Term Paper

CIV 036
Elements of Steel Structure
Design
Topic: - Types of Trusses

Submitted To Submitted By
Mr. Amit Dhir Atish Kumar
Roll No.:- 15
Class: - Diploma Civil
Semester: - 6th
 CONTENTS

S.N. Description Page No.

1. Truss 3
2. Types of trusses 4
3. Space Truss 14
4. Reference 15

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Truss
A truss is a structure comprising one or more triangular units constructed
with straight members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as
nodes.

A truss is a structural frame based on the geometric rigidity and stability of

the triangle, which more effectively distributes tension and compression
than other shapes. Trusses were originally developed by civil engineers
and are routinely found in bridges and roofs where supporting great deals
of weight is essential.

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Types of Steel Trusses

There are two basic types of truss.

 Pitched Truss
 Parallel Chord Truss

Pitched Truss
This truss, also known as a common truss, is characterized by triangular
supports inside a larger triangular master frame. It is most often used in
roof construction. The spacing and span of the supports can vary, creating
a multitude of web configurations.

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Parallel Chord Truss
This truss, also called a flat truss, is named for the parallel chords at the top
and bottom of the frame that hold the triangular-shaped supports. It is
most often used for floor construction.

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Truncated Truss
This type of truss is a combination of a pitched truss and parallel chord
truss, and is most often used in hip and pyramid roof construction where
all sides slope downward toward the walls.

Bow String Roof Truss

With a top chord arched like a bow, this truss is most commonly found in
warehouses, airplane hangars, and other large, open buildings.

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King Post Truss
This is considered one of the simplest types of trusses to implement,
consisting of only two angled supports that lean against a common, vertical
center support. This is useful only for very short distances.

Queen Post Truss

This type of truss consists of two vertical supports connected by a
horizontal support, with an angled support on either side of the verticals. It
was created as an alternative to the king post truss but is similarly used for
short distances only.

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Pratt Truss
First patented in 1844 by two Boston railway engineers, this variation on
the parallel chord truss interweaves angled supports with vertical beams,
which more adequately respond to compression and tension than other
types of trusses.

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Town's Lattice Truss
Patented in 1820 and 1835 by an American architect, this truss is a
latticework of angled supports forming X patterns with very small spaces
between them. It was originally designed as an alternative to heavy timber
bridges.

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Vierendeel Truss
 A truss with rectangular panels and rigid joints. The members of a
Vierendeel truss are subject to strong nonaxial forces.
 A rigid frame with an assemblage of rectangles and trapezoids but no
diagonal members.

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Lenticular Truss
First patented in 1878, this truss has both the bottom and top chords arched
to form a lens shape. It can most commonly be found on American bridges.

11
Brown Truss
Originally patented in 1857, this truss is comprised of only wide,
crisscrossing diagonal supports that form X shapes and have no vertical
braces. It is most often found in covered bridges.

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K Truss
This truss is named for the K shape that is created in each panel by two
angled supports that meet in the center of a vertical support.

13
 Space Truss
Three dimensional frame works consisting of pin connected bars are called
space trusses. They are characterized by hinged joints with no moments or
torsional resistance. All members carry only axial compression or tension.

14
Reference
 http://nptel.iitm.ac.in/courses/IITMADRAS/Design_Steel_Structures_II/4_space_frames/3_spac
e_truss.pdf
 http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Structures
 http://www.ehow.com/list_5908139_types-steel-trusses.html
 http://www.maplevalleytruss.com/config.htm
 http://chestofbooks.com/architecture/Construction-Superintendence/index.html
 http://pre2005.flexiblelearning.net.au/toolbox/demosites/series10/10_01/content/bcgbc4010a
/04_struct_members/topic_index.htm

Book
 Design of Steel Structures by S.K Duggal (TATA McGRAW HILL)

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