Method for constructing a truss from selected components

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a truss and a method for selecting components to construct a truss. The truss includes three or more chord elements (two or more upper chord elements and one or more lower chord elements) and one or more web elements. Embodiments of methods according to the disclosure include estimating a first change in length for each of the two or more upper chord elements and estimating a second change in length of each of the one or more lower chord elements, the first change in length and the second change in conditions to which the truss is exposed. The method may also include selecting the one or more web elements from the plurality of wood members such that it compensates for deformation caused by the first change in length and the second change in length.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A truss structure comprising:
 an enclosed structure, the enclosed structure comprising:
 two or more upper chord elements, the two or more upper chord elements being arranged in a single plane and connected end-on-end to form an inverted V structure, the inverted V structure having a first end, a second end, and a middle point located between the first end and the second end; and 
 one or more lower chord elements, the one or more lower chord elements being arranged to connect the first end to the second end to form the enclosed structure; and 
   one or more web elements arranged inside the enclosed structure, the one or more web elements connecting the two or more upper chord elements to the one or more lower chord elements;   wherein the one or more web elements and the two or more upper chord elements each have values representing dimensional instability, the values representing dimensional instability of the one or more web elements being higher, on average, than the values representing dimensional instability for the two or more upper chord elements.   
     
     
         8 . The truss of  claim 1  wherein the one or more lower chord elements each have values representing dimensional instability, the one or more web elements values representing dimensional instability being higher, on average, than the values representing dimensional instability for the one or more lower chord elements. 
     
     
         9 . The truss of  claim 1  wherein the values representing dimensional instability are expansion coefficients. 
     
     
         10 . The truss of  claim 1  wherein the truss has a computed uplift between approximately 0.05 inches and approximately 0.60 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The truss of  claim 1  wherein the truss has a computed uplift that is less than about 0.10 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The truss of  claim 1  wherein the one or more web elements extend from the middle point to a middle point on one of the one or more lower chord elements or the one or more web elements extend from any point on the inverted V structure other than the middle point to any point on the one or more lower chord elements. 
     
     
         13 . The truss of  claim 1  wherein the two or more upper chord elements, the one or more lower chord elements, and the one or more web elements are lumber. 
     
     
         14 . The truss of  claim 1  wherein the truss has a shape, the shape being selected from the group consisting of a Howe truss, a King Post truss, a Queen Post truss, a Fink truss, a Double Fan truss, a Modified Queen truss, a Double Fink truss, a Double Howe truss, a Modified Fan truss, a Triple Fink truss, a Triple Howe truss, a Vault truss, a Coffer truss, a Cathedral truss, a Clear Story truss, Double Cantilever truss, a Tri-bearing truss, a Modified Queen Scissors truss, and a modified Howe Scissors truss.