×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Bottom Chord to top plate connections

Bottom Chord to top plate connections

Bottom Chord to top plate connections

(OP)
What is the proper way to design the connection between the top plate of non bearing interior partitions (2 X dimensional lumber walls) and the bottom chord of roof trusses?  If there are several cases to consider (ie: walls prependicular to or parallel to the trusses), is there a reference publication that covers the topic?  Could an improper connection (rigid)impart a non allowable moment, under wind or seismic loading, to the chord which could destabilize the truss or cause non acceptable deformations?  I have seen simpson connectors that allow the bottom chord to deflect vertically independent of the wall top plate by use of a nail slot in the chord connection.  Are these to be used in general in all cases to fasten the tops of walls so they don't overturn yet allow the bottom chords to function properly?  Is simple toenailing ever appropriate?  



RE: Bottom Chord to top plate connections

digrazi:  Use the Simson anchors, why reinvent the wheel?  Just be sure you pick an anchor that allows enough movement for the expected truss deflection.

RE: Bottom Chord to top plate connections

I think most building codes require a minimum 5 psf lateral load (live) for interior partitions.  You will have to design the top chord connection to support the stud reaction due to that minimum lateral load if no other lateral load governs.  You will also need to design the connection to accommodate truss deflection since the wall is non-load-bearing.  The easiest thing to do is use a clip that is already manufactured such as a Simpson clip.  Bascially it boils down to finding the forces acting on the connection and designing for those.  If you have in-plane forces remember to take those into account as well.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources