CFS Truss Specified by EOR 2

[STR04]

Does anyone else have difficulties with cold-formed steel truss mfgr's that are not associated with Alpine TrusSteel? I have no associated with the truss industry, FYI. My problem comes with these 'Mom & Pop' truss operations that supply drywall materials and then decide to make trusses from C-shaped members. The engineering is then farmed out-of-state by someone who rubber-stamps a truss designer’s computer output. When it comes to connection they say, "what connections? Those are designed by the EOR." I cannot find anything in the Simpson catalog that will work for their members. I don't mean to complain or put anyone down in the industry but it just kills me on the CA end of things and that's money out of my pocket because someone is too lazy to coordinate their work. Who else other than Alpine has engineered connections for CFS trusses? Maybe it’s me being lazy, but you think if someone is paid to do a job as a professional then they should act like one.

 

[UcfSE]

Generally we require truss engineers to design connections between truss elements and truss-to-truss connections, and the EOR design the connection of the truss to the building structure. You may have to design your own light-gauge clips if you cannot find premanufactured ones. I think the truss engineer should take care of that however. Have you rejected them for being incomplete, or is that an option for you?

 

[JedClampett]

I recently specified a light gage steel roof truss. I used the Aegis master specification located in the website below:

http://www.aegismetalframing.com/30000.html

I modified the specification slightly and added Alpine.
I got a good design from Aegis. The only aggravating item was that I had specified wind uplifts and the Aegis software calculated them automatically. It was difficult to compare the two due to the "black box" nature of the Aegis software. But they all looked conservative and very complete. All members and internal connections were designed. The only loose end was the attachment to the building walls which I had to do.

 

[STR04]

The CORPS reviewer (Hawaii District) is saying the connections are to be designed by the EOR because that is what is standard over there. That's what raises the question of "what is standard?" I'm just looking for a little ammo before I respond to these people. Thanks for good link JedClampett.

 

[jike]

The completeness of the CFS truss specification that goes out with the drawings is the key. This document needs to clearly spell out who does what. If there is something that you expect the truss manufacturer to do, then clearly state that. Then enforce it.

 

[SacreBleu]

IMO, anyone who thinks the EOR should design the CFS truss's own connections is mistaken. We, as the EOR, only design connections in field-built hevy timber trusses, because they are field-built by the Builder, not by a truss manufacturer.
As stated above, the EOR specifies the only the connection to the supporting element (wall, beam). The Simpson hardware works for that because you substitute sheet metal screws for nails.