Resistance distributions of a metal-plate-connected wood truss

A simulation technique was used to develop the resistance distribution of a metal-plate-connected wood truss. The strength of the truss was evaluated by a linear matrix structural analysis program that included semirigid behavior of the joints. Correlated lumber strength properties were generated by using a modified multivariate normal approach, which preserved the marginal distribution of each property and the correlation between them. Joint stiffnesses were generated from specified probability distributions. The truss was modeled and simulated for three different joint assumptions