Trusses

Chapter 5
Introduction

The use of trusses started in Roman architecture where they were

the most efficient means to build long-span structures 2
Introduction

In the modern world, trusses are everywhere, from machines and

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infrastructure to buildings.
Introduction
 A truss is an assembly of individual linear elements arranged in a
triangle or a combination of triangles to form a rigid framework
that cannot be deformed by the application of external forces
without the deformation of one or more of its members.
 The individual elements are typically assumed to be joined at
their intersections with pinned connections.
 Members are customarily arranged so that all loads and
reactions occur only at these intersections.
 The external force causes forces to be developed in members of
the stable triangulated structure. These forces are either purely
tensile or purely compressive. Bending is not present, nor can it
be developed, as long as external loads are applied at nodal
points.

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Introduction

5
Truss Analysis
 Stability and determinacy.
• It is usually possible to tell by inspection whether a truss is stable
under external loads by considering each joint, in turn, to
determine whether the joint will maintain a fixed relation to
other joints under any loading condition applied to the truss. In
general, any truss composed of an aggregation of basic
triangular shapes will be a stable structure. Nontriangular shapes
in a bar pattern are an obvious sign that the truss should be
carefully inspected.
• The stability and determinacy can be checked by the following
formula - for a stable and determinate truss = 2 − 3 where
m = the number of members and j = the number of joints, given
that reactions are not parallel or intersect at the same point.
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Truss Analysis
m= 8; j=6 m= 11; j=7
8<12-3 11=14-3

m= 9; j=6 m= 10; j=6

9=12-3 10>12-3

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Truss Analysis
 Member Forces.
• Member forces and their sense (tension or compression) can be
determined by the method of joints and the method sections.
Indeterminate trusses can be analyzed using the stiffness or
force methods.

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Member Forces: Qualitative analyses
For some simple truss
configurations, the basic sense
(tension, compression, zero) of the
forces in many members can be
determined by simple techniques
that might help visualize how certain
trusses carry external loads. The
techniques that can be used include:
• Removing the member and
observing the deflected shape,
• Using the arch-and-cable
analogy.
• Using the method of joints/
section 9
Shears and Moments in trusses

Deflected shape

The exact way different

structures respond to the
same loading may vary, but
each provides (and must
provide) the same internal
resisting shears and
moments, no matter what
truss configuration is used.
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Space Truss
The stability inherent in triangulated patterns of bars is also
present when the structure is extended into the third dimension.
Whereas the simple triangle is the basic repetitive element in
planar trusses, the tetrahedron is the basic repetitive element in
three-dimensional trusses.

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Space Truss

12
Space Truss

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Truss design efficiency
 Structural efficiency - To minimize the total amount of material
used in a truss in order to support a given loading over a given
span while providing adequate safety and stiffness. For example,
efficient patterns may be developed that minimize the length of
long compression members and maximize the length of tension
elements.
 Construction efficiency - considerations related to the
fabrication and making of a truss. Responding to these
objectives frequently leads to trusses with simple external
configurations (often, parallel upper and lower chords or simple
gabled forms). Equally simple internal triangulation patterns are
used as well, with the objective of making all members the same
length. Member design attitudes are also affected: Instead of
making different truss members different sizes, one size may be
selected 14
Design of Trusses
 There are many aspects of truss design. Broad issues include
• The overall external configuration of a truss,
• The pattern of its internal triangulation, and
• The choice of materials and the design of members.

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Design of Trusses

16
Configuration and efficiency

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Configuration and efficiency

Compare configuration A with B

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Funicular-shaped trusses.

Shaped trusses of the

type shown are often
quite efficient in a
structural sense. 19
Funicular-shaped trusses.
The lens-shaped Truss
An analysis of this truss would reveal that the interstitial
diagonals are zero-force members and thus serve only the
function of stabilizing the assembly under variant loading
conditions. The verticals transfer loads such that the upper and
lower chord members are similarly loaded (a condition that must
be met for the similarity of shape to be correct).

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Design of Trusses
 Important dimensional variables include

Spacing
of purlins

Depth

Trusses
Span
Spacing
lengths of Compression members
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Depths of Trusses
 In general, trusses that are relatively deep in relation to their
span are the most efficient, and shallow trusses are less so.
 Rules of thump
• Trusses that carry relatively light loads and are closely spaced:
approximately 1/20 of their span
• Secondary collector trusses that carry reactions produced by
load-transfer members: 1/10 of their span.
• Primary collector trusses, which support huge loads (e.g., a
truss carrying the column loads from a multistory building over
a clear span on the ground floor): 1/4 or 1/5 of the span

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Planar Versus Space Trusses
 In one-way spanning elements, a planar truss usually requires
less volume of truss material than does a space truss serving
the same function, particularly when they are used on the
interior of a building and lateral bracing is intrinsically provided
by the roof framing system or some other element.
 Space trusses prove efficient when
the trusses are used in a
freestanding way (without
transverse beams framing into their
top chords). In these cases, the
forms are inherently resistant to
simple lateral overturning. Their
compression zones are also
naturally resistant to lateral
buckling of whole bar assemblies. 23
Planar Versus Space Trusses
 On occasion a space truss may be chosen because of its
inherent capability to resist torsional effects as may result from
asymmetrical loadings.

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