Wood Tower Truss 1

[abusementpark]

I need to form a wood tower out of what is essentially going to be a vertical truss. What do you recommend to be the best way to connect the 2x brace members to vertical members. I do not forsee having trouble making the members work, but I can see the connections giving me so problems.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

My first choice would be thru-bolts; second choice - lag screws. See Chapter 5 of "Timber Bridges - Design, Construction, Inspection and Maintenance" from the USDA Forest Products Lab. There is a good section on connections, beginning on Page 5-67. Here is the link the the free, .pdf download:

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/wit/documents/em7700_8/em7700_8.html

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[COEngineeer]

I would use simpson straps in combination with lag bolt into the end grain of the X members. I am not sure how thick your members are.

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

 

[civilperson]

Perforated compression plates as used to assemble wood trusses. (Around the vertical and on both sides of the diagonal member).

 

[Einsteim]

If the web and chord members are in the same plane as is common with a typical pre-engineered truss, you would need to use straps or compression plates. If the web members can be outboard of the chords, you can utilize a lap joint which allows the use of bolts, lags, screws or even nails. Obviously, the amount of force being transmitted will determine which type of connector makes the most sense.

Are asthetics an issue?

 

[structuralhawaii]

Yeah if its in the same plane..try to use pre-fabricated metal gusset plates.

 

[abusementpark]

Thanks for the responses guys. I ended up going with tension only light gage metal strap (4" wide) as my bracing. I think it will ultimately provide a much cleaner connection than using 2x wood members as I can overlap the strap at connection points and still get good capacities out of 10d nails.

 

[COEngineeer]

Ok, just make sure it can take the horizontal force. Thats why i recommend using it with lag bolts also. I know youll be good on Y direction with the strap, maybe not x direction.

Never, but never question engineer's judgement