2evs1i2017 Supporting Underpurins
Underpurlin support (Plan E)
Roof strutting is covered in Section 7 Part 7.2.15 of AS 1684. Common rafters as well as hip
and valley rafters shall be supported by underpurlins, Strutting of the underpurlin can be vertical
or perpendicular to the rafter. First indicate with a cross where the underpurlin can be supported
on walls as shown below
< Struts onto walls
Figure | ack to previous text)
As can be seen Hip | can be supported by the underpurlin which in turn is supported by a strut.
Unfortunately there is no support for the underpurlin and Hip 3. Instead of using a strutting
beam to Hip 3 you may use a tie-bolt truss system (also known as cable truss) for the hip which
‘would then provide support for the underpurlin, Figure 7.14 in your code shows how
underpulins can be supported by tie-bolt truss systems (see Figure 2).
When a tie-bolt system is used to
support the hip/underpurlin
Tie-bolt
truss system “
Span of
<—— underpurlin
Single or fan
strutsupport
Crown’
end
Creeper
rafter
The underpurlin that supports
the creeper rafters inthe hip Hip rafter Acantilever of 25% of the
end may be supported by a max. allowable span of the
tie-bolt truss. undepurlin is permitted
Figure 2
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It can be seen in Figure I that the maximum span
of the underpurlin is 3668 mm. That requires an
underpurlin size of 2/140x45 (Table 28,
RLW=2078mm, 900mm spacing, continuous span, roof mass
10kg/m?, Refer to specifications for these input values).
‘A tic-bolt truss could also be used for Hip 2 and
Hip 4. However, before you make a definite
+ decision regarding the tie-bolt truss it is necessary
Ss to consider the ceiling frame which may provide
hs a Ae se gnsider the
Tie-bolt truss \\ additional strutting points.
‘A tie-bolt truss can be used to strengthen any loaded roof member. The advantage is to allow a
greater span for the same size of a timber beam. Be careful with sheet roofs or eyclonie areas
because it may not resist uplift loads.
‘reduce the span of the ceiling joists hanging beams (7.2.5, Figure 7.20) are used. If the span
is excessive then counter beams (7.2.6, 7.3.7 Figure 7.2 & 7.21) will provide support for the
hanging beams.
The hanging beam could also be used to provide support for the roof load. In this case the
hanging beam will be a combined strutting/hanging beam (7.2.7, Figure 7.22)
‘A counter beam may also be used for underpurlin support; then it will be a combine
strutting/counter beam (7.2.8, Figure 7.23)
For all strutting beams you need to calculate the roof area supported (RAS)
Click here for Plan E dimensions
Fan struts (7.2.15.3)
‘The aim of a fan strut is now to reduce the span so that a smaller size underpurlin can be
selected. Refer to AS 1684 for the requirements of fan struts usage. According to Plan E the
maximum spread of the vertical struts is 2x911=1822 mm (90°).
— 2 — = 1520 + + 1276 + + 1052 +
T x t x t x t ,
oo NK i vt re ” VY ‘112 7 Whe
spreadgor Spread aor * spread 70" “ spead 60°
Figure 3
Figure 3 shows different spread configurations. The fan strut spread (underpurlin support)
depends on the spread angle (0° to max 90°) of the fan struts. The maximum fan strut spread when
perpendicular to the rafter is shown in Figure 4
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Spread0* — eo = 0 Speed 60"
Figure 4
Look at Figure | again and consider Hip 2 & Hip 4. Here, the ceiling joist span would be
excessive and therefore hanging beams are required for these rooms. instead of using tie-bolt
trusses on hip rafters for underpurlin support combined strutting/hanging beams may also be
used. An additional strutting point is needed in the living room . Figure 5 shows the additional
strutting points
hp:wwn boeingconsull.comiafelas'684/underpurting him 2082evs1i2017 Supporting Underpurins
Figure 5
‘he maximum purlin span is now 3000 mm (width of family room) resulting in a purlin size of
2/120x45 if we use single struts (vertical or perpendicular to rafter). The maximum spread of a
vertical fan strut is 1822 mm (see Figure 3). Maximum span 3000-1822=1178mm; therefor the
‘maximum spread is the greatest span for the underpurlin. The underpurlin size for this span is
2/70x45 (max 1900) or 2/90x35 (max 2200),
For mathematical minded students who are not satisfied with above size may you look at Figure 3 again, The fan strut
spread of 80° is 1529mm (3000-1529=1471), The fan strut spread and worst span is nearly equal, The underpurln size
can further be reduced to 2/70x35 (span 1700mm)
However, we need to check the situation atthe laundry. The distance from the combined counteristrutting beam to the
«end of underpurlin is 577.5 mm resulting ina spread of 1155 mm (fan stut spread = 64.74°), The span between the fan
struts is 3000(577.5+764.5)=1658 mm <1700 mm therefore size 2/70x35 is okay.
Please remember that hip rafler can support underpurlins if they are strengthening with a tie-bolt
truss. Also refer to the Strutting Overlay of Plan E for strutting dimensions ( fan struts are
spread at 90° perpendicular to the rafter)
Please contact me in class if you have any query regarding roof strutting.
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