 Revolutionary Steel Truss Technology
Alpine Engineered Products, the nation's leading wood truss
design company, has introduced an innovative steel truss component system for the
residential and commercial construction markets. TrusSteel light gauge steel trusses offer
the architect, engineer, contractor and owner all of the flexibility and design advantages
of wood trusses plus the versatility of an alternative material. That versatility can
provide several advantages over traditional wood framing in residential applications -
relative price stability, moisture and insect resistance, increased strength to weight
ratio, and increased uniformity of material strength from member to member. When utilized
in commercial application, TrusSteel light gauge steel trusses augment traditional steel
framing to achieve fully non-combustible structures where fire codes require.
An alliance formed between Alpine Engineered Products, Inc.
and Unimast, Inc., combined truss engineering and design technology with steel roll
forming and construction technology to develop a unique, proprietary light gauge steel
chord section. Results from extensive full scale testing have been used to develop a
dedicated steel truss design and engineering software package that gives the designer the
speed and flexibility of existing wood truss software packages.
TrusSteel light gauge steel trusses offer the architect and
project engineer the same quality and reliability that has been synonymous with the Alpine
name for more than 30 years. By offering two chord profiles, 1-1/2" x 2-3/4"
and 2-1/2" x 4" formed in 22 to 16 gauge galvanized steel, the TrusSteel
components provide the designer and the engineer with solutions from the shortest jacks to
80-foot clear span trusses.
In the truss plant, TrusSteel products are intended to be
laid out, fabricated, and handled like wood trusses, except that they are built using
screw guns rather than traditional plated methods. The trusses can be fabricated on
existing truss tables or with inexpensive steel truss jigging that is available from
Alpine. The engineering software automatically provides callouts for layout stops on any
of Alpine's automated setup equipment.
On the job site, the high strength to weight ratio of
TrusSteel trusses make them easier to deliver, handle, and install. One man can typically
lift and carry a 35-foot TrusSteel truss by himself, because of its light weight and
handling stability. The lateral stability created by the unique chord design and tight
chord to web joint connection achieved with double shear screw technology provides
handling capabilities uncommon to other steel truss designs. The 1-1/2" section can
be installed using many existing wood truss hardware applications.
For the owner, TrusSteel trusses provide solutions
to insect damage, material deterioration and shrinkage, drywall nail pops,
and fire code noncombustible materials requirements. Steel construction
in general will provide straighter, tighter, more true framing and an
overall structure that will require less maintenance than fiber products.
|
