Question

Gusset plates typically hold together trusses. Gusset plates pop out quickly during rapid heating and fall off complexity when a small portion of woods surface burns away. After as little as ____ minutes of burn time. Trusses are used in roof, floor, and mezzanine assemblies.

a) 5
b) 10
c) 15
d) 20

Answer 1

Gusset plates can pop out and fall off trusses when exposed to rapid heating and when a small portion of the wood surface burns away. This can happen after as little as 5 minutes of burn time.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gusset plates are steel plates used to hold together trusses, which are structural frames commonly used in roofing, flooring, and mezzanine assemblies. When exposed to rapid heating, such as during a fire, gusset plates can quickly pop out due to the expansion of the steel. Furthermore, if a small portion of the wood surface burns away, the complexity of the truss is compromised, and the gusset plates may fall off. This can happen after as little as 5 minutes of burn time.