Pitched roofs

7.2

Also See:

TRADA Eurocode 5 span tables (3rd edition)

BS 8103-3

7.2.3Design of pitched roofs

The sizing and spacing of members shall ensure structural stability and provide restraint to the structure without undue movement or distortion. Issues to be taken into account include:

trussed rafter roofs
traditional cut roofs.

The design of pitched roofs should:

have dead and imposed loads calculated in accordance with BS EN 1991-1-1, BS EN 1991-1-3 and BS EN 1991-1-4

be in accordance with PD 6693-1, and Technical Requirement R5, where appropriate

be appropriate for the location, accounting for exposure and wind uplift

ensure that the structure is coherent and that all forces are resolved

ensure stability with the complete structure, including the connections and compatibility with the supporting structure and adjacent elements

where trussed rafters and a cut roof are combined, the designer should provide details of the complete roof (particular care is needed in such circumstances).

Roofs should be designed by an engineer in accordance with Technical Requirement R5 where:

the roof is not a basic pitched roof

hips, valleys or other special features are included in a trussed rafter roof

the spans, sizes, spacing or strength classes of the timber are outside the scope of authoritative tables

trussed rafters support traditional cut roof members, or

it is a proprietary system (designs supplied by manufacturers will generally be acceptable).

Structural timber should be of a suitable grade and specified according to the strength classes in BS EN 338, e.g. C16, C24 or TR26. When using the BS 4978 grading rules:

the timber specification should be in accordance with BS EN 1912, or the timber species and strength class identified

the timber should be marked accordingly.

Trussed rafter roofs

Trussed rafters should be:

installed in accordance with the design, and the structure or spacing should not be altered without prior consent from the designer

fixed to the wall in accordance with the design (e.g. using double skew nailing or truss clips)

vertical and suitably located (where necessary, temporary bracing should be used to maintain spacing and to keep trusses vertical)

evenly spaced at maximum 600mm centres.

Where the maximum 600mm spacing cannot be achieved, e.g. to accommodate hatch openings or chimneys, spacing may be increased to a maximum of twice the nominal spacing, provided that the spacing X is less than, or equal to, 2A-B where:

X = distance between centres of trussed trimmed rafters and the adjacent trussed rafter

A = design spacing of trussed rafters

B = nominal width of opening.

Where multiple and reinforcing timbers to simple or multiple trussed rafters are used, they should be:

designed to be permanently fastened together

either fixed together during manufacture, or fully detailed drawings and specifications showing the fixing method should be supplied.

Hipped roofs constructed with trussed rafters typically require a series of diminishing mono-pitched trusses supported by a girder truss.

The bearing of mono-pitched trusses into shoes should be in accordance with Table 1, unless designed by an engineer in accordance with Technical Requirement R5.

Table 1: Bearing length of mono-pitched trusses into shoes

Span	Minimum bearing length	Minimum thickness of trussed rafter
Less than 4m	50mm	35mm
4m or more	75mm	35mm

Ceiling finishes should be fixed according to the spacing of the support members and the thickness of the sheet. Plasterboard should be fixed as follows:

9.5mm plasterboard should be fixed at a maximum support spacing of 450mm.

12.5-15mm plasterboard should be fixed at a maximum support spacing of 600mm.

Additional members will generally be required to support coverings and finishes where trusses are spaced further apart.

Where the width of a gable ladder exceeds that of the trussed rafter centres, noggings should be used to reduce the span of the roofing tile battens.

Traditional cut roofs

For traditional cut roofs:

the design should specify the details of each structural member and the method of fixing or jointing

the roof should be in accordance with the design and members accurately located

members should be fully supported and tied together where necessary, particularly where the roof is not a simple triangle

temporary support to long span members should be used until framing is complete

purlins and binders should be built in where necessary

framing should be completed before coverings are installed.

Table 2: Basic timber members

Member	Notes
Valley rafter	Provides support for loads from both sections of the roof and should: ■ be larger than ordinary rafters to take the additional load ■ provide full bearing for the splay cut of jack rafters ■ be provided with intermediate support where required.
Hip rafter	Provides spacing and fixing for jack rafters and should: ■ have a deeper section than the other rafters to take the top cut of the jack rafters. Purlins should be mitred at hips and lip cut to accept the bottom of the hip rafter.
Ceiling joist or ties	Provides support for the rafters and should: ■ stop the walls and roof spreading outwards ■ provide support to the ceiling finish and walkways, etc.
Ridge	Provides fixings and spacing for the tops of the rafters.
Purlin	Provides support to long span rafters to prevent deflection and increase stiffness.
Struts	Provides support to purlins to prevent deflection and to transfer roof loads to the load-bearing structure below.
Collar	Ties the roof together at purlin level.
Ceiling binders and hangers	Provides support to long span ceiling joists.
Pole plates	Similar to purlins, but used where ceiling joists are above wall plate level.

Generally sizes should be as Table 3, unless designed by an engineer in accordance with Technical Requirement R5.

Table 3: Typical sizes for timber members

Member	Minimum size
Struts	100mm x 50mm
Valleys	32mm thick
Ridges and hips	Rafter cut + 25mm