Hi all:
great topic, and here is my two cents worth taken from my observations and experience over the years.
trusses that I have noted mainly in spanning the sanctuaries or main areas of churches are in 2 classes, arched or straight across, some of the trusses actually hold up part of the weight of the spires, and have did this remarkably well for hundreds of years. The majority of these trusses bottom chords are 14 inches square, and no matter if they are bridge trusses or king post style, the bottoms of the king posts or otherwise are not pinned but rather dovetailled into the bottom chords and wedged. As far as I can see very little downward movement is evident except when rot happens and lets things sag.
As far as using metal plates and bolts, it just isn't that simple you also need pressure rings for heavy tension joints.
NH
