TRUSS BRIDGE

A presentation on truss bridges and its types

By Azaz Ahmed CIB09015

CONTENTS
About truss and truss bridges Truss configurations Types of truss bridges Choice of truss type and configuration Design algorithm Related advantages and disadvantages

TRUSS
Structure comprising one or more triangular units constructed with straight members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes. External forces and reactions to those forces are considered to act only at the nodes and result in forces in the member which are either tensile or compressive forces.

Fig. Tetrahedron
The simple tetrahedron can be considered as an example of truss in 3-D space. (Image source- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tetrahedron.png )

TRUSS BRIDGE
A truss bridge is a bridge whose loadbearing superstructure is composed of a truss.

Fig. A truss Bridge

( Image source- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RRTrussBridgeSideView.jpg )

Integral members of a Truss bridge

TRUSS CONFIGURATIONS

VARIOUS TYPES OF TRUSS BRIDGES

PRATT TRUSS BRIDGE

Includes vertical members and diagonals that slope down towards the center

The interior diagonals tension under balanced loading

Vertical elements - compression

HOWE TRUSS BRIDGE

The diagonal members are angled upwards towards the central vertical member

Diagonal members compression

Vertical components - tension

WARREN TRUSS BRIDGE

Longitudinal members joined only by angled crossmembers along the length, ensuring that no individual strut, beam, or tie is subject to bending or torsional straining forces, but only to tension or compression.
Compression and tension forces- spread between the diagonal and vertical members alternatively.

BAILEY BRIDGE

Designed mostly for military use The prefabricated and standardized truss elements easily combined in various configurations to adapt to the needs at the site

BALTIMORE TRUSS BRIDGE

Subclass of the Pratt truss

Has additional bracing in the lower section of the truss to prevent buckling in the compression members and to control deflection It is mainly used for train bridges

LATTICE TRUSS BRIDGE

Uses a substantial number of lightweight elements, easing the task of construction Truss elements are usually of wood, iron, or steel

SOME OTHER TYPES OF TRUSS BRIDGES

Bollman Truss: Design employs wrought iron tension members and cast iron compression members Particularly suited for timber structures that use iron rods as tension members. A lens-shape truss, with trusses between an upper arch and a lower arch

Brown truss:

Lenticular Truss:

CHOICE OF TRUSS TYPE

For short and medium spans, parallel chord trusses such as Warren truss, Pratt truss, Howe truss, etc. are used to minimize fabrication and erection costs Warren truss is the most economical for short spans An even number of bays should be chosen in Pratt to avoid a central bay with crossed diagonals.

CHOICE OF TRUSS CONFIGURATIONS

For railway bridges, the underslung truss is preferred For shorter spans and where underslung truss is not possible, semi-through trusses are used For long spans and sufficient economic depth, through trusses are used

DESIGN ALGORITHM
The design process

Initial Research > Sketches & Discussion > Sketch

Models > Final Model

Optimum depth of Truss girder Design of Compression chord members Design of tension chord members

Design of vertical and diagonal members

Lateral Bracing for truss bridges

ADVANTAGES OF TRUSS BRIDGES

Can be assembled from small pieces and are particularly advantageous where site access is difficult Temporary bridges for emergency purposes are almost always truss bridges because of their adaptability to various spans and support conditions, e.g. Bailey bridge The configuration of truss bridge can be kept simple, using a minimum of members and connections

For long bridges continuous trusses may be the economic solution, particularly in the span range of 30m to 200m

DISADVANTAGES OF TRUSS BRIDGES

Susceptible to rusting, and as such maintenance/design criteria is required to drain off water Eccentric loading secondary stresses causes a high amount of

Configuration of members and careful arrangement of bolts at splices are particularly important and requires high maintenance

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