CHAPTER 2: ROOF TRUSSES: 2.

1 Types of Timber and Steel Trusses

CHAPTER 2: ROOF TRUSSES: 2.1 Types of Timber and Steel Trusses
 Truss can be of two types (according to materials)
i. Timber truss
ii. Steel truss

 Both type include of flat and pitched roof

 Trusses are mainly used to give a clear

working/functional space in a room free from load
bearing walls

 They are generally used for large spans e.g. at

auditoriums, theatres, industrial buildings etc. for
light load roofing only
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses: TIMBER TRUSS
 They are structurally designed frames based on the Plywood gusset plates
principle of triangulation and thus their members
can resist primarily compressive and tensile stresses
and also small bending stresses.

 To make a suitable rigid joint, truss members are

connected by various members:

i. Plywood gusset plates( glued and nailed)

ii. Truss or nail plates
iii. Bolts and timber connectors(for heavy loads)
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
 Truss or nail plates
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
 Bolts and timber connectors(for heavy loads)
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
 The timber trusses should be properly designed and are normally shop fabricated(not in
site)
 Concentrated loads may require additional framing
 They may be girder (heavy beam) or wall supported with edge condition
 Flush roof edge
 Roof overhang
 False ceiling may be applied to the bottom chords
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
 A wide variety of timber roofs are available for
both medium and large spans and are classified
as:

i. Pitched Trusses
ii. Flat Top Girders (Flat Trusses)
iii. Bowstring Trusses
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
i. Pitched Trusses
 They are two dimensional
triangulated designed frames
spaced at 4.5-6.0 m c/c
 And spans up to 30m.

 The pitch should have a

depth to span ration 1:5 ratio
or steeper and made to suit
roof coverings.
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
ii Flat Trusses (Flat Top Girders)
 Basically: lattice beams of low pitch
spaced at 4.5-6.0m centers
 Span up to 45m
 Depth to Span ratio: 1:8 -1:10

 Connections are usually made with

timber connectors and bolts

Advantages:
 Reduction of volume of building >>
savings in the heating installations
required and in the running costs
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
ii Flat Trusses (Flat Top
Girders)

They are low pitched

frames having pitch of
less than 10 degree to
the horizontal.
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
Pitched and Flat Roofs
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
Trussed Rafter
 This is based on triangulated frame and the members are
butt jointed and secured with truss plates

 Instead of truss plates, plywood gusset plates can be used

 All members are of same thickness

 placed at 600 mm c/c and tied with tiling battens, no purlin

or ridge is required.

 used up to span 11m.

Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS

Typical Trussed Rafter Details

Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
iii Bowstring Trusses
 They are basically lattice(space between)
girders with a curved upper chords

 Spaced at 4.5-6.0 m c/c

 Span range up to 75m

 Used as depth to span ratio of 1:6 to 1:8, with

top chord radius equal to span

 They can be made from solid timber pieces,

but laminated wood is preferred for the chords
with solid struts and ties to lattice members.
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
iii
Bowstring
Trusses
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : TIMBER TRUSS
Choice of Truss and Timber
 To decide upon the most suitable and economic truss to be specified for any
given situation, the following should be considered:

1. Availability of suitable timber in the sizes required

2. Cost of alternative timber
3. Design and fabrication costs
4. Transportation problems and costs
5. On-site assembly and erection problems and costs
6. Roof covering material availability and costs
7. Architectural design considerations
8. Structural stability requirements
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : STEEL TRUSS
 The safe working tensile stress of mild steel is about 20 times more than that of
structural timber.

 Thus the steel trusses are stronger, lighter and more economical for large spans than
the timber trusses

 Different types of standard structural steel sections are used e.g. MS Angle, Tubular
etc
 Connections can be of traditional gusset plates to which members are welded or
bolted or riveted

 Steel frames are cut, shaped and fabricated as required

 When they expose, they require fire-resistant protection and treatment against
corrosion.
Types of Timber and Steel Trusses : STEEL TRUSS
 The safe working tensile stress of mild steel is about 20
times more than that of structural timber.
STEEL TRUSS

MS Angles Steel Truss Construction

STEEL TRUSS

MS Angles Steel Truss Construction

STEEL TRUSS: Advantages
 They are stronger than timber trusses

 They are light in weight and can be fabricated in any desired pattern to suit architectural
pattern

 free from the attack of white ants, termites or any insects

 have more fire resisting capacity than the timber trusses

 They do not have restriction of the span and thus they can be used for any required large
spans
 easy in transportation
 The process of roofing work is fast
STEEL TRUSS: Dis-Advantages of Triangular steel truss
 They might not have good appearance

 They require frequent painting to prevent from rusting or any other

weathering effects.
Next Class:
• Flat and Pitched Trusses out of Timber and Steel
• Comparison and Uses

Have a good day.