STEEL ROOF TRUSSES

A truss is a structure consisting of members / elements that takes only tension or

compression and no bending is induced. The members are connected with a guzzet
joint that is either riveted, bolted or welded in such a way that has only axial forces
are induced in the structure.

The reason behind axial forces is the reason that the external loads are applied in
such a way that their effects are in the form of forces applying only on joints.

Because of their light weight and high strength, are among the most commonly used to
span long lengths in the place of solid. Major use of steel trusses is being done in the
construction of large span structures such as industries, factories, Auditoriums,
Cinema Theatres, Shopping Malls, Concert Halls etc.

Roof coverings used over Steel trusses

• RCC roof can be used over the trussed construction but usually to keep the roof
lightweight, asbestos sheets are used as roof covering.

• Plastics sheets are also used as roof covering

LOADS ACTING ON TRUSS
• Timber trusses started by Romans
around 500 B.C

Andrea Palladio
illustration for
triangulated truss
History vs. Nowadays
• Main uses: Roof Structures & Bridges.

• Modern use, new formation and materials for members result

in a new structure shapes.
Types of Trusses

A truss can be of two types as far as workspace is considered;-

1. Planar truss
2. Space truss

There are variety of trusses available depending on the requirement including span
length and loading condition.

Basically two types of trusses exists :-

a) Bridge Truss
b) Roof Truss

A space truss carrying a floor in

The Woodlands Mall.
Bridge Truss

1. Pratt Bridge Truss

It includes vertical members and diagonals that slope down towards the
center. The diagonal members are subjected to tension while vertical members are
subjected to compression.

2. Howe bridge Truss

It includes vertical members and diagonals that slope up towards the center.

3. Baltimore Bridge Truss

A Baltimore truss has additional bracing in the lower section of the truss to prevent
buckling in the compression members and to control deflection.
4. K Bridge Truss
A truss in the form of a K due to the orientation of the vertical member and two oblique
members in each panel is known as a K bridge Truss

5. Warren Bridge Truss

It consists of longitudinal members joined only by angled cross-members, forming
alternately inverted equilateral triangle-shaped spaces along its length.

6. Bailey Bridge Truss

It is designed for military use, the prefabricated and standardized truss elements may
be easily combined in various configurations to adapt to the needs.
Roof Truss

1. Pratt Roof Truss

It uses vertical member for compression and horizontal members to respond to tension
and is most efficient under static and vertical loading. This is one of the most popular steel
roof truss types and it is quite economical. This particular type of truss offers some
interesting features mainly thanks to the fact that the vertical members provide tension,
while the diagonal ones are bringing in compression. It’s important to note that these
trusses can be used for spans that range between 6-10m.

2. Fink Roof Truss

They are used for longer spans having high pitch roof, since the web members in such
truss are sub-divided to obtain shorter members.

3. Howe Roof Truss

This type of truss is a combination of steel and wood, which makes it elegant, while also
offering a very appealing design. Almost everything is made out of wood, however, the
tension members or the vertical members are manufactured out of steel in order to offer
extra support and reliability! One thing that makes the Howe Truss extraordinary is the
fact that it has a very wide span, as it can cover anything from 6-30m. This makes it
versatile and very useful for a wide range of project types.
4. Warren Roof Truss
In warren roof truss diagonal members are alternatively in tension and compression are
used in a building ranging from 20-100 m in length.

5. King Post Roof Truss

A king post extends vertically from a crossbeam to the apex of a triangular truss. It
connects the apex of the truss with its base, holding up the beam (in tension) at the base
of the truss.

6. Queen Post Truss

The Queen Post Truss is designed to be a very reliable, simple and versatile type of roof
truss that you can use at any given time. It offers a good span, around 10m, and it has a
simple design which makes it perfect for a wide range of establishments.
7. Fan Truss
The Fan Truss comes with a very simple design and it’s made out of steel. In this
particular situation, the trusses form a fink roof truss. On top of that, the main
characteristic here is that the top chords are split into smaller lengths, as this allows
the build to obtain purlin support. Also, you get a medium span with this type, around
10-15m, which is more than enough for most projects.

8.North Light Roof Truss

The North Light Roof Truss is suitable for the larger spans that go over 20m and get up
to 30m. This happens because it’s cheaper to add a truss that has a wide, larger set of
lattice girders that include support trusses. This method is one of the oldest, as well
as most economical ones that you can find on the market, as it allows you to bring in
proper ventilation. Plus, the roof has more resistance too because of that.
If you are looking for types of roof trusses design that bring in durability and
versatility, this is a very good one to check out. You can use it for industrial buildings,
but this truss also works for drawing rooms and in general those spaces that are very
large.

9.Quadrangular Roof Trusses

These are used for large spans, and this is why you can encounter then in larger
spaces, which include auditoriums or even railway sheds.
10.Parallel Chord Roof Truss
These types of trusses are created specifically for those of us that want to engage in a roof
construction without having a large budget to begin with. These are made out of wood and
the best part about using them is that they don’t require any beam nor bearing wall.
Instead, they opt for full pieces of wood and thus lower the amount of labor necessary for
working with them. It does require more space in the attic and the span might not be the
best, but the price might justify opting for it if you are on a budget.

11.Scissor Roof Truss

A Scissor Roof Truss can particularly be found in cathedrals. It doesn’t require beams or
bearing walls, however it doesn’t leave that much space for insulation which makes its
energy efficiency very poor. On the other hand, the upside here is that the ceiling gets
vaulted and you receive more space in the attic.

12.Raised Heel Roof Truss

This is one of the most efficient types of timber roof trusses, mostly because it brings a very
good room for insulation, but at the same time it also provides you with a very good system
for structural support. It might require some additional materials in order to make it bring
the best results, not to mention that the costs can be a little higher when compared to other
truss types, but it does help you lower the energy bill value, so keep that in mind.
Most roof trusses are easy to customize, but even so, there are so many of them that it all
comes down to you and the home design, because you are bound to like one that suits your
needs. A very good idea is to work with a roof contractor in order to study your home and
see which is the most suitable roof truss for your home.
Tubular Steel roof trusses are used for large span constructions such as factories,
industry worksheds, shopping malls, huge exhibition centres, multiplexes etc. They
are generally used for spans as large as 25-30m.
There is a similar kind of a truss called “Tubular Steel Monitor Roof Truss“. There are
projections on the roofs called “Monitors” to admit daylight into the space.
•It is in two halves with bolted joints at P and Q, the remaining joints being 5mm fillet
welds made in the workshop.
•The main tie member rises 130mm from L to N to counteract any appearance of sag that
would be evident if it were horizontal.
•A bend a N reduces the midspan height to 2m so that the half truss is a manageable size
for transportation.
•The eaves detail L is given at G, where the rafters and the main tie tubes are fillet welded
to an end plate.
•The site connection to the column is with 16mm diameter bolts using an angle cleat, a
further angle bracket at the top is used for the purlin attachment . Small plates are welded
to the purlin for this purpose, this purlin also acts as a sheeting rail for the side cladding.
•The roof covering in this thickness of asbestos sheeting which should have bitumen bonded
glass wool insulation between the sheets.
•The ridge joint at E show plates which are welded to the rafters, these are bolted to the
four site bolts.
•The plates are used to connect vertical end tubes of the two halves of the truss.
•The corresponding joint at Q of the tie member is given at J and K, the two bottom holes in
the circular plate are used to fix a longitudinal tie at right angles to the trusses, the two
holes above these can also be used to fix braces against the gable walls of the building in
the end bays.

Advantages of Tubular Steel Roof Trusses

•Structures designed for material handling equipments (e.g., a bridge and a tower crane)
where weight savings may be very substantial economic consideration.
•30% to 40% less surface area than that of an equivalent rolled steel shape. Therefore, the
cost of maintenance, cost of painting or protective coatings reduce considerably.
•The moisture and dirt do not collect on the smooth external surface of the tubes.
Therefore, the possibility of corrosion also reduces.
•The ends of tubes are sealed. As a result of this, the interior surface is not subjected to
corrosion. The interior surface do not need any protective treatment.
•They have more torsional resistance than other section of the equal weight.
•They have a higher frequency vibrations under dynamic loading than the other sections
including the solid round one.
 Tubular Monitor Roof Truss
•This is a flat roof with raised portions called monitors, used to admit light.
•This type of roofing gives a more uniform level of daylighting than North light system.
•Main lattice girders span the shorter distance.
•Lattice girders connect between the main columns and intermediately to the main
girder.
•The depth of the girder is about 1/8th or 1/12th of the span.
•The monitor frame tubes are welded to the monitor girder, these are roofed on the top
surface and have patent glazing to the tiles.
•Curved socket plates are welded to the column in two halves, the column arrives on the
side with the bottom sockets in position and the top ones are site welded after
positioning of the girder.

•A detail at D is at the foot of the glazed opening light. A metal enclosure plate is
screwed to the roof decking and to the Purlin angle.
•After roofing, felt is laid, the roof is sealed by a lead flashing.
•The glazing bars are screwed to angle frame to which the opening gear is attached.
•Detail at G is shown at F is a junction of the monitor roof and the top of the glazed
opening light.
•The angle purlin is bolted to a tee cleat welded to the top tube of the monitor. Welding
is done instead of bolting.
Uses of Tubular Steel Monitor Roof Truss
It is used in large span constructions such as:
•Factories
•Large Community Meeting Halls
•Industrial Work Zone
•Shopping Malls

It is seen that these trusses are used in large span structures that require large
amount of natural lighting for their efficient functioning.