SIN 415

STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN

THEME 4-1
TRUSSES

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

• Structural form is decided by the Structural Engineer

• Governed by purpose, material and aesthetic
considerations
• Beams are common structural elements – carry loads by
developing shear forces and bending moments along
their length
• As spans increase beams become uneconomical
• Trusses used for spans > 20m
• Trusses carry loads be developing axial forces in their
members
• Increased depth = greater loads are able to supported
ROOF STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS
Select either rafters (beams) or trusses for the roof
Bracing system for stability of structure in longitudinal
direction:

• Horizontal support to the gable post against wind loading

• Lateral support provided top and bottom chords of truss, or
flanges of a rafter beam where they are connected to purlins
that are tied into the braced bay
Connections between trusses and columns and
the connections between columns and
foundations will effect the bracing system for the
structure

Fixed
Pinned

Connections between trusses Connections between trusses

and columns may be “hinged” and columns must be able to
or “pinned”. transmit moments.
Pinned Fixed

Fixed Pinned

Connections between trusses Connections between trusses

and columns may be “hinged” and columns must be able to
or “pinned”. transmit moments.

Required bracing system Required bracing system

TYPICAL ROOF TERMINOLOGY
PITCHED ROOF TRUSSES

For a roof pitch truss: Apex height / span = 1/5 to 1/6

LATTICE GIRDERS

For a lattice girder: Height / span = 1/10 to 1/20

ARRANGEMENT OF TRUSS MEMBERS
• Longest members tensile

• Consider load reversal (wind suction)

• Purlins cold-rolled sections, angles, channels.

Purlins where possible at truss nodes.
Spacing 1.6 m to 2.6 m.

• Connections: reduce eccentricity (centre-line of members

should meet at a single point which should be in the
connection)
ARRANGEMENT OF TRUSS MEMBERS
Connections should be arranged to reduce eccentricity
ARRANGEMENT OF TRUSS MEMBERS
Connections should be arranged to reduce eccentricity
TYPICAL LOADS ON TRUSSES

Dead loads:

Self-weight of trusses:

• Bolted: 0.10 to 0.15 kN/m2

• Welded: 0.08 to 0.1 kN/m2

Other dead loads: sheeting, insulation, ceiling, purlins

Total dead load usually varies from 0.3 to 1.0kN/m2

TYPICAL LOADS ON TRUSSES

Imposed loads:

Inaccessible roofs (SANS 10160):

Uniform load: 0.3 to 0.5 kN/m2
Point load: 0.9 kN

Accessible roofs (SANS 10160):

Uniform load: 2.0 kN/m2
Point load: 2.0 kN

Wind loads:

Wind loads (suction can cause load reversal)

SIN 323
STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN

THEME 4-2
TRUSSES

IN PLANE AND OUT OF PLANE BUCKLING

IN PLANE AND OUT OF PLANE BUCKLING

Section A-A
Y
A symmetrical lattice girder roof truss spans 20m,
and has a depth between the centrelines of
chords equal to 1.8m. It supports roof loads at
X X
the purlins positions, every 2m and the girders
are placed at 5m centres.

Y Every second purlins is tied into the braced bay

Section X-X in centre of the structure.
2m

PLAN
PLAN VIEW
IN PLANE AND OUT OF PLANE BUCKLING

KL =2m
SECTION A-A – IN PLANE BUCKLING

X X

Section X-X
Y

KL =4m

PLAN
OUT OF PLANE BUCKLING
IN PLANE AND OUT OF PLANE BUCKLING
In-plane buckling

Out-of-plane buckling

D+L TOP COMPRESSION CHORD BUCKLING – TOP CHORD BRACED

IN PLANE AND OUT OF PLANE BUCKLING

In-plane buckling

Out-of-plane buckling

D+W BOTTOM COMPRESSION CHORD BUCKLING – TOP CHORD BRACED

IN PLANE AND OUT OF PLANE BUCKLING

In-plane buckling

Out-of-plane buckling

D+W BOTTOM COMPRESSION CHORD BUCKLING – BOTTOM CHORD BRACED

SIN 323
STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN

THEME 4-3
TRUSSES

EQUIVALENT BEAM ANALYSIS

ANALYSIS OF A PIN JOINTED TRUSS

Real trusses:

• not pin jointed

• welded joints (rigid)
• bolted joints (semi-rigid)
• connections are able to transmit bending moments.

If loads and supports coincide with member nodes shear

and bending moments will be relatively small compared
to the axial forces and a pin-jointed analysis gives a good
estimate of the axial forces in truss
ANALYSIS OF A PIN JOINTED TRUSS

Analysis of trusses: consider bending moments and shear

forces in equivalent beam.

• Chord forces can be determined by dividing the

bending moment by the distance between the chords

• Forces in the diagonal members can be determined by

resolving the overall shear load at the point

• Method of joints or method of sections

Note: if loading is NOT applied at the joint nodes then

axial forces as well as bending moments will develop in
the truss
Equivalent beam behavior example for
lattice girder type trusses (i.e. parallel top
and bottom chords)
Determine the maximum axial forces in the chords and
lacings of the truss

Truss elevation

Equivalent beam
Equivalent beam

Shear Force Diagram

Bending Moment Diagram



Maximum bending moment (Mmax) at the centre of the beam:

Mmax = 2W x 4.5 - W x 1.5 = 7.5W

Using equivalent beam behavior, the maximum compressive

force in the centre of top chord can be approximated as:

FBC = FCD = Mmax/h = 7.5W/1.2 = 6.25W (Compression)

Similarly FHI = FIJ = 6.25W (Tension)



Maximum shear force (Vmax) at the end of the beam:

Vmax = 2W

Using equivalent beam behavior, the maximum tensile force

in the diagonal AH can be approximated as:

FAH = Vmax/cos = 3.2W

SIN 323
STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN

THEME 4-4
TRUSSES

EQUIVALENT BEAM ANALYSIS –

LOADS NOT APPLIED AT THE NODES
ANALYSIS OF A PIN JOINTED TRUSS –
LOADS NOT APPLIED AT THE NODES
Determine the maximum axial forces in the chords and
lacings of the truss

Truss elevation
ANALYSIS OF A PIN JOINTED TRUSS –
LOADS NOT APPLIED AT THE NODES
Hand calculation for strength:
1. Distribute loads between nodes to the nodes. Do pin-jointed
analysis or “beam” analysis for the truss as a whole.
2. Analyze top (or bottom) cord as continuous beam – flexure.
3. Top cord designed for axial forces from (1) and bending moments
from (2)
Hand calculation for strength:
1. Distribute loads between nodes to the nodes. Do pin-jointed analysis.

span


Maximum bending moment (Mmax) at the centre of the beam:

Mmax = 4.5W x 4.5 – 1.5W x 3 - 2W x 1.5 = 12.75W

Using equivalent beam behavior, the maximum compressive

force in the centre of top chord can be approximated as:

FBC = FCD = Mmax/h = 12.75W/1.2 = 10.625W

2. Analyse top cord as continuous beam.

Bending moments: Use Redbook Table 5.20 (p.5.74)

span
2. Analyse top cord as continuous beam.
Bending moments: Use Redbook Table 5.20 (p.5.75 and p5.76)

Redbook P 5.76

M = factor x WL

All spans loaded

Only spans 1 and 3

loaded
2. Analyse top cord as continuous beam.

Bending moments: Use Redbook Table 5.20 (p.5.74)

L
L

L
L

Note: L = 1.5m
Lattice Girder Example

An unsymmetrical lattice girder spans 16m, with a depth between the centrelines of chords
equal to 1.5m. It supports five factored ultimate loads of 40kN, as shown in the sketch.

The lattice girder is supported laterally by purlins at the position of the point loads.

a) Draw the shear force diagram and bending moment diagram for the lattice girder

b) What is the maximum force in the top chord?

c) What is the maximum force in any diagonal member?

d) What is a suitable SHS section for the top chord?

Use Grade 350W steel with fy = 350MPa and fu = 480MPa

SIN 415
STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN

THEME 4
TRUSSES

EXAMPLE 4-2
A truss with loads is shown in the figure. L = 21,6 m h = 5.4 m The vertical
members are placed at equal distances. The points of load application (↓)
represent purlins that are braced. The loads are ultimate factored loads. One
continuous section is used for the top chord and one continuous section is used for
the bottom chord. The top chord is connected with a bolted connection at the apex.

P = 65 kN
i) Determine the forces in the truss for the given loading.
ii) Use the SASCH Tables to find a suitable Gr 350W equal leg angle sections for
the bottom chord
Top chord:
Cu = 363.4kN
KLin plane = Klout of plane = 3.6m / cos  = 4m
SIN 415
STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN

THEME 4
TRUSSES

EXAMPLE 4-3
A truss with loads is shown in the figure. L = 21,6 m h = 5.4 m The vertical
members are placed at equal distances. The points of load application (↓)
represent purlins that are braced. The loads are ultimate factored loads. One
continuous section is used for the top chord and one continuous section is used for
the bottom chord. The top chord is connected with a bolted connection at the apex.

P = 65/2 = 32.5 kN
1) Determine the forces in the truss for the given loading.
2) Estimate moments in the top chord
3) What is the critical design combination of axial force and bending moment for
the top chord
2) Max moments in top chord
29.06kN
MA = 0.175 x (32.5 x cos) x 4m = 20.48kNm
MB = -0.15 x (32.5 x cos) x 4m = 17.55kNm

3) Critical design combination

Cu = 363.4kN
Mu = 20.48kNm
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0.23

0.15

0.98 kN/mm

0.98 148

The figure below shows a 16m roof truss with unfactored loads. Lateral support to the top and bottom
chord is shown with an X. Assume the Dead load (DL) includes the self weight of the truss. Check if a
203x133x30 I beam is an adequate size member for the top chord.

fy = 350 MPa
fu = 480 MPa

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A truss, simply supported at A and C, with an ultimate factored point load at D is shown. At A and C the truss is
laterally supported. (Node B is thus NOT laterally supported, i.e. not supported for out-of-plane buckling.)
Dimensions in mm.
Disregard the own weight of the truss and any possible bending moments in the members.

a) Estimate the axial forces in the truss.

b) Two back to back PC 180 x 70 channels with a 10 mm spacer are proposed (see section X-X), with the web
horizontal, for the top chord ABC. Determine the resistance Cr. Consider flexural buckling. Torsional buckling
need not be considered.

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A continuous member ABCDEFG is supported by five truss members forming a symmetrical structure.
Horizontal and vertical displacement is prevented at A and vertical displacement is prevented at G.
Ultimate factored loads are shown (symmetrically arranged, with 60 kN in the centre).

(a) Assuming that the vertical deflection of the structure is negligible at C and E determine and draw the shear
force and bending moment diagrams for the member ABCDEFG. (Redbook Tables may be used.)

(b) Determine the axial forces (indicate tension/compression) in all the members. Show these forces on a
sketch.

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