Examples

Hollow Section Trusses Design Procedure

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Truss Design Procedure

1. Determine truss layout, span, depth, panel lengths, truss spacing by

usual methods. Keep connections to a minimum.

2. Determine loads at connections and on members. Simplify these

initially to equivalent loads at panel points.

3. Determine axial forces in all members by assuming that joints are

pinned and assume all member centre lines are noding.

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Truss Design Procedure

4. Determine chord member sizes considering:

Axial load Corrosion protection (surface area) Wall slenderness

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Truss Design Procedure

5. Determine web member sizes considering:
Axial load

tweb < tchord K = 0.75 for compression webs

6. Standardize the brace member sizes:
e.g. to 2 or 3 sizes Same width, different thickness? Inspection problem Check availability!

7. Layout connections:
Try gap connections first Check connection geometry is within validity range Check member sizes are within validity range Pay attention to eccentricity limits Consider fabrication procedure
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Truss Design Procedure

8. Check connection efficiencies
(with charts) or resistances (with formulae or tables)
Usually only a few connections need to be checked.

9. If efficiencies or resistances are not adequate, modify the connection layout

(e.g. overlap instead of gap), or Modify the members; Re-check connections.

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Truss Design Procedure

10. Check effect of primary moments on chord design.
Use proper load positions on members Determine member bending moments assuming: Pinned joints everywhere or Continuous chords with pin-ended webs For compression chord, also consider noding eccentricity moment. Check member (axial and bending) interactions.

11.

Check truss deflections under specified loads.

12. Design welded joints.

Fillet welding cheapest (Note: Weld Design can be left to the fabricator but not connection verification)
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Some Golden Rules to Avoid Connection Problems

General Tips for Designers

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Deflections of Trusses
Check Deflections Under Specified Loads

or or

Overlap Joints
braces

Gap Joints
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Design Example of Design Guide 1

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CHS K joint

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Efficiency CHS K joint

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Effect Chord Pre-stress

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Note: Gap of joint 2 is decreased to satisfy joint strength and the eccentricity is taken into account for the member check
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Design Example of Design Guide 3

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RHS K joint

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Efficiency RHS K joint

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Effect Chord stress

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