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INSTRUCTOR: James Vogt, P.E.

Course Length: 1 Hour

Sponsored by ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute and ASCE Continuing Education.

Metal plate connected wood (MPCW) trusses are engineered structural components assembled from lumber and metal connector plates.  MPCW trusses are typically designed using proprietary software developed by the connector plate manufacturers.  This software is dedicated exclusively to the design of trusses and contains the connector plate and lumber properties required for this design.  Because of the proprietary nature of the software, MPCW truss designs are often sealed by specialty engineers familiar with the design and application of trusses.  The specialty engineer’s seal on the truss design drawing can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations as to their overall role and responsibility in the design and construction process for a particular project. This webinar discusses the roles and responsibilities, from the perspective of the truss industry, of the various parties involved in a typical construction project involving MPCW trusses. Webinar attendees will also gain a better understanding of the information provided on a truss design drawing.

Purpose and Background   

MPCW trusses are designed as individual structural elements by component manufacturers using proprietary software developed by the connector plate manufactures.  The truss manufacturer is independent of the connector plate manufacturer, but through contractual agreement, uses the plate manufacturer’s software and metal connector plates to design and manufacture the trusses.   Component manufacturers can provide sealed truss design drawings in one of two ways: employ a professional engineer or contract with a company that provides professional truss design engineering services.  The specialty engineer’s seal on the truss design drawing certifies that the truss, if manufactured according to the information provided in the drawing, will work for the design conditions shown.  However, the adequacy of the truss design for the actual conditions it will be used in must be verified by the building designer.

Primary Discussion Topics

This webinar discusses the roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in the specification, design, construction and application of MPCW trusses and presents guidelines that can be used as an industry standard practice. This webinar also includes a detailed discussion of the important information contained on truss design drawings. The goal of this webinar is to provide the building designer with a better understanding of how the wood truss industry is structured and operates.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Provide a better understanding of MPCW trusses
• Increase awareness of how the metal plate connected wood truss industry typically conducts business,
• Review design responsibilities from the truss industry’s perspective, and
• Recognize the important information included on the truss design drawings, so they are able to perform their review of these drawings more effectively and efficiently

Webinar Benefits

Develop a better understanding of:
- The roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in the specification, design, construction and application of MPCW trusses.
- The important information included in the truss design drawings.
- How to integrate the trusses into the structural framing system for the building.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

Intended Audience

- Architects 
- Structural engineers
- Professional engineers and other building designers involved in the design and specification of projects using metal plate connected wood trusses

Webinar Outline

- Brief Introduction to the Truss Industry
- Industry Best Practices
- Design Responsibilities
- Truss Design Drawings
- Permanent Bracing

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]