Earthship Idiot Truss

[n74tg]

Does anybody have Michael Reynolds Earthship book (s).  There's a website that shows where a guy built his own "idiot trusses" (I presume he means simple enough even an idiot could build them) for his earthship.

I'm interested in dimensions and loads the trusses can handle.  

Anybody got any info?  You can read what he posted about the idiot truss at url below

http://www.tnstaafl.net/Earthship/Idiot_Truss/idiot_truss.html

[glenn-k]

I am unable to pick up the "For Dummies" books or Idiot articles even if they may help me --  a phobia or my wife says ego problem or something (personally I've never noticed it)-- I have to go for the "Trusses for fairly intelligent individuals" series.  Unfortunately I have been unable to find it.


I know  -what a crock. :-/

After all that, I found some truss plans with a lot of loading information and construction information.  Check out the other things on the site-- ag related, but good information, and free.

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~mwps_dis/mwps_web/tr_plans.html


Tons of free plans and links to more.
http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans/index.htm

Use caution when looking at these plans-- you can get lost for hours. :-/

[Amanda_931]

Pictures make them look rather like home-built truss-joists, with blocking.  Instead of the gouge in the top and bottom, the pieces are nailed to one side of the face.

They can be used for floors, roofs, and even, I think walls.  Pretty they're not.

Kind of slow loading, lots of color pictures .pdf file.

With load tables, etc.

http://www.trusjoist.com/PDFFiles/2025.pdf

[Bart_Cubbins]

I thought at first they were plywood box beams, but a close look at the picture does show plywood on only one side.

Nonetheless, here's a link to an APA document (PDF warning) that has load/span tables for plywood box beams...

http://www.apawood.org/pdfs/managed/Z416.pdf

[n74tg]

Thanks guys, I'm impressed by the widely varied knowledge base of the forum members.

Tony Gunn
Hot Springs, AR

[glenn kangiser]

Thanks, Tony.  We have a lot of good people here, all willing to help out, sharing what they know and learning what they don't from ones who do.  Chances are that one of us has already made one of your avoidable future mistakes if you just ask.  The barter system is alive and well here.