Roaming Loads

Roaming load is similar to concentrated load. It allows for an additional point load applied at any point on the top or bottom chord of an open-web truss. The method accounts for the most critical effects of placing a single point load anywhere on the truss by analyzing all pin and midpanel locations.

Roaming load differs from concentrated load in a few aspects. One is that use of the load and its magnitude are entirely at the designer's discretion. It is not prescribed by building code. Another is that the roaming load is assumed to be a dead load concurrent with all other loads, whereas the concentrated load is a live load concurrent with all other dead loads. The roaming load is applied as a point load at any location, while the concentrated load is represented by a point load at the center of a 2.5' square.

Roaming load input is in pounds. Load to the truss does not depend on spacing.