TRADA trusses

In the post-war period, TRADA produced a number of designs for lightweight trusses in response to timber shortages. As with the earlier, more substantial trusses their purpose was to provide a means of supporting the purlins, precluding the need for internal loadbearing walls. TRADA trusses were normally positioned at 1.8–2.4m centres with common rafters and ceiling joists in between. Hangers and binders were often incorporated to provide support to the intermediate ceiling joists. The trusses were made up using a series of small section timbers bolted together to keep them rigid. The acceptable span depended on the size and arrangement of the timbers. The example shown overleaf is capable of spanning approximately 8m.