Case Studies

Demonstrate real-world structural performance of the TDW centric nodal truss under point loading at midspan. All material specified at minimum grade to establish a conservative performance baseline. No controlled laboratory — real fabrication shop conditions.

A 50-foot TDW truss fabricated entirely from Grade 50 HSS 1"×0.125" square tube with 0.25" gusset plate was loaded with a 2,400 lb concrete block on a standard 48" pallet at midspan. Measured deflection at the load point was approximately 0.25". No failure. No permanent deformation. Test terminated by equipment capacity, not structural capacity.

Large-bay warehouse and distribution center construction demands maximum clear span with minimum interior columns, fast erection schedules, and structural systems that can accommodate mechanical and electrical pathways through the truss depth. Standard SJI joists at 6.25 ft O.C. require bridging at every panel point and produce L/240 deflection at best.

TDW trusses at 12.5 ft O.C. — half the member count of SJI. Embedded saddle connections at the bearing points. L/480 deflection standard built in. Mechanical and electrical routing through the open web depth. Speed bridging instead of cross bridging. 55% fewer members per bay means less iron in the air and faster erection.

Grocery stores and big box retail require long clear spans with no interior columns, strict floor flatness tolerances, and composite deck systems. SJI joists at L/240 produce deflection that compromises floor flatness and refrigerated case performance. Camber in welded SJI joists generates horizontal arch thrust at supports that is rarely accounted for in standard design.

TDW trusses deliver L/480 deflection — twice the code minimum — producing flatter floors and reducing long-term deflection concerns at refrigerated cases, shelving, and equipment. Zero eccentricity at every connection eliminates the horizontal thrust problem inherent in cambered SJI systems. Drop-in embedded saddle bearing with no field welding at the seat.