Evaluation of the Lateral Performance of Roof Truss-to-Wall Connections in Light-Frame Wood Systems

Abstract

This testing program was designed to benchmark the performance of traditional roof systems and incrementally improved roof-to-wall systems with the goal of developing connection solutions that are optimized for performance and constructability. Nine full-size roof systems were constructed and tested with various levels and types of heel detailing to measure the lateral performance of the roof-to- wall interface. Our test results indicate that the oriented strandboard (OSB) sheathed high-heel truss detail yields performance comparable to that of the unblocked, low-heel truss configuration that is currently allowed by code. Using OSB sheathing as bracing (without any additional blocking in the heel) can be considered an adequate bracing option in high-heel conditions where the intent is to provide structural performance comparable to that of an unblocked, low-heel truss condition. Results also show that extending the OSB sheathing down and including additional nailing to the top plate of the wall below provide strength and stiffness performance superior to that of the solid, intermittent blocking that is currently required in high-wind regions and should be considered a viable truss heel bracing solution to intermittent blocking.

Citation

DeRenzis, Andrew; Kochkin, Vladimir; Wang, Xiping. 2012. Evaluation of the Lateral Performance of Roof Truss-to-Wall Connections in Light-Frame Wood Systems. USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report, FPL-GTR-214, 2012.