STEELWORKS AND TRUSSES

Trusses
• truss is a structure that consists of members organised into
connected triangles so that the overall assembly behaves as a single
object.
• A truss is made up of a web of triangles joined together to enable the
even distribution of weight and the handling of
changing tension and compression without bending or shearing.
Steel vs Wood Truss
• Steel Trusses
• Steel trusses are stronger than timber trusses.
• There is no danger of the material being eaten away by white ants or other
insects.
• Steel trusses are more fire-resisting than timber trusses.
• they don’t need chemical treatments to maintain the frame
• Steel frames can also be recycled easily, making this option an ideal one for
the environmentally conscious home or business owner.
Types of truss
• Simple Truss - The basic triangle in a truss consists of three beams
connected in the corners by three joints. A triangle on its own could
be considered a simple truss.
• Planar Truss - A planar truss is a truss in which all the members lie in a
two-dimensional plane. This type of truss is typically used in series,
with the trusses laid out in a parallel arrangement to form roofs,
bridges, and so on.
• Space Frame Truss
• In contrast to a planar truss which lies in a two-dimensional plane, a
space frame truss is a three-dimensional framework of connected
triangles.
Truss Forms
• Pratt Truss-Also known as an ‘N’ truss, this form is often used in long-
span buildings, with spans ranging from 20-100 m.

• Warren Truss-A Warren truss has fewer members than a Pratt truss
and has diagonal members which are alternatively in tension and
compression. The truss members form a series of equilateral
triangles, alternating up and down.
• North light truss- This form of truss is usually used for short spans in
industrial buildings, and is so called because it allows maximum benefit to be
gained from natural lighting by the use of glazing on the steeper north-facing
pitch (sometimes referred to as a sawtooth roof).

• Saw-tooth truss- A variation of the North light truss is the saw-tooth truss
which is used in multi-bay buildings. Similar to the North light truss, it is
typical to include a truss of the vertical face running perpendicular to the
plane of the saw-tooth truss.
• Flat truss- The top and bottom chords are parallel, allowing the
construction of floors or flat roofs.