Roger - thanks for the reply. I am a structural engineer (I work with a building components company) I am reviewing this truss design and I am looking for some field knowledge of this truss as I have never designed it before.
The magnitude of the tensile/compressive loads in the truss arrangment (approx. 25,000 lbs) are proving problematic to resist with dowels in double shear. My span is 24' (28' trib width) with a 44 PSF factored snow load. The literature I referenced mentions spans up to 60', so there must be a strategy for this design.
I was thinking the compressive loads are of less concern becuase I will have wood on wood interaction and can use this to assist with load transfer at the joint - comments?
For the tension joint we are discussig, I have 12x12 white pine members w/ red oak dowels. My preliminary calculations indicate that I will require 25 dowels to resist this tension. I suppose I could use a knee brace to add additional tensile strength at the joint as you suggested.
Any other thoughts. Thanks again Roger.
