Traditional King Post Roof Truss

It is used in aircraft construction.

Traditional king post roof truss.

The king post roof truss is the simplest of the trusses because of its simple composition. King post an upright post in the centre of a roof truss extending from the tie beam to the apex of the truss. They are only good up to 16 as larger structures require a greater weight distribution. They have one bottom chord two top chords a king post a vertical central member and optional webs that can be straight or curved.

It is often used in simple roof trusses such as in the shed porch and garage. The bottom horizontal which serves as ceiling and upper floor joist is known as the lower cord. Trusses are elements where its entire member takes either only compression or tension member are not in bending. A king post truss is a simple triangular gable truss with a center brace known as the king truss.

The king post truss is also used for simple roof lines and short span bridges. This truss is very adaptable with regard to desired span and roof pitch. The top two diagonal pieces that serve as rafters are known as the upper cords. Whereas the king post is in tension usually supporting the tie beam as a truss the crown post is supported by the tie beam and is in compression.

In a nutshell it s made up of a central vertical post called the king post two rafters meeting at the apex and a tie beam or the horizontal base. Tie beam two inclined principal rafter two struts king post. A king post truss utilizes two top chords a bottom chord and a piece that connects the bottom and top chords vertically called a king post. This style can be embellished with radius cuts on the struts and a through tenon at the base of the king post as pictured above.

The truss has four main parts. The king post truss consists following components. King post roof trusses are the most cost effective truss and they look great when curved braces and webs are used. The crown post rises to a crown plate immediately below and supporting collar beams it does not rise to the apex like a king post.

Simple to make and require a small amount of lumber king post trusses are ideal for small structures. The king post truss with struts is popular timeless very strong and an elegantly simple truss design. In traditional timber framing a crown post looks similar to a king post but it is very different structurally.