A team of former Lethbridge College students examined the best connection methods for roof trusses. (Image: ASET)

By Jerran Fisher

Former Lethbridge College students finalists for Alberta engineering technology award

Oct 18, 2022 | 1:24 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A team of former civil engineering technology students at Lethbridge College was honoured as a provincial finalist for the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta’s (ASET) Capstone Project of the Year Award.

ASET CEO Barry Cavanaugh said in a news release, “In the great tradition of the ASET Capstone Project of the Year Award finalists, the former Lethbridge College team’s project reflects a commitment to public safety.” Cavanaugh says, “Ultimately, this former team’s findings could have the potential to influence standard future approaches to roof truss to top plate connections.”

The former students tested various roof truss to top plate connection methods, the point at which the roof connects with the house frame.

They found a solution in strengthening the connection by using FrameFast six-inch structural threaded screws; which had on average a connection strength that was 54.1 per cent higher than traditionally nailed connections, and 8.9 per cent higher than hurricane tie connections.

Former team member, John Burt says, “This is good news for the construction industry. By increasing the strength of the roof truss to top plate connection, the cost of construction will be reduced because less material, labour, and time are needed to make the connections.”

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Burt adds, “The structural threaded screw connection is also safer to install. Installation of structural threaded screws can be completed from floor level without the need to use ladders to work at heights or enter the rafters of the structure.”

ASET says in a news release that extreme wind events can severely compromise the integrity of roof connections.

Southern Alberta set nine all-time wind records in January 2021, including wind gusts up to 137 km/hour recorded in Barnwell, which met the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center criteria for a category one hurricane.

The former Lethbridge College team’s project is one of eight finalists. The winning project will be announced later this year.

by Jerran Fisher