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Pole Barn Purlin Question

Tejas TJ

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 5, 2013
Messages
61
Location
Anna, TX
I have searched online everywhere and I can not find any solid information on a premium #1 2x4 mounted on its 1.5" side, spaced 7' (truss to truss) and 2' OC, being able to support a metal roof. If anyone can let me know or send me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.

I know this is standard on 4' truss spacing up north with heavy snow loads but down here in Texas we don't get a lot of snow and with a 4/12 pitch snow should slide off the roof.
 
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JPinSTL

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
98
Location
Stanton, MO
I have a 3:12 pitch in MidMO with 10' truss spacing. 2x4 Purlins are on edge and about a 2' center. Been that way for 15yrs. But my shop is uninsulated and doesn't hold snow for long.

I did a 12' lean to addition and we went with rafters on 4' spacing with 2x4 purlins laying flat. No issues so far. The old roof section feels springier than the addition with my 225lbs crawling around on it.

I will say the new lumber is nothing like the old. Find some real Southern Yellow Pine 2x4 for your purlins for that span, not the crappy whitewood from the box store.
 

David C

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 10, 2014
Messages
157
Location
Northern California
Your question is not as easy as you would hope, or assume.

You do not provide the species of #1 2x4 so the strength properties of the wood can not be determined. You also did not provide the weight of the roof finish or whether the purlins will be supporting other finishes or equipment.

The purlin design would require the dead load of the framing, roof finish, insulation, ceiling finish, and other appurtenances such as piping etc. the live load which can be determined from a table, and the wind loads.

Wind loads are dependent upon the your local code which probably references this document:
http://ascelibrary.org/doi/book/10.1061/9780784412916

The wind load provisions are specified in 108 pages. While all of the pages do not apply you have to be familiar with the entire document in order to select the appropriate requirements.

Wind forces on your pulin would be determined by your location on the map and local topograqphy surrounding your building Wind forces would include downward loading, uplift, and would not be constant over the entire area of your roof. Purlins near roof edges and roof discontinuities would be subject to greater wind forces than a typical purlin. If you building was considered an open structure or partially open structure wind forces would be increased over a standard closed structure.

Before you say it, our world has gotten very complicated in recent years, and this is only one example.
 
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johninct

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Joined
Dec 21, 2010
Messages
2,599
My building that collapsed from snow ( bad metal truss) was 2"x6" 7' on center
 
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Tejas TJ

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 5, 2013
Messages
61
Location
Anna, TX
I'll check with my local lumber yard if they carry a 2x4 KLIN SYP, if they do I'll go that route for strength. My second choice is a KLIN SPF 2x4.
 

RCPro87

Well-known member
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
83
Location
West Liberty, OH
I have a 3:12 pitch in MidMO with 10' truss spacing. 2x4 Purlins are on edge and about a 2' center. Been that way for 15yrs. But my shop is uninsulated and doesn't hold snow for long.

I did a 12' lean to addition and we went with rafters on 4' spacing with 2x4 purlins laying flat. No issues so far. The old roof section feels springier than the addition with my 225lbs crawling around on it.

I will say the new lumber is nothing like the old. Find some real Southern Yellow Pine 2x4 for your purlins for that span, not the crappy whitewood from the box store.

I have the same setup and my manufactured trusses stretch 50ft. The main structure is 50x100 like that and it has been standing for the same amount of time.
 
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