Kansas is notorious for its prairie winds. Engineers have always had to take these winds into account when designing structures across the state.

Prairie winds can be downright dangerous if you’re working with the wrong building materials.

Every day, truss designers need to take a variety of factors into account when building for the prairie winds in Kansas. Here are some important things to know about how truss systems are affected by Kansas prairie winds:

Truss builders need to calculate wind pressures using two blended methods

There are two broad ways to calculate wind pressures: Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS) and Components & Cladding (C&C).

MWFRS applies to a structural frame or an assembly of structural elements that work together to transfer wind loads to the ground.

C&C applies to components that directly receive wind loads – like wall coverings, roof coverings, fasteners, and girts. Components and Cladding are typically exposed to higher wind pressures than MWFRS elements.

Trusses fall into both categories. Thus, the industry-standard practice is to design the truss to handle both MWFRS loads and C&C loads.

Truss builders need to consult wind maps to identify correct wind speeds

Building codes typically require the use of a 90-mph wind speed for inland areas of the United States. However, you’ll need to consult local wind maps and government building codes for region-specific information.

Experienced builders don’t settle with just the 90-mph wind speed standard. Experienced builders increase the durability to handle wind speeds around 100 and 110 mph. With wood trusses in Kansas, increases wind speed durability is a major consideration. All trusses must be designed to withstand substantial wind, more than the average structure.

Building usage affects wind pressure calculations

Buildings fall into a number of different usage categories. Specifically, there are three broad categories of building usages:

-Category I: A building that will have a low hazard to human life if it fails

-Category II: A building that presents a substantial hazard to human life if it fails

-Category III and IV: Buildings that are critical facilities or present a substantial hazard to human life in the event of a failure.

Different building exposures affect truss design

Buildings located on empty, flat land are more affected by wind pressure than buildings surrounded by trees and other buildings.

Building codes classify these buildings in four different ways:

Exposure A: Buildings located in downtown areas or city centers.

Exposure B: Urban and suburban buildings that are surrounded by similar-sized buildings and trees.

Exposure C: Buildings in an open area with scattered obstructions.

Exposure D: A building exposed to unobstructed wind for at least one mile over flat land.

Good truss builders take all of these factors into account

Ultimately, truss builders have a lot of responsibility. In Kansas, flat plains let wind travel unobstructed for hundreds of miles. Rural buildings and even many suburban buildings are rarely protected against substantial wind.

To take truss manufacturing to the next level, Timberlake TrussWorks builds wood trusses capable of withstanding strong winds. The key to a sound structure requires the builder to guarantee trusses are fastened tightly against the wall. This is accomplished by installing TimberLOK Screws, which we happily provide.

These screws are hurricane ties – able to withstand the brunt force of harsh winds caused by severe storms. TimberLOK Screws keep trusses and roofs stable and secure during harsh weather conditions experienced on the plains of Kansas.

If you’re shopping for wood trusses in Kansas, then you can’t settle for average. Kansas’s prairie winds chew up average wood trusses and quickly reduce the lifespan of structures. If you’re looking for wood trusses in Kansas that offer a higher level of quality and longer-lasting support, then order from Timberlake TrussWorks today.

Our Service Area