CIVL 3121 Trusses - Introduction 1/7

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

 We will discuss the determinacy, stability, and

analysis of statically determinate trusses

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

CIVL 3121 Trusses - Introduction 2/7

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Definition of a Truss

 A truss is a structure composed of slender

members joined together at their end points.

 Planar trusses lie in a single plane.

 Typically, the joint connections are formed by

bolting or welding the end members together to a
common plate, called a gusset plate.

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Examples of gusset plates Idealized Pin Connections

CIVL 3121 Trusses - Introduction 3/7

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Common Roof Trusses Common Roof Trusses

 Roof trusses - in general, the roof load is transmitted to the truss
by a series of purlins. The roof truss along with its supporting
columns is termed a bent. The space between bents is called a
bay.

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Common Roof Trusses Common Bridge Trusses

 Pratt Truss – This truss was patented in 1844 by two Boston
railway engineers; Caleb Pratt and his son Thomas Willis Pratt.
 The design uses vertical beams for compression and horizontal
beams to respond to tension.
 What is remarkable about this style is that it remained popular
even as wood gave way to iron, and even still as iron gave way
to steel.

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Common Bridge Trusses Common Bridge Trusses

 Howe Truss -The relatively rare Howe truss, patented in 1840
by Massachusetts millwright William Howe.  Warren Truss -The Warren truss was patented in 1848 by its
 It includes vertical members and diagonals that slope up towards designers James Warren and Willoughby Theobald Monzani.
the center, the opposite of the Pratt truss.  This truss and consists of longitudinal members joined only by
 In contrast to the Pratt Truss, the diagonal web members are in angled cross-members, forming alternately inverted equilateral
compression and the vertical web members are in tension. triangle-shaped spaces along its length, ensuring that no
individual strut, beam, or tie is subject to bending or torsional
straining forces, but only to tension or compression.
CIVL 3121 Trusses - Introduction 4/7

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Common Bridge Trusses Common Bridge Trusses

 Bridge trusses - the load is transmitted by the deck to

a series of stringers and then to a set of floor beams.

 The floor beams are supported by two parallel trusses.

 The supporting trusses are connected top and bottom

by lateral bracing.

 Additional stability may be provided by portal and sway

bracing

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Common Bridge Trusses Common Bridge Trusses

Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Common Bridge Trusses Assumptions for Truss Design

 To design both the members and connections of a truss,
the force in each member for a given loading must be
determined.

 Two important assumptions are made in truss analysis:

Truss members are connected by smooth pins

All loading is applied at the joints of the truss

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Analysis of Truss Structures Analysis of Truss Structures

Truss members are connected by smooth pins. All loading is applied at the joints of the truss.

 The stress produced in these elements is called the  Since the weight of each members is small compared to
the member force, the member weight is often neglected.
primary stress.
 However, when the member weight is considered, it is
 The pin assumption is valid for bolted or welded applied at the end of each member.
connections if the members are concurrent.
 Because of these two assumptions, each truss member is
 However, since the connection does provide some a two-force member with either a compressive (C) or a
rigidity, the bending introduced in the members is called tensile (T) axial force.
secondary stress.  In general, compression members are bigger to help with
 Secondary stress analysis is not commonly performed instability due to buckling.

Determinacy of Coplanar Trusses Determinacy of Coplanar Trusses

 Since all the elements of a truss are two-force members, r=3

the moment equilibrium is automatically satisfied.
b=5 r+b=2j determinate

 Therefore, there are two equations of equilibrium for each j=4

joint, j, in a truss. If r is the number of reactions and b is
the number of bar members in the truss, determinacy is
obtained by

b + r = 2j Determinate r=4
b = 18 r+b=2j determinate
b + r > 2j Indeterminate j = 11

Determinacy of Coplanar Trusses Determinacy of Coplanar Trusses

r=4 r=4
b = 10 r+b=2j determinate b = 14 r+b>2j indeterminate
j=7 j=8

r=4 r=3
b = 10 r+b=2j determinate b = 21 r+b>2j indeterminate
j=7 j = 10
CIVL 3121 Trusses - Introduction 6/7

Stability of Coplanar Trusses Stability of Coplanar Trusses

 If b + r < 2j, a truss will be unstable, which means the r=3

structure will collapse since there are not enough reactions b=6 r+b<2j unstable
to constrain all the joints.
j=5
 A truss may also be unstable if b + r  2j. In this case,
stability will be determined by inspection

b + r < 2j Unstable
r=3
b + r  2j Unstable if reactions are b=9 r+b=2j unstable
concurrent, parallel, or j=6
collapsible mechanics Section ABC is supported
by three parallel links

Stability of Coplanar Trusses Stability of Coplanar Trusses

External stability - a structure (truss) is externally unstable if External stability - a structure (truss) is externally unstable if
its reactions are concurrent or parallel. its reactions are concurrent or parallel.

Externally Concurrent Externally Parallel

Unstable Reactions Unstable Reactions

Stability of Coplanar Trusses Stability of Coplanar Trusses

Internal stability - may be determined by inspection of the Internal stability

arrangement of the truss members.

 A simple truss will always be internally stable

 The stability of a compound truss is determined by examining how

the simple trusses are connected

 The stability of a complex truss can often be difficult to determine by

inspection.

 In general, the stability of any truss may be checked by performing a Externally stable Internally stable
complete analysis of the structure. If a unique solution can be found
for the set of equilibrium equations, then the truss is stable
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Stability of Coplanar Trusses Stability of Coplanar Trusses

Internal stability Internal stability

Collapsible mechanism Collapsible mechanism

Externally stable Internally unstable Externally stable Internally unstable

End of Trusses - Part 1

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