Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

CE2114 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS I – Assignment III

Assignment Analysis of a truss Marks

Student’s
response
• Able to analyse a three-dimensional truss structure using
Yes / No
computer software and verify with manual calculations
Learning
• Able to decompose a three-dimensional structure into one
Outcome Yes / No
dimensional structural components
• Able to simplify the model using structural symmetry Yes / No
Lecturer Dr. E. R. K. Chandrathilaka

Student Name
Registration Number:
Date of Assignment: 21-04-2025 Date Due: 18-05-2025

Assessed By:

Signature Date

Evaluator’s Remarks

Plagiarism

Although research and discussion form an essential part of the assignment, deliberate copying
of the work of others or unacknowledged copying from printed or electronic sources is NOT
permitted. Disciplinary actions will be taken against those who are found guilty of plagiarism.
Signing of this sheet is required to indicate your compliance with the above regulations.

Student’s Signature: ……………………………….. Date: .…………………

Student’s comments:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
.………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

CE 2114 – Structural Analysis – I (2022 batch) Page 1 of 6

Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

Analysis of a Roof Truss

A structural design firm is asked to design a single-storey gymnasium for Mount Lavinia Sports
Club. The structural designer has decided to build a steel roof truss supported on concrete
columns. Assume that you have been asked to analyse the proposed structure and submit an
analysis report to the structural designer. The designer has proposed the following structural
form.
ROOF STRUCTURE
The arrangement of the proposed roof structure (including columns, trusses and purlins) is
shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The roof consists of an N-Type main truss system (T1) and a
secondary truss system (T2, which connects the main trusses together). Purlins are provided at
intervals S (Table 2) to support the metal roofing sheets. Main trusses are pin-supported at Grid
1 and roller-supported at Grid 3. Section details are indicated in the corresponding figures.
LOADING
Analyse the roof structure considering all possible Dead, Imposed and Wind load
combinations. Consider the weight of roofing sheets to be 4.5 kg/m2. Imposed load can be taken
as 0.4 kN/m2 considering a “no access” type roof (BS EN 1991-1-1:2002).
Wind loads have to be calculated using EN 1991-1-4-2005 and NA-SLS EN 1991-1-4-2019.
EXERCISE
1. Form groups of up to four people within groups A, B, C or D. The span, height and
width of the bridge are based on your group leader’s index number.
2. Divide the last digit of your group leader’s index number by 4 and consider the value
of the remainder to select the data set from Table 1.

Value of remainder Corresponding data set

0 1
1 2
2 3
3 4
Table 1: Data set

3. Roof dimensions: truss height d, secondary truss span L, and purlin spacing S, are given
in Table 2. Note that all dimensions are in mm.

Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4

d 1050 1100 1150 1250
L 4400 4520 4600 4720
S 1080 1100 1120 1140
Table 2: Roof dimensions

4. Calculate the loads acting on the roof.

CE 2114 – Structural Analysis – I (2022 batch) Page 2 of 6

Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

5. Estimate the axial force (only for the load combination of 1.35 gk + 1.5 qk) on top and
bottom chords of the main truss with manual calculations, assuming the truss behaves
as a simply supported beam (you may ignore the self-weight of truss elements).
6. Select a main truss (T1) and perform 2-D analyses by modelling
a. Only half of the truss considering symmetry.
b. The complete truss with pin supports (both sides).
c. The complete truss with one end pinned and the other as a roller.
7. Identify the design loads for components of the main truss, considering the three criteria
followed in step 5. Indicate the design loads for concrete columns as well.
8. Model the complete roof and perform a 3-D analysis. Identify the critical loads for
components of both main and secondary trusses and concrete columns.

REPORT

The following details should be included in the report, and innovative presentations will
be rewarded.
• Specific problem parameters
• Characteristic Dead, Imposed and Wind Loads, and material properties with
necessary calculations (if any).
• Manual calculations for estimating the axial force of the top and bottom chords
of the main truss.
• Graphical view (perspective) of the symmetric model considered in step 5.a.
• Graphical views (perspective) indicating application of different loads on 2-D
model in step 5.c.
• Validation of the model (manual checks) considering the support reaction of the
main truss, T1, for a selected load case. Both input loading and output reaction
diagrams obtained through the software should be attached.
• Comparison of results obtained from three different 2-D analyses considered in
step 5.a. (with results from manual calculations in the case of top and bottom
chords).
• Graphical view of idealized 3-D model.
• Deflected shape, axial force, shear force and bending moment diagrams of any
main truss (from 3-D model) for the load combination of 1.35gk + 1.5qk.
• Comparison of design loads obtained from 2-D and 3-D models for each
member (top and bottom chords, vertical and diagonal members for both main
and secondary trusses, and concrete columns).
• Discussion
o What structural idealisations did you consider in the modelling, and
what is their importance?
o Possibilities, advantages, and disadvantages of using structural
symmetry
o Reasons for having roller support at one end vs. having both as pin
supports
o 2-D vs. 3-D modelling
o Importance of having secondary trusses (T2) in a roof truss
o Advantages and disadvantages of having welded connections vs. bolted
connections to connect the web (vertical and diagonal members) to the
top and bottom chords

CE 2114 – Structural Analysis – I (2022 batch) Page 3 of 6

Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

Method of Assessment Marks allocated Marks obtained

1. Problem initiation and load calculations 10

2. Manual calculation for estimating axial
10
forces of top and bottom chords
3. 2-D truss analyses and identifying critical
20
loads
4. 3-D analysis and identifying critical loads 10
5. Comparison of results from 2-D and 3-D
10
analyses and manual calculations
6. Design loads (for each member type of
10
trusses T1 and T2)
7. Design loads for concrete columns 10

8. Discussion 20

TOTAL 100

CE 2114 – Structural Analysis – I (2022 batch) Page 4 of 6

Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

T2 T2 T2 T2 T2 T2
3

SC 150-16
steel channel
section
S×8 T1 T1 T1 T1 T1 T1 T1

T2 T2 T2 T2 T2 T2
2

S×8

T2 T2 T2 T2 T2 T2
1

L L L L L L
A B C D E F G

Figure 1 Truss layout of the building, purlins are shown by dashed lines

CE 2114 – Structural Analysis – I (2022 batch) Page 5 of 6

Department of Civil Engineering University of Moratuwa

2/ 90×90×8  SC 150-16 steel

(Double angle) channel section

1200

d
90×90×8

500×500 (G30) 4m

S×8 S×8

Figure 2 Main truss-(T1) details (along grids B, C, D, E and F)

2/ 90×90×8 
80×80×8 L angle (Double angle)

L (8× equal spans)

Figure 3 Secondary truss-(T2) details repeated along grids 1, 2, and 3

CE 2114 – Structural Analysis – I (2022 batch) Page 6 of 6