Pre-fabricated timber trusses consist of chords and webs, usually held together by toothed metal nailplates. They have been manufactured in Australia since 1963.
The application of computer technology and improvements in manufacturing processes and connector design have meant that truss manufacturers can now provide pre-fabricated products to suit even the most complex requirements
Truss fabrication with toothed metal nailplates requires heavy-duty jig tables and presses. The truss members are pre-cut then assembled on the jig table, where they are held together rigidly until the connector plates are pressed into the timber.
Truss shapes vary according to span requirements, design loads and architectural details of a structure. Table 1 illustrates the common truss shapes, together with an indication of their span range and typical applications.
Reference: Timber Datafile P9 – Manufactured Structural Timber Products of the NAFI Timber Manual
