Bowstring Truss Roof Construction

5 most common commercial bowstring truss manufacturers in california arch rib truss co.

Bowstring truss roof construction.

The major hazard attributable to timber truss construction which includes all timber truss roofs not just the bowstring arch may not be the construction itself but a combination of the following. They may have the same shape but shape alone does not define the bowstring truss. However they remain in place in older pre 1960s building stock. Buildings that contain any type of truss construction are susceptible to collapse from fire exposure in a very short amount of time.

While once a staple in the structural design of buildings with long span roofs the bowstring truss is now a piece of construction history. The property management company for a local pizza restaurant chain contacted us to repair a series of bowstring trusses to the 60 year old building that the restaurant occupied. For example bowstring trusses can be constructed of wood or steel. Bowstring trusses have the appearance of a rounded top chord utilizing many top chord panels of varying pitch.

Buildings built with bowstring truss roof structures have a number of other factors that can make them susceptible to collapse. All bowstring trusses are not created equal and do not share the same characteristics when found in a building and occupancy. Bowstring trusses were a popular solution for structurally supporting roofs from the 1900s through the 1950s especially in buildings where large open spans were desired manufacturing facilities garages warehouses among others. Several beams make up the arch while the roof outside is made up of metal sheets or other materials.

Along with brad young and associates the engineer of record our team performed repairs to eight trusses. Bowstring trusses can be manufactured today to match existing structures or to match the look of an older industrial style building. They are controversial today because of how they react when exposed to fire. One of the most easily identifiable when able to be visualized.