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Truss Load calcultion
- Thread starter lee60
- Start date
Loose Nut Buster
Well-known member
Not being an engineer I would say stay as close to the wall as possible, most truss' are just 2×4s, the further out the weaker it would be in a not by design load area.
Maybe try building a suspended rack that is tied to several truss' to distribute the load.
Sent from my SM-T387V using Tapatalk
Maybe try building a suspended rack that is tied to several truss' to distribute the load.
Sent from my SM-T387V using Tapatalk
rebelranger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2012
- Messages
- 188
Awc charts.
When we rebuilt our single-story home about 20 years ago, we used (as is fairly common here in Northern a California) an engineered truss system. At about the same time, I saved a short article from (Im fairly certain) Handyman magazine entitled How much stuff on trusses? Unfortunately, I neglected to note the date of the magazine (and there was no attribution to an author, so hopefully this wont violate any copyright laws) but here are the highlights:
1. The horizontal bottom chords of most roof truses are normally designed to carry an extra 8 to 10 lbs/ft2 [which] approximates the weight of the drywall nailed to the bottom of the chord and the insulation laid on top.
2. The article then goes on to state that the truss manufacturers contacted for the article stated (on the record) that nothing additional should be stored on or hung from the truss bottom chord member.
3. Off the record, the manufacturers advised:
a. Never cut through or remove any wood membrane of the truss, any metal fastening plate, any catwalk [holds the gable ends to each other to prevent movement] or brace.
b. Store only light items on top of the bottom chord...by attach[ing] plywood...with drywall screws, then evenly distribute [the load]. Keep [the load] to about 5 lbs/ft2.
As a last suggestion, the manufacturers recommended - in the event you want to store a large amount of weight - contacting the truss manufacturer, pointing out that often the name will be stamped somewhere on one of the wood members or webs (or perhaps called out in the building plans if you have such) with the thought that the manufacturer might have some suggestions for reinforcing the truss.
Thats all I know (even though I am an engineer - mechanical, not civil, so they didnt teach us anything about residential truss design).
As they say, a little knowledge can be dangerous. Id certainly be interested in reading something more definitive on this subject because - probably like a lot of you - I have a few things stored on the bottom chord of my trusses, albeit on plywood...
1. The horizontal bottom chords of most roof truses are normally designed to carry an extra 8 to 10 lbs/ft2 [which] approximates the weight of the drywall nailed to the bottom of the chord and the insulation laid on top.
2. The article then goes on to state that the truss manufacturers contacted for the article stated (on the record) that nothing additional should be stored on or hung from the truss bottom chord member.
3. Off the record, the manufacturers advised:
a. Never cut through or remove any wood membrane of the truss, any metal fastening plate, any catwalk [holds the gable ends to each other to prevent movement] or brace.
b. Store only light items on top of the bottom chord...by attach[ing] plywood...with drywall screws, then evenly distribute [the load]. Keep [the load] to about 5 lbs/ft2.
As a last suggestion, the manufacturers recommended - in the event you want to store a large amount of weight - contacting the truss manufacturer, pointing out that often the name will be stamped somewhere on one of the wood members or webs (or perhaps called out in the building plans if you have such) with the thought that the manufacturer might have some suggestions for reinforcing the truss.
Thats all I know (even though I am an engineer - mechanical, not civil, so they didnt teach us anything about residential truss design).
As they say, a little knowledge can be dangerous. Id certainly be interested in reading something more definitive on this subject because - probably like a lot of you - I have a few things stored on the bottom chord of my trusses, albeit on plywood...
note that OP has not been on since posting ...