Long Span - Wood vs. Steel

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Jennifer Schuler

October 20, 2019 15:55

Hi,

I have come across this topic in practice exams and find the more I study the more confused I get. If your given a long span in which a wood truss, glulam or a steel truss are all potential options, how do you know which one to use? 

I know things like construction type, occupancy, aesthetics, constructability, delivery truck size (maximum typically 60') all come in to play however if those specifics are not given I'm finding it difficult to decipher between the right systems. 

As an example, Architects Studio Companion lists Wood Glulam and Open Web Steel as long span options in most use cases however not Truss, why?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

 

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  jjennifer530 October 21, 2019 22:57

  I’m not at expert and I’m responding to get more knowledge on this as well. But I can say one thing for sure is the strength of all three of those options is different. Steel trusses vs wood trusses should have different strengths for sure. Please let me know if that makes any sense. Sorry if I didn’t help! Hopefully we can get more insight.

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  Mitulkumar Patel October 31, 2019 01:06

  if there are no other factors, aside from span distance, and you are assuming that you live in North Ncarbtown where the cost of all 3 of those members is the same... I would go with open web steel truss, simply because it will take lager loads while having smaller planum.

  if costs are a concern and you leave in the United States: wood truss > glulam > steel truss. though glulam and steel truss might switch paces depending on how far you are from the ocean.

  clear as mud?... sorry clear as silty luma at its liquid limit?

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  Jennifer Schuler October 31, 2019 10:44

  Very helpful thank you! Double checking to make sure I understand and sorry if this is obvious, if your closer to the ocean is Glulam or steel truss better?

  One other tidbit I found helpful as I continued to research this topic, I’ve tried to research photos of what you would typically see or simply try to ‘look up’ when I’m in say a parking garage or gymnasium or office building, to help me remember what the typical structural types are for certain use cases.

  If you ever find actual ncarbtown let me know..

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  Mitulkumar Patel November 14, 2019 02:07

  if you are closer to ocean, steel is bit cheaper b/c most of the heavy beams get shipped from Asia on pacific coast and WV and PA supplies most of east cost. In the some parts of country where big lumber mills are still operating, glulam is cheep.

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