Deflection Limits for Floor Trusses

Overview
Revised 3/23/2017
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Copyright © 2017 Structural Building Components Association.

Introduction
• Building codes require buildings, structures and parts thereof
to be designed and constructed for strength and serviceability
– Strength requirements ensure the structure or member will be safe
– Serviceability requirements ensure the building or member remains
useful
• Serviceability issues are often overshadowed by strength
issues, as deflection concerns rarely affect life safety
• However, the vast majority of complaints received by
component manufactures relate to serviceability issues
Introduction
• Current building codes provide minimum
design requirements for floor deflection
• Manufacturers and trade associations often
recommend more stringent deflection
requirements to address serviceability or
appearance for a variety of products
including:
– Gypsum floor topping
– Light-weight concrete topping
– Ceramic or porcelain floor tile
– Natural stone flooring (including marble)
– Composite stone flooring
Introduction
• Although both deflection
of individual structural
members (including floor
trusses) and of the
subfloor material must be
considered, this
presentation focuses
solely on deflection of the Source:
imiweb.org
structural members
Key Definitions
• AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION (IBC Section 104.1) – The building official
authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of a building code who also
has the authority to render interpretations of this code and to adopt policies
and procedures in order to clarify the application of its provisions
• BUILDING DESIGNER (ANSI/TPI 1 Section 2.2) – The owner of the building or
the person that contracts with the owner for the design of the building
structural system and/or who is responsible for the preparation of the
construction documents. When mandated by the legal requirements, the
Building Designer shall be a registered design professional
• CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS (IBC Section 2) – Written, graphic and pictorial
documents prepared or assembled for describing the design, location and
physical characteristics of the elements of a project necessary for obtaining a
building permit
Key Definitions
• CONCENTRATED LOAD (SBCA Terminology) – Loading applied at a specific
point, such as a load-bearing wall running perpendicular to a truss, or a
roof-mounted A/C unit hanging from a truss.
• CREEP (SBCA Terminology) – Time-dependent deformation of a structural
member under constant load
• DEAD LOAD (D) (IBC Section 2) – The weight of materials of construction
incorporated into the building, including but not limited to walls, floors,
roofs, ceilings, stairways, built-in partitions, finishes, cladding and other
similarly incorporated architectural and structural items, and the weight of
fixed service equipment, such as cranes, plumbing stacks and risers,
electrical feeders, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems and
automatic sprinkler systems
Key Definitions
• DEFLECTION (Δ) (SBCA Terminology) – Amount a member sags or displaces under the
influence of forces
• LIVE LOAD (L) (IBC Section 2) – A load produced by the use and occupancy of the
building or other structure that does not include construction or environmental loads
such as wind load, snow load, rain load, earthquake load, flood load or dead load
• LOADS (IBC Section 2) – Forces or other actions that result from the weight of building
materials, occupants and their possessions, environmental effects, differential
movement and restrained dimensional changes. Permanent loads are those loads in
which variations over time are rare or of small magnitude, such as dead loads. All other
loads are variable loads (see “Nominal loads”)
• TRUSS DESIGN DRAWING (ANSI/TPI 1 Section 2.2) – Written, graphic and pictorial
depiction of an individual truss that includes information required in ANSI/TPI 1.
Background – IBC

• The IBC includes

specific requirements
regarding deflection in
Section 1604.3 and
specific requirements
for floor structural
members in Table
1604.3.
Background – IBC

• Table 1604.3 includes consideration of creep in

footnote d
Background – IBC
• Creep refers to time-
dependent deformation
of a structural member
under constant load.
• Factors that cause an
increase in creep include:
– Increased stress level
– Moisture content
– Temperature
Background – IRC
• The IRC includes
requirements for floor
installation, including for
floors with the floor
topping products covered
in this presentation
• The IRC does provide
deflection requirements,
but does not address
creep.
Background – TPI 1
• ANSI/TPI 1 (referenced
by the IBC and IRC)
includes:
– Section 7.6 provides
guidance for deflection
limits for trusses.
– TPI 1-2014 has been
updated to account for
the recent clarifications
in the IBC regarding
creep.
Application
• Truss design software typically
addresses code deflection
requirements by default; the building
designer may specify more stringent
criteria.
• Dead loads associated with floor
covering products may significantly
affect design limitations (strength,
deflection and creep)
• Thus, it is important for the building
designer to provide all the
information required in ANSI/TPI 1
Section 2.3.2.4, especially relating to
serviceability.
Application
• Live loads and concentrated
loads are typically code
specified or included in a
referenced document like
SEI/ASCE 7.
• Given complete and accurate
loading and serviceability
information, truss designs will
account for all the
considerations and include
pertinent information on the
Truss Design Drawing.
Application – Types of Deflection
• Deflection in a floor
assembly can occur in
multiple ways:
– Along the truss
– In the sheathing between the
trusses
– Differential movement
between adjacent trusses
• Deflection criteria are Source:
applicable to each imiweb.org
component
Application – Differential Expansion Causes
• Moisture
– Few tile installations are
waterproof.
– Unless a waterproof membrane is
installed, moisture from repeated
mopping or heavy wetting can
eventually cause problems
• Radiant Heating Systems
– Heating elements can create weak
points in the concrete leading to
cracking that can transmit to the
grout or tile unless an anti-fracture Source:
imiweb.org
membrane is used
Application – Poured Topping
• Although the poured topping industry
does not appear to provide generic
design information via a trade
association, typical deflection
requirements for both structural
members and subfloor are as follows:
– Live Load deflection L/360
– Total Load deflection L/240
• Poured topping installed thickness
and weight can vary widely. Typical
values include:
– ¾ʺ gypsum-based topping ~ 7 psf.
– 1” concrete-based topping ~ 12 psf
Application – Brittle Floor Coverings
• The IRC and IBC both reference
ceramic tile installation to be in
accordance with ANSI A108.1
A/B, A108.4, A108.5, A108.6,
A118.1, A118.3, A136.1 and
A137.1.
• The Tile Council of North America
(TCNA) publishes a Handbook for
Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile
Installation which provides
guidance, although it is not
referenced by the building codes.
Application – Brittle Floor Coverings
• TCNA substrate requirements include:
– Follow applicable building codes
– Ceramic tile – live load deflection shall not exceed L/360
– Stone tile – live load deflection shall not exceed L/720
– The owner should communicate loading requirements to
the designer
– Designer and contractor must make allowances for all live
and concentrated loads, including during construction and
maintenance, such as heavy vehicles
– See Typical Weight of Tile Installation for dead loads
including tile and setting bed. Typically, a 1/2"-thick mortar
bed will weigh about 6 psf.
– Tile contractor responsibilities with respect to subfloor
adequacy and installation
Application – Brittle Floor Coverings

• In a technical service bulletin, TCNA states the following:

– Recent research has shown tile to fail, under some conditions, when
the floor is more rigid than L/360. In fact, failures at L/600 have been
observed. It is for this reason that recommendations for floor rigidity
are not based on deflection measurements but on empirically
established methods found to work over normal code construction.
Application – Brittle Floor Coverings
• The TCNA Handbook includes assemblies with tile over wood which specify:
– Structural members
– Stated maximum on center spacing
– Specific subfloor & underlayment requirements
– Maximum tile size
– Other details as required
• Amongst TCNA listed assemblies:
– 23 floor systems utilize plywood. One OSB
– Eight require two-layer all plywood (i.e., subfloor & underlayment)
– Six allow supporting members to be spaced at 24” oc.
• Two permit supporting members to be spaced at 19.2” oc.
• The remaining require supports to be spaced at 16” oc or less.
Application – Brittle Floor Coverings
• TCNA also gives installation
guidelines:
– Subflooring and underlayment should
be installed with the strength axis
perpendicular to the supports and 1/8”
spacing (gap) between sheets
– Underlayment panel edges should be
offset from edges of subflooring by six
inches
– Underlayment panel ends should be
offset from subfloor panels ends by one
or more joist spaces plus at least 2” (6”
optimum)
– Attach underlayment to the subflooring
with ring shank nails or screws and not
to the floor joists or trusses
Application – Brittle Floor Coverings

• The following listed assemblies allow wood structural

members (including trusses) spaced at 24ʺ o.c.
Application – Brittle Floor Coverings
• The Engineered Wood
Association (APA) in cooperation
with TCNA, has tested a number
of floor systems with joists
spaced 24" o.c. with both
plywood and OSB (see APA
Technical Topic TT-006, Ceramic
Tile Over Wood Structural Panel
Floors, Revised May 1, 2014).
• It includes many of the same
assemblies as are listed in the
TCNA Handbook and some
additional.
Application – Marble Flooring
• The Marble Institute 3.8 Deflection of Surfaces
3.8.1 General Contractor Responsibility. It is the responsibility of the General
of America (MIA) also Contractor to provide a rigid, code-compliant structure that is adequate to
publishes installation accommodate the stone and its anchorage including all associated loads and
forces.
requirements 3.8.2 Cast-in-Place Concrete Floors. Design substrate for total load deflection
• The dead loads for not exceeding L/360, as measured between control or expansion joints.
3.8.3 Frame Construction. The subfloor areas over which stone tile is to be
stone flooring applied must be designed to have a deflection not exceeding L/720 of the span.
products vary widely, In calculating load, the weight of the stone and setting bed must be considered.
3.8.3.1 Strongbacks, cross-bridging or other reinforcement shall be used to limit
and must be differential deflection between adjacent framing members.
accounted for in 3.8.4 Maximum variation of a concrete slab or subfloor shall not exceed 1/8" in
10' from the required plane when thin set systems are applied.
addition to building
3.8.5 Allowance should be made for live load and impact, as well as all dead
code minimum load, including weight of stone and setting bed.
requirements 3.8.5.1 Mortar Bed Weight. For estimating purposes, mortar bed weight can be
approximated as 0.75 lb per square foot per each 1/16” of thickness.
3.8.5.2 Stone Weight. For estimating purposes, stone weight can be approximated as 1
lb per square foot per each 1/16” of thickness.
Differential Deflection
• Differential Deflection
refers to the relative
deflection of adjacent
trusses
• The Building Designer is
responsible for specifying
any limitations regarding
differential deflection
between adjacent trusses
(Section 2.3.2.4 of TPI 1)
Differential Deflection
• Conditions where differential
deflection may be objectionable:
– A bearing wall continuously supports
one truss in a series of trusses
otherwise supported only at their ends
– Trusses in hip systems where a
shallower and more heavily loaded
girder truss is adjacent to deeper
“common” trusses
– Truss with flat bottom chord is adjacent
to a scissors truss
– Partition walls oriented parallel to the
floor trusses, especially those
supporting cabinets or tile
Differential Deflection – TPI 1

• TPI 1 Commentary
Section §7.6.2 provides
a method for
addressing differential
deflection
∂ < 2 x Ls/Limit
Differential Deflection – TPI 1
6.2.2.1 Non-Bearing Partitions.
The weight of non-bearing partitions shall be permitted to be ignored for Truss design purposes given
the following conditions:
(a) Trusses are spaced less than or equal to 24 in. (610 mm) on center;
(b) All Top Chord panel lengths of supporting Trusses are less than or equal to 30 in. (760 mm) when the lumber
is oriented in the flat direction;
(c) Design live load of supporting Trusses results from a residential occupancy and is not more than 40 psf (1920
Pa); and
(d) Partition weight is less than or equal to 60 pounds per linear foot (875 N/m).
6.2.2.1.1 Non-Bearing Partition Weight Not Permitted to be Ignored.
If the conditions listed above do not exist, the Building Designer shall specify in the structural design
documents the non-bearing partition loads that need to be applied to the Trusses.
6.2.2.1.2 Non-Load Bearing Partitions Parallel to Supporting Trusses.
When non-load bearing partitions parallel to supporting Trusses are not located on or immediately
adjacent to a Truss, the sub-floor shall be of adequate strength and stiffness to support the non-load
bearing partition load, or other provisions shall be made by the Building Designer to distribute the non-
load bearing partition weight to the supporting Trusses.
Subfloor Deflection
• For information on the deflection of subfloor material see the following
resources:
– Ceramic Tile on Wood Floors, Frank E. Woeste Ph.D., P.E. & Peter Nielson
– Position of Underlayment to Prevent Cracked Tile and Grout, Frank E. Woeste P.E. &
Peter Nielson
– Preventing Cracked Tile and Grout, Frank E. Woeste & Peter Nielson
– Investigating Tile Failures on Wood-Frame Floor Systems, Frank E. Woeste & Peter
Nielson
– CTIOA Field Report 2001-11-19 Ceramic Tile Over Wood Sub-Floors Regarding
Deflection, David deBear, CTC
– Deflection Limitations, Dale Kempster
– Universal Floor Tester: An Opportunity for Improved Ceramic Tile Assembly
Evaluations, Sean Gerolimatos, Dale Kempster, Peter Nielsen, Frank Woeste
References
• 2015 International Building Code
• 2015 International Residential Code
• ANSI A108.01 – General Requirements: Subsurfaces and Preparations by Other Trades
• ANSI A108.02 – General Requirements: Materials, Environmental, and Workmanship
• ANSI A108.1A – Installation of Ceramic Tile in the Wet-Set Method, with Portland Cement Mortar
• A108.1B – Installation of Ceramic Tile on a Cured Portland Cement Mortar Setting Bed with Dry-Set
or Latex-Portland Cement Mortar
• ANSI A108.4 – Installation of Ceramic Tile with Organic Adhesive or Water Cleanable Tile-Setting
Epoxy Adhesive
• ANSI A108.5 – Ceramic Tile Installed with Dry-Set or Latex-Portland Cement Mortar
• ANSI A108.6 – Ceramic Tile Installed with Chemical Epoxy Mortar and Grout
• ANSI A108.8 – Installation of Ceramic Tile with Chemical Resistant Furan Resin Mortar and Grout
• ANSI A108.9 – Ceramic Tile Installed with Modified Epoxy Emulsion Mortar/Grout
References
• ANSI A118.1 – American National Standard Specifications for Dry-set Portland Cement Mortar
• ANSI A118.3 – American National Standard Specifications for Chemical-resistant, Water-cleanable
Tile-setting and -grouting Epoxy and Water Cleanable Tile-setting Epoxy Adhesive
• ANSI A137.1 – American National Standard Specifications for Ceramic Tile
• For a complete listing of standards related to the tile industry see the TCNA website.
• ANSI/AWC – National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction
• ANSI/TPI 1 – National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction
• APA Technical Topic TT-006, Ceramic Tile Over Wood Structural Panel Floors
• ASCE/SEI 7 – Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures
• Dimension Stone Design Manual version 7.2; Marble Institute of America
• SBCA Load Guide, version 2.02; Structural Building Components of America, 2016
• TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation; Tile Council of America. March 2015