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Subjects · Leaving Cert Construction Studies

Leaving Cert Construction Studies: Pitched roofs

How often Pitched roofs comes up on the Construction Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

OL Asked on 6 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Construction Studies course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Pitched roofs, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Pitched roofs.

(a)Usual spacing of prefabricated trussed rafters?
  1. 1200 mm centres
  2. 600 mm centres
  3. 300 mm centres
(b)Why must a trussed rafter never be cut on site?
  1. Cutting it would let radon gas into the attic
  2. Cutting it would lower the house's BER
  3. Each member is designed as part of a frame
(c)How is the wall plate held down against wind uplift?
  1. Galvanised straps fixed down the wall
  2. Nails into the cavity insulation
  3. Only by its own weight
Show the answers

(a) 600 mm centres

(b) Each member is designed as part of a frame

(c) Galvanised straps fixed down the wall

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Pitched roofs.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q1
2023Q1
2022Not asked
2021Not asked
2019Q2
2018Q1, Q9
2017Q7
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Pitched roofs questions

Pitched roofs, 3 marks

Why is a roof truss built from triangles?

  1. Triangles use less timber than any rectangular frame
  2. To leave room in the attic for the water tank
  3. A triangle cannot change shape unless a side changes length
Show the answer

A triangle cannot change shape unless a side changes length

A four-sided frame can rack into a parallelogram, but a triangle is rigid. Each member is then simply pushed or pulled, so slim timbers can span far.

Pitched roofs, 2 marks

What does diagonal bracing do in a trussed-rafter roof?

  1. Ventilates the roof space between trusses
  2. Stops the trusses leaning and stiffens the roof
  3. Carries the weight of the attic water tank
Show the answer

Stops the trusses leaning and stiffens the roof

Without bracing the trusses could topple like dominoes in high wind. Diagonal and longitudinal braces nailed across them make the roof act as one frame.

Pitched roofs, 2 marks

What joins the members of a trussed rafter?

  1. Toothed steel gang-nail plates
  2. Lead soakers nailed at each joint
  3. Copper disc rivets and bolts
Show the answer

Toothed steel gang-nail plates

The galvanised plates are pressed in by machine at the factory, so each joint is designed and made to take the calculated forces.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 6 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q2
2024Q1
2023Q4, Q8c
2022Q8b
2021Q1, Q8h
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Q8c
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Pitched roofs questions

Pitched roofs, 2 marks

Why is a roof truss made of triangles?

  1. Triangles are easier to paint and treat
  2. To leave room in the attic space for a water tank
  3. A triangle keeps its shape and is very rigid
Show the answer

A triangle keeps its shape and is very rigid

A square frame can be pushed out of shape, but a triangle cannot. So light timbers joined in triangles can carry the roof.

Pitched roofs, 2 marks

A force that stretches a roof member is called?

  1. Torsion
  2. Tension
  3. Compression
Show the answer

Tension

Tension pulls and stretches. Compression squeezes. Torsion twists.

Pitched roofs, 3 marks

Why must a roof truss never be cut or altered on site?

  1. It would weaken the whole designed frame
  2. It would lower the house's BER rating
  3. The timber would rot once it is cut
Show the answer

It would weaken the whole designed frame

Each member of a truss is designed to carry load as part of a triangle. Cutting one, for example to fit an attic stairs, can make the roof sag or fail.

Other Construction Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Construction Studies