Split in truss lower chord

[Mike_72]

I just had the trusses replaced on a recent detached garage build due to a slight oversight by the builder. One of the new trusses seems to have a split it in and id like to get some opinions on the severity of the issue. Looks like a natural split in the wood but I don’t like the fact that at extends right down to the bottom portion of the lower chord. The are storage trusses also so they will have some weight on them although nothing very heavy.

 

[The Cobbler]

There is another recent thread on this.
I would involve truss manufacturer to either approve it or remedy it, with stamped documentation

 

[PWilks]

Here's that other thread:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=458929

It doesn't look too terrible, but it shouldn't be left alone.

The biggest issue is the bottom chord in any truss is in tension, and this will essentially tear the beam apart ever so slightly when it's heavily loaded.

The best way I can explain it is shown below. Because there's a crack that's present on the bottom face, towards the middle of the "beam" (the image is exaggerated). When it's loaded, the board will bow. The bottom will undergo the highest tension. I'm not a structural engineer but this is the way my structural and mechanical engineering friends throughout college explained it.

 

[Mike_72]

I don’t see the crack coming through on the other side of the board as seen in the attached image but will will still send some photos to the truss manufacturer to get their input.

 

[Mick56]

Even if it's approved, I would glue a piece of plywood on each side, and run some bolts or screws through it.

 

[Hank11]

Use the manufacturer's suggested repair. Whatever they say, get it in writing.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Even if it's approved, I would glue a piece of plywood on each side, and run some bolts or screws through it.

Great idea!...... However do not do ANY modifications to a truss without an approved and sealed letter from an engineer.

 

[Innovate1]

Having grown up on the coast of Oregon and seen what decent lumber looks like, some of the stuff today would have gone to the burn pile at the mill (wigwam burners) or given away for firewood. I just got trusses for the garage a few months ago and a few have some pretty bad looking lumber in them. One has a large crack that runs diagonally along the piece. It goes for a long distance before it completely crosses the board so maybe it's not as bad as it looks but it is in the lower tension cord. I figure they must account for such things although it doesn't make me very happy.

 

[nadogail]

Having grown up on the coast of Oregon and seen what decent lumber looks like, some of the stuff today would have gone to the burn pile at the mill (wigwam burners) or given away for firewood. I just got trusses for the garage a few months ago and a few have some pretty bad looking lumber in them. One has a large crack that runs diagonally along the piece. It goes for a long distance before it completely crosses the board so maybe it's not as bad as it looks but it is in the lower tension cord. I figure they must account for such things although it doesn't make me very happy.

Agreed, most of what you see in the big box store would be rejected by a craftsman.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Truss design is based on good quality lumber without a lot of knots and checking that could compromise structural integrity, so this is a manufacturers decision to "cheap out" and use poor quality wood...... Call the company who built them and "IF" they say the trusses are good, get it in writing from them AND the design professional.