AISI S214-07 Standard and Commentary (1st Printing) PDF

AISI S214 07
A I S I S TA N D A R D
North American Standard for
Cold-Formed Steel Framing
Truss Design
2007 Edition
Revision of AISI/COFS/TRUSS 2004
Endorsed by:
ii
AISI S214-07
DISCLAIMER
The material contained herein has been developed by the American Iron and Steel Institute
Committee on Framing Standards. The Committee has made a diligent effort to present
accurate, reliable, and useful information on cold-formed steel framing design and installation.
The Committee acknowledges and is grateful for the contributions of the numerous researchers,
engineers, and others who have contributed to the body of knowledge on the subject. Specific
references are included in the Commentary.
With anticipated improvements in understanding of the behavior of cold-formed steel
framing and the continuing development of new technology, this material will become dated. It
is anticipated that AISI will publish updates of this material as new information becomes
available, but this cannot be guaranteed.
The materials set forth herein are for general purposes only. They are not a substitute for
competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be
reviewed by a design professional. Indeed, in many jurisdictions, such review is required by
law. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and
assumes any and all liability arising therefrom.
1st Printing June 2007

Copyright American Iron and Steel Institute 2007
North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing Truss Design
iii
PREFACE
The American Iron and Steel Institute Committee on Framing Standards has developed AISI
S214, the North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing - Truss Design, to provide
technical information and specifications on cold-formed steel truss construction. This standard
is intended for adoption and use in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
This standard provides an integrated treatment of Allowable Strength Design (ASD), Load
and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD), and Limit States Design (LSD). This is accomplished by
including the appropriate resistance factors () for use with LRFD and LSD, and the appropriate
safety factors () for use with ASD. It should be noted that LSD is limited to Canada and LRFD
and ASD are limited to Mexico and the United States.
The Committee acknowledges and is grateful for the contributions of the numerous
engineers, researchers, producers and others who have contributed to the body of knowledge
on the subjects. The Committee wishes to also express their appreciation for the support of the
Steel Framing Alliance and the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute.
iv
AISI S214-07
AISI COMMITTEE ON FRAMING STANDARDS

Richard Haws, Chairman
NUCONSTEEL
Steve Fox, Vice Chairman
Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute
Jay Larson, Secretary
American Iron and Steel Institute
Don Allen
Steel Stud Manufacturers Association
Bill Babich
ITW Building Components Group
John Butts
John F. Butts & Associates
Brad Cameron
Keymark Engineering
Nader Elhajj
NAHB Research Center
Jeff Ellis
Simpson Strong-Tie
Ray Frobosilo
Super Stud Building Products
Michael Gardner
Gypsum Association
Stephen Gatto
Compass International
Greg Greenlee
USP Structural Connectors
Jeff Klaiman
ADTEK Engineers
Roger LaBoube
University of Missouri-Rolla
John Matsen
Matsen Ford Design Associates
Kenneth Pagano
Scosta Corporation
Mike Pellock
Aegis Metal Framing
Nabil Rahman
The Steel Network
Greg Ralph
Dietrich Industries
Harry Ray
Allied Studco
Gary Rolih
Consultant
Ben Schafer
Johns Hopkins University
Reynaud Serrette
Santa Clara University
Fernando Sesma
California Expanded Metal Products
Sutton Stephens
Kansas State University
Tom Trestain
T.W.J. Trestain Structural Engineering
Steven Walker
Steven H. Walker, P.Eng.
Lei Xu
University of Waterloo
Rahim Zadeh
Marino\Ware
TRUSS DESIGN SUBCOMMITTEE

Bill Babich, Chairman
ITW Building Components Group
Jay Larson, Secretary
American Iron and Steel Institute
Don Allen
Steel Stud Manufacturers Association
John Butts
John F. Butts & Associates
Brad Cameron
Keymark Engineering
Randy Daudet
Dietrich Design Group
Nader Elhajj
NAHB Research Center
Kirk Grundahl
Steel Truss and Component Association
Jeff Klaiman
ADTEK Engineers
Roger LaBoube
University of Missouri-Rolla
Richard Layding
NUCONSTEEL
Kenneth Pagano
Scosta Corporation
Mike Pellock
Aegis Metal Framing
Harry Ray
Allied Studco
Steven Walker
Steven H. Walker, P.Eng.
Lei Xu
University of Waterloo
Rahim Zadeh
Marino\Ware
vi
AISI S214-07
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NORTH AMERICAN STANDARD FOR COLD-FORMED STEEL FRAMING
TRUSS DESIGN
DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................ii
PREFACE.....................................................................................................................................iii
AISI COMMITTEE ON FRAMING STANDARDS.......................................................................... iv
TRUSS DESIGN SUBCOMMITTEE............................................................................................... v
A. GENERAL................................................................................................................................1
A1 Scope ............................................................................................................................................. 1
A2 Definitions .................................................................................................................................... 1
A3 Referenced Documents............................................................................................................... 1
B. DESIGN RESPONSIBILITIES..................................................................................................2
B1 Truss Designer ............................................................................................................................. 2
B2 Building Designer........................................................................................................................ 2
C. LOADING.................................................................................................................................4
C1 Construction Loads ..................................................................................................................... 4
C2 Other Loads.................................................................................................................................. 4
D. TRUSS DESIGN ......................................................................................................................5

D1
D2
D3
D4
Materials ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Corrosion Protection ................................................................................................................... 5
Analysis ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Member Design ........................................................................................................................... 5
D4.1 Properties of Sections ...................................................................................................... 5
D4.2 Compression Chord Members ....................................................................................... 5
D4.3 Tension Chord Members ................................................................................................ 8
D4.4 Compression Web Members .......................................................................................... 8
D4.5 Tension Web Members.................................................................................................... 9
D4.6 Eccentricity in Joints ........................................................................................................ 9
D5 Gusset Plate Design................................................................................................................... 10
D6 Connection Design .................................................................................................................... 11
D6.1 Fastening Methods......................................................................................................... 11
D6.2 Coped Connections for C-Shaped Sections................................................................ 11
D7 Serviceability.............................................................................................................................. 11
E. QUALITY CRITERIA FOR STEEL TRUSSES ........................................................................ 12

E1
E2
E3
E4
E5
Quality Assurance ..................................................................................................................... 12

Truss Design............................................................................................................................... 12
Steel ............................................................................................................................................. 12
Member Identification .............................................................................................................. 12
Special Marking ......................................................................................................................... 12
E5.1 Parallel Chord Trusses .................................................................................................. 12
E5.2 Bearing Locations........................................................................................................... 12
E5.3 Lateral Bracing................................................................................................................ 12
E6 Gusset Plates .............................................................................................................................. 13
vii
E7 Fasteners ..................................................................................................................................... 13
E8 Assembly .................................................................................................................................... 13
E9 Camber........................................................................................................................................ 13
F. TRUSS INSTALLATION AND BRACING .............................................................................. 14

F1 Installation Tolerances .............................................................................................................. 14
F1.1 Straightness..................................................................................................................... 14
F1.2 Plumbness ....................................................................................................................... 14
F1.3 Top Chord Bearing Trusses ......................................................................................... 14
F2 Permanent Bracing .................................................................................................................... 14
F2.1 Top and Bottom Chord Member Planes ..................................................................... 14
F2.2 Web Member Plane........................................................................................................ 14
F3 Field Assembly .......................................................................................................................... 15
F4 Delivery, Handling and Installation ....................................................................................... 15
G. TEST METHODS .................................................................................................................. 16

G1 Component Structural Performance Load Test .................................................................... 16
G1.1 Flexural Test.................................................................................................................... 16
G1.2 Compression Test........................................................................................................... 17
G2 Full-Scale Confirmatory Load Test ......................................................................................... 17
G2.1 Test Specimen ................................................................................................................. 17
G2.2 Number of Test Specimens........................................................................................... 17
G2.3 Materials.......................................................................................................................... 18
G2.4 Fabrication ...................................................................................................................... 18
G2.5 Test Apparatus ............................................................................................................... 18
G2.6 Load and Deflection Measuring Devices.................................................................... 18
G2.7 Loading Procedures....................................................................................................... 19
G2.8 Interpretation of Test Results ....................................................................................... 19
G2.9 Report .............................................................................................................................. 19
G3 Full-Scale Structural Performance Load Test ........................................................................ 19
G3.1 Test Specimen ................................................................................................................. 19
G3.2 Number of Test Specimens........................................................................................... 19
G3.3 Materials.......................................................................................................................... 20
G3.4 Fabrication ...................................................................................................................... 20
G3.5 Test Apparatus ............................................................................................................... 20
G3.6 Load and Deflection Measuring Devices.................................................................... 20
G3.7 Loading Procedures....................................................................................................... 21
G3.8 Interpretation of Test Results ....................................................................................... 21
G3.9 Report .............................................................................................................................. 21
viii
AISI S214-07
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TRUSS DESIGN
A. GENERAL
A1 Scope
The design of cold-formed steel trusses for load carrying purposes in buildings shall be in
accordance with AISI S100 [CSA S136] and AISI S200, except as modified by the provisions of
this standard. This standard shall also apply to manufacturing, quality criteria, installation and
testing as they relate to the design of cold-formed steel trusses.
This standard shall not preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs
not meeting the criteria herein, when the other materials, assemblies, structures or designs
demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use to those specified in this standard.
Where there is a conflict between this standard and other reference documents the requirements
contained within this standard shall govern.
This standard shall include Sections A through G inclusive.
A2 Definitions
Where terms appear in this standard in italics, such terms shall have meaning as defined in
AISI S200. Terms included in square brackets are specific to LSD terminology. Terms not
italicized shall have the ordinary accepted meaning in the context for which they are intended.
A3 Referenced Documents
The following documents or portions thereof are referenced within this standard and shall
be considered part of the requirements of this document.
1. AISI S100-07, North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural
Members, American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC.
2. AISI S200-07, North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing - General Provisions,
American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC.
3. AISI S902-02, Stub-Column Test Method for Effective Area of Cold-Formed Steel Columns,
4. AISI S905-02, Test Methods for Mechanically Fastened Cold-Formed Steel Connections,
5. ASCE 7-05 Including Supplement No. 1, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA.
6. CAN/CSA-S136-07, North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel
Structural Members, Canadian Standards Association, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
7. NBCC 2005, National Building Code of Canada, 2005 Edition, National Research Council of
Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
AISI S214-07
B. DESIGN RESPONSIBILITIES
The professional design responsibilities defined by this standard shall not preclude alternate
provisions as agreed upon by the parties involved.
B1 Truss Designer
The truss designers responsibility shall be in accordance with the statutes and regulations
governing the professional registration and certification of design professionals of the jurisdiction
where the truss is to be incorporated into the building project.
The truss designer shall make available, upon request, comprehensive design calculations,
including the following:
(1)
(2)
(3)
loads and load combinations considered

axial forces, moments, and shears resulting from the applied loads and load
combinations
design assumptions
The truss design drawings shall include, as a minimum, the following:

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
slope, depth, span, and spacing of the truss

bearing locations and minimum bearing lengths
design loading(s)
nominal [specified] reaction forces and direction
location of all truss connections
gusset plate locations, sizes, and material specifications
fastener type, size, quantities, and locations
shape and material specification for each component
maximum nominal [specified] compressive force in all truss members
locations of required permanent truss member bracing
connection requirements for:
truss-to-truss girder
truss ply-to-ply
field assembly of trusses
(12) calculated deflection ratio and/or maximum deflection for nominal [specified] live
and total load
B2 Building Designer
The building designers responsibility shall include, but shall not be limited to, foundation
design, structural member sizing, load transfer, bearing conditions, and the structures
compliance with applicable codes.
The building designer shall specify the following:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
design loads in accordance with Section C

roof profile and geometry
bearing conditions
temperature and moisture environment for the intended end use
any special requirements or considerations to be taken in the truss design
The building designer shall provide for the following in the design and detailing of the
building:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
horizontal, vertical, or other truss deflection due to design loads

truss movement due to temperature changes
truss supports and anchorage accommodating horizontal, vertical, or other
reactions or displacements
permanent truss bracing to resist wind, seismic, and any other lateral forces acting
perpendicular to the plane of the truss
permanent lateral bracing as specified by the truss designer
AISI S214-07
C. LOADING
The loads and load combinations to be used in the design of cold-formed steel trusses shall be
determined by the building designer in accordance with the applicable building code. In the absence
of an applicable building code, the loads, and combinations of loads shall be in accordance with
accepted engineering practice for the geographical area under consideration as specified by the
applicable sections of Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7) in the
United States and Mexico, and the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) in Canada.
C1 Construction Loads
Construction load used in design shall be determined by the building designer in accordance
with the applicable building code and construction practices. In the absence of such a governing
code, the building designer shall determine the construction load.
C2 Other Loads
The building designer shall specify any applicable loads in addition to those in this chapter.
D. TRUSS DESIGN
Except as modified or supplemented in this standard, strength determinations shall be in
accordance with AISI S100 [CSA S136].
D1 Materials
Sheet steel materials utilized in steel truss construction shall comply with the requirements
for structural members defined in AISI S200 or AISI S100 [CSA S136].
D2 Corrosion Protection
Truss members, including gusset plates, shall have corrosion protection as required by AISI
S200.
D3 Analysis
In lieu of a rational analysis to define joint flexibility, the following analysis model
assumptions shall be used:
(1) Chord members are continuous, except members are assumed to have pinned connections at
the heel, pitch breaks, and chord splices.
(2) Web members are assumed to have pinned connections at each end.
Use of a specific joint stiffness other than the complete rotational freedom of a pin for a
connection shall be permitted if the connection is designed for the forces resulting from a
structural analysis with this specific joint stiffness.
D4 Member Design
D4.1 Properties of Sections
For C-shapes and other simple cross section geometries, the properties of sections shall be
determined in accordance with conventional methods of structural design. Properties shall
be based on full cross section properties, except where use of a reduced cross section or
effective design width is required by AISI S100 [CSA S136]. For other cross section
geometries, properties shall be based on tests in accordance with Section G1.
D4.2 Compression Chord Members
The compression chord member shall be evaluated for axial load alone using Section C4 of
AISI S100 [CSA S136], bending alone using Section C3.1 of AISI S100 [CSA S136] and
combined axial load and bending using Section C5.2 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
D4.2.1 For axial load strength determination, the effective length, KL, shall be
determined by rational analysis, testing, or the following design assumptions as
appropriate:
(a) For C-shapes the x-axis is the axis of symmetry. Lx shall be equal to the distance
between panel points, and Cm shall be taken as 0.85, unless an analysis is
performed to justify another value. Where the chord member is continuous over at
least one intermediate panel point and where sheathing is directly attached to the
chord member, Kx shall be taken as 0.75. Otherwise, Kx shall be taken as unity. As
an alternative, Lx shall be the distance between points of contraflexure with Cm
AISI S214-07
and Kx taken as unity. Where sheathing is attached to the chord member, Ly shall
be equal to the distance between sheathing connectors and Ky shall be taken as
0.75. Where purlins are attached to the chord member, Ly shall be the distance
between purlins with Ky equal to unity. Lt shall be equal to the distance between
panel points. Where the chord member is continuous over at least one intermediate
panel point between the heel and pitch break and where sheathing is directly
attached to the chord member, Kt shall be taken as 0.75. Otherwise, Kt shall be
taken as unity. As an alternate, Lt shall be the distance between points of
contraflexure with Kt taken as unity.
Where:
Cm
Kt
Kx
Ky
Lt
Lx
Ly
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
end moment coefficient in interaction formula

effective length factor for torsion
effective length factor for buckling about x-axis
effective length factor for buckling about y-axis
unbraced length of compression member for torsion
unbraced length of compression member for bending about x-axis
unbraced length of compression member for bending about y-axis
(b) For hat-shapes the x-axis is the axis of symmetry. Where sheathing is attached to
the chord member, Lx shall be equal to the distance between sheathing connectors
and Kx shall be taken as 0.75. Where purlins are attached to the chord member, Lx
shall be the distance between purlins with Kx equal to unity. Ly shall be equal to
the distance between panel points, and Cm shall be taken as 0.85, unless an
analysis is performed to justify another value. Where the chord member is
continuous over at least one intermediate panel point and where sheathing is
directly attached to the chord member, Ky shall be taken as 0.75. Otherwise, Ky
shall be taken as unity. As an alternative, Ly shall be the distance between points
of contraflexure with Cm and Ky taken as unity. Lt shall be equal to the distance
between sheathing connectors or purlin spacing. Where the chord member is
continuous over at least one intermediate panel point between the heel and pitch
break and where sheathing is directly attached to the chord member, Kt shall be
taken as 0.75. Otherwise, Kt shall be taken as unity. As an alternate, Lt shall be the
distance between the points of contraflexure with Kt taken as unity.
(c) For Z-shapes the x-axis is out of the plane of the truss, Lx shall be equal to the
distance between panel points, and Cm shall be taken as 0.85, unless an analysis is
performed to justify another value. Where the chord member is continuous over at
least one intermediate panel point and where sheathing is directly attached to the
chord member, Kx shall be taken as 0.75. Otherwise, Kx shall be taken as unity. As
an alternative, Lx shall be the distance between points of contraflexure with Cm
and Kx taken as unity. Where sheathing is attached to the chord member, Ly shall
be equal to the distance between sheathing connectors and Ky shall be taken as
0.75. Where purlins are attached to the chord member, Ly shall be the distance
between purlins with Ky equal to unity. Where the chord member depth is less
than 6 inches, Lt shall be equal to the distance between sheathing connectors or
purlin spacing. For Z-shapes where the chord member depth is greater than or
equal to 6 inches, Lt shall be equal to the distance between panel points. Where the
chord member is continuous over at least one intermediate panel point between the
heel and pitch break and where sheathing is directly attached to the chord member,
Kt shall be taken as 0.75. Otherwise, Kt shall be taken as unity. As an alternative,

Lt shall be equal to the distance between points of contraflexure with Kt taken as
unity.
D4.2.2 For bending strength determination, the effective length, KL, shall be
determined by rational analysis, testing, or the following design assumptions as
appropriate:
(a) Where sheathing is attached to the compression flange, Mn for the compression
chord member shall be taken as SeFy in accordance with Section C3.1.1 of AISI S100
[CSA S136].
(b) Where purlins are attached to the compression flange between panel points, Mn =
ScFc in accordance with Section C3.1.2.1 of AISI S100 [CSA S136] with KLy and
KLt for C-shapes and Z-shapes and KLx and KLt for hat-shapes taken as the distance
between purlins.
(c) Where sheathing or purlins are attached to the tension flange and the
compression flange is laterally unbraced, Mn shall be taken as ScFc in accordance
with Section C3.1.2.1 of AISI S100 [CSA S136]. For continuous span chord members
Mn in the region of the panel point shall be determined with KLy and KLt for Cshapes and Z-shapes and KLx and KLt for hat-shapes taken as the distance between
the panel point and the point of contraflexure and Cb shall be taken as unity. For
simple and continuous span chord members, Mn in the mid-span region shall be
determined with the effective length taken as the distance between panel points
and Cb shall be computed in accordance with Section C3.1.2.1 of AISI S100 [CSA
S136].
Where:
Cb
Fc
Fy
Kt
Kx
Ky
Lt
Lx
Ly
Mn
Sc
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
Se =
bending coefficient dependent on moment gradient

critical buckling stress
yield strength used for design
effective length factor for torsion
effective length factor for buckling about x-axis
effective length factor for buckling about y-axis
unbraced length of compression member for torsion
unbraced length of compression member for bending about x-axis
unbraced length of compression member for bending about y-axis
nominal flexural strength [resistance]
elastic section modulus of effective section calculated relative to extreme
compression fiber at Fc
elastic section modulus of effective section calculated relative to extreme
compression fiber at Fy
D4.2.3 When a C-shaped section compression chord member is subject to concentrated

load at a panel point, the interaction of axial compression, bending and web crippling
shall be considered as follows:
For ASD:
P
M
R 1.49
+
+
Pno M nxo R n
(Eq. D4.2.3-1)
AISI S214-07
Where:
P =
Mx =
R =
Pno =
Mnxo =
Rn =
=
required compressive axial strength

required flexural strength
required concentrated load strength
nominal axial strength computed at f = Fy
nominal flexural strength computed at f = Fy
nominal interior one-flange web crippling strength
1.95
For LRFD and LSD:

P
Mx
R
+
+
1.49
Pno M nxo R n
(Eq. D4.2.3-2)
Where:
P =
Mx =
R =
Pno =
Mnxo =
Rn =
required [factored] compressive axial strength [resistance]

required [factored] flexural strength [resistance]
required [factored] concentrated load strength [resistance]
nominal axial strength [resistance] computed at f = Fy
nominal flexural strength [resistance] computed at f = Fy
nominal interior one-flange web crippling strength [resistance]
0.85 for LRFD
0.80 for LSD
D4.3 Tension Chord Members
The tension chord member shall be evaluated for axial load alone using Section C2 of AISI
S100 [CSA S136], bending alone using Section C3.1 of AISI S100 [CSA S136] and combined
axial load and bending using Section C5.1 of AISI S100 [CSA S136]. The axial load shall be
permitted to be taken as acting through the centroid of the section.
D4.4 Compression Web Members
Compression web members shall be evaluated for axial load alone using Section C4 of
AISI S100 [CSA S136] and combined axial load and bending using Section C5.2 of AISI S100
[CSA S136], and the requirements of this Section, as applicable.
(a) For a C-shaped compression web member that is attached at each end through its
web element back-to-back with the web of a C-shaped chord member and is not
subjected to applied loads between its ends, the interaction of axial compression
and out-of-plane bending shall be determined by the following interaction
equation,
For ASD:
c RP b C my RPe
+
1 .0
Pn
M ny y
(Eq. D4.4-1)
For LRFD and LSD:
C my R Pe
RP
+
1.0
c Pn b M ny y
(Eq. D4.4-2)
Where:
2
L /r
L /r
0.22 0.6
+
88
173
L = unbraced length of the compression web member
r = radius of gyration of the full section about the minor axis
Pn = nominal axial strength [resistance] based on Section C4.1 of
AISI S100 [CSA S136]. Only flexural buckling need be
considered.
e = eccentricity of compression force with respect to the centroid
of the full section of the web member
P, b, c, Cmy, Mny, P , c, b and y shall be defined in accordance
with Section C5.2.1 (ASD) or C5.2.2 (LRFD and LSD) of AISI S100
[CSA S136].
R =
(Eq. D4.4-3)
When computing the design strength [resistance], the effective

lengths, KxLx, KyLy and KtLt, shall be taken as the distance
between the centers of the member's end connection patterns.
(b) For other compression web members that are concentrically loaded, the axial
compression load shall be permitted to be taken as acting through the centroid of
the section.
(c) For other compression web members that are not concentrically loaded, proper
regard for eccentricity shall be considered.
D4.5 Tension Web Members
Tension web members shall be evaluated for axial load alone using Section C2 of AISI
S100 [CSA S136]. For tension web members, which are symmetrically loaded, the axial tension
load shall be permitted to be taken as acting through the centroid of the section. For other
tension members that are not symmetrically loaded, proper regard for eccentricity shall be
considered.
D4.6 Eccentricity in Joints
An analysis using multiple nodes or an analysis using single nodes that includes proper
regard for the effects of eccentricity shall be performed.
Chord member shear and moments in joints shall include the following considerations:
(a) Where the web member lap length is greater than or equal to 75% of the chord member
depth, the chord member shall be investigated for combined bending and shear in
accordance with Equation C3.3.1-2 (ASD) or C3.3.2-2 (LRFD and LSD) of AISI S100
[CSA S136]. For C-shaped section trusses where screws are used as the connector, a
minimum of four screws shall be used in the web member to chord member connection
and the screws shall be uniformly distributed in the lapped area.
(b) Where the web member lap length is less than 75% of the chord member depth, the chord
member shall be investigated for combined bending and shear in accordance with
Equation C3.3.1-1 (ASD) or C3.3.2-1 (LRFD and LSD) of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
Along the length of the chord member, at the mid-point between the intersecting web
members at a joint, shear shall be evaluated by Section C3.2 of AISI S100 [CSA S136]. The
shear buckling coefficient shall be based on either Equation C3.2.1-5 or C3.2.1-6 with a
10
AISI S214-07
taken as the smaller of the distance between the fastener groups, or center-to-center of the
web members.
D5 Gusset Plate Design
The nominal axial compressive strength [resistance], Pn, of thin, flat gusset plates shall be
calculated as follows:
Pn = R g btFy
For
Wmin
1.5
Leff
W
R g = 0.47 min + 0.3
Leff
For
(Eq. D5-1)
(Eq. D5-2)
Wmin
> 1.5
Leff
R g = 1.0
(Eq. D5-3)
Where:
b
Fy
t
c
c
c
=
=
=
=
=
Effective width determined in accordance with AISI S100 [CSA S136]

Section B2.1 with f=Fy, k=4 and w=Wmin
Specified minimum yield strength
Design thickness of gusset plate
2.50 for ASD
0.60 for LRFD
0.50 for LSD
Wmin shall be taken as the lesser of the actual gusset plate width or Whitmore section, which
shall be determined using a spread-out angle of 30 along both sides of the connection,
beginning at the first row of fasteners in the connection. Leff shall be taken as the average length
between the last rows of fasteners of adjacent truss members in the connection.
The above equations shall be valid within the following range of parameters:
Gusset Plate Design Thickness:
Gusset Plate Design Yield Strength:
Wmin / Leff Ratio:
Chord Member-to-Gusset Plate Fastener Pattern:
0.0566 inch to 0.1017 inch

(1.438 mm to 2.583 mm)
33 ksi to 50 ksi (228 MPa to 345 MPa)
0.8 to 6.0
Minimum of two rows with two
fasteners per row
The nominal axial tensile strength [resistance] of thin, flat gusset plates shall be calculated in
accordance with the requirements of Section C2 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
11
D6 Connection Design
D6.1 Fastening Methods
Fastening systems shall be approved by the truss designer. Screw, bolt, and weld
connections shall be designed in accordance with AISI S100 [CSA S136]. For connections
using other fastener types, design values shall be determined by testing in accordance with
Section F1 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
For other fastening methods, manufacturers specifications shall be followed.
D6.2 Coped Connections for C-Shaped Sections
Coping shall be permitted at pitch break and heel connections in accordance with the truss
design.
(a) At a coped heel connection with a coped flange and a bearing stiffener having a
moment of inertia (Imin) greater than or equal to of 0.161 in.4 (67,000 mm4), the
shear strength shall be calculated in accordance with AISI S100 [CSA S136]
Section C3.2 and reduced by the following factor, R:
R = 0.976
0.556c 0.532d c
1.0
h
h
(Eq. D6.2-1)
with the following applicable limitations:

h/t 200, 0.10 < c/h <1.0 and 0.10 < dc/h < 0.4
(b) At a coped heel connection with a coped flange where a bearing stiffener having a
moment of inertia (Imin) less than 0.161 in.4 (67,000 mm4), the computed strength
at the heel is governed by web crippling in accordance with AISI S100 [CSA S136]
Section C3.4 and shall be reduced by the following factor, R:
R = 1.036
0.668c 0.0505d c
1.0
h
h
(Eq. D6.2-2)
with the following applicable limitations:

h/t 200, 0.10 < c/h <1.0 and 0.10 < dc/h < 0.4
Where:
c = length of cope
dc = depth of cope
h
= flat width of web of section being coped
Imin is computed with respect to an axis parallel to the web of the chord member.
t
= design thickness of section being coped
D7 Serviceability
Serviceability requirements, as defined in AISI S100 [CSA S136], shall be determined by the
building designer or applicable building code. When computing truss deflections, it shall be
permitted to use the full cross-sectional area of the truss members.
12
AISI S214-07
E. QUALITY CRITERIA FOR STEEL TRUSSES

E1 Quality Assurance
These quality criteria for the manufacturing of steel trusses shall be used in conjunction with
a quality assurance procedure. Truss manufacturers shall establish filing methods that document
the proper application of quality assurance procedures throughout the manufacturing and
inspection process.
E2 Truss Design
A truss design submittal, which has been prepared by a truss designer, shall be provided for
each truss manufactured.
E3 Steel
Sheet steel materials utilized in steel truss construction, including truss members and gusset
plates, shall be of the grade, thickness, coating, size, and shape specified by the truss design.
Truss steel of a higher grade, thickness, and/or coating of the same size and shape shall be
considered as compliant to the specified materials. Changes in size and/or shape shall require
the approval of the truss designer and review by the building designer to demonstrate
equivalency.
E4 Member Identification
Truss chord members and web members shall be identified in accordance with the Product
Identification requirements for framing members defined in AISI S200.
E5 Special Marking
Trusses shall be marked to document the orientation of parallel chord trusses, locations of
special bearing conditions and permanent bracing. Alternatively, it shall be acceptable for the
truss designer to provide this information to the contractor by means of indications on the truss
designs, truss drawing/erection plans and/or special detail drawings.
E5.1 Parallel Chord Trusses
Parallel chord trusses shall be clearly marked in a manner that permits visual verification
of proper installation.
E5.2 Bearing Locations
Trusses having bearing locations other than at the end of heel locations shall have bearing
points clearly marked in a manner that permits verification during and after installation.
E5.3 Lateral Bracing
All truss chord members and web members that require permanent lateral bracing to
prevent lateral buckling (such as but not limited to top chord members of piggyback trusses,
long compression web members, and bottom chord members at cantilevers) shall be clearly
marked to identify the need for field bracing during and after installation.
13
E6 Gusset Plates
Gusset plates shall be installed in accordance with the truss design. The placement of gusset
plates shall not interfere with other design aspects or function of the truss.
E7 Fasteners
Fasteners used in the manufacture of steel trusses shall be of the type and minimum size
specified by the truss designer. Fasteners shall be installed in accordance with AISI S200 or as
specified by the truss designer.
E8 Assembly
Trusses shall have steel members that are accurately cut, in accordance with the truss design,
so that the assembled truss has close fitting steel members. The maximum gap between web
members shall not exceed inch (12.7 mm) unless approved by the truss designer. The location of
chord members, web members, and joints shall be as specified in the truss design.
Truss dimensions which vary from the truss design shall not exceed the tolerances shown in
Table E8. Inaccuracies exceeding these allowable tolerances shall be acceptable upon approval
and follow-up documentation by the truss designer. Any shop modifications or repairs shall be
documented by the truss designer.
Table E8
Manufacturing Tolerances For Finished Truss Units
Variance from Design Dimensions
Length1
1
2
Up to 30 ft (9.14 m)
Over 30 feet (9.14 m)
inch (12.7 mm)

inch (19.1 mm)
Height2
Variance from Design Dimensions
Up to 5 feet (1.52 m)
Over 5 feet (1.52 m)
inch (6.4 mm)

inch (12.7 mm)
Length, for manufacturing tolerance purposes, is the overall length of the truss
unit, excluding overhangs, and extensions.
Height, for manufacturing tolerances purpose, is the overall height of the truss
unit measured from the top of the top chord member to the bottom of the
bottom chord member at the highest point of the truss, excluding projections
above the top chord member and below the bottom chord member, overhangs,
and extensions.
E9 Camber
Truss camber, if any, shall be provided, as specified in the truss design.
14
AISI S214-07
F. TRUSS INSTALLATION AND BRACING

F1 Installation Tolerances
F1.1 Straightness
Trusses shall not be installed with an overall bow or bow in any chord member or panel
which exceeds the lesser of L/200 or 2 inches (50.8 mm), where L is the length of the truss,
chord member, or panel in inches.
F1.2 Plumbness
Trusses shall not be installed with a variation from plumb (vertical tolerance) at any
point along the length of the truss from top to bottom which exceeds 1/50 of the depth of
the truss at that point or 2 inches (50.8 mm) whichever is less, unless trusses are specifically
designed to be installed out of plumb.
F1.3
Top Chord Bearing Trusses
For top chord bearing trusses a maximum gap tolerance between the inside of the
bearing and the first diagonal or vertical web member shall be specified in the design.
F2 Permanent Bracing
Permanent truss bracing shall be designed and specified by the building designer for the
structural safety of the building. It shall be the responsibility of the building designer to integrate
the truss member bracing requirements indicated in the truss design drawing into the building
permanent bracing system and then to indicate size, location, and attachments for all permanent
bracing. The design and location of all bracing shall be such that they work together with other
structural parts of the building (such as shear walls, portal frames, bearing walls, columns,
beams, etc.) to achieve total structural integrity.
Permanent truss bracing shall provide out-of-plane support to the truss at the top chord
member plane, bottom chord member plane, and web member plane, as required by design.
F2.1 Top and Bottom Chord Member Planes
Top and bottom chord member plane permanent bracing shall be designed to resist lateral
movement of the top and bottom chord members.
Sheathing, metal panels, or other approved materials used to act as permanent bracing
shall be designed to act as a diaphragm.
Purlins used to act as permanent bracing shall be adequately attached to the top and
bottom chord members and to a diagonal brace or diaphragm. Purlin spacing shall be
considered in determining the design buckling strength of the top and bottom chord
members.
F2.2 Web Member Plane
Web member plane bracing shall be designed to hold the trusses in a vertical position and
to provide permanent bracing to shorten the buckling length of web members, as specified by
the design.
15
F3 Field Assembly
Any requirements for field assembly of trusses shall be specified by the truss designer. The
installer is responsible for the proper field assembly.
F4 Delivery, Handling and Installation
Damage through handling during storage, delivery, unloading, and erection of trusses shall
be avoided. The installer shall ensure that handling and installation procedures do not reduce
the load carrying capacity of the truss. The installer shall obtain proper guidance from the truss
designer prior to repairing damaged trusses.
16
AISI S214-07
G. TEST METHODS
Tests, when required as defined below, shall be conducted under the supervision of a design
professional in accordance with this standard.
(a) For cold-formed steel truss components (chord members and web members) for which the
nominal strength [resistance] cannot be computed according to this standard or its
specific references, performance tests shall be performed in accordance with Section
G1.
(b) For cold-formed steel truss connections for which the nominal strength [resistance] can
not be computed according to this standard or its specific references, performance
tests shall be performed in accordance with AISI S905.
(c) For cold-formed steel trusses for which the nominal strength [resistance] can be
computed according to this standard and its specific references or determined on the
basis of component performance tests in accordance with Section G1, and when it
must be demonstrated that the strength is not less than the nominal strength
[resistance] specified in this standard or its specific references confirmatory tests shall
be performed in accordance with Section G2.
(d) For cold-formed steel trusses for which the nominal strength [resistance] can not be
computed according to this standard and its specific references or determined on the
basis of component performance tests in accordance with Section G1, performance
tests shall be performed in accordance with Section G3.
G1 Component Structural Performance Load Test
G1.1 Flexural Test
Flexural tests shall be performed to define the positive or negative flexural strength
[resistance] of the cross section of a truss member for static load.
G1.1.1
Number of Test Specimens
The minimum number of test specimens shall be in accordance with the Section F1 of
AISI S100 [CSA S136].
G1.1.2
Materials
The test specimens shall be representative of those intended for use in the final
product. Physical and material properties of the steel shall be determined according to
Section F3 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
G1.1.3
Test Apparatus
The test apparatus and procedures employed shall produce a failure consistent with
the purpose.
G1.1.4
Load and Deflection Measuring Devices
The load measuring device or devices used shall be capable of measuring loads to an
accuracy of 2% of the design load.
The deflection measuring devices, if employed, shall avoid magnification of
deflection readings due to a movement of supports during loading. When deflection
17
measuring systems that do not compensate for support settlement are used,
measurement of support displacement under load shall be required in order to obtain an
accurate load-deflection response. Deflection readings and measuring devices shall have
an accuracy of 0.01 inches (0.25 mm).
G1.1.5
Loading Procedures
Load shall be applied and load measurements shall be taken. The maximum loading
rate shall not exceed a corresponding applied stress rate of 3 ksi (20.7 MPa) of gross
cross-sectional area per minute.
G1.1.6
Interpretation of Test Results
Evaluation of the test results shall be made in accordance with Section F1 of AISI
S100 [CSA S136].
G1.1.7
Report
The report shall identify the testing laboratory, laboratory address, laboratory
personnel involved in the conduct of the test, and the design professional in responsible
charge.
The report shall consist of a description of all specimen components, including
drawings defining actual and nominal geometry, material specifications, material
properties test results describing the actual physical properties of each component, and
the sources of supply. Differences between the actual and the nominal dimensions and
material properties shall be noted in the report. The report shall also indicate those
modifications made to the test apparatus and any deviations made to the test procedure
and their influence on the results of the test.
The test report shall also contain a sketch or photograph of the test setup, the latest
calibration date and accuracy of the equipment used, the signature and engineering seal
of the design professional responsible for the test, and a tabulation of all raw and
evaluated test data.
All graphs resulting from the test evaluation procedure shall be included in the test
report.
G1.2 Compression Test
Compression tests shall be performed to define the compressive strength, excluding

overall buckling, of a truss member for static load. AISI S902 shall be considered as an
acceptable test method. Alternative tests methods shall be acceptable, when approved by the
truss designer.
G2 Full-Scale Confirmatory Load Test
G2.1 Test Specimen
For the purpose of this test, a test specimen shall be considered to consist of a full-scale
truss assembly representative of those intended for use in the final product.
G2.2 Number of Test Specimens
A single confirmatory load test shall be considered as meeting the required minimum
number of test specimens.
18
AISI S214-07
G2.3 Materials
The materials contained within the test specimen shall be representative of those
intended for use in the final product. Physical and material properties of the steel shall be
determined according to Section F3 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
G2.4 Fabrication
Fabrication of the test specimen shall be representative of that intended for the finished
product.
G2.5 Test Apparatus
A test shall consist of a single truss, pair of trusses, or multiple trusses.

A single truss shall be tested in either a vertical position (normal or inverted) or in a
horizontal position. A pair of trusses or multiple trusses shall be tested in a vertical position
(normal or inverted).
The self-weight of the truss shall be included in the total load applied to trusses that are
tested in a vertical position to compensate for the effect of dead loads and gravity.
Reaction supports shall provide clearance above the ground or restraint frame to allow
for normal displacements, ease of loading, instrumentation, and provide room for
observations and measurements. Supports shall have strength and stiffness to resist
deformations during tests.
Support reaction hardware shall be typical of that planned for use in the completed
structure or as required to satisfy the intent of the tests.
Lateral support shall be provided beneath a single truss when tested horizontally to keep
the test truss flat and to minimize any adverse lateral displacement caused by gravity.
Lateral support shall be provided for single, paired, or multiple trusses when tested
vertically to minimize adverse lateral displacement and prevent buckling of the assembly.
Where lateral support is used, it shall not interfere with the free in-plane displacement of the
truss or truss assembly. The components of the test truss shall not be laterally supported in a
manner that will exceed that intended in a representative installation.
When loads are applied using dead weight, such as sand, masonry units, or water, the
dead load material shall be positioned to prevent arching action.
When loads are applied using water, the water shall be compartmentalized into cells to
prevent a non-uniform load as the truss deflects.
G2.6 Load and Deflection Measuring Devices
When multiple trusses are tested as an assembly, load-measuring devices shall be located
beneath each truss support. The load measuring device or devices used shall be capable of
measuring loads to an accuracy of 2% of the design load.
The deflection measuring devices, if employed, shall avoid magnification of deflection
readings due to a movement of supports during loading. When deflection-measuring
systems that do not compensate for support settlement are used, measurement of support
displacement under load shall be required in order to obtain an accurate load-deflection
response. Deflection readings and measuring devices shall have an accuracy of the greater
of 2% of design load deflection or 0.01 inches (0.25 mm).
19
G2.7 Loading Procedures
Each of the increments of test load shall not exceed 1/5 of the nominal [specified] load.
When a test to confirm design deflections is required, the test load shall be applied up to
the nominal [specified] load. This load shall be held for no less than 5 minutes, at which time
deflection readings shall be recorded. When testing trusses in pairs, the deflections of two
trusses at corresponding locations shall be permitted to be averaged. Support displacement
under load shall be measured to obtain an accurate load-deflection response when
deflection-measuring systems that do not compensate for support settlement are used.
The test load shall be applied up to the nominal [specified] load times 1.65 and held for no
less than 5 minutes and then the confirmatory test shall be considered complete.
G2.8 Interpretation of Test Results
The confirmatory test shall be deemed successful if the test specimen complies with the
loading requirements in Section G2.7. When a test to confirm design deflections is required,
the test shall be deemed successful if the measured deflections of the test specimen do not
exceed the design (dead plus live load) deflection limit.
G2.9 Report
The report shall identify the testing laboratory, laboratory address, laboratory personnel
involved in the conduct of the test, and the design professional in responsible charge.
The report shall consist of a description of all specimen components, including drawings
defining actual and nominal geometry, material specifications, material properties test
results describing the actual physical properties of each component, and the sources of
supply. Differences between the actual and the nominal dimensions and material properties
shall be noted in the report. The report shall also indicate those modifications made to the
test apparatus and any deviations made to the test procedure and their influence on the
results of the test.
calibration date and accuracy of the equipment used, the signature and engineering seal of
the design professional responsible for the test, and a tabulation of all raw and evaluated test
data.
All graphs resulting from the test evaluation procedure shall be included in the test
report.
G3 Full-Scale Structural Performance Load Test
G3.1 Test Specimen
For the purpose of this test, a test specimen shall be considered to consist of a full-scale
truss assembly representative of those intended for use in the final product.
G3.2 Number of Test Specimens
Performance testing of three identical test specimens shall be considered as meeting the
required minimum number of test specimens.
20
AISI S214-07
G3.3 Materials
The materials contained within the test specimen shall be representative of those
intended for use in the final product. Physical and material properties of the steel shall be
determined according to Section F3 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
G3.4 Fabrication
Fabrication of the test specimen shall be representative of that intended for the finished
product.
G3.5 Test Apparatus
A test shall consist of a single truss, pair of trusses or multiple trusses.

A single truss shall be tested in either a vertical position (normal or inverted) or in a
horizontal position. A pair of trusses or multiple trusses shall be tested in a vertical position
(normal or inverted).
The self-weight of the truss shall be included in the total load applied to trusses that are
tested in a vertical position to compensate for the effect of dead loads and gravity.
Reaction supports shall provide sufficient clearance above the ground or restraint frame
to allow for displacements, loading, instrumentation, and provide room for observations
and measurements. Supports shall have strength and stiffness to resist deformations during
tests.
Support reaction hardware shall be typical of that planned for use in the completed
structure or as required to satisfy the intent of the tests.
Lateral support shall be provided beneath a single truss when tested horizontally to keep
the test truss flat and to minimize any adverse lateral displacement caused by gravity.
Lateral support shall be provided for single, paired or multiple trusses when tested vertically
to minimize adverse lateral displacement and prevent buckling of the assembly. Where
lateral support is used, it shall not interfere with the free in-plane displacement of the truss
or truss assembly. The components of the test truss shall not be laterally supported in a
manner that will exceed that intended in a representative installation.
When loads are applied using dead weight, such as sand, masonry units, or water, the
dead load material shall be positioned to prevent arching action.
When loads are applied using water, the water shall be compartmentalized into cells to
prevent a non-uniform load as the truss deflects.
G3.6 Load and Deflection Measuring Devices
When multiple trusses are tested as an assembly, load-measuring devices shall be located
beneath each truss support. The load measuring device or devices used shall be capable of
measuring loads to an accuracy of 2% of the design load.
The deflection measuring devices, if employed, shall avoid magnification of deflection
readings due to a movement of supports during loading. When deflection-measuring
systems that do not compensate for support settlement are used, measurement of support
displacement under load shall be required in order to obtain an accurate load-deflection
response. Deflection readings and measuring devices shall have an accuracy of 0.01 inches
(0.25 mm).
21
G3.7 Loading Procedures
Each of the increments of test load shall not exceed 1/5 of the nominal [specified] load.
When a test to confirm design deflections is required, the test load shall be applied up to
the nominal [specified] load. This load shall be held for no less than 5 minutes, at which time
deflection readings shall be recorded. When testing trusses in pairs, the deflections of two
trusses at corresponding locations shall be permitted to be averaged. Support displacement
under load shall be measured to obtain an accurate load-deflection response when
deflection-measuring systems that do not compensate for support settlement are used.
The test load shall be applied up to the nominal [specified] load times the factor of safety
and held for no less than 5 minutes and then the performance test shall be considered
complete.
The resistance factor or safety factor for the performance test shall be determined in
accordance with Section F1 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
G3.8 Interpretation of Test Results
The performance test shall be deemed successful if the test specimen complies with the
loading requirements in Section G3.7. When a test to confirm design deflections is required,
the test shall be deemed successful if the measured deflections of the test specimen do not
exceed the design (dead plus live load) deflection limit.
G3.9 Report
The report shall identify the testing laboratory, laboratory address, laboratory personnel
involved in the conduct of the test and the design professional in responsible charge.
The report shall consist of a description of all specimen components, including drawings
defining actual and nominal geometry, material specifications, material properties test results
describing the actual physical properties of each component, and the sources of supply.
Differences between the actual and the nominal dimensions and material properties shall be
noted in the report. The report shall also indicate those modifications made to the test
apparatus and any deviations made to the test procedure and their influence on the results of
the test.
calibration date and accuracy of the equipment used, the signature and engineering seal of the
design professional responsible for the test, and a tabulation of all raw and evaluated test data.
All graphs resulting from the test evaluation procedure shall be included in the test report.
A I S I S TA N D A R D
Commentary on the
North American Standard for
Cold-Formed Steel Framing
Truss Design
2007 Edition
Endorsed by:
ii
Commentary on AISI S214-07
DISCLAIMER
The material contained herein has been developed by the American Iron and Steel Institute
Committee on Framing Standards. The Committee has made a diligent effort to present
accurate, reliable, and useful information on cold-formed steel framing design and installation.
The Committee acknowledges and is grateful for the contributions of the numerous researchers,
engineers, and others who have contributed to the body of knowledge on the subject. Specific
references are included in this Commentary.
With anticipated improvements in understanding of the behavior of cold-formed steel
framing and the continuing development of new technology, this material will become dated. It
is anticipated that AISI will publish updates of this material as new information becomes
available, but this cannot be guaranteed.
The materials set forth herein are for general purposes only. They are not a substitute for
competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be
reviewed by a design professional. Indeed, in many jurisdictions, such review is required by
law. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and
assumes any and all liability arising therefrom.
1st Printing June 2007

Copyright American Iron and Steel Institute 2007
Commentary on the North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing - Truss Design
iii
PREFACE
This Commentary is intended to facilitate the use, and provide an understanding of the
background, of AISI S214, the North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing - Truss
Design. The Commentary illustrates the substance and limitations of the various provisions of the
standard.
In the Commentary, sections, equations, figures, and tables are identified by the same
notation as used in the standard. Words that are italicized are defined in AISI S200. Terms
included in square brackets are specific to LSD terminology.
The Committee greatly acknowledges the assistance and guidance of the Wood Truss
Council of America (WTCA) in the preparation of this document.
iv
Commentary on the North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing - Truss Design
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMMENTARY ON THE
TRUSS DESIGN
DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................ii
PREFACE.....................................................................................................................................iii
A. GENERAL................................................................................................................................1
A1 Scope ............................................................................................................................................. 1
B. DESIGN RESPONSIBILITIES..................................................................................................2
B1 Truss Designer ............................................................................................................................. 2
B2 Building Designer........................................................................................................................ 2
C. LOADING.................................................................................................................................3
D. TRUSS DESIGN ......................................................................................................................4
D3 Analysis ........................................................................................................................................ 4
D4 Member Design ........................................................................................................................... 4
D4.1
Properties of Sections ................................................................................................... 4
D4.2
Compression Chord Members.................................................................................... 4
D4.3
Tension Chord Members ............................................................................................. 5
D4.4
Compression Web Members ....................................................................................... 5
D4.5
Tension Web Members ................................................................................................ 6
D4.6
Eccentricity in Joints ..................................................................................................... 7
D5 Gusset Plate Design..................................................................................................................... 7
D6 Connection Design ...................................................................................................................... 9
D6.1
Fastening Methods ....................................................................................................... 9
D6.2
Coped Connections for C-Shaped Sections............................................................. 10
D7 Serviceability.............................................................................................................................. 11
E. QUALITY CRITERIA FOR STEEL TRUSSES ........................................................................ 12

F. TRUSS INSTALLATION & BRACING ................................................................................... 13
F2 Permanent Bracing .................................................................................................................... 13
F4 Delivery, Handling And Installation...................................................................................... 14
G. TEST METHODS .................................................................................................................. 15

G1 Component Structural Performance Load Test .................................................................... 15
G2 Full-Scale Confirmatory Load Test ......................................................................................... 16
G3 Full-Scale Performance Load Test........................................................................................... 16
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 17
vi
Commentary on the North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing Truss Design
COMMENTARY ON THE
TRUSS DESIGN
A. GENERAL
A1 Scope
AISI S214 (AISI, 2007c) applies to the design, quality assurance, installation and testing of
cold-formed steel trusses used for load carrying purposes in buildings. The standard does not
preclude the use of other cold-formed steel members, assemblies, structures, or designs when they
demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use to those specified in the standard.
Cold-formed steel trusses are planar structural components. Structural performance depends
on the trusses being installed vertically, in-plane, and at specific spacing, and being properly
fabricated and braced. The standard describes the materials used in a cold-formed steel truss, as
well as design, fabrication, and bracing procedures for truss members.
This standard is intended to serve as a supplement to AISI S100 [CSA S136], (AISI, 2007a;
CSA, 2007). This standard is also intended to be used in conjunction with AISI S200 (AISI,
2007b).
B. DESIGN RESPONSIBILITIES
The standard defines the professional design responsibilities of the individuals and
organizations involved in the preparation, submittal, review, and approval of a cold-formed steel
truss. Alternate provisions, as agreed upon by the involved parties are permitted.
B1 Truss Designer
To aid the truss designer in the preparation of a design submittal, a comprehensive list of
pertinent design information is provided in the standard. It should be noted that even when
Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) or Limit States Design (LSD) are used to design the
trusses, the standard specifies that nominal [specified] (i.e., unfactored) reactions and member
forces be shown on the truss design drawings. This is intended to avoid confusion and facilitate
the design of other portions of the structure, particularly when load factors other than those
used for the design of the cold-formed steel trusses are prescribed by the applicable building code for
those other portions.
B2 Building Designer
The building designer has broad responsibility for the overall building design in accordance
with the statutes and regulations governing the professional registration and certification of
architects or engineers of the state or province where the building will be located. The standard
aids in defining information to be provided to the truss designer, as well as the design
responsibility of the building designer.
It is imperative that the building designer considers the effect that truss deflections may have
on the performance of the building. Also, the truss designer needs to consider the use of lateral
bracing to preclude out-of-plane buckling of a truss or an element of the truss, that is a chord
member or web member. The building designer is responsible to ensure that an adequate load path
and anchorage of the bracing is provided.
C. LOADING
The standard does not establish the appropriate loading requirements for which a truss
should be designed. In most cases, these loads are adequately covered by the applicable building
code or standard. In the absence of such a code, the loads, forces, and combinations of loads
should be in accordance with accepted engineering practice for the geographical area under
consideration as specified by the applicable sections of the American Society of Civil Engineers
Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE 7 (ASCE, 2006) in the United
States and Mexico, and the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC, 2005) in Canada.
Currently, ASCE 7 (ASCE, 2006) has no geographical-based information on Mexico.
Therefore, users with projects in the Mexico should work with the appropriate authority having
jurisdiction to determine appropriate loads and load combinations that are consistent with the
assumptions and rationale used by ASCE 7.
D. TRUSS DESIGN
The provisions contained in this section of the standard address the various design aspects
related to truss strength [resistance]. The strength determinations required by the standard are
in accordance with either the Allowable Strength Design (ASD), Load and Resistance Factor
Design (LRFD) or Limit States Design (LSD) methods given by AISI S100 [CSA S136], (AISI,
2007a; CSA, 2007), except where additional research studies have indicated an alternative
approach is warranted.
D3 Analysis
The structural analysis requirements contained in the standard are based on available
information pertaining to the behavior of cold-formed steel C-shaped section truss assemblies
(Harper, 1995; LaBoube and Yu, 1998). These requirements do not preclude the use of more
rigorous analysis or design assumptions as determined by rational analysis and/or testing.
D4 Member Design
D4.1 Properties of Sections
AISI S100 [CSA S136] has been shown to be a highly reliable for determining the design
cross-section properties of C-shapes and other simple geometries. However, recent
proprietary research has shown that for more complex shapes utilizing longitudinal
stiffeners, AISI S100 [CSA S136] provisions may not provide an accurate estimate of the loadcarrying capacity. In the absence of an analytical solution for these more complex shapes,
tests in accordance with Section F1 of AISI S100 [CSA S136] are necessary.
D4.2 Compression Chord Members
When subjected to gravity load, the compression chord member may experience the
combined effects of bending and axial compression. The design for combined load effects is
governed by Section C5.2 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
Engineering design specifications recognize the need for using rational analysis and/or
test to define an effective length factor. The standard permits the use of either rational
analysis and/or testing.
Based on research on C-shaped section trusses conducted at the University of MissouriRolla (UMR), (Harper, 1995; Ibrahim, 1998) it was determined that the unbraced lengths, Lx
and Lt , may be taken as equal to the distance between the panel points. It was also
discovered that where sheathing is attached to the chord member and where the compression
chord member is continuous over at least one intermediate panel point, and is continuous from
the heel to the pitch break, heel to heel (in the case of a parallel chord truss), or breakpoint of a
truss, Ly, may be taken as the distance between sheathing connectors. Engineering judgment
indicates that where sheathing is not attached to the top chord member Ly may be taken as the
distance between panel points.
The UMR research also determined that for a sheathed C-shaped section truss where the
compression chord member is continuous over at least one intermediate panel point, and is
continuous from the heel to the pitch break, or breakpoint of a truss Kx, Ky, and Kt may be
taken as 0.75. For other compression chord members, based on engineering judgment, Kx, Ky,
and Kt should be taken as unity.
An alternative design assumption for chord members in compression, based on
engineering practice and judgment, is to assume that the effective length be taken as the
distance between two adjacent points of contraflexure. In such case, the effective length
factor and Cm should be taken as unity.
The required effective length factors and unbraced lengths given in the standard for hat
shapes are based on engineering judgment. The Z-shape requirements are based on
proprietary testing.
Consistent with AISI S100 [CSA S136], the end moment coefficient, Cm, should be taken
as 0.85, unless a more rigorous analysis is performed to justify another value.
Requirements in the standard for the evaluation of the bending strength are based on
engineering judgment.
Ibrahim et al. (1998), determined that when a C-shaped section compression chord member
is subject to concentrated load at a panel point, the interaction of axial compression, bending
and web crippling must be considered. The researchers proposed the following ASD
interaction equation:
P
M
R 1.49
+
+
Pno M nxo R n
(Eq. D4.2.3-1)
Where:
P
= compression axial load
= bending moment
= concentrated load
Pno
= nominal axial strength computed at f = Fy
Mnxo
= nominal flexural strength computed at f = Fy
Rn
= nominal interior one-flange web crippling strength
= factor of safety, 1.95
The values of P and M are to be determined by structural analysis for the panel point in
question, where as R is the applied concentrated load at the panel point. The nominal
capacities are to be computed using AISI S100 [CSA S136]. Based on a statistical analysis
consistent with load and resistance factor design, the factor of safety was determined. The
standard also includes a similar equation applicable to the LRFD and LSD methods.
D4.3 Tension Chord Members
The design requirements prescribed by the standard for tension chord members is based
on experience and engineering judgment.
D4.4 Compression Web Members
The behavior of a compression web member is a function of the connection of the web
member to the chord member. For example, where C-shaped chord members and web members are
employed, a common connection detail is to attach the respective members back-to-back
through their webs. Such a connection detail creates in the web member an eccentric loading
condition. When an axial load is applied to a truss web member in this type of truss
construction, this eccentric loading condition will produce a bending moment in the member
that is acting out-of-plane to the truss. This bending moment needs to be analyzed using
Section D4.4 of this standard. In addition to the check in this standard, a compression web
member is to be analyzed with the axial load alone using Section C4 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
Researchers at the University of Missouri-Rolla (Rieman, 1996; Ibrahim et al., 1998)
determined that for a C-shaped compression web member that is attached through its web
element, the interaction of axial compression and out-of-plane bending may be determined
by the following ASD interaction equation,
c RP b C my RPe
+
1 .0
Pn
M ny y
(Eq. D4.4-1)
Where:
2
L /r
L /r
R =
0.22 0.6
+
88
173
L
= unbraced length of the compression web member
(Eq. D4.4-2)
= radius of gyration of the full section about the minor axis
Pn
= nominal axial strength based on Section C4.1 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
Only flexural buckling need be considered.
= eccentricity of compression force with respect to the centroid of the

full section of the web member
The parameter R is an experimentally determined reduction imposed on the axial load.

The equation is a fit to the average test data, which is a common practice in cold-formed steel
research. To recognize the lower limit on the tested L/r ratio, the standard stipulates R 0.6.
The intent of R is to recognize the increased significance of the bending effect, compared to
the axial effect for longer length web members. Unique to the application of the interaction
equation is the determination of the nominal axial strength based on flexural buckling alone.
Research showed that the minor axis bending, which resulted from the eccentrically applied
axial load, created a member deflection that enabled only flexural buckling. Thus, the
behavior of the web member was determined predominately by bending resulting from the
eccentric load. The parameters P, b, c, Cmy, Mny and y are defined in accordance with
Section C5.2.1 of AISI S100 [CSA S136]. The standard also includes a similar equation
applicable to the LRFD and LSD methods.
For compression web member cross sections other than a C-shape attached through its web
element, which has symmetry of loading, the axial compression load may be taken as acting
through the centroid of the section.
When computing the design strength, the effective lengths, KxLx, KyLy and KtLt, may be
taken as the distance between the center of the member's end connection patterns. This
assumption is consistent with the analysis approach used by UMR researchers (Rieman,
1996; Ibrahim et al., 1998).
D4.5 Tension Web Members
Tension web members may experience a reduction in load-carrying capacity when

subjected to combined axial load and bending. For C-shaped sections, this may be attributed
to the dominant behavior being that of bending resulting from the eccentric load. However,
testing has not documented that the combined loading compromises the integrity of the
tension member. Therefore, for a tension web member connected to the web element of a chord
member, or connected to a gusset plate, the standard permits the axial tension load to be taken
as acting through the centroid of the web member's cross section.
D4.6 Eccentricity in Joints
The standard does not specify the use of a multiple or single node structural analysis
model to account for the effects of eccentricity in joints. The truss stiffness will differ based
on whether a multiple or single node analysis is performed. When a multiple node analysis
is used, a node should be placed at each web member location where the centerline of the web
member meets the centerline of the chord member. When performing a single node analysis,
additional design considerations may be necessary. For example, eccentricity created by the
spatial relationship of the web members and the chord member at a joint may generate
additional moments, shears, and/or axial forces. Such moments and forces may be directly
reflected in a multiple node analysis model. Thus, when using a single node analysis model,
a secondary analysis and design check of the joint, or a load test may be required to justify
the design.
The standard defines a web member lap length as 75% of the chord member depth. This
minimum lap length is assumed, based on engineering judgment, to serve as a web shear
stiffener for the chord member. The chord member segment between the assumed stiffeners is to
be investigated for combined bending and shear, where a stiffened shear panel is assumed,
in accordance with Equation C3.3.1-2 of AISI S100 [CSA S136]. For truss configurations
having the web member lap length less that 75% the chord members depth, the chord member is
to be investigated for combined bending and shear in accordance with Equation C3.3.1-1 of
Along the length of the chord member, at the mid-point between the intersecting web
members, shear is to be evaluated by Section C3.2 of AISI S100 [CSA S136]. The shear buckling
coefficient is taken to be consistent with the assumed shear panel condition at the segments
ends as defined by Section C3.2 of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
Based on experience, where screws are used as the connector, a minimum of four screws
should be used in a web member to chord member connection and the screws should be equally
distributed in their group.
D5 Gusset Plate Design

To establish a design methodology for thin gusset plate connections in compression, a
testing program consisting of 49 specimens was conducted at the University of Missouri-Rolla
(Lutz 2004). Two separate models were developed to predict the capacity of the plates. Both
plate buckling and column buckling models were studied. Although both models are sufficient
for calculating the strength of the gusset plates, it was recommended that the plate-buckling
model be used in design. The plate-buckling model, assuming f=Fy, k=4 and w=Wmin, provided
a better correlation to the test data. A limited number of tests were performed to determine the
strength gain in gusset plates with edge stiffeners. The results of tests in which both edges of the
gusset plate parallel to the applied load had edge stiffeners showed an approximate strength
increase of 25% for the plates.
The gusset plate design provisions in the standard require that Wmin be taken as the lesser of
the actual gusset plate width or the Whitmore section, which defines a theoretically effective
cross section based on a spread-out angle of 30 along both sides of the connection, beginning at
the first row of fasteners in the connection. The first row of fasteners is defined as the row of
fasteners that are the furthest away from the section of gusset plate being considered. Figure D51 illustrates how Wmin can be determined for a typical fastener pattern connecting a truss chord
member to a gusset plate at a typical pitch break connection at the ridge of a roof truss.
Determining Wmin for other conditions would be analogous.
first row of
fasteners
Whitmore
section
30
truss member
Figure D5-1 Whitmore Plate Width
The gusset plate design provisions in the standard require that Leff be taken as the average
length between the last rows of fasteners of adjacent truss members. Figure D5-2 illustrates how
Leff can be determined for a typical pitch break connection at the ridge of a roof truss.
Determining Leff for other conditions would be analogous.
For gusset plates in tension, reference is made to the requirements of AISI S100 [CSA S136].
These requirements include checks on the gross and net area of the gusset plate, shear lag and
group or tear-out of fasteners. Engineering judgment is required to determine the portion of the
gusset plate to be included in the gross and net area checks.
last row of
fasteners
last row of
fasteners
Leff
truss member
(a) Without King Post
last row of
fasteners
Leff
Leff
last row of
fasteners
truss web
member
truss chord member
(b) With King Post
Figure D5-2 Effective Length for Typical Pitch Break Connection
D6 Connection Design
D6.1 Fastening Methods
Although the common fastening system used by the industry is the self-drilling screw,
the standard permits the use of bolts, welds, rivets, clinches, and other technologies as
approved by the truss designer. Screw, bolt, and weld connections are to be designed in
accordance with AISI S100 [CSA S136]. If other fastener types, such as rivets, clinches,
rosettes, adhesives, etc., are to be used in the fabrication of the truss, the design values are to
be determined by tests, and the design strength determined in accordance with Section F1 of
10
For the design of connecting elements, such as plates, gusset plates, and brackets,
reference is made to AISI S100 [CSA S136], which in turn makes reference to Section J4 of the
American Institute of Steel Construction's Load and Resistance Design Specification for
Structural Steel Buildings (AISC, 2005).
D6.2 Coped Connections for C-Shaped Sections
The design engineer should give special attention to the heel and pitch break connections
of the truss to ensure structural integrity of the truss.
At a pitch break, coped members may be reinforced to prevent web buckling of the chord
member. Attachment of a track section of the same thickness as the chord member, thus
creating a box section, and having a length equal to the depth of the chord member has been
shown to provide adequate reinforcement (Ibrahim, 1998). Lateral bracing is also important
to stabilize the pitch break from overall buckling. At the heel, a bearing stiffener may be needed
to preclude web crippling (Koka, 1997).
At a heel connection, UMR research (Koka, 1997) determined that coping reduces both
the shear buckling and web crippling strength of the coped bottom chord member. The UMR
research proposed that where a coped flange had a bearing stiffener with a minimum moment
of inertia (Imin) of 0.161 in.4 (67,000 mm4), the shear strength could be calculated in accordance
with AISI S100 [CSA S136] Section C3.2, but required a reduction as defined by the following
factor, R:
R = 0.976 +
0.556c 0.532d c
1.0
h
h
(Eq. D6.2-1)
The cited limits in the standard reflect the scope of the experimental study and apply
only to connections where the bottom chord member is coped.
Where a bearing stiffener not having the minimum moment of inertia is used, web
crippling controlled the heel connection strength (Koka, 1997). Therefore, the standard
requires that the computed end-one-flange web crippling strength at the heel, as determined
by AISI S100 [CSA S136] Section C3.4 be reduced by the following factor:
R = 1.036 +
0.668c 0.0505d c
1 .0
h
h
(Eq. D6.2-2)
The cited limits in the standard reflect the scope of the experimental study.
Where c = length of cope and dc = depth of cope as illustrated in Figure D6.2-1. Imin of
the stiffener is computed with respect to an axis parallel to the web of the bottom chord
member.
11
Depth of cope
Length of cope
Figure D6.2-1: Definition of Truss Coping Dimensions
D7 Serviceability
Serviceability limits are to be chosen based on the intended function of the structure, and
should be evaluated based on realistic loads and load combinations as determined by the
building designer. Because serviceability limits depend on the function of the structure and the
perception of the occupant, it is not possible to specify general limits in the standard. As a guide
to the designer, the maximum allowable deflection of the chord member of a truss resulting from
gravity load, excluding dead load, may be taken as the following:
Span/360 for plaster ceilings
Span/240 for flexible type ceilings
Span/180 for no finished ceiling
Span/480 for floor systems
Although the use of a deflection limit has been used to preclude vibration problems in the
past, some floor systems may require explicit consideration of the dynamic characteristics of the
floor system.
Truss serviceability is evaluated at nominal [specified] load. When computing truss
deflections, the standard permits the use the full cross-sectional area of the truss members. The
use of full areas is warranted because a truss system is a highly indeterminate structural system,
and local buckling of an individual member does not appreciably affect the stiffness of the truss
at design load.
12
E. QUALITY CRITERIA FOR STEEL TRUSSES

The practices defined herein have been adopted by the standard as commonly accepted
practice. In the absence of other instructions in the contract documents, the provisions of Section
E are the quality standard for the manufacturing processes of steel trusses to be used in
conjunction with an in-plant quality assurance procedure and a truss design.
13
F. TRUSS INSTALLATION & BRACING

Cold-formed steel trusses are planar structural components. The structural performance
depends on the trusses being installed vertically, in-plane, at specified spacing, and being
properly braced. The installer is responsible for receipt, storage, erection, installation, field
assembly, and bracing. The practices defined herein have been adopted by the standard as
commonly accepted practice.
F2 Permanent Bracing
Permanent bracing ensures that the truss is an integral part of the roof and building
structure. For additional guidance refer to the Light Gage Steel Engineers Association (LGSEA)
Tech Note 551e, Design Guide for Permanent Bracing of Cold-Formed Steel Trusses (LGSEA, 1998).
Permanent bracing may include diagonal bracing, cross bracing, and lateral bracing. Sheathing
may also be used to provide stability, but reliance on sheathing material must be documented in
the structural submittal.
Lateral bracing, which may be required by the truss design to reduce the buckling length of
chord members or web members of a truss, is part of the truss design and is the only bracing
specified on the truss design drawings. This bracing must be sufficiently anchored or restrained
by diagonal bracing to prevent its movement. Effective lateral bracing should restrain lateral and
rotational movements of the compression member in question. Single sided bracing may not be
fully effective to restrain such movements for concentrically loaded members having large h/t
ratios. It is suggested that for compression members having depths less than four inches (102
mm) and thickness greater than or equal to 0.033 inches (0.84 mm), the single sided brace will be
effective. For compression members that do not conform to these limits, single sided lateral
bracing should be considered as ineffective for buckling restraint, and bracing should be
provided on both flanges.
Sheathing, metal panels, or other approved materials used as permanent bracing is to be
designed to act as a diaphragm. Where metal roofing materials are used to act as a diaphragm they
are to be properly lapped and connected in accordance with the specification of the building
designer.
When purlins are used to act as permanent bracing, an adequate attachment of the purlins
to a diagonal brace or diaphragm is necessary to provide a load path for the brace forces.
Bottom chord member plane permanent bracing is required to maintain the truss design
spacing and to provide lateral support to the bottom chord member to resist buckling forces in
the event of stress reversal due to wind uplift or unequal roof or floor loads.
For multiple bearing trusses or cantilever conditions, portions of the bottom chord member
becomes a compression member and must be braced laterally to resist buckling in the same
manner as the top chord member of simple span trusses.
Permanent diagonal bracing and associated continuous lateral braces are not required
where the bottom chord members of trusses are braced by engineered horizontal diaphragms, for
example, properly attached gypsum wallboard sheathing.
The building designer is responsible for specifying how the permanent lateral bracing is to be
anchored or restrained to prevent lateral movement if all truss members, so braced, buckle
together. Such bracing may be accomplished by anchorage to solid walls, diagonal bracing in the
plane of the web members, or other equivalent means.
14
F4 Delivery, Handling And Installation

Care needs to be exercised at all times to avoid damage through handling during storage,
delivery, unloading, and erection of trusses. Field installation of the trusses, including
considerations such as proper handling, safety precautions, temporary and permanent bracing,
and other safeguards or procedures, is not the responsibility of the truss fabricator, truss
designer, or the metal components manufacturer. During installation each truss must be
temporarily braced. The installer must ensure that handling and installation procedures do not
reduce the load-carrying capacity of the truss.
All trusses should be securely braced, both during erection and after permanent installation.
Because individual trusses are designed only as structural components, the function of bracing is to
cause all elements of the roof system to act as a unit to resist applied loads.
Temporary bracing is used during erection to hold the trusses until permanent bracing,
sheathing, and ceilings are in place. Construction loads, for example stacked roofing material,
must never be placed on unbraced trusses because trusses are laterally unstable until adequate
bracing is installed. For guidance on temporary bracing during construction, refer to the LGSEA
Tech Note 551d, Design Guide for Construction Bracing of Cold-Formed Steel Trusses (LGSEA, 1996)
and the American Institute of Steel Construction's Steel Design Guide Series #10 on Erection
Bracing of Low-Rise Structural Steel Buildings (AISC, 2003).
15
G. TEST METHODS
Design calculations require the application of approved materials and cross section
properties. When calculations are used to define the structural performance of a truss assembly,
the structural performance may be verified by full-scale test. However, when the structural
performance cannot be determined by calculation, the structural performance must be
determined by test. This standard provides guidance for both component and full-scale load
tests.
G1 Component Structural Performance Load Test

The load test procedures contained in the standard may be used to confirm or define the
design methodology for a chord member or a web member of a truss assembly. This test protocol is
intended for use in the testing of truss assembly components fabricated using cold-formed steel
structural members.
Because the flexural strength of a truss member may be bending (yielding or buckling),
shear, web crippling, or combinations thereof, this test protocol defines what should be
considered in regard to a test, it does not define for the testing agency how to do the test. This
leaves the selection of the test fixture and loading medium to the discretion of the testing
agency. For details of test apparatus and procedures that have been used for such purposes, but
in no way should be regarded as mandatory, see Hetrukul and Yu (1978), LaBoube and Yu
(1978a, 1978b, 1982), and Yu (2000).
This protocol also outlines the procedures to be followed to define the compression
strength of a truss component for static load. Because the compression strength of a truss
component may be local buckling or overall column buckling, this procedure defines what to do
in regard to performing a test, it does not tell the testing agency how to do the test. This leaves
the selection of the test fixture and loading medium to the discretion of the testing agency.
Load tests can be hazardous to the individuals performing or observing the tests, and also
can damage the testing fixtures or the structure housing the test setup due to a sudden release
of stored energy at failure. Care should be exercised in the preparation of the test setup to
ensure that the failure of a test specimen will not result in a secondary collapse of a structural
element not involved in the test.
The number of similar components that should be tested will vary with the desired
precision and reliability of the information to be obtained and with the purpose of the test.
Loads may be measured using one or more of the following devices. Pressure gages or load
cells can be incorporated into a hydraulic loading system. These devices must be calibrated with
the jacks or cylinders at different positions of piston travel to ensure a true loading history.
Deflection readings may be taken in a variety of ways. One of the simplest methods is by
the use of a taut wire or monofilament line stretched between supports in combination with a
mirror-scale located at the desired deflection measuring points. When the taut wire method is
used, care must be taken to ensure that the wire will remain under tension during the entire
test. This can be accomplished by incorporating a spring into the line or by letting one end run
over a pulley with a weight attached to the line. Deflections are read on a scale with a mirror
backing. The mirror-scale deflection-measuring device is read by visually lining up the top of
the wire with its image on the mirror and then reading the scale.
Other commonly used deflection measuring devices are such things as direct reading
16
micrometer dial gages, optical levers used to read scales attached to the truss, linearly variable
differential transformers (LVDT), or a combination of flexible wire attached at deflection points
and monitored remotely through a system of pulleys attached to dial gages.
G2 Full-Scale Confirmatory Load Test

This test protocol is intended for use in the testing of truss assemblies fabricated using coldformed steel structural members and connections. A confirmatory test is performed with the intent
of verify structural performance as defined by calculations in accordance with a recognized
specification and/or standard. Because design was in accordance with a specification or
standard, all that is needed is that the tested specimen demonstrates strength not less than the
applicable calculated strength [resistance].
The test protocol does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this protocol to establish appropriate safety and health
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitation prior to use.
A full-scale truss test is the test of a structural system. It is generally accepted that a factor
of safety of 1.5 is for overload and nothing above it should be expected in an in-situ test since
the other uncertainties may already have been used up. If the test is done under laboratory
conditions, 1.65 is a reasonable factor of safety since fabrication and erection uncertainties are
minimized. This factor of 1.65 is consistent with the recommendations of the Steel Joist Institute.
This protocol outlines the procedures to be followed in the static load testing of load
carrying truss assemblies. While the procedure tells what to do, it does not tell the testing
agency how to do it. This leaves the selection of the test fixture and loading medium to the
discretion of the testing agency.
Full-scale load tests of any large size specimen such as a truss can be hazardous to the
individuals performing or observing the tests, and also can damage the testing fixtures or the
structure housing the test setup due to a sudden release of stored energy at failure. Care should
be exercised in the preparation of the test setup to ensure that the failure of a test specimen will
not result in a secondary collapse of a structural element not involved in the test.
The test fixture and load application means should be designed with adequate strength and
stiffness to ensure that it is the test specimen that is being tested and not the test fixture.
In a single truss test, frequently the support at one end will allow rotation but not
translation (a rocker) and the other will allow both rotation and translation (a roller) so as not to
induce additional unintentional secondary stresses into the test truss as it deforms under load.
The loading devices should result in the desired truss-loading situation regardless of
whether uniform, concentrated, or a combination of both. The loading system should be such as
to allow the application of loads during the test to approximate the overall intended in-service
load distribution. Care should be taken to avoid eccentrically applied loads unless this type of
loading is desired.
G3 Full-Scale Performance Load Test

This test protocol is intended for use in the testing of truss assemblies fabricated using coldformed steel structural members and connections when calculation of the safe strength cannot be
made in accordance with recognized calculation design specifications or standards.
17
REFERENCES
(AISC, 2005), Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, American Institute of Steel Construction,
Chicago, IL, 2005.
(AISC, 2003), Erection Bracing of Low-Rise Structural Steel Buildings, Steel Design Guide Series
#10, American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago, IL, 2003.
(AISI, 2007a), North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members,
AISI S100-07, American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC, 2007.
(AISI, 2007b), North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing - General Provisions, AISI
S200-07, American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC, 2007.
(AISI, 2007c), North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing Truss Design, AISI S214-07,
American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC, 2007.
(ASCE, 2006), Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE 7-05 Including
Supplement No. 1, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA, 2006.
(CSA, 2007), North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members,
CAN/CSA S136-07, Canadian Standards Association, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, 2007.
Galambos, T. V. (1988), Reliability of Structural Steel Systems, Report No. 88-06, American
Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, DC, 1998.
Harper, M. M. (1995), Cold-Formed Steel in Residential Trusses, thesis presented to the
faculty of the University of Missouri-Rolla in partial fulfillment for the degree Master of Science,
1995.
Hetrakul, N., and Yu, W. W. (1978), Structural Behavior of Beam Webs Subjected to Web
Crippling and a Combination of Web Crippling and Bending, Final Report, Civil Engineering
Study 78-4, University of Missouri-Rolla, 1978.
Ibrahim, T. M., LaBoube, R. A., and Yu, W. W. (1998), Behavior of Cold-Formed Steel Roof
Trusses Subjected to Concentrated Loads, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Elsevier
Science Ltd., Vol. 46. Nos. 1-3, 1998.
Koka, E. N. (1997), Structural Behavior of Coped Web Elements of Cold-Formed Steel
Members, thesis presented to the faculty of the University of Missouri-Rolla in partial
fulfillment for the degree Doctor of Philosophy, 1997.
LaBoube, R. A., and Yu, W (1978a), Structural Behavior of Beam Webs Subjected Primarily to
Shear Stress, Final Report, Civil Engineering Study 78-3, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla,
MO, 1978.
LaBoube, R. A., and Yu, W (1978b), Structural Behavior of Beam Webs Subjected to a
Combination of Bending and Shear, Final Report, Civil Engineering Study 78-2, University of
Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO, 1978.
LaBoube, R. A., and Yu, W. W. (1982), Bending Strength of Webs of Cold-Formed Steel
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AISI S214 07

1st Printing June 2007

North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing Truss Design

AISI COMMITTEE ON FRAMING STANDARDS

Steve Fox, Vice Chairman

Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute

Jay Larson, Secretary

American Iron and Steel Institute

Steel Stud Manufacturers Association

ITW Building Components Group

John F. Butts & Associates

NAHB Research Center

Super Stud Building Products

USP Structural Connectors

Matsen Ford Design Associates

Aegis Metal Framing

The Steel Network

Johns Hopkins University

Santa Clara University

California Expanded Metal Products

Kansas State University

T.W.J. Trestain Structural Engineering

Steven H. Walker, P.Eng.

North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing Truss Design

TRUSS DESIGN SUBCOMMITTEE

ITW Building Components Group

Jay Larson, Secretary

American Iron and Steel Institute

Steel Stud Manufacturers Association

John F. Butts & Associates

Dietrich Design Group

NAHB Research Center

Steel Truss and Component Association

Aegis Metal Framing

Steven H. Walker, P.Eng.

D. TRUSS DESIGN ......................................................................................................................5

E. QUALITY CRITERIA FOR STEEL TRUSSES ........................................................................ 12

Quality Assurance ..................................................................................................................... 12

North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing Truss Design

F. TRUSS INSTALLATION AND BRACING .............................................................................. 14

G. TEST METHODS .................................................................................................................. 16

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing Truss Design

NORTH AMERICAN STANDARD FOR COLD-FORMED STEEL FRAMING

loads and load combinations considered

The truss design drawings shall include, as a minimum, the following:

slope, depth, span, and spacing of the truss

design loads in accordance with Section C

North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing Truss Design

horizontal, vertical, or other truss deflection due to design loads

North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing Truss Design

end moment coefficient in interaction formula

North American Standard For Cold-Formed Steel Framing Truss Design

Kt shall be taken as 0.75. Otherwise, Kt shall be taken as unity. As an alternative,

bending coefficient dependent on moment gradient

D4.2.3 When a C-shaped section compression chord member is subject to concentrated

required compressive axial strength

For LRFD and LSD:

required [factored] compressive axial strength [resistance]