Request I-Truss install input

[jjones2]

Todays inspection- 10 year old condo. with I trusses. I have only seen them installed with the bottom cord bearing on the sill plate.

To me it looks like someone had never installed I trusses and cut the web so that only the double top cord is taking all the load!

We have all seen our share of improper installs slip past the local building officials but I wanted to ask on the board if you have ever seen this building practice and if so is it correct ? I don't see how this is correct so I am asking for your input and verbiage. thanks in advance.

John

[Michael Larson]

They're fine. Notice the doubled top chord.

Top chord bearing floor truss being installed

[Terry Clayton]

Michael in the picture you provided the first 2 portions of the web have been doubled and the first may have triple 2 X's I am not that familiar with I-Joist but John's pictures don't show the extra structure. I am not trying to be rude just trying to learn, which has come leaps and bounds from all of the EXPERTS or not that take the time to share with us. Thanks for your input

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by mlarson

They're fine. Notice the doubled top chord.

Top chord bearing floor truss being installed

Agreed!

Notice the depth of the truss, it must span 30-35 feet or going to have to support a hell of a load.

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

A top bearing cord truss is quite common.

http://www.classictruss.com/floor_truss_facts.asp

[Terry Clayton]

Thank You Joseph for your help

[jjones2]

thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.

John

[hbrooks]

There is no termination tying the bottom chord to the top chord at the hanging end. If you note in the diagram shown in the link from Joseph Hagart, there is supposed to be a termination blocking and strapping. The installation in question looks like someone just whacked off some longer trusses to fit this space. Gee, contractors wouldn't do something like that would they? I would recommend review by a structural engineer or Professional Truss Designer

H. Stuart Brooks
Virginia Certified Home Inspector
Virginia Inspection Service, LLC

[Richard A. Hetzel]

Trusses as shown in the photographs are quite common, and often the bottom chord is not extended at all. Termination blocking would perform no structural function. The extended bottom chords are designed as cantilevers, and do not need to be tied back to the top chord. The fact that some trusses are built that way does not make it a universal requirement.

See the diagrams on page 34 of the following:
http://www.alpeng.com/images/stories/pdfs/BGT_BOOK.pdf
They show floor trusses of the exact configuration as the photographs.

Nothing wrong with them.

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Richard, thanks for taking the time to post on these boards. Your posts are very helpful.

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

Excellent reading and study material!! Thanks for your input!

Jeff