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Introduction
Steel trusses are one of the most convenient structural systems available for roofs of industrial
buildings (where larger working space is required without intermediate column supports), spans
of bridges and towers. Truss-structures are formed by connecting various members at their ends
to form a system of rigid triangles, arranged in pre-decided pattern. All joints are assumed to be
hinged and external loads are generally applied at joints only, so that all members have to resist
only tension and compression.
e) Pratt truss (l = 10m to 30m) f) Warren truss (Modified Pratt) (l = 10m to 30m)
-suitable for medium pitch -suitable for small pitch
1) Pitch Requirements: The pitch (slope) of a roof is determined by the following criteria:
- Climatic conditions of the place (such as wind, rains & heavy snow)
- The nature of covering materials & over-lap (corrugate iron & asbestos cement sheets)
- Aesthetic condition
In area of heavy rain & snow, the slope of roof-trusses should not be less than the following:
rise 1
For corrugate Iron sheet ,
span 6
rise 1
For asbestos cement sheet ,
span 5
rise 1
For roof subjected to snow loads,
span 4
2) Spacing of Steel-Trusses: The economical spacing of roof-trusses work-out to be 1/3
to 1/5 of the span. For larger span, smaller spacing to span ratio should be used and vice-
versa. Generally, the spacing of steel-trusses is 4m.
3) Truss Members: Top-chord members are mainly compression members. If purlins are not
kept at panel points, top-chord members may take bending in addition to compression.
Bottom-chord members take usually tension; sometime takes compression if reversal of loads
occurs due to wind loads. Other members (diagonal & vertical) may take tension or
compression depending on the loading on the truss.
Members of truss mostly consist of single-angles or double-angles placed back to back;
double-angles for upper & lower chord members, and single-angles for diagonal & vertical
members. For compression members, it is economical to use two unequal-leg angles with
shorter legs outstanding.
If connections are made using welding, rectangular & square tubular sections may be used
for members of truss. Wide flanges & channels may also be used for members of trusses of
very large span and subjected to large loadings.
One gusset
Single or double-
plate
angle section
Two gusset
plates
W-section
5) Foot points (supports): Details of supports are given as shown below depending on the
supporting conditions of the truss.
a) Hinged Support with Expansion Ends
bearing
plate
plate with
sloted hole
bearing
plate
anchor
bolt
Loads on Roof-Trusses
Once the type and proportions of the truss are fixed, the various loads acting on the truss are
computed so as to analyze the truss. These loads may be approximated as follow.
a) Dead loads: -include load from weight of roof-coverings, purlins, self-weight truss and
weight of bracings.
-Weight of Roof-coverings:
Asbestos cement sheet=160N/m2
Corrugate iron sheet=150N/m2
-Weight of purlins = 60N/m2 to 90N/m2
-Weight of truss: -For pitch of roof between 1/4 to 1/5 and the spacing of trusses equals 4m,
the weight of truss may be estimated using,
span ( m)
wt . truss ( N / m 2 ) 10 5
3
For other spacing of trusses, proportional weight may be taken. Generally, weight of truss
may be assumed between 100 to 150N/m2.
-Weight of wind bracing = 13N/m2.
b) Live loads: -determined depending on the slope of the roof as follow (IS:875-part 2).
For 100, LL (N/m2) = 750N/m2.
For 100<200, LL (N/m2) = [750-10x (-100)]
For >200, LL (N/m2) = [650-20x (-200)] 400N/m2.
c) Wind loads: -depends on the speed of wind, presence of obstruction and the characteristics
of the structure. Design wind pressure may be determined using,
p ( N / m 2 ) 0.6 v 2
where v design wind speed in (m/sec)
Fig: Buildings with Normal Permeability (openings less than 20% of wall area)
depends on
(Table 1) depends on
0 .5 p (Table 1) 0 .5 p
Wind
Fig: Buildings with Large openings on one side (openings larger than 20% of wall area)
Table 1: External pressure coefficients for wind pressure on pitched roof when wind is
blowing normal to ridge, (ESCP:1/83)
, roof angle Wind ward
(degree) roof surface
0 -0.8
5 -0.9
10 -1.2
15 -0.8
20 -0.5
30 0.0
40 +0.3
50 +0.5
60 +0.7
W2 Rafter Rafter
W2
Angle purlin Channel purlin
Let W1 total vertical load on the purlin due to dead & live load.
W2 - wind load acting on the purlin normal to the rafter (upper chord)
Therefore, total load on the purlin normal to the rafter = (W1. cos + W2)
and, total load parallel to the rafter = W1 . sin
The purlins may consist of angles, channels or flanged sections. The angle and the channel
purlins are connected to the rafter by cleat-angles as shown above. While flanged section purlins
are usually bolted to the rafter directly. Open-web section may used for purlin. For trusses having
slopes not exceeding 300, depth of purlin is not less than l/45; and width of the other leg of purlin
is not less than l/60.
Bracings of Trusses
The pairs of trusses shall have cross-bracing in the planes of the top chords and bottom chords.
The bracing in the top chords is generally provided in the end pair of trusses. The smallest angle
section or steel rods (circular or rectangular) may be used for bracings. There should be
transverse bracing between the trusses located approximately at third points of the lower chords
and it is made stiff. The slenderness ratio should not be more than 250.
300 300
1 PZ 3
P1
4
ii) The cable load is inclined at say 0 to the plane-trusses 1 & 3. The load will be
resolved along vertical as P Z, and in the two horizontal axes as P 1 & P2 where P1 is
parallel to plane-trusses 1 & 3, and P 2 is parallel to plane-trusses 2 & 4. The vertical
component, PZ will be taken equally by the four tower legs; P 1 will be taken equally by plane-
trusses 1 &3. P2 will be taken equally by plane-trusses 2 & 4.
2
1 PZ P2
3
P1
4
P
iii) Third case comes when the cables are unsymmetrical producing off-center loading or when
some conductors get snapped. The vertical component, P Z will produce moment of
M b PZ . a . This moment will be resisted equally by plane-trusses 2 & 4; besides P Z
2 PZ
b Pt1 1 3 Pt1 P2
4
P1 P
Pt2
l
a
In case the trusses are statically determinate, the trusses are analyzed using static equilibrium of
the joint of the truss. In case crossed-diagonals and horizontals are provided, the trusses are
statically indeterminate. Approximate analysis of these trusses are made by assuming by either
the bracing members resisting tension only is taken effective or both the diagonals are assumed to
take the same magnitude of forces.