US Patent 10550572 Composite structural member for a building structure

A composite structural member for a building structure comprises a first elongate portion having a first end region and a second end region and a second elongate portion having a first end region and a second end region. The second end region of the first elongate portion is connected to the first end region of the second elongate portion so that the composite structural member provided thereby is substantially longer than either of the first and second elongate portions. The first elongate portion may comprise a first member suited for resisting high magnitude forces and the second elongate portion may be a second member, less well suited for resisting high forces but having lower cost per unit length. The composite structural member may be a rafter, especially a rafter of a portal frame.