist of a description of all specimen com- the test setup, the latest calibration date and accuracy of the
ponents. including drawings defining actual and nominal ge- equipment used, the signature of the person responsible for the
ometry, material specifications, material properties test results test, and a tabulation of all raw and evaluated test data.
describing the actual physical properties of each component, All graphs resulting from the test evaluation procedure shall
and the sources of supply. Differences between the actual and be included in the test report.
the nominal dimensions and material properties shall be noted
in the report.

6
RESIDENTIAL STEEL FRAMING
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APPENDIX A with the state's statues and regulations governing the profes-
STANDARD PRACTICE sional registration and certification of architects or engineers.
Also referred to as truss engineer, design engineer, registered
FOR COLD-FORMED STEEL TRUSS engineer, and engineer, but hereinafter will be referred to as
DESIGN RESPONSIBILITIES truss designer.
1.2.9 "Truss Design Drawing" shall mean the graphic de-
1.0 SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS piction of an individual Truss prepared by the truss designer.
1.2.10 "Truss Manufacturer" shall mean an individual or
1.1 This standard defines the design responsibilities of organization regularly engaged in the manufacturing of trusses.
the individuals and organizations involved in the preparation, 1.2.11 "Truss Placement Plan" is the drawing identifying
submittal, review and approval of each truss design drawing the location assumed for each Truss based on the truss
and truss placement plan associated with the use of cold-formed manufacturer's interpretation of the construction design docu-
steel trusses. These guidelines are presented as industry stan- ments.
dard practice. The guidelines are not intended to preclude al-
ternate provisions as agreed upon by the parties involved. 2.0 OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
1.2 The following definitions shall apply:
2.1 Directly or through its representatives. which may
1.2.1 "Architect" shall mean the individual registered ar- include the contractor and/or building designer: (a) review
chitect responsible for the architectural design of the structure and approve each truss design drawing; (b) review and ap-
and who produces the architectural drawings included in the prove the truss placement plan; (c) resolve and approve all
design issues arising out of the preparation of each. tntss de-
construction design documents.
sign drawing and truss placement plan: and {d) coordinate the
1.2.2 "Building Designer" is the individual or organization return of each approved truss design drawing and truss place-
having responsibility for the overall building or structure de- ment plan to the truss manufacturer prior to truss manufactur-
sign in accordance with the state's statutes and regulations gov- mg.
erning the professio.nal registration and certification of archi-
tects or engineers. This responsibility includes but is not lim- 3.0 BUILDING DESIGNER RESPONSIBILITIES
ited to foundation design. structural member sizing, load trans-
3.1 Design a structure suitable to ensure that the intended
fer, bearing conditions, and the structure's compliance with the function of each truss is not affected by adverse intluenccs including.
applicable building codes. Also referred to as registered archi- but not limited to, moisture, temperature, corrosive chemicals and
tect or engineer, building designer, and registered building de- gases;
signer, but hereinafter will be referred to as building designer. 3.2 Prepare the construction design documents. showing
1.2.3 "Construction Design Documents" are the architec- all trussed areas, which must provide as a minimum the fol-
tural drawings, structural drawings, mechanical drawings, elec- lowing:
trical drawings, and any other drawings, specifications, and 3.2.1 All truss orientations and locations:
addenda which set forth the overall design of the structure and 3.2.2 Information to fully determine all truss profi lcs:
issued by the building designer 3.2.3 Adequate support of the truss and all truss bearing
1.2.4 "Contractor" shall mean the individual or organiza- conditions;
tion responsible for the field storage, handling, and installa- 3.2.4 Permanent bracing design for the structure includ-
tion of trusses including, but not limited to, temporary bracing, ing the trusses, except as provided in 3.4 and 6.2.11.
permanent bracing, anchorage, connections and field assem- 3.2.5 The location, direction and magnitude of all dead and
bly. The term "Contractor" shall include those subcontractors live loads applicable to each truss including. but not limited to.
who have a direct contract with the Contractor to perform all loads attributable to: roof, floor. partition. mechanical. fire sprin-
or a portion of the storage, handling, and installation of the kler, attic, storage, wind, snow drift and seismic;
trusses. 3.2.6 All truss anchorage designs required to resist uplift.
1.2.5 "Engineer-of-Record" shall mean the registered pro- gravity, and lateral loads:
fessional engineer for the structural design of the structure and 3.2.7 Allowable vertical and horizontal detlection criteria:
who produces the structural drawings included in the construc- 3.2.8 Proper transfer of design loads affecting the truss:
tion design documents. and
1.2.6 "Owner" shall mean the individual or organization 3.2.9 Adequate connections between truss and non-truss
for whom the structure is designed. components, except as noted in Section 6.2X
1.2.7 "Truss" is an individual cold-formed steel open web 3.3 Review and approve the truss placement plan and
structural component manufactured by the truss manufacturer. each truss design drawing for conformance with the require-
ments and intent of the construction design documents. thee f-
1.2.8 'Truss Designer" is the design professional, individual fect of each truss design drawing and truss placement plan on
or organization, having responsibility for the design of the cold- other parts of the structure, and the effect of the structure on
formed steel truss. This responsibility shall be in accordance each truss.

RESIDENTIAL STEEL FRAMING

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3.4 Specify permanent lateral bracing where indicated 6.2.4.2 Top chord dead load;
by the truss designer on the truss design drawings, to prevent 6.2.4.3 Bottom chord live load;
buckling of the individual truss members due to design loads. 6.2.4.4 Bottom chord dead load;
The building designer shall specify how the permanent lateral
6.2.4.5 Concentrated loads and their points of appli-
bracing is to be anchored or restrained to prevent lateral move-
cation; and
ment if all truss members, so braced, buckle together. This shall
6.2.4.6 Controlling wind and earthquake loads;
be accomplished by: (a) anchorage to solid end walls; (b) per-
manent diagonal bracing in the plane of the web members; or 6.2.5 Each reaction force and direction;
(c) other means when demonstrated by the Building Designer to
provide equivalent bracing. 6.2.6 Joint connector type (gusset plate, etc.), size, thickness;

6.2.6.1 Type of fastener and allowable capacity;

4.0 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
6.2.7 Chord and web member type designator including
4. I Provide to the truss manufacturer the construction de-
thickness, yield and coating for each member;
sign documents and all revisions and supplements thereto.
4.2 Review and approve the truss placement plan and 6.2.8 Connection requirements for:
each truss design drawing for conformance with the require-
ments and intent of the construction design documents, and (a) Truss to truss girder;
the effect of the truss placement plan and each truss design
drawing on other trades involved in the construction of the struc- (b) Truss member to member; (i.e., chord to
ture and the effect of the other trades on the trusses. web) and
4.3 Coordinate the review, approval and return of each (c) Field splices;
truss design drawing and the truss placement plan by the owner 6.2.9 Calculated vertical and horizontal deflection ratios
and building designer. and/or maximum deflection for live and total load;
4.4 Provide the approved truss design drawings, approved 6.2.1 0 Maximum axial compression forces in each of the
truss placement plans, and any supplemental information pro- truss members to enable the building designer to design the
vided by the truss manufacturer to the individual or organiza- size, connections and anchorage of the permanent continuous
tion responsible for the installation of the trusses. lateral bracing. Forces may be shown on the truss design draw-
4.5 Comply with the field storage, handling, installation, ing or on supplemental documents; and
permanent bracing, anchorage, connection and field assembly
6.2.11 Required permanent truss member bracing location.
requirements of the construction design documents.
4.6 Determine and install the temporary bracing for the 7.0 OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
structure, including the trusses.
7.1 Any party who cuts or damages a truss shall be re-
5.0 TRUSS MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITIES sponsible for securing the engineering required for the repair
5.1 Communicate the design criteria from the construc- and for subsequent costs.
tion design documents to the truss designer.
5.2 Where required by the construction design documents, REFERENCES
prepare the truss placement plan, providing as a minimum, the
location assumed for each truss based on the truss ANSI{I'PI 1-1995 Appendix A (I 995), Standard Prdctice for Metal
manufacturer's interpretation of the construction design docu- Plate Connected Wood Truss Design Responsibilities, Wood Truss
ments. Council of America
5.3 Submit to the contractor the truss placement plan, as CCFSS Technical Bulletin (1993), "AISI Specification Provisions
may be required, and each truss design drawing for review and for Screw Connections," Vol. 2, No. 1, Center for Cold-Formed Steel
approval. Structures, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO

6.0 TRUSS DESIGNER RESPONSIBILITIES Harper, M. M., LaBoube, R. A., and Yu, W. W. (1995), "Behavior of
Cold-Formed Steel RoofTrusses," Summazy Report, Civil Engineer-
6.1 Prepare the truss design drawings using the "DESIGN ing Study 95-3, Cold-Formed Steel Series, Center for Cold-Formed
GUIDE FOR COLD-FORMED STEEL TRUSSES". Steel Structures, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Mis-
souri-Rolla, Rolla, MO
6.2 For each truss design drawing, set forth as a minimum Minimum Design Loads forB uildings and Other Structures ( 1995),
the following:
American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE 7-93, New York, NY
6.2.1 Slope or depth, span and spacing; Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structurdl Mem-
6.2.2 Location of all joints; bers ( 1986), with 1989 Addendum,American Iron and Steel Institute,
Washington, OC
6.2.3 Required bearing widths;
Specification for Structural Steel Buildings Allowable Stress Design
6.2.4 Design loads as applicable; and Plastic Design ( 1989), American Institute of Steel Construction, Chi-
6.2.4.1 Top chord live load (including snow loads); cago,IL

RESIDENTIAL STEEL FRAMING