Applications of Timber

Teaching Resource

Applications of Timber teaching resource package provides an

overview of timber applications in building.
This resource covers a variety of topics and is suitable for
inclusion in Civil Engineering, Architecture and Building courses
at University level, and a large number of courses in the
Building and construction streams at Trade Training level.
The series of PowerPoint files can be downloaded and used in
your classes.

Go to www.education.WoodSolutions.com.au for up to date

teaching resources.
WoodSolutions Teaching Resource
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Process Overview
Roof truss setout is about applying truss technology
correctly to roof shapes in the building design. The process
is as follows:
 Use roof lines on the drawings to convert roof shapes
into discrete truss areas known as “blocks”
 Set the positions of key trusses in each block
 Set the positions of remaining trusses
 Determine where valley infills are required (at joins in
truss blocks)
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Process Overview
For newcomers to roof design it is a good idea to learn
how to read roof designs in terms of lines on a drawing.

Some may already have this skill. if not click here to learn
about how to Read Roof shapes from drawings.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Converting Roof Shapes into Truss Blocks
 Truss setout begins by breaking the roof shape up into
individual truss blocks. Roof lines read from the drawing
assist this process.
 Use ridge lines to help identify individual blocks
 Identify spans for each block using ridge lines and
support wall locations
 Define block lengths using ridge lengths plus roof ends
e.g. gables, hips, Dutch gables
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Converting Roof Shapes into Truss Blocks
 The steps are repeated over and over until each block is
defined .
 Start with the widest block then gradually work towards
the smallest.
 To demonstrate a simple roof shape will be used to
provide a worked example
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Using Ridge Lines to identify individual blocks

Ridge lines determine the span and the direction of the

trusses.
The number of ridges usually determines the number of
different truss blocks in the overall roof area (i.e. 2 ridges
= 2 blocks).

‘A’

‘B’
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Using Ridge Lines to identify individual blocks

Start by selecting the most central ridge in the plan

and/or the highest ridge when viewed in perspective or
elevation. This usually identifies the block with the
widest span.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Defining Block Span
 Define the span of the widest block using the ridge line
in conjunction with “Pitching lines”
 Pitching lines are defined by the heel points of trusses.
The distance in between the points represents the span
(as taken from the outside of the support walls).
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Defining Block Span

To help find the heel points:

 Look at the roof in cross section - work down the ridge
along the underside of the top chords until intersecting
with the underside of the bottom chord i.e. the heel
point
 The heel point is also usually at the outer edge of the
support walls - an exception is where cantilevered
trusses are involved
 Be careful to differentiate the support parts of the wall
from other parts e.g. don’t include the brick veneer.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Defining Block Span

Once the span has been determined translate it to lines on

either side of the block (in this case either side of ridge
line A). These lines are referred to as “Pitching lines”

‘A’ Block
span
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Defining Block Length

 The ridge length plus roof end types define the block
length.
 End types include treatments such as Gable ends, Dutch
gable ends and Hip ends that occur at the end of the
ridge line (but exclude overhangs).
Block length
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Defining Secondary Truss Blocks

Having completed Block A other areas such as Block B

must be dealt with.
If there are more than one of these “secondary” areas
they should be dealt with in order of span, largest to
smallest.
Block
‘A’

Block Block
span
‘B’
Block
length
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Closing Interface Openings

At the interface between truss blocks such as the interface

between Blocks A and B the situation occurs where there
are no support walls to carry trusses spanning Block A.

Block
‘A’

Block
‘B’
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Closing Interface Openings

To make up for the missing wall, a “Standard Girder” Truss

must be placed across the missing link to support trusses
spanning Block A.
Standard girders are usually set out before other trusses.
They are given a specific location referred to as a “station”
and this effects the setout of other trusses.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Closing Interface Openings

In the example below the Standard Girder spans Block B

rather than Block A. This comes by virtue of defining the
blocks in order of the widest span to the smallest and
automatically ensures the Standard Girder spans only the
smaller of the two blocks.

Block
‘A’
Block
‘B’
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Locating key trusses for different end types

Having located standard girder trusses necessary to close

off truss blocks the next step is to locate key trusses
associated with each end type including Gable ends, Hip
ends and Dutch gable ends.
Each type has a key truss with a fixed location that
determines the setout of other trusses in and around the
end.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Gable Ends

 Gable end trusses are positioned either above or

immediately next to the inside of end walls.
 Surrounding trusses are set out relative to the chosen
point (i.e. standard trusses are spaced inwards towards
the centre of the block; overhang trusses or verge
framework are spaced outwards).
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Gable Ends

The choice between locating the Gable end truss “on” or

“next to” the end wall depends on structural
considerations.
For instances Gable end trusses may be fully supported by
the end wall or free spanning between the side walls but
next to the end wall.
A separate presentation is available for greater detail on
construction of Gable and Eaves.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Hip Ends

The hip end is built around the Truncated Girder truss

which transfers the weight of the hipped roof section to
the side walls.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Hip Ends

The Truncated Girder truss (shown in blue and marked TG)

must be positioned before other hip end trusses are
positioned. The location is critical and is referred to as a
“Truncated Girder Station” (TGS)

TGS
TG
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Hip Ends

If the Truncated Girder is not located correctly the trusses

it supports will be too high or too low.
The station varies according to the needs of the design but
most are around 2300mm in from the end wall.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Hip Ends

Hip trusses (shown in blue) are placed along the hip lines
after locating the Truncated Girder.
The top chords of these trusses pass over the Truncated
Girder finishing at the apex. To assist this the first
Standard truss may be placed across the apex to help
stabilise the ends of the Hip trusses (as shown behind the
Truncated Girder in green)
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Hip Ends

Jack trusses are added across the mid section of the hip
end (shown in brown). Again the top chord of these
trusses passes over the Truncated Girder.
They butt into the Hip trusses or the apex (if using a
centred Jack truss) and graduate in length as they
progress up the hip.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Hip Ends

Creeper trusses are spaced

between the Jack, Hip and
Truncated Girder trusses (as
shown with brackets below).
These trusses butt into the Hip
truss and graduate in size as they
progress up the hip.
Unlike jack trusses these trusses
relate to the lower end of the hips
and therefore the top chord does
not extend over the Truncated
Girder.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Hip Ends
The Standard Truncated
truss (shown in blue)
occurs higher up the hip -
between the Truncated
Girder and the first
Standard Truss.
It doesn’t carry extra loads
like the Truncated Girder
truss. It acts simply as a
regularly spaced truss but
with the top cut-off to suit
the roof shape.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Alternative Hip End Setout

Hips are sometimes setout using alternative framing

methods to the method just shown. These methods still
use the truncated trusses but hip, jack and creeper
trusses may be replaced by conventional rafters and
ceiling joists.

Two approaches to this are shown as follows.

ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Truss Plan for Hip End
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Alternative Hip End Setout

The method below is notable for the way the Truncated

Girder carries the loads of the ceiling joists, creeper rafters
and hip rafters:
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Alternative Hip End Setout

The ceiling joists (shown brown) run into the bottom chord
of the Truncated Girder truss.
The hip rafters (shown blue) run over the Truncated Girder
and up to the apex. The creeper rafters (shown brown) run
into the hip rafters.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Alternative Hip End Setout

The second alternative method still makes use of the

Truncated Girder to carry the ceiling joists creeper rafters
and hip rafters, but differs from the previous method in
running the ceiling joists parallel to the bottom chord of
the truncated girder truss.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Alternative Hip End Setout

It uses Hanger beams (shown in blue) to provide

intermediate support for the ceiling joists - the beams
are supported by the bottom chord of the Truncated
Girder truss
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Dutch Hips and Gables

Dutch Hips are also called Dutch gables and are built
around a special truss called a Dutch Hip Girder .
It must contend with the fact that a Dutch hip is, in
conceptual terms, half hip and half gable. The Girder
forms the interface between the two.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Dutch Hips and Gables

It has a waling plate fixed to one side of the truss which

provides support for the hip end trusses. The upper part
forms the face of the gable.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Dutch Hips and Gables
As with the other girder trusses, the Dutch Hip Girder
(shown by the blue line) is placed at the specified station
and this must be positioned before other trusses can be
setout.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Dutch Hips and Gables
The hip part of the roof structure is similar to an
abbreviated version of the setout used for hip ends (i.e.
Hip trusses are required as shown below. Jack truss and
creeper trusses are also required.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Adding Jack trusses
Setting out Dutch Hips and Gables
Differences between Hip Ends and Dutch Hips are:
• Generally no truncated trusses are involved (except in
wide roof blocks where a truncated trusses may be
placed in front of the DHG to deal with loads).
• The top chords of jack and hip trusses stop at the
waling plate.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Dutch Hips and Gables

Adding Creeper trusses (shown bracketed)

Like hip ends, Dutch Hips can be constructed using
conventional rafters and ceiling joists supported by the
Girder truss – these replace hip, jack and creeper trusses
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Truss Plan for Dutch Hip End
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Trusses between Ends
Having located Gable, Hip, and Dutch Hip ends
standard trusses for each block fit in between.
In this example the standard trusses for Block A
are shown in blue).
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Trusses between Ends

The trusses may be spaced:

 From one end until reaching the closing space at the
other end.
 From both ends until reaching the closing space in the
middle.
In either case the spacing must not exceed the nominated
maximum spacing (e.g. 600mm).
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Trusses between Ends

Though the term “standard” implies all trusses of this type

are the same they still vary slightly where things like
overhangs or cantilevers create specific needs.
Check the layout to identify where minor variations in
standard trusses may arise.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Setting out Trusses between Ends

For instance the blue trusses shown below do not have

overhangs where they butt into the girder truss (shown in
green). They therefore differ slightly compared to the
Standard trusses on either side.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Finished Truss Plan for Block A

Note there is no “overhang” where standard trusses are

supported by standard girder truss.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Joining Blocks With Valley Ends

Valley ends are used when connecting two perpendicular

truss blocks together as is the case in joining Blocks A and
B together. The valleys are actually made using saddle
trusses (shown in blue) to make the connection. They join
the roof planes of the two blocks thus forming a ridge line
and valley lines.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Plan View of Saddle trusses

Saddle Trusses sit on top of

Block A trusses
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Ensuring the best Truss Section is chosen

Special attention and review of truss design is required

where:
 Complex nests of roof shapes are involved – thus
creating complex interfaces between truss blocks.
 Roofs aren’t based on rectangular wall layouts – thus
making truss blocks hard to define.
 Truss blocks with abnormal proportions of span versus
length.
 Truss blocks that join in odd or tenuous ways.
 Truss blocks with different pitch heights either side
of the span.
ROOF TRUSS SETOUT
Ensuring the best Truss Section is chosen

In the previous situations multiple setout options may

present themselves. The following criteria provide some
tips for identifying the best option:
 Keep the cost of truss production down by keeping
girder trusses to the smallest span possible.
 Keep wide and open ceiling spans to a minimum -
internal walls that break up spans reduce the visual
impact of large cambers in long span trusses.
 Minimise the effect of heavy girder trusses on the wall
framing below (e.g. avoid girder trusses sitting
on lintels and other wall beams).
Further Information

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