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It’s that time again. The 2026 Florida Building Code 9th Edition will take effect on December 31, 2026, bringing with it updates that could affect how structural components are designed, analyzed, and documented throughout the state. For engineers, truss designers, and component...

The 2026 Florida Building Code adds prescriptive corrosion-protection requirements for fasteners, connectors, and metal plates near saltwater coastlines. Here is what changed, which options fit the requirements, and what to do next. At a Glance Effective December 31, 2026, new Section 1711...

When the top or bottom chords of a truss are subjected to large forces, or when load application or hanger requirements necessitate a wider chord member, designers sometimes use stacked chord members, where two chord members are placed one above the other. [For images, See PDF or View in...

In Truss Studio™, the Bearings dialog does more than define where a truss is supported—it directly influences how loads are generated, particularly wind loads on the bottom chord. Adjusting bearing location or type can change how the software interprets exposed versus supported...

As the building and construction industry continues to evolve, we strive to enhance and improve our understanding of the loads and conditions that we need to design for, the engineering tools and methods that we use in our analyses, and the materials with which we build. This advancement in our...

The principle of limiting deflection in proportion to span was first established by Thomas Tredgold, a prominent British engineer born in 1788. He recognized that for a floor to be functional, its bending (deflection) needed to be restricted based on its length. Tredgold originally recommended a...

Real-world performance may not always match tested values. In light-frame construction, structural connectors are often treated as commodity hardware — selected from a catalog, installed in the field, and assumed to perform as designed. In reality, structural connectors are highly...

Per ANSI/TPI 1-2022 (National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction), Section 6.2.2.5, trusses with an overall span of 18 ft or greater must be evaluated for a 300 lb concentrated person load applied at the midpoint of any chord panel that is not sheathed with...

Purchasing the correct grade of lumber to match your design drawing requirements is only one step in selecting the right lumber. Previously, we’ve discussed lumber quality in “Who is Responsible for Lumber Quality in Your Trusses?,” but let’s expand that discussion with...

Designing long-span trusses starts with a clear definition. Establishing what constitutes a long-span truss sets expectations early, helping to drive smarter design, manufacturing, and logistics decisions from the outset. [For all figures, See PDF or View in Full Issue.] Defining Long-Span...