CSLB General Building (B)Framing and CarpentryEasy
A framing contractor is installing roof trusses. The truss design drawings specify a particular type of truss plate with a minimum embedded area and gauge. What is the primary purpose of truss plates (also known as gusset plates or metal connector plates) in a wood truss?
- ATo allow for field adjustment and minor modifications to the truss design.
- BTo connect individual truss members securely, transferring forces between them.
- CTo provide a decorative finish to the truss joints.
- DTo prevent water penetration at the truss joints.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. To connect individual truss members securely, transferring forces between them.
Truss plates are engineered metal connectors with integral teeth that are pressed into the wood members at each joint. Their primary function is to securely connect the chord and web members of a truss, effectively transferring the various tension, compression, and shear forces between them to ensure the truss acts as a rigid structural unit.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Truss plates are custom-engineered for specific designs; field modifications are generally prohibited and can compromise structural integrity.
- C. Truss plates are functional, not decorative, and are often concealed.
- D. Truss plates do not provide waterproofing; that is the function of roofing materials.
Truss Plate Purpose
Engineered metal connectors with integral teeth used to join individual wood members of a truss, creating rigid and load-transferring connections at the joints.
- Transfer forces (tension, compression, shear) between truss members.
- Ensure the truss acts as a single structural unit.
- Critical for the structural integrity of the truss.
Memory trick: Plates connect the parts, giving trusses strong hearts.