BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

SEM 9
SIR JJ COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

- 1701 RAJ ASHAR

- 1707 SIDDHARTH BHITALE

LONG SPAN TRUSSES

DEFINITION

Long span trusses are 60' or greater in length. A long span truss can pose a
greater risk to installers because the dimensions and weight of the truss itself
can create instability, buckling and collapse of the truss if it is not handled,
installed and braced properly. Long span trusses can be installed safely and
efficiently but they require more detailed safety and handling measures than
short span trusses.

A roof truss stands for a structure with one or numerous triangular units which
consist of straight slender members with their ends attached through nodes.
The main reasons for using trusses are:

• Long span
• Lightweight
• Reduced deflection (compared to plain members)
• Opportunities to support considerable loads

Trusses belong to frameworks in which the members are susceptible to

essentially axial forces caused by externally applied load.
Bending causes compression in the top chords (or horizontal
members), tension in the bottom chords as well as either tension or
compression in the vertical and diagonal members.

Some of the different types of trusses are mentioned below –

Pitched Roof Truss

A pitch roof truss contains a bottom chord having two inclined top chords
attached with guest plates or panels. Additional supports are also provided in
the form of struts according to the need. These trusses contain a larger depth at
mid-span.
Parallel Chord Truss

Parallel Chord Truss contains a bottom chord and a top chord that run parallel
to each other. Additional supports are also provided in the form of struts
according to need.

King Post Truss

It belongs to a central vertical post that is utilized in architectural or bridge

design. It functions in tension to give support to a beam underneath from a truss
apex above.
Queen Post Truss

A queen post truss bridge comprises two uprights which are arranged about
one-third of the way from each end of the truss. These are attached across the
top with a beam and apply a diagonal brace among the exterior edges.
Pratt Truss

Under this type of truss, the web members are placed in such a manner so that
against gravity load, the longer diagonal members remain under tension and the
shorter vertical members undergo compression.
It is suitable for spans that vary among 6-10m

Howe Truss

It is mostly found in light roofing in order that the longer diagonals undergo
tension under reversal of stresses caused by wind load, It is suitable for spans
that vary between 6-30m.
Fink Truss

Fink truss is ideal for longer spans with high pitch roof, as the web members in
such truss are subdivided to acquire shorter members.

Fan Truss

It is suitable while the rafter members of the roof truss are subdivided into an
odd number of panels.
Scissor Truss

It is mostly used in cathedrals. The benefit is that the celling gets vaulted and
lots of spaces in the attic are created.

Warren Girder

Parallel chord trusses apply webs of the similar lengths and consequently
minimize fabrication costs for very long spans Modified warren with extra
vertices are applied to curtaithe unsupported length of compression chord
members
Lattice Girder

It is generally formed with a combination of statute sections which are attached

diagonal lacing. This member is known as jaceo strut a laced tie

North Light Truss

This type of truss let pass north light within the structure with skylights or
openings
General Geometry of long span trusses:

For efficient structural performance, the ratio of span to truss depth should be
chosen in the range 10 to 15. The architectural design of the building determines
its external geometry and governs the slope(s) given to the top chord of the
truss. The intended use of the internal space can lead either to the choice of a
horizontal bottom chord. For an efficient layout of the truss members between
the chords, the following is advisable:

• The inclination of the diagonal members in relation to the chords should

be between 35° and 55°
• Point loads should only be applied at nodes
• The orientation of the diagonal members should be such that the longest
members are subject to tension (the shorter ones being subject to
compression).

Types of truss members sections:

Many solutions are available. Choice of members depends on the magnitude of

the internal forces, ease of connections between members, aesthetics and any
necessity to connect prefabricated truss sections on site. When selecting
members, the out-of-plane buckling resistance will be important, together with
resistance under reversed loading, for example, uplift.

For large trusses and heavy loads, typically found in transfer trusses in buildings,
members may be rolled sections. Nodes are usually welded. Any necessary
connections are completed with bolted splices within the length between
nodes.
Type of connections:

For all the types of member sections, it is possible to design either bolted or
welded connections. Generally in steelwork construction, bolted site splices are
preferred to welded splices for economy and speed of erection. Where bolted
connections are used, it is necessary to evaluate the consequences of 'slack' in
connections. In order to reduce these consequences (typically, the increase of
the deflections), solutions are available such as use of preloaded bolts.

Hollow sections are typically connected by welding whilst open sections are
connected by bolting or welding, which will usually involve the use of gusset
plates.