In wood truss construction, which component holds the truss together?

In wood truss construction, which component holds the truss together?

• A. Tie beam
• B. Connector plate
• C. Rafter tie
• D. Gusset plate

Answer: (D)

In wood truss construction, joints are held together by a gusset plate, a steel plate that ties the members at each joint and transfers loads between them. This plate is nailed or bolted to the ends of the top and bottom chords and any web members, creating a solid connection that can carry the forces from one member into the others as the truss bears load. The bottom chord is a member (often called the tie beam) and is part of the truss itself, not the fastener that holds the joints. A connector plate can be a general term for plates used to join parts in some systems, but the specific component in wood truss joints that performs the tying and load transfer is the gusset plate. So the piece that holds the truss together at the joints is the gusset plate.

In wood truss construction, joints are held together by a gusset plate, a steel plate that ties the members at each joint and transfers loads between them. This plate is nailed or bolted to the ends of the top and bottom chords and any web members, creating a solid connection that can carry the forces from one member into the others as the truss bears load. The bottom chord is a member (often called the tie beam) and is part of the truss itself, not the fastener that holds the joints. A connector plate can be a general term for plates used to join parts in some systems, but the specific component in wood truss joints that performs the tying and load transfer is the gusset plate. So the piece that holds the truss together at the joints is the gusset plate.