CE 331,  Fall 2010  Truss Deflection Example  1 / 3   

The truss below is part of a highway bridge.  The AASHTO design code states that the maximum 
allowable deflection due to live load is L / 800, where L is the span length.  Does the bridge below 
meet the code requirements?  Assume that the maximum vertical deflection will occur at joint 3.  
Also calculate the horizontal deflection of Joint 4.   
 
All members in the truss are 1.5 inch diameter steel bars.  Use the member numbers shown in 
Figure 1. 
 
The solution is provided on Page 3. 

Figure 1. Bridge Truss

3 @ 20 ft
5
5 6

15 ft 8 9
4 7 6

1 2 3
1 2 3 4

Figure 2. Bar Forces due to live Load, kips

35.56 C

5.56 T 44.44 C
38.89C 20.0 T 26.67 T

31.11 T 31.11 T 35.56 T

CE 331,  Fall 2010  Truss Deflection Example  2 / 3   

Figure 3. Bar Forces due to Unit Loads

0.444 C
a)

0.556 C 0.556 C
1.111 C
1.00 T 0.333 T

0.889 T 0.889 T 0.444 T

1.0

0.889 C
b)

0.556 T 1.111 C
0.556 C
0 0.667 T

0.444 T 0.444 T 0.889 T

1.0

0
c)

0 0
0 0 0

1.0
1.00 T 1.00 T 1.00 T
CE 331,  Fall 2010  Truss Deflection Example  3 / 3   

U_3,V U_4,H
Member L, ft p, k δ, in p Δ3,V, in p Δ4,H, in
1 20 31.111 0.146 0.444 0.065 1.000 0.146
2 20 31.111 0.146 0.444 0.065 1.000 0.146
3 20 35.556 0.167 0.889 0.148 1.000 0.167
4 25 -38.889 -0.228 -0.556 0.127 0.000 0.000
5 20 -35.556 -0.167 -0.889 0.148 0.000 0.000
6 25 -44.444 -0.260 -1.111 0.289 0.000 0.000
7 15 20 0.070 0 0.000 0.000 0.000
8 25 5.556 0.033 0.556 0.018 0.000 0.000
9 15 26.667 0.094 0.667 0.062 0.000 0.000
i i
0.922 n 0.458 n

Typical calculations (for Row 1) in table above:

L = member length = 20 ft (from truss geometry shown in Figure 1).

p = bar force due to load = 31.11k from Figure 2.
δ = axial deformation due to bar force = pL (31.11k )(20 ft )(12in / ft )
= = 0.146in
AE (1.767 in 2 )(29,000ksi )

where A = (pi)(d2)/4 = (pi)(1.5in)2 / 4 = 1.767 in2

U 3 ,V
p = bar force due to unit load at Joint 3 in the vertical direction = 0.444 from Figure 3b.

Δδ31,V = vertical deflection at Joint 3 due to deformation of member 1

= (δ 1 )( p1 3,V ) = (0.146 in )(0.444) = 0.065 in

U

U 4,H
p = bar force due to unit load at Joint 4 in the horizontal direction = 1.00 from Figure 3c.

Δδ41, H = horizontal deflection at Joint 4 due to deformation of member 1

= (δ 1 )( p1 4 , H ) = (0.146 in )(1.000) = 0.146 in

U

Max. ΔLL = 0.922in

Allowable ΔLL = Span / 800 = (60ft)(12in/ft) / 800 = 0.90in.
Therefore, live load deflection exceeds allowable.