So I understand this is a defect and I understand I only need to report it, recommend further evaluation by a licensed structural engineer, and move on, but I’m trying for my own benefit to understand the reason behind this. I just left an attic where several of the (nearly all) of the vertical supports in a truss system where not meeting the gusset plate on the lower chord of the trusses. From indentations seen on the lower chord, it appears as though they were at some point connected, but what caused them to disconnect? They dont even appear long enough to reach the lower chord, as if the ends of the trusses where compressed pulling them upward?
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Wow, that’s crazy! We’re there any other signs of structural/foundation movement?
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Yes, roof was “wavy”, as in slightly depressed between each upper chord section. I walked it before ever going in attic. Slightly spongy. Also, at the interior ridge seam in the house (this was over a vaulted ceiling) the center seam looked like it had prior drywall work there, as if previous work was completed and patched.
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Oh, and foundation was perfect. Windows and doors all square, no corner cracks in drywall, etc…
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The only thing I could imagine would be some kind of wind uplift forces
It doesn’t look like the plate had much engagement with the vertical supports. Maybe one full row of teeth in the meat, and one useless partial row at the very end.
Not sure what event caused the separation, but more holding power would be nice. Are you in a high wind or hurricane area?
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No sir. Southern Ohio.
Any previous tornado activity in that area?
No. I’ve lived here my entire life and this is about 20 minutes from my home. A mild tornado years ago about 30 miles south of here. The occasional thunderstorm with high winds.
I’ve seen the king post pulled out of the gusset plates on the top due to people storing heavy items in the attic, but this is a strange one for sure and I have no idea what would cause that to happen on the bottom of the king post.
What was underneath this area?
I’ve also seen something similar in a garage where they were using the trusses to pull engines.
Another good one for the WTF thread.
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Gaps between the gusset and the web members as little as 1/32" reduce the holding capacity of the gusset plate(s). Gaps 3/32" or greater have 0% effectiveness.
That type of gap is bad as well of course. I was referring more to the fact only 1 full row of teethe were really in any of the meat of the wood.
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So, you and Kevin are both from Ohio. Just a small tangent here, sorry about that smack down my Vikes handed the Bengals today! 
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The gusset should lap the web member a minimum of one inch.
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Today was a day that will live in Bengal history infamy. They set a record for the biggest loss in franchise history. WTF?
Both the offensive and defensive lines are to blame.
But not all is lost.,.,.,., yet.
The Reds win another series. They beat the Twins in a rain-shortened game to do it
Oh, my bad, wrong story.
Mets fall out of playoff position as meltdown continues, Reds surge into wild card spot with one week to go
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Hey, we were all just as surprised that the Vikes played a dominating game. As for the Twins, well we suck terribly.
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This was over the living room, the only lofted ceiling in the house.
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We were Burrow-less, so I didn’t give us much of a chance, and which is why I didn’t mind inspecting on this Sunday. Of course Burrow doesn’t play defense so I guess I can’t use that excuse when we gave up 48 points. “I recommend a new offensive line and defensive coordinator”.
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So no engines being pulled in the living room I take it.
Whatever the cause, good find.
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I agree. The king post is in tension (vs compression) therefore a faulty connection could easily separate. This looks like a manufacturer defect that failed.
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