In wood trusses, which component connects and holds the truss in place?

In wood trusses, which component connects and holds the truss in place?

• A. Gusset plate
• B. Tie beam
• C. Top chord
• D. Ridge

Answer: (A)

Gusset plates are the metal connectors that hold the wood truss pieces together. At each joint, nails or screws fasten the top and bottom chords and the web members to the plate, letting the loads transfer through the truss and keeping all members aligned under roof loads and wind. The other terms describe parts of the truss itself—the bottom chord (tie beam), the top chord, and the ridge (the peak of the roof)—but they don’t serve as the joint connector that binds the members.

Gusset plates are the metal connectors that hold the wood truss pieces together. At each joint, nails or screws fasten the top and bottom chords and the web members to the plate, letting the loads transfer through the truss and keeping all members aligned under roof loads and wind. The other terms describe parts of the truss itself—the bottom chord (tie beam), the top chord, and the ridge (the peak of the roof)—but they don’t serve as the joint connector that binds the members.