In any structural design project, the importance of roof rafters cannot be overstated. Even though roof trusses are more commonly used than rafters, they do not provide the same versatility and space for creativity that rafters allow. Similar to compression roofs, member calculations cannot be supplied for the individual members since much of the information is based on system testing or products that meet or exceed prescriptive guidelines.Choosing the right “hat” for your building will depend on several factors, such as wall layout, ceiling type, and architectural features. As with compression roofs, the system formed is triangular with a ridge board, two rafters and the ceiling tie at the bottom. Any system constructed using this guide must be based entirely on the guide with no material/detail substitutions allowed. The information and details provided in the guide are based on testing performed by Weyerhaeuser to demonstrate equivalency to traditional framed systems. Here, the roof slope covered can range from 4:12 to 12:12 and have rafter spacing up to 24″ on center. Similar to the compression roof built per the IRC, this system is also prescriptive. Roof geometry, required member sizes and connection details are specified in our Roof System Design Guide, TJ-9005. This type of roof is a proprietary system using TimberStrand LSL rafters and ceiling joists along with either Microllam LVL or TimberStrand LSL hip, valley and ridge members. Calculations can be generated for joists and beams within a structural roof system using Forte ®WEB or Javelin ® software. Hip and valley members in structural roofs are also assumed to be structural beams, meaning they have bearing at each end and support the reactions from the roof joists attached. Structural roofs typically have ridge beams at the upper ends instead of the ridge board described above for compression roofs. Structural roof slopes typically range from 0:12 to a maximum of 12:12. This roof type is analogous to floor construction, where the joists have structural support/bearings at each end. For this substitution, documentation/calculation isn’t needed. This would be acceptable since the Microllam is similarly sized. See Weyerhaeuser Technical Resource Sheet 1502 for additional substitution information.įor example, a framer may choose to use a 40′ long piece of 1 ¾″ x 9 ¼ ″ Microllam for a ridge board instead of three or four pieces of dimension lumber 2x10’s. Simply stated, this means the EWP product must be similar/larger size and similar/higher strength than the piece being replaced. To qualify as a substitute for any of the system pieces, the Weyerhaeuser EWP needs to be equivalent to or better than the item it is replacing. These requests aren’t necessary or required. This substitution occasionally creates requests for sealed documentation/calculations because the product used is ‘engineered’ and not specified in the building code. Framers may favor a single long piece of Microllam where they would have to use multiple pieces of dimension lumber, say in a long length ridge board application for example. They are often used by framers as substitutes for typical lumber products such as 2x8’s and 2x10’s in conventionally framed roofs. Weyerhaeuser EWP is generally available in lengths up to 48′. See chapter 8 of the 2018 IRC for more roof information. The total system (ridge board, rafters, collar ties, and ceiling joist) is specified by the IRC. The ceiling joist (tension tie) at the rafter low end resists the thrust generated as those ends tend to shift outward and push the supporting wall. Under load, the rafters will experience both axial and bending stresses. With the non-structural ridge board at the top, the two opposing rafters basically prop each other up. See example roof cross section shown below. Typically, a ceiling joist spanning from opposite exterior walls connects the lower ends of the rafters together, forming the base and completing the triangle. A ridge board connects the upper ends of the rafters forming the apex of the triangle. It can be used for roofs with a slope of 3:12 to 12:12 and basically constructs a triangle, connecting two opposing rafters with a ceiling joist/tie at their low ends. This system is also known as a compression roof or ‘prescriptive roof’, as the construction details are prescribed in the code. A conventionally framed roof system is one built in accordance with the provisions of the International Residential Code (IRC).
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