"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
...
dennis@home wrote:


"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
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Don't assume. Rafters are largely in compression.

If rafters are in compression what keeps the walls from spreading out?




Joists?

Perhpas one of us is using the wrong term..the joists are horiozontal
tension members and the rafters are the slopey bits?

Probably.
I have only had dealings with trussed rafters..
In those all the peripheral members are in tension on one side and
compression on the other.
The inside bits tend to be in compression AIUI.