Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
last edition of this topic was published, but since then has gone from strength to strength.
In the author's opinion this has been based on its superior 'user friendly' computer engin-
eering, not only for the trussed rafters themselves but for the whole roof design software.
The most recent change is the take-over of Truss Wall/Twinaplate by Alpine. Like most of
the plate producers, Alpine is an international company and like all of the others has dec-
ades of experience to draw on. Although some names of plate producers have changed, a
core of experienced people remain within the industry; however, some have moved with
the mergers and take-overs which have occurred. The author has known and worked with
some of the senior engineers who are now running these companies for over 30 years.
Wolf, MiTek, and Gang-Nail all now have web sites available for the provision of inform-
ation off the 'Net', with MiTek's probably being the most developed at present, although
undoubtedly all of the plate producers will have comprehensive web sites in the near fu-
ture. Web addresses of those which currently exist as this topic goes to press are set out in
the bibliography section.
The amalgamation of some of the system owners is the result of the need to pool re-
sources, particularly as the emphasis in system owners' success has continued to shift to-
wards the need to provide increasingly more sophisticated computer programs for their
trussed rafter fabricators to use. The cost of producing these programs can only be re-
covered by the sale of the nail plates. The competition for plate customers the trussed
rafter manufacturers themselves is therefore fierce, continually driving the system owners
to be 'the best' and thus attract more customers.
Most people know the name Gang-Nail, this being the generic term for punched metal
plate connectors and indeed the company has the longest history of plate production in
this country. Each plate producer has to conform to the standards set down in BS 5268:
Part 3: 1998 and have a current certificate of conformity produced by a government ap-
proved testing and assessment authority for each type of plate produced by them. Historic-
ally this has meant an Agrément Board certificate, but now other private assessments bod-
ies are authorised for this work and MiTek Industries has chosen Wimlas Ltd as their ap-
proving body. Other truss plate producers seem to have remained with the Agrément
Board.
