PRYDA TRUSS SYSTEMS

CONTENTS
PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS ................2
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................3
FACTORS AFFECTING FLOOR PERFORMANCE ........................4
PERMANENT LOADS....................................................................5
SERVICEABILITY ...........................................................................6
SPAN TABLES ................................................................................7
RESIDENTIAL FLOORS ....................................................................7
COMMERCIAL FLOORS...................................................................8

INTERNAL WALLS .........................................................................9

INTERNAL NON-LOAD BEARING WALLS .......................................9

GUIDE TO SPECIFICATION

NON-LOAD BEARING WALLS UNDER ..........................................10

LOAD BEARING WALLS UNDER ...................................................10

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS & RAFTER TRUSS SYSTEMS

EXTERNAL WALLS .....................................................................11

FLOOR OPENINGS......................................................................12
DUCTS FOR MECHANICAL SERVICES ..................................14
CANTILEVERS..............................................................................14
STRONGBACKS ..........................................................................15
STABILITY BRACING ..............................................................17
SUPPORT AND CONNECTION DETAILS ................................17
FIXING AT SUPPORTS ...............................................................20
PRODUCT BENEFITS .................................................................20

PRYDA RAFTER TRUSS SYSTEMS.............21

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................21
PRODUCT BENEFITS .................................................................21
LOADING.......................................................................................21
SPAN TABLES ..............................................................................22
SERVICES .....................................................................................23
TIE DOWN AND FIXING DETAILS ............................................23
FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE ................................23
BRACING ......................................................................................24

Information for designers on the principles behind the design of Pryda open web parallel
truss floor and rafter truss systems and to incorporate relevant details within their specifications.

PRYDA TRUSS SYSTEMS

October 2004

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

INTERNAL BRACING
WALLS (Page 9)

DUCTS/SERVICES
(Page 14)
STRONGBACKS
(Page 15)

END DETAIL
(Page 17)

EXTERNAL
CANTILEVERS
(Page 14)

INTERNAL SUPPORTS
(Page 10)

STABILITY BRACING
(Page 17)

TOP CHORD SUPPORT

END DETAIL
(Page 19)

INTERNAL
CANTILEVERS
(Page 14)

PRYDA SPAN TRUSS

(Page 3)

PRYDA LONGREACH TRUSS

(Page 3)

STANDARD
END DETAIL
(Page 17)

STAIR OPENING DETAILS

(Page 12)

NOTE: Illustrations used in this guide showing only Pryda Longreach details also apply to Pryda Span.
Where Pryda Longreach and Pryda Span are shown together in the same illustration it signifies that the
details apply to both products, but the two products should not be used together as illustrated.

INTRODUCTION
Pryda Floor Truss Systems are a complete structural
system for timber floors made up of flooring material,
floor trusses, strongbacks, connections and bracing.
They have been proven over many years and provide
occupiers with floors that have an excellent and
predictably reliable performance.

There are two different types of web systems for these

trusses. Both have timber chords but Pryda Longreach
uses all-timber webs, while Pryda Span uses metal webs
for the diagonals and timber webs for the verticals.

The timber for these trusses is on flat, which provides a

stable platform during installation and minimises the
overall depth required. All trusses use commonly
available timber and most floor trusses in Australia are
made from 70 mm or 90 mm dry timber.

Both systems of Pryda floor trusses are generally made to

order by licenced fabricators. While there are standard end
details that allow trusses to be trimmed on site, this
practice is not common. This is not only because all
trusses are designed for an exact span for economic
reasons, but the interaction between the true span of the
trusses and the flooring should be considered for proper
dynamic performance assessment.

Pryda Longreach Trusses

PRYDA LONGREACH TRUSS

Longreach trusses are a premium performance product

using nailplated, all-timber trusses of any depth, but
typically 300 mm deep for residential floors and 400
mm deep for commercial floors.
Pryda Longreach trusses are referenced as FT200,
FT250, FT300, FT350 and FT400, where FT means
Floor Truss, and 200 is the nominal overall depth
(mm). The actual depth dimensions are in nominal size
steps, or may be individually specified as required for
the particular project.

Timber Webs

Right Way Up

Wrong Way Up

Pryda Span Trusses

Pryda Span trusses have metal diagonal webs for light
weight and economy. They are ideal for shallower trusses
where there is more clearance room to accommodate the
plumbing than with timber webs, and for trusses where
the chord design has some reserve capacity, as is often
the case. In some instances, a few diagonal metal webs
may have to be replaced by timber webs in these trusses,
as load or geometry considerations dictate.

PRYDA SPAN TRUSS

Metal Webs

Webs may be on both sides of the truss, or just on

alternate sides, and in the latter case this allows for the
webs to overlap.
Pryda Span trusses are referenced as PS20, PS25,
PS30, and PS40, where PS means Pryda Span, and
20 is the nominal overall depth (cm). The overall
depths are in specific steps, but are nominally 200 to
400 mm deep in 50 mm increments. The actual depth
dimensions are in nominal size steps according to the
metal web used, and if required, the specific depth
should be obtained from the Pryda licenced fabricator.

Right Way Up

Wrong Way Up

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

FACTORS AFFECTING FLOOR PERFORMANCE

Floor liveliness, or bounce, has been an intermittent
issue over the years with lightweight residential floors for all forms of timber and steel construction. To
eliminate these problems, Pryda Floor Systems are
designed to stringent dynamic performance criteria.
Pryda Floor Systems have three options for floor
performance that can be selected by the designer.
AS1684.1 as the minimum criteria
Pryda Normal is more stringent
Extra Stiff criteria used for those who want a superior
performance overall, or for tiled areas where cracks in
the grouting due to floor movement is to be
minimised.
The floor truss is only one component that can affect
the floor performance. On-site conditions are always
important and proper attention to detail must be taken
at the time of installation.

Flooring Material
The flooring material has a significant effect on the
perceived bounciness of a floor. It has the ability to
spread human impact loads depending on the material
and the thickness. Plywood acts differently to
particleboard, and T&G acts differently to both. A simple
way to improve floor performance is to select flooring
that is stiffer (e.g. thicker) than the minimum for your
chosen application.

Supporting Beams
If any floor system is supported on beams e.g. steel or
timber lintels/beams the amount of floor bounce in that
area can become unacceptable if it is not properly
assessed at design time. The dynamics of any
supporting beam and the dynamics of the truss must be
considered simultaneously as they interact with each
other. Each can be satisfactory in its own right, but not
satisfactory in combination.

Pryda Longreach Trusses

Pryda Longreach can be designed for all common floor
loads, including commercial loadings up to 5 kPa or
point loads up to 6.7 kN. These trusses are slightly
heavier than Pryda Span trusses and being all-timber
generally have a stiffer performance as they can
dissipate floor vibrations very well, and the nailplates
connecting the webs and chords are quite substantial.

Pryda Span Trusses

Pryda Span are manufactured using light gauge metal
webs and are lighter than Longreach, but this is
considered during the design process. The metal web
system can be very cost-effective, especially if the truss
chords have reserve capacity, as is often the case.

Strongbacks
These are timber members, e.g. 140 x 35 mm running
at right angles to the trusses. There is generally one
row down the centre, but there could be more with
larger spans. Their main function is to help the flooring
spread footfall impacts to adjacent trusses. They are
most effective with the thinner particleboard floors used
in residential construction and become unnecessary as
the flooring becomes more substantial for the higher
commercial loads. It is important that strongbacks be
properly attached to the truss vertical webs as detailed,
as poor fixing techniques, such as having large gaps
between the strongback and the web, can reduce the
strongback effectiveness considerably.

Bearing
Trusses must bear directly on their supports and not be
held above them by the flooring. This may sound odd,
but where the support top plate is not level, and the
flooring is nailed to the truss top chord, the flooring itself
can lift the lower truss(es) by a few millimetres and this
considerably worsens the perception of floor bounce.
This situation is difficult to observe during the early
stages of construction and in any instance of potential
floor performance complaint it should be checked using
a piece of card to see if there are any gaps between the
trusses and their supports.

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

PERMANENT LOADS
Permanent (dead) loads which are considered during the
design process include:

Self-weight of the truss

Flooring (particleboard, T&G, plywood, etc)
Floor covering (carpet, ceramic tiles, etc)
Ceiling (plasterboard, battens, etc)
Temporary (live) loads such as furniture which may be
in place for long periods of time. These are taken as
500 Pa irrespective of the magnitude of actual design
live load.

Typically, the flooring, floor covering, self-weight and

ceiling under amount to approximately 410 Pa for
residential floor truss designs.

Spa Baths
The load imposed by a standard bath can be ignored
when selecting floor trusses, but spa baths need special
attention due to the higher loads that can be imposed.
The self-weight of the spa shell and the support base
also adds to the load on a floor truss. Reducing the floor
truss spacing may cause issues with plumbing and so
the alternative is to select a design span which is
greater than the actual span when estimating from the
span tables.
A large corner spa (1.5m x 1.5m x 0.5m) has a water
capacity of approximately 250 litres. A design span
that is 1.3 times longer than the actual span can be
adopted.
A feature spa (1.5m x 1.5m x 0.6m) has a water
capacity of approximately 450 litres.
For actual spans of less than 3.0m - adopt a
design span equal to 2 times the length of the
actual span.

Water Beds
A queen size waterbed is expected to weigh
approximately 450 kg. For waterbeds with a holding
capacity of up to 600 litres adopt the same design rules
as for feature spas.

Other Heavy Loads

Where special load cases are to be applied to the floor
trusses such as heavy ceramic tiles, extra stiffness may
be desired in the flooring system to minimise potential
cracking in the tile grout. This can be achieved by
adopting a design span equal to at least 25% greater
than the actual span of the truss.
Generally, other heavy furniture items, such as a grand
piano, could be allowed for in a similar manner, however
check with a Pryda design office first, as large point
loads can be critical.
Designers should advise the Pryda licensed fabricator
on the magnitude of these loads once they have
identified the size and capacity of the feature.

Temporary Loads
Temporary (live) loads are the transient loads that are
placed on the floor and are mainly due to construction
loads, people, furniture, storage, etc. These loads are an
estimation of the temporary occupancy and the
associated use of the room that the floor supports.
Typically, the trusses are designed for a distributed live
load and a concentrated load, taken separately
whichever produces the most adverse effect.
Typical live loads in AS1170.1-1989 are:
Houses

For actual spans between 3.0m and 4.5m - adopt

a design span equal to 1.7 times the length of the
actual span.

general areas: 1.5 kPa / 1.8 kN (see

span tables)
balconies: 3.0 kPa / 1.8 kN

Bedrooms and private rooms in apartment buildings:

2.0 kPa / 1.8 kN

For actual spans greater than 4.5m - adopt a

design span equal to 1.4 times the length of the
actual span.

Offices in retail or industrial premises: 3.0 kPa / 6.7

kN (see span table)

These rules are illustrated by the following example:

Public corridors in institutional buildings such as

schools: 4.0 kPa / 4.5 kN

Feature spa bath loaded on a FT300 floor truss

with a span of 3500 mm.
From Longreach Residential Span Table: Normally
the top and bottom chord sizes are 90 x 35
MGP10.

Assembly areas without fixed seating in institutional

buildings: 5.0 kPa / 3.6 kN

Using the design rule: 3500 mm x 1.7 = 5950 mm.

Refer to Table again: Chord sizes are increased to
90 x 35 MGP12 to allow for spa load.
If these rules for spa baths are not appropriate because
they require an increase in floor truss depth as well as
change in chord grade and size, then an alternative
method may be used. Spa bath loads may be allowed
for by simply reducing the spacing to a third of the
original spacing under normal conditions. Therefore, in a
floor truss layout with a spa bath over, the spacing
should be reduced to 150 mm (for 450 mm crs) or 200
mm (for 600 mm crs) for the width of the bath.

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

SERVICEABILITY
Deflection Limits

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Pryda floor trusses are designed to be within deflection

limits set out in AS1684.1-1999. Further deflection limits
have been adopted based on research and experience
to produce trusses that exhibit greater stiffness than the
minimum. It is believed that unsatisfactory floor vibration
issues can be minimised by designing trusses under a
normal or extra stiff classification in the Pryda Floor
software. The domestic live load span table is designed
according to AS1684.1-1999 criteria.
Load Condition

AS1684.1

Normal

Extra stiff

Design live load

L/300

L/480

L/600

1500 Pa live load

9.0 mm

9.0 mm

7.0 mm

Dynamic Criteria
Dynamic limits have been established to further ensure
that the floor trusses are acceptable with regard to
springiness or bounce. Along with the deflection
limits, these dynamic limits are based on extensive
research and scientific investigation in Australia and
overseas to ensure the comfort of the building
occupants.
Load Condition

AS1684.1

Normal

Extra stiff

300 Pa live load

Freq > 8Hz

Freq > 10Hz

Freq > 12Hz

1 kN live load

2.0 mm

2.0 mm

1.5 mm

Special Note: The dynamics of a flooring system are

characterised by the perceived frequency of vibration in
the floor under a specific load. The rigidity of the
supporting structure can have a significant effect on the
dynamics of a flooring system. For example, a joist
supported by rigid walls will seem to exhibit less bounce
when walked upon than the same joist supported by
flexible beams that permit some level of support
movement.

Residential, Commercial or Essential Building

Importance
The classification of building importance according to
AS1720.1-1997 is a means of providing different
capacity factors for primary structural elements in
buildings other than houses. In most cases a floor joist
is not a primary structural element in any of these
building classifications, and this is the assumption used
in the span tables.
Pryda Floor software utilises the different capacity
factors in cases where floor trusses support significant
additional roof and/or floor loads in a commercial or
essential services building. For example, a floor truss
supporting a concentrated girder load from an internal
loadbearing wall needs special consideration.

Bearing at Supports
It is important that floor trusses bear over the support
wall plate or beam with a minimum of 30 mm for
residential floors and 40 mm for commercial floors.
This requirement is implemented to ensure that localised
crushing of the top plate or bottom chord does not
occur. It also encourages suitable load transference
between upper loadbearing wall frames and lower wall
frames.

No Ceiling Underneath
If there is no ceiling fixed directly underneath the
trusses, install 90 x 35 F5 (on flat) lateral ties to the
bottom chord, located approximately at the third points
of the span. This will prevent one type of undesirable
dynamic response which is otherwise normally
prevented by the ceiling (if fixed directly to the truss
bottom chords) or ceiling battens.

It is the responsibility of the building designer to ensure

that the combined frequency of vibration of the flooring
system is adequate. The Span Tables assume a rigid
and adequately designed supporting structure. Providing
a less than adequate supporting structure will have an
impact on the serviceability qualities of the flooring
system.
Pryda design offices use software that can check the
effect of trusses which are sitting on flexible supports,
and advice in this area is available to specifiers.

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

SPAN TABLES
These span tables are for indicative purposes and
represent only a small selection of the possibilities.
Specific designs can be prepared on request for different
timber choices or for different loading requirements.

All the trusses shown are assumed to be bottom chord

supported. If the truss is required to be supported by
the top chord, select 45 mm minimum chord thickness
for the top chord to allow sufficient area to fit the end
vertical nailplates.

Flooring
Australian Standards

The span tables have been developed using a design

method that assumes the minimum flooring requirement
for the associated load criteria. Although the self-weight
of the flooring material contributes to the dead load on
the truss, it is the stiffness of the flooring that has a
significant effect on the performance of the trusses
under live loading. It is assumed that there is no
composite action between the floor and truss however
the floor fixings do offer lateral restraint to the top chord.

The span tables in this Guide to Specification and the

designs produced by the Pryda Floor software comply
with the following standards:
AS1170.1-1989 SAA Loading Code. Part 1: Dead and
live loads and load combinations
AS1684.1-1999 Residential timber-framed construction.
Part 1: Design criteria.
AS1720.1-1997 Timber Structures. Part 1: Design Methods

RESIDENTIAL FLOORS
All timber webs are 35 mm thick. Metal webs are
generally as pairs at the truss ends, but are reduced
to singles on alternating faces if the force in the webs
is small enough to warrant it.
Any duct space must not exceed 500 mm in length,
and must be located within the centre half of the span.
Prefix P denotes MGP, e.g. P10 means MGP10
F17 and P15 chords of the same size are
interchangeable.

The trusses here have been designed to the following

criteria:
1.5 kPa distributed load, or 1.8 kN concentrated load
applied over 19 mm x 19 mm
19 mm particleboard flooring (450 mm crs) and 22
mm (600 mm crs) with 10-13 mm plasterboard ceiling
Top chord panel lengths should not exceed 550 mm
for Longreach trusses. Panel lengths for Pryda Span
trusses are preset at about 600mm.
Deflection limits as for solid floor joists in AS1684.
A 10% reduction in maximum span will increase the
floor stiffness by 30%.

PRYDA LONGREACH FLOOR TRUSSES - MAXIMUM SPANS

Residential loads (1.5 kPa / 1.8 kN)
Truss
Reference

Chord size and grade (TC and BC)

90x35 P10

90x35 P12

450 crs 600 crs 450 crs 600 crs

90x45 F17

Clear depth
between
chords (mm)

Max. pipe dia

within web
profile (mm)

O/A
depth
35/35

O/A
depth
45/45

450 crs 600 crs

FT200

4200

3300

4700

4200

5300

4800

120

80

190

210

FT250

5000

4100

5400

4900

6100

5500

170

130

240

260

FT300

5400

4400

6000

5400

6700

6100

220

180

290

310

FT350

5700

5200

6600

6000

7400

6600

270

230

340

360

FT400

6400

5400

7100

6400

7900

7200

320

280

390

410

O/A
depth
35/35

O/A
depth
45/45

PRYDA SPAN FLOOR TRUSSES - MAXIMUM SPANS

Residential loads (1.5 kPa / 1.8 kN)
Truss
Reference

Chord size and grade (TC and BC)

90x35 P10

90x35 P12

450 crs 600 crs 450 crs 600 crs

90x45 F17

Clear depth
between
chords (mm)

Max. pipe dia

within web
profile (mm)

450 crs 600 crs

PS25

4900

4200

5300

4800

6000

5200

170

150

240

260

PS30

5400

4500

5900

5300

6700

5800

220

190

290

310

PS40

N/S

N/S

N/S

N/S

8000

7000

332

260

N/S

422

N/S = not suitable

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

COMMERCIAL FLOORS
The trusses here have been designed to the following
criteria:
3.0 kPa distributed load, or 6.7 kN concentrated
load applied over 100 mm x 100 mm
25 mm F11 plywood flooring diaphragm. Any
substitute should have a similar or better stiffness.
10-13 mm plasterboard ceiling.
Top chord panel lengths should not exceed 550 mm
for Longreach trusses, except that for 90 x 35 P12
chords it must not exceed 450 mm. Panel lengths for
Pryda Span trusses are preset at about 600mm.
All diagonal timber webs are 45 mm thick. All metal
webs are in pairs.

Any duct space must not exceed 300 mm in length,

and be located within the centre half of the span.
Prefix P denotes MGP, e.g. P10 means MGP10
F17 and P15 chords of the same size are
interchangeable.
These trusses are inherently much stiffer than the
residential designs, and will not produce any perceived
bounce problems.

PRYDA LONGREACH FLOOR TRUSSES - MAXIMUM SPANS

Commercial loads (3.0 kPa / 6.7 kN); 450 mm centres
Truss
Reference

Chord size and grade (TC and BC)

Clear depth
between
chords (mm)

Max. pipe dia

within web
profile (mm)

O/A
depth
35/35

O/A
depth
45/45

90x35 P12

90x35 F17

90x45 P12

90x45 F17

FT250/3

4500*

4600

4900

5200

170

130

240

260

FT300/3

5200*

5400

5600

6000

220

180

290

310

FT350/3

5800*

6100

6400

6700

270

230

340

360

FT400/3

6300*

6700

6900

7400

320

280

390

410

FT450/3

6900*

7300

7600

7900

370

330

440

460

Clear depth
between
chords (mm)

Max. pipe dia

within web
profile (mm)

O/A
depth
35/35

O/A
depth
45/45

* TC panel length not to exceed 450mm

PRYDA SPAN FLOOR TRUSSES - MAXIMUM SPANS
Commercial loads (3.0 kPa / 6.7 kN); 450 mm centres
Truss
Reference

Chord size and grade (TC and BC)

90x35 F17

90x45 P12

90x45 F17

PS25/3

4400

4600

4800

170

150

240

260

PS30/3

5100

5300

5500

220

190

290

310

PS40/3

N/S

N/S

7000

332

260

N/S

422

N/S = not suitable

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

INTERNAL WALLS
These details refer to all internal walls which are nonloadbearing for gravity loads, but which may also be
wind bracing walls. If the floor is to carry loadbearing

internal walls, do not use these Span Tables and check

with a Pryda design office for a specific design.

INTERNAL NON-LOADBEARING WALLS

The floor truss system requires no additional stiffening
when supporting non-loadbearing walls, however
special consideration is required for non-loadbearing
walls acting as wind bracing walls. Specifiers should
notify the Pryda licenced fabricator of wall bracing
positions and capacities.

Bracing walls parallel to the

floor trusses

Bracing walls perpendicular to the

floor trusses
For wind bracing walls of up to 1.5kN/m wind bracing
capacity with the element no higher than 2.7m, use
14gx100mm Timberfixx screws to fix the bottom plate of
the bracing element to each perpendicular floor truss. If
the end of the bracing element finishes directly above a
floor truss use 2/14gx100mm Timberfixx screws, and if
not then use the same screws into the nogging as
previously mentioned. For wind bracing walls of up to
3.0kN/m capacity adopt the same details as for bracing
walls parallel to the floor trusses. The flooring material
shall be nailed and glued to all floor trusses in the
flooring system.

If the wall is positioned between two floor trusses and is

a wind bracing element with a capacity of no more than
1.5kN/m and does not exceed 2.7m high, fix noggings
at each end of the bracing element to transfer wind
forces to the adjacent trusses. Use 2/14gx100mm
Timberfixx screws to fix the bottom plate of the bracing
element into the nogging, and 12gx65mm Timberfixx
Platform Flooring
screws to fix the bottom plate to the flooring at 450mm
Where a structural platform floor has been constructed
centres along the length of the bracing element. For
over the trusses, any non-loadbearing wall parallel to
wind bracing wall capacities of up to 3.0kN/m fix a
the trusses does not require additional support other
120x45 MGP10 strongback to the vertical web nearest
than that of the platform flooring.
the end of the bracing element. The strongback will
pass through two trusses either side of the wall and fix
to the webs with 2/12gx65mm
PERPENDICULAR BRACING WALL
Timberfixx screws. The flooring
Fix Bracing Wall to Nogging
material shall be nailed and
Using 2/14g x 100mm
Fix Bracing Wall to Nogging Using 2/14g
glued to all floor trusses in the
Timberfixx Screws at
x 100mm Timberfixx Screws
Each Floor Truss Crossing
flooring system.
Internal Bracing Wall

If a bracing wall sits directly over

a floor truss then fix 14gx100mm
Timberfixx screws into the truss
at 450mm centres along the
length of the bracing element
along with 2/14g x 100mm
screws at each end for 1.5kN/m
wind bracing capacities. Use 4
screws at each end with the
strongback detail as outlined
above for up to 3.0kN/m wind
bracing capacities.

Max. 2700mm
High Wall

PARALLEL BRACING WALL

Internal Bracing Wall

Under Bracing Element

End of
Bracing
Element

3/3.75 x 90mm Nails Fixing

Nogging to Upright Member
120 x 45mm F5 or MGP Nogging

Max. Wind Brace

Capacity of 1.5kN/m

2/12g x 65mm
Timberfixx Screws
to Strongback

120 x 45mm F5 or
MGP Upright Member

3/3.75 x 90mm Nails

Fixing Upright to Top
And Bottom Chords

For wind bracing capacities of up to 3.0kN/m extend a 120 x 45mm

MGP10 strongback through two trusses either side of bracing wall
at the nearest vertical web. In the 3.0kN/m case adopt an M10 bolt
connection through nogging rather than screws and use 12g x
65mm Timberfixx screws elsewhere instead of 3.75 x 90mm nails.
Max. Wind Brace Capacity of 1.5kN/m

Length of
Bracing Element

2/12g x 65mm Timberfixx Screws

120 x 45mm F5 or MGP10 Nogging

75mm Nails @
150mm Centres

3/3.75 x 90mm Nails Fixing

Nogging to Top And Bottom Chords

Fix Bracing Wall to Nogging Using 2/14g

x 100mm Timberfixx Screws

120 x 45mm F5 or MGP

Upright Member

3/3.75 x 90mm Nails Fixing

Nogging to Upright Member

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

FITTED FLOOR FIXING

DOUBLE TRUSS

FITTED FLOOR FIXING

SUPPLEMENTARY LEDGER PLATES

Non-Loadbearing Wall

Non-Loadbearing Wall

Fitted Flooring
Where a fitted floor is being used,
locate a double truss under each
wall to provide support to both the
wall and flooring. Alternatively, use
supplementary ledger plates fixed
to the side of the floor trusses.

Fitted Flooring

Fitted Flooring

NON-LOADBEARING WALLS UNDER

Floor trusses must be adequately supported on the
loadbearing supports nominated in the design. There
may be a detrimental effect on the walls and the flooring
system if the trusses bear on a non-loadbearing wall.
The tops of internal non-loadbearing walls need lateral

stabilising by fixing to the truss bottom chords. The

trusses must be allowed to deflect downwards, so
Pryda Partition Hitches have been developed for this
purpose, which should be nailed to the truss near the
top of the slots.

LOADBEARING WALLS UNDER

Important: Should an internal wall be required to
support floor trusses, this intention should be made
abundantly clear on both the trusses and the truss
layout. The supporting structure, footings, etc. should
then be designed to cope with the high wall loads that
can result.

Internal lower storey walls can be used for support to

create single length trusses across the width of the
building. Preferably, a double web with a gap will cater
for small deviations in support positions, while a block
insert of up to 600 mm in length will accommodate
larger deviations. Alternatively, if the exact location of
the support is known, then a vertical web can be
detailed at the support point.

Internal Support Types

SINGLE WEB SUPPORT

DOUBLE WEB SUPPORT

Single Web

Double Web

Internal Support Wall

NAILED BLOCK SUPPORT

Max. 600mm

Internal
Support Wall

10

250
or Deeper

45mm Thick Block

(Solid or Claw Joined)

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

Internal Support Wall

EXTERNAL WALLS
These details are for floors that support external
walls loadbearing and non-loadbearing

WALL DETAILS
Fully Supported End Truss
Where the end floor truss is supported along
its full length by a lower storey wall or by
continuous base brickwork or footing while
carrying an upper storey wall above, a
simplified floor truss, as shown, may be used.
FULLY SUPPORTED END TRUSS
Jamb Studs With Lintel Over

Modified Floor Trusses

Diagonal Webs at Max.
6000mm Centres

Additional Block Required

For Loadbearing Jamb Stud Above

End Truss Under Gable Roof

Offset Loadbearing Walls

Where the end floor truss is located under a gable end

roof and is free spanning, it is appropriate to use a
single floor truss as it is carrying a non-loadbearing wall
and floor only.

Pryda floor trusses selected using this Guide are not

designed to support offset loadbearing walls. If these
walls supported by floor trusses are required to carry
roof or other loads, please refer to a Pryda licensed
fabricator for an individual design.

End Truss Carrying Roof

Loads Over
Where a free spanning end floor truss is carrying roof
loads along its length transferred from the wall above
then it is necessary to use one or more special floor
trusses under this wall. This will depend upon the Roof
Load Width (RLW) being carried and the weight of the
roof materials. A guide to floor truss requirements for
these conditions are in the following table, otherwise
these trusses must be specially designed and require
further consultation with a Pryda design office.
No. of floor trusses required
Maximum RLW

Concrete Tiles

Metal Roofing

1800*

* Refer to AS1684-1999 for RLW description

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

11

FLOOR OPENINGS
Pryda floor trusses can be
detailed to suit an opening
in a floor, eg as required to
accommodate stairways.
A header beam is normally
required to support the
incoming trusses while a
double lamination standard
truss is often suitable to carry
each end of the header beam.

FLOOR OPENINGS

Header Beam
Double Truss

Curtailed Truss Span

BEAM POCKET
Header Beam

Opening

Beam Pocket Detail

The trusses need to be detailed with a beam pocket wide enough
to fit the header beam as shown. The header beam should be
blocked hard up against the underside of the carrying floor trusses
and nailed to each vertical web with 4/3.15 x 75 mm nails.

Solid Packing Under

Block Detail

NOTCHED HEADER SUPPORT

Alternatively, a solid block (600 mm long) fixed to the

side of the trusses may support the header beam. The
header beam may be notched into the solid block or
fixed to the block using a Pryda Joist Hanger as shown.

35mm Solid Block Fixed

to Side of Truss With 75 x
3.75mm Dia. Nails at
50mm Centres
Header Beam

PRYDA JOIST HANGER SUPPORT

35mm Solid Block Fixed To Side
of Truss With 75 x 3.75mm Dia.
Nails at 50mm Centres

Header Beam

Pryda Triplegrip
600mm

Pryda Joist Hanger

Stairway Parallel
to Trusses
Use the following charts to
determine header beam
specifications and also chord
specifications for the double
lamination floor truss for Load
Case 1 only. The header beam
(max. 2000mm span) supports
the curtailed floor trusses and
stair loadings from the upper
flight of stairs.

LOAD CASE 1 STAIRWAY PARALLEL TO TRUSSES

Header Beam Carrying Curtailed
Floor Trusses And Stair Load From
Upper Flight of Stairs Only

Double Supporting Truss

Header Beam
Supported by
Double Floor Truss
Max. 2000mm
Max. 7500mm
Max. 3000mm

12

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

HEADER BEAM
SELECTION CHART

SUPPORTING FLOOR TRUSS SELECTION CHART

Chord selection requirements for double floor truss

Maximum

Header beam

Supported Floor

(max. 2000 mm span)

Truss Span (mm)

1500

190x45 P12 or 200x45 Hyspan LVL

2500

190x45 F17 or 200x45 Hyspan LVL

3500

190x45 F17 or 240x45 Hyspan LVL

4500

240x45 F17 or 240x45 Hyspan LVL

5500

240x45 F17 or 240x45 Hyspan LVL

Truss
depth
(mm)

Supported floor truss span (mm)

1500

2500

3500

250

90 x 45 P12

N/A

N/A

300

90 x 35 P12

90 x 45 F17

N/A

350

90 x 35 P12

90 x 45 F17

N/A

400

90 x 35 P12

90 x 45 P12

90 x 45 F17

Note: In this load case the header beam and the supporting floor trusses have been designed to support stair loadings
however the stairs must be self- supported at the mid-landing level. MGP15 may be used in place of F17 timber. These
tables are only applicable to load case 1.

Stairway
Perpendicular
to Trusses
Use the following charts
to determine header
beam specifications
and also chord
specifications for the
double lamination floor
truss for Load Case 2
only. The 900mm wide
stairway runs
perpendicular to the
curtailed floor trusses
and the header beam
(max. 3500mm span)
supports the trusses.

LOAD CASE 2 STAIRWAY PERPENDICULAR TO TRUSSES

900mm

Max. 3500mm
Curtailed
Trusses

Beam Pocket
Double Trusses
Max. 6000mm
Header Beam Supported
by Floor Trusses

HEADER BEAM SELECTION CHART

SUPPORTING FLOOR TRUSS SELECTION CHART

Maximum floor truss span (mm) onto header beam

Chord selection requirements for double floor truss

Maximum

Header beam

Supported Floor

(max. 3500mm)

Truss Span (mm)

1000

190 x 45 F17 or 200 x 45 Hyspan LVL

2000

240 x 45 F17 or 240 x 45 Hyspan LVL

3000

2/240 x 35 F17 or 240 x 63 Hyspan LVL

4000

2/240 x 45 F17 or 2/240 x 45 Hyspan LVL

5000

2/290 x 45 F17 or 2/300 x 45 Hyspan LVL

Supported floor truss span (mm)

Truss
depth

2000

3000

4000

250

90x45 P12

90x45 P12

N/A

N/A

300

90x35 P12

90x45 P12

90x45 F17

N/A

350

90x35 P10

90x45 P10

90x45 P12

90x45 F17

400

90x35 P10

90x45 P10

90x45 P12

90x45 F17

5000

Note: Stair load on to double lamination floor truss is

considered. MGP15 may be used in place of F17 grade
timber. These tables are only applicable to Load Case 2.

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

13

DUCTS FOR
MECHANICAL
SERVICES

CANTILEVERS
There are three common types of cantilevered balconies
internal, external, and those which support offset walls
above.

The open web configuration of Pryda floor trusses

permits ductwork and mechanical services to pass
through the depth of the truss. Under domestic loads,
Pryda Span and Longreach floor trusses may be
detailed with voids up to 500 mm long near the centre
of the span. The span tables show depth clearances
and the maximum pipe diameter that can be
accommodated without special designs being required.

Internal Cantilevers
Found in two-storey construction where the first floor
trusses are cantilevered only a small amount as an
architectural feature. These cantilevers are built as a
simple extension to the truss, with vertical webs
introduced at the point of support.
INTERNAL CANTILEVER DETAIL

Pryda Floor software permits duct spaces to be detailed

anywhere along the length of the truss, under specific
design.
CENTRE GAP FOR MECHANICAL SERVICES
Max. Pipe Dia. Permitted In-Between
Web Profiles (Refer Span Tables)
Floor Truss
Span
Cantilever Length

Max. Clear
Depth

External Cantilevered Balconies

Max. 500mm

These details concern the cantilever which forms a

balcony generally outside the room. Cantilevered
balconies can be used with the standard floor trusses
under certain conditions. If these conditions cannot be
met, the trusses will need specific design. The live load
on balconies is twice as high (3 kPa) as the normal
residential floor loads (1.5 kPa).
Pryda floor trusses can be designed to cantilever as a
continuous truss, or alternatively a timber joist may be
fixed to the side on site as shown below. It is important
that the fabricator is notified prior to manufacture.
Balcony cantilever joists should be sized according to
the framing manuals, but must be restricted to a length
of no more than one quarter of the internal truss span.

EXTERNAL CANTILEVER
Not Less Than
Balcony Cantilever

Balcony
Cantilever

Floor Trusses

75mm x 3.75mm Dia. Nails at Max. 200mm

Centres Along Chords and Webs

14

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

Balcony
Joists to Suit

Cantilever Balcony
Beam to Suit

STRONGBACKS
The cantilever balcony beam shall run a similar distance
back into the floor truss and at least to the next vertical
web past that distance. The cantilever joists are to be
fixed to the truss bottom chord and vertical webs with
3.75 mm dia nails (75 mm long into 35 mm joists and 90
mm long into 45 mm joists) at maximum 200 mm centres.
Note: These cantilever details are not intended for
cantilevers carrying loadbearing walls over. In this
instance, refer to a Pryda design office for special
design.

Strongback beams run perpendicular to the trusses and

are used to spread footfall impact loads to adjacent
trusses. They are required for all residential floors and
some of the lighter commercial floors.
Strongbacks are not required for trusses up to 3.5m in
span. For trusses 3.6m to 7m span, use one row of
strongbacks located close to midspan. For trusses
above 7m span use 3 rows of strongbacks located one
row at midspan, and two further rows located at each of
the quarter points.
LONGREACH STRONGBACK

Offset Wall Cantilever

A common cantilever issue encountered is one in which
the timber clad second storey frame is offset 150 mm
outside the lower storey frame. This permits the upper
storey external wall cladding to finish flush with the
lower storey brickwork. As a result, the floor trusses are
cantilevered to support the upper storey roof loads and
transfer these down to the foundations via the lower
storey walls. Often this issue occurs parallel and
perpendicular to the span of the floor trusses.

Strongback Size
as Per Table

CANTILEVER PERPENDICULAR OFFSET

UPPER LOADBEARING WALL
Min.
300mm

Upper Storey
Loadbearing Wall

Min. 250mm

PRYDA SPAN STRONGBACK

Solid Blocking
(Min. F5)

Strongback Size
as Per Table
150mm

CANTILEVER PARALLEL OFFSET UPPER LOADBEARING WALL

Pryda Triple Grips

Upper Storey
Loadbearing Wall

Min. 250mm

Floor Truss

- Max.5000mm RLW
- Conc.Tile Roof
Solid Block to Suit Truss
Depth (Min. F5)

Trimmer Plate

600mm
Skew Nail

90 x 35mm F5 Pole Plate

Fixed to Top Chord And
Vertical Webs With 75 x
3.75mm Dia. Nails (200mm
Centres Into Chord)

Lower Storey
Loadbearing Wall

Strongbacks should be fixed hard up against the vertical

web, but may be fixed up against the top chord or the
bottom chord to suit. Fixings may be hand hammered
75 x 3.75 nails, or power driven 75 x 2.9 nails, or 12g
11 x 65 Timberfixx screws. While screws are more
expensive, they provide the best performance as they
are more rigid, they clamp the timber components
together, and they prevent squeaks due to various floor
components loosening over time.
Where Pryda Span trusses have been used, and there is
no vertical web close to the desired location of the
strongback, a supplementary vertical web may be nailed
to the side of the truss instead with 2 nails to the top
chord and to the bottom chord, to provide a fixing for
the strongback.

150mm

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

15

Strongback Size Selection

STRONGBACK BEAM SELECTION
Nominal truss

Strongback depth and

No. of fixings

depth (mm)

grade (all 35 mm thick)

per connection

200

90 F5/P10 or 70 F17

2/nails or 1/screw

250

120 F5/P10 or 90 F17

3/nails or 2/screws

300

140 F5/P10 or 120 F17

3/nails or 2/screws

350

140 F5/P10 or 120 F17

3/nails or 2/screws

400

140 F5/P10 or 120 F17

3/nails or 2/screws

Non-aligned Strongbacks
In cases where different adjacent spans cause the
strongbacks to be out of alignment, the following detail
may be adopted. Vertical blocks of 90 x 35 mm are fixed
with 2/3.75 dia x 75 mm nails to both top and bottom
chords. Strongbacks are then fixed into the side of the
block and the preceding vertical web with the number of
nails specified in the table.
NON-ALIGNED STRONGBACKS

Additional Block
Vertical Web

In locations where the strongback needs to be joined,

either of the following methods may be used:
STRONGBACK SPLICE

Max. 600mm

Overlap
Strongback at
Vertical Webs

Strongbacks Not Required

Strongbacks may be omitted from floors when:
The floor has been designed for live load of 3000 Pa
and 4.5 kN, or greater.
Either 25 mm F11 plywood, or 2 layers of 19 mm F11
plywood (or better) has been used

ALTERNATE STRONGBACK SPLICE

In these situations, either the truss will be very stiff due

to the high design load, or the flooring itself is capable
of dissipating human footfall impacts.

Splice Strongback Together

With Cleat on Side

Instead, use 90 x 35 F5 (on flat) lateral ties fixed to the

bottom chord, located 3000 mm apart (max.).

Min. 5/3.75mm Nails

Each Side of Joint

16

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

STABILITY BRACING
Pryda floor trusses must be braced back to their
supporting structure for stability in a similar manner to the
bracing stipulated by AS1684-1999 for solid deep joists.
Use diagonally placed Pryda Strapbrace or timber braces
(minimum thickness of 25 mm) at 2700 mm centres
maximum at the ends of trusses and at any internal wall
supports. Alternatively, a continuous trimming beam may
be used at the end of each truss see End Type 3 - with
diagonal bracing at the end bays only. This bracing does
not substitute for wind bracing.

SUPPORT AND
CONNECTION DETAILS
Pryda floor trusses have the advantage of adapting to
a range of different on-site support conditions.
The dimensions of the 12 standard end types can vary
to meet most detailing requirements. The joint details
shown in this manual are intended as a guide only.
Variations to these may be required and should be
verified.

End Type Details

Length of Pryda Strapbrace to Suit Height of Trusses

End Type 1
Most common end type for bottom chord bearing on
wall plate or steel section while also permitting upper
wall frame to bear directly above. May also be used for
connection to framing brackets.

Max. 2700mm Centres

Min. 2/3.15mm x 30mm Pryda Nails

Into Side of Top Wall Plate
and 2 Nails to Underside

90 x 35mm F5

Min. Bearing 30mm

Wall Plate

2/75mm Nails
Into Vertical
Web
Max. 1800mm Centres

End Type 2
Similar purpose as End Type 1, however permits timber
end bracing trimmers to provide lateral stability. It also
accommodates minor site variations by allowing the
setbacks to be curtailed if need be.

Fix Trimmer to Ends of Floor Trusses With

2/3.15mm Dia. x 75mm Nails

CANTILEVER SUPPORT

End Trimmer
Note: End Brace Requires Diagonal
Bracing Down to Wall at Each End
of a Bay of Trusses

Pryda floor trusses are braced laterally at the top chord

level by the flooring material and at the bottom chord level
by the ceiling lining. If there is no ceiling fixed directly (or
by battens) then 90 x 35 binders must be provided on the
bottom chord at 3000 mm centres maximum.

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

17

End Type 3
Accommodates ease of installation of timber end
bracing trimmers while also supporting upper
loadbearing wall frame. It acts as an additional bottom
plate and supports the edge of the sheet flooring.

End Type 5-2

This version of End Type 5 has a full width end block
that is cut back to accommodate an upper storey
loadbearing wall set back from the lower storey.

Max. 200mm

End Trimmer

Loadbearing Wall

Block
Supporting
Trimmer
Max. 300mm

End Type 4
Suitable for bottom chord bearing on the bottom flange
of a steel channel or universal beam while also
maintaining floor level above top flange.

End Type 5-3

Alternatively, End Type 5 with a full width end block is
suitable for cantilevering over lower storey walls and
carrying upper storey load bearing walls.

Max.
300mm

Top Chord Extension of Any

Length to Maintain Floor Level

Max.
150mm
Primary Bearing
Point Min. 30mm

End Type 5-1

Flexible end type that comprises of a solid block insert
nailed into position through top and bottom chords. The
resulting I-beam end is bottom chord supported and
can be cut back on an angle to suit steel sections.

End Type 6-1

Standard bottom chord bearing with the capacity to
transfer high loads from upper loadbearing walls.

Min. 100mm
Max. 80mm

Max. 300mm

18

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

High Load Wall

End Type 6-2

End Type 6 also provides extra timber nailing area when
supporting trusses in Pryda joist hangers.
Timber Beam

End Type 9
Permits the floor trusses to be supported on the top
chord while also housing the supporting beam within the
depth of the truss. Encourages continuous ceiling lines
under trusses.

Pryda Joist
Hanger Supporting Truss

End Type 7-1

Top chord support on wall frames, floor beams and
waling plates. Promotes easy installation. It is advised
that bottom chord should be restrained (skew nails
minimum) to obtain best results.

Min. Top Chord Bearing 30mm

End Type 10
This end type is suitable for short internal cantilevers
alongside stair openings.

Min. Bearing 30mm

Max. 35mm
Max. 110mm

Skew Nails Preferable Into

Beam to Restrain Bottom Chord

End Type 7-2

Top chord support on wall frames, floor beams and
waling plates. Promotes easy installation. It is advised
that bottom chord should be restrained (skew nails
minimum) to obtain best results.

End Type 11
Permits support into steel channels and universal beams
while maintaining a floor and ceiling level that finishes
flush with the top and bottom flange.

End Web Should be Max. 5mm

From Edge of Supporting Member

Min. Bearing 30mm on

Primary Bearing Point

End Type 8
Similar purpose to End Type 7 however the level of
this truss is not governed by the supporting member.
This end type also permits the floor trusses to support
higher loads.

End Type 12
Permits bottom chord support into steel channels and
universal beams with the bottom chord finishing flush
with the bottom flange while also maintaining a floor
level above the top flange.
Overhang Any Length

Min. Bearing 30mm

on Waling Plate

Waling Plate

Min. Bearing 30mm on

Primary Bearing Point

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

19

FIXINGS AT SUPPORTS

PRODUCT BENEFITS

Each truss shall be held onto its supporting plate/bearer

by a minimum of 2/75 x 3.15 mm dia nails. If preferred,
a better fixing may be achieved by using one Pryda
Minigrip with 3/35 x 3.15 mm dia Pryda nails per tab.

Pryda fully engineered open-web timber floor truss

systems with timber webs (Pryda Longreach) or metal
webs (Pryda Span) have many advantages:

TYPICAL PLATE SUPPORT FIXING

Designed to eliminate the problem of bouncy floors

commonly found with some solid timber joists and
provide a floor that feels and acts rock-solid.
The open webs allow easy fixing of electrical,
plumbing, ducts and energy services. There is no
need for drilling or notching, saving time on site.
VOIDS ACCOMMODATING SERVICES
Void Used For Service Duct

OPTION 1
2/75 x 3.15mm
Dia. Skewed Nails

When supporting trusses on steel or timber beams via

top chords it is preferable to restrain the bottom chord
using skew nails while the top chord should be fixed to
the supporting beam using screws or Pryda Triplegrips.
This practice improves the stiffness of the floor by
minimising movement and vibration at the supports.
TYPICAL BEAM SUPPORT FIXING OPTION 1
Screw, Bolt or
Drive Pin Fixing

75mm x 3.15mm
Dia. Skewed Nails
Preferred

TYPICAL BEAM SUPPORT FIXING OPTION 2

2/75mm x 3.15mm Dia.
Skewed Nails

75mm x 3.15mm
Dia. Skewed Nails
Preferred

20

Service Pipes
Between Webs

OPTION 2
Pryda Minigrip With Min. 3/35 x
3.15mm Dia. Pryda Nails Per Tab

Greater design flexibility. Extra long spans and large

cantilevers can be provided, with the ability to
support high loads. Can also eliminate the need for
some interior support walls and beams, giving more
scope to architects and designers thus reducing the
cost of the support structure.
CANTILEVER SUPPORT

Eliminates uneven ceiling levels or complex ceiling

support systems and allows a consistent depth
throughout the job at no extra cost.
Lightweight compared to solid timber, making
handling and lifting on site much easier.
Computer designed for optimum strength and accuracy.
Fully kiln dried timber ensures stability, free from
movement due to shrinkage
Manufactured to size and ready to install, eliminating
the need to trim on site. No material or labour wastage.
Each truss is job specific, minimising waste
More end types for fast fixing to steel, concrete,
masonry or timber.
Wide and stable surface for fixing floor and ceiling
materials. Provides a stable surface for tradesmen
moving around the elevated areas of a job
More efficient use of natural resources than solid
timber joists
Standard data and design details available on CAD

PRYDA FLOOR TRUSS SYSTEMS

PRYDA RAFTER TRUSS SYSTEMS

INTRODUCTION

PRYDA LONGREACH OR
PRYDA SPAN TRUSSES
AS ROOF PURLINS

Pryda Longreach and Pryda Span trusses are also

available for use as part of the Pryda Roof Truss
System. The design and manufacturing principles use
similar standards to the floor trusses and therefore the
benefits associated with Longreach and Pryda Span can
be also be attained in roof construction.
Longreach and Pryda Span trusses are suitable as roof
purlins or rafters for all roof materials. Pryda roof trusses
are generally made to order with special fixing
requirements for stability and tie-down against wind
uplift.

PRODUCT BENEFITS
Pryda Longreach or Pryda Span trusses are lightweight
and easy to handle compared to solid purlins/rafters and
this is an advantage when lifting into hard-to-get roof
positions.

Pryda roof trusses are manufactured in 70mm and

90mm wide timber which improves resistance to
buckling under wind loads and reduces the number of
required lateral restraints to the bottom chord.

Longreach can be manufactured to any depth to meet

height restrictions or match existing roof features.

In the same manner as floor trusses, the Pryda Roof

System eliminates uneven ceiling levels or complex
ceiling support systems and allows a consistent depth
throughout the job.

The open web truss profile allows mechanical services

to pass through while special duct spaces may be
incorporated into the profile for larger service pipes and
ducts.
Pryda trusses can be manufactured to suit any on-site
configuration using the numerous truss end-type details.
They may also be designed to incorporate box gutters.

LOADING
Permanent Loads

Self-weight of truss
Roof material (sheet steel, slate, tile, battens etc)
Ceiling material (plasterboard, battens)

operations. The minimum live load level stipulated in

AS1170.1-1989 is 250 Pa on the plan projection of the
roof. However, the intensity of the load on a truss will
increase when the area supported by the truss is less
than 14 square metres. The design also considers the
concentrated load of a single person standing on the
cladding.

Temporary Loads

Wind Loads

Temporary (live) loads are those associated with nontrafficable roofs and are the result of stacked materials
or equipment used in repair and maintenance

Calculated in accordance with the Loading Code Part 2:

Wind Loads 1989 for the ultimate limit state.

Permanent loads which are considered during the

design process include:

PRYDA RAFTER TRUSS SYSTEMS

21

SPAN TABLES
There are two types of roof truss designs shown here Purlin trusses and Rafter trusses. The criteria for overall
heights, clear heights and construction is the same as for floor trusses.

Purlin Trusses
Purlin trusses run parallel to the ridge and are perpendicular to the plane of the roof. The steel sheeting is fixed directly
to the top of the chord, and a ceiling is assumed to be attached directly (or with battens) to the bottom chord.
PRYDA LONGREACH PURLIN TRUSSES - MAXIMUM SPANS
Steel roofing @ 900mm CRS; roof pitch 10 - 30 degrees
Truss
Reference

FT200P
FT250P
FT300P
FT350P
FT400P

Chord Size (TC and BC)

90x35 P10

90x35 P12

90x45 F17

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

5200
6500
6600
7500
8300

4200
4800
5500
6000
6600

5700
6600
7600
8500
9000

5000
6100
7000
8000
8800

6300
8200
9400
10500
11600

5900
7000
8100
9000
10000

PRYDA SPAN PURLIN TRUSSES - MAXIMUM SPANS

Steel roofing @ 900mm CRS; roof pitch 10 - 30 degrees
Truss
Reference

PS25P
PS30P
PS40P

Chord Size (TC and BC)

90x35 P10

90x35 P12

90x45 F17

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

6900
7600
N/S

6000
6700
N/S

7700
8900
N/S

6600
7700
N/S

8200
9400
13000

7900
9000
10500

N/S = not suitable

Rafter Trusses
Rafter trusses are often laid horizontally (like floor trusses), and are overlaid with graded purlins which provide a fall to
the roofing material. However, a small pitch may also be given to the rafter trusses with battens overlaid in the normal
manner. The steel sheeting is fixed to the purlins, and a ceiling is assumed to be attached directly (or with battens) to
the bottom chord.
PRYDA LONGREACH RAFTER TRUSSES - MAXIMUM SPANS
Steel roofing @ 900mm CRS; roof pitch 0 - 10 degrees
Truss
Reference

FT200R
FT250R
FT300R
FT350R
FT400R

Chord Size (TC and BC)

90x35 P10

90x35 P12

90x45 F17

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

5300
7000
7700
8800
9500

4700
5700
6300
6600
7100

6400
7700
8900
9800
10800

5400
6600
6700
7500
8200

7600
9100
10500
11800
13100

6500
7800
9000
10100
11100

PRYDA SPAN RAFTER TRUSSES - MAXIMUM SPANS

Steel roofing @ 900mm CRS; roof pitch 0 - 10 degrees
Truss
Reference

PS25R
PS30R
PS40R

Chord Size (TC and BC)

90x35 P10

90x35 P12

90x45 F17

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

Wind N1, N2

Wind N3

7300
8300
N/S

5800
6500
N/S

7800
9000
N/S

6700
7700
N/S

9200
10000
12500

7900
9000
10500

N/S = not suitable

Note: For design specifications outside the scope of these tables (e.g. cyclonic wind zones) contact a Pryda design office.

22

PRYDA RAFTER TRUSS SYSTEMS

SERVICES
The span tables list the clear depth between chords if a
duct space is made available within the web profile,
while also indicating the maximum pipe diameter that
may be passed through the webs.
ALLOWABLE SPACE FOR SERVICES

Max. Pipe Dia. Permitted In-Between

Web Profiles (Refer Span Tables)

TIE DOWN AND

FIXING DETAILS
Pryda roof trusses must be fixed down to the supporting
structure using connections that match or exceed the
magnitude of the wind uplift forces on each truss. Each
truss shall be held onto its supporting plate/bearer by a
minimum of 2/75x3.15mm skew nails, or one Pryda
Minigrip or Multigrip with 3/35x3.15mm nails per tab.
Refer to AS1684-1999 for further guidance on fixings
and tie down requirements.
Pryda roof trusses shall also be braced laterally at the
ends of the trusses using Pryda Strap Braces at each
end of a run of trusses.

Max. Clear
Depth

END BRACING AND TIE DOWN

Max. 500mm

End Configurations

Lateral Bracing at Ends of Trusses

Using Pryda Strap Brace or
Equivalent. Cross Brace at Each
End of a Run of Trusses.

The full range of end configurations available to

floor trusses may also be incorporated into
Longreach and Pryda Span roof trusses. In
addition to this the end configuration may be
designed to fit a box gutter. This option is
available to all truss depths however the
dimensions of the box gutter may be limited.
BOX GUTTER OPTIONS

Bend Steel Brace Over And

Fix With 3/35 x 3.15mm Nails
to Side And 2 Nails Over

Minimum Tie Down 2/75 x 3.15mm

Skew Nails or Minigrip/Multigrip
With 3/35 x 3.15mm Nails in Each
Tab. Refer AS1684 For Minimum
Tie Down Requirements.

FACTORS AFFECTING
PERFORMANCE
Block Insert Option

The performance of Pryda Roof Trusses may be limited

by a number of factors including deflection under dead
load and timber strength capacity under a dead, live or
wind load case.

Deflection limits
Longreach and Pryda Span Roof Trusses are designed
according to deflection limits set out in AS1684.1.
Load Condition

Max. Deflection Ratio

Permanent load

span/300

Temporary live load

span/250

Ultimate wind load

span/150

Special loading conditions

On Site Construction Option

Air conditioning units and other mechanical equipment

can add significant loads to roof trusses. The
introduction of an increased truss spacing to incorporate
a skylight will also produce a special loading condition.
The truss fabricator should be informed of these
conditions to accommodate special designs.

PRYDA RAFTER TRUSS SYSTEMS

23

BRACING
Bottom chord bracing

BRACING REQUIREMENTS FOR SUSPENDED CEILINGS AND

UNRESTRAINED BOTTOM CHORDS

Strongbacks are not required for

Longreach or Pryda Span roof trusses.
For suspended ceilings, or exposed
bottom chords, or where ceiling battens
do not provide restraint to bottom
chords under wind uplift conditions,
it is recommended that bottom chord
ties are introduced in accordance
with AS4440 1999: Installation of
Nailplated Timber Roof Trusses. In
addition to this, Pryda Speed or Strap
Braces shall be fixed to the truss
bottom chords to transfer bracing
loads back to the supporting structure
according to AS4440-1999: Installation
of Nailplated Timber Roof Trusses.

Longreach or
Pryda Span as
Roof Trusses

Bottom Chord Ties

Steel Brace to Underside
of Bottom Chord to
Transfer Bracing Loads to
Structure

45O

Suspended
Ceiling
Note: Refer AS4440 -1947 Installation of
Nailplated Timber Trusses For Further Guidance
on Bottom Chord Restraint Requirements

In circumstances where the ceiling

material and battens do provide effective
restraint then bottom chord ties shall not
be required.

Top chord bracing

The forces generated by resistance to buckling of the
top chord and wind loading perpendicular to the span of
the trusses must also be transferred back to the
supporting structure by steel braces. It is recommended
that Pryda Speed Brace or Strap Brace be applied to

the top chord in conjunction with adequately spaced

roof battens in accordance with AS4440 1999:
Installation of Nailplated Timber Trusses. The steel brace
shall be continuous over the ends of the trusses and be
anchored down to the top plate.

TOP CHORD BRACING REQUIREMENTS

Box Gutter
End Type 1

Roof Battens Continuous

in This Area

Steel Brace

Brick Parapet
Wall

30O-45O

Loadbearing
Wall Frame
Bracing Between 30O
And 45O to Top Plate
When Viewed in Plan
Roof Battens
Continuous in This Area

PRYDA AUSTRALIA
Head Office: 29 Healey Road, Dandenong, Vic 3175
Tel: (03) 9706 5488 Fax: (03) 9706 5499

Website: www.pryda.com.au
A Division of ITW Australia Pty Ltd

Offices in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

For contact details in your state visit www.pryda.com.au or email info@pryda.com.au