ERT352

FARM STRUCTURES

TRUSS DESIGN

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INTRODUCTION
A truss is essentially a triangulated system of
straight interconnected structural elements.
The most common use of trusses is in buildings,
where support to roofs, the floors and internal
loading such as services and suspended ceilings,
are readily provided.
The individual elements are connected at nodes;
the connections are often assumed to be
nominally pinned .

INTRODUCTION(cont.)
The external forces applied to the system and the
reactions at the supports are generally applied at
the nodes.
The principal force in each element in a truss is
axial tension or compression.

TYPE OF TRUSSES
Trusses comprise assemblies of tension and
compression elements.
Under gravity loads, the top and bottom chords of
the truss provide the compression and tension
resistance to overall bending, and the bracing
resists the shear forces.
A wide range of truss forms can be created. Each
can vary in overall geometry and in the choice of
the individual elements.

 Some of the commonly used types are shown

below.
1.

Pratt truss ('N' truss)

2.

Pratt trusses are commonly used in long span buildings

ranging from 20 to 100 m in span.

Warren truss

The Warren truss has equal length compression and

tension web members, and fewer members than a
Pratt truss.

3.

North light truss

4.

Saw-tooth truss

5.

North light trusses are traditionally used for short spans in

industrial workshop-type buildings.

The saw-tooth truss is used in multi-bay buildings

Fink truss

This type of truss is commonly used to construct roofs in

houses.

ANATOMY OF TRUSS

ANALYSIS OF TRUSS
1. POINT LOADS AT THE NODES OF THE TRUSS
i.
ii.

This condition occurs when purlins are located at the

nodes of the truss
Purlin spacing is equal to node spacing; Sp = Sn

ANALYSIS OF TRUSS
(cont.)

1. POINT LOADS AT THE NODES OF THE

TRUSS (cont.)
o Given Imposed load on plan, Qk and Dead load

on plan, Gk
o To obtain the point load, P;
Area of load transferred to each node, A = Sp x St
Design load,
q = 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk
Point load,
P=qxA

o Calculate the tension and compression forces

in each truss members.

ANALYSIS OF TRUSS
(cont.)
There are possible
combinations of steel
sections that can be used
for tension or compression
truss members.
i.
ii.

iii.

Single angle connected

through on leg
Double angle back-toback, connected to both
sides of gusset plate
Double angle back-toback, connected to one
side of gusset plate

Example 1: Analysis of truss

Determining point loads at
nodes

The loads from the roof sheets, transferred to the purlins,

are as followed:
o Dead load on slope: Corrugated steel roofing = 0.1 kN/m2

Lighting and insulation = 0.15 kN/m2

Self weight of purlins = 0.05 kN/m2
Self weight of trusses
= 0.1 kN/m2
Total dead load on slope, Gk = 0.4 kN/m2
o Imposed load on slope, Qk

= 0.81 kN/m2

o Spacing between trusses, St = 5 m

o Purlin Spacing , Sp
=2m

The purlins are arranged and located at the nodes of the

truss as shown in figure. Determine the point loads that
are imposed by the purlins at all the nodes.

Solution:
Design load or factored load, q
q = 1.35Gk + 1.5 Qk
= 1.35 (___) + 1.5 (___)
= _______ kN/m2
Area of load transferredto any intermediate
nodes, A
A = Sp x St = ____ x ____ = _____ m2
Point load at node, P
P = q x A = ____ x ____ = _____ kN

Example 2: Analysis of truss

Determining the axial loads in
the truss member

The following truss carries a uniform factored load

of 26 kN/m. Determine the member forces.

Solution:
Point load at each node, P
P = w * purlin spacing (Sp)
P = 26 kN/m x 3 m
= 78kN
~ for external nodes, point load is equal to P/2 =
78/2 = 39kN
By using method of joint or method of section,
member forces can be determined.

DESIGN OF TENSION
MEMBER
The design value of tension force, NEd at each
cross section shall satisfy as specified in clause
6.2.3 EN 1993-1-1:2005 ;

N Ed
1. 0
N t , Rd

Where, NEd is design force ; Nt,Rd is design values

of resistance to tension forces

DESIGN OF TENSION
MEMBER (cont.)

For sections with holes, the design tension resistance, Nt,Rd

should be taken as the smaller of
a)

The design plastic resistance of the gross cross-section, Npl,Rd

N pl , Rd

Af y

m0

Where, A is area of section; fy is yield strength; m0 is resistance of crosssections (= 1.0);

b)

The design ultimate resistance of the net cross-section at holes for

fasteners, Nu,Rd
net u
u , Rd
m2

0.9 A f

Where, Anet is net area of cross-section; fu is ultimate strength (Table 3.1 of En

1993-1-1:2005); m2 is resistance of cross-sections in tension fracture (= 1.25);

Example: Design of tension

member with single angle
section

The maximum design tension forces in a truss

member is 230kN. The member consists of an
unequal angle of
100 x 75 x 8 L of steel grade
S275. Check the capacity of the tension member
if the ends of the member are:
Connected by two bolts of 20mm nominal diameter
b) Welded with grade 42 electrode.
a)

Solution:
a) End members connected with 2 bolts
Tension force, NEd = 230 kN
o Unequal angle; 100 x 75 x 8 L
o

From table of properties; Ag = 1350mm, iy = 40mm,

iz = 20.9mm, iu = 42.1mm, iv = 16.3mm

From Table 3.1, t = 8mm < 40mm, steel grade S275

fy = 275N/mm2, fu = 430N/mm2

Diameter of bolt, d = 20mm

Solution: (cont.)
N Ed
1. 0
N t , Rd
For sections with holes, the design tension
resistance, Nt,Rd should be taken as the smaller of
a)

The design plastic resistance of the gross cross-section,

Npl,Rd

N pl , Rd

Af y

m0

(1350mm2 )( 275 N / mm2 ) x10 3

1.0
371.3kN

Solution: (cont.)
b) The design ultimate resistance of the net cross-section
at holes for fasteners, Nu,Rd

Ah t (d 2) 8(20 2) 176mm2

Anet Ag Ah 1350 176 1174mm2

0.9 Anet f u
N u , Rd
m2

0.9(1174mm2 )( 430 N / mm2 ) x10 3

1.25
363.5kN
therefore, Nt,Rd = 363.5kN

Solution: (cont.)
N Ed
230kN

0.633 1.0
N t , Rd 363.5kN
Section 100 x 75 x 8 L is adequate to carry the
force.

Solution: (cont.)
b) End member connected with welded
o

Tension force, NEd = 230 kN

In this case, there is no hole for the bolts, hence no

reduction in cross sectional of the angle section

o The design tension resistance, Nt,Rd should be taken as

the smaller of
The design plastic resistance of the gross cross-section,
Npl,Rd
Af

N pl , Rd

m0

(1350mm2 )( 275 N / mm2 ) x10 3

1.0
371.3kN

Solution: (cont.)
b) The design ultimate resistance of the net cross-section , Nu,Rd
Since there is no reduction in the cross section of the angle,
the

Anet Ag 1350mm2

N u , Rd

0.9 Anet f u

m2
0.9(1350mm2 )( 430 N / mm2 ) x10 3

1.25
418kN

therefore, Nt,Rd = 371.3kN

Solution: (cont.)
N Ed
230kN

0.619 1.0
N t , Rd 371.3kN
Section 100 x 75 x 8 L is adequate to carry the
force.

DESIGN OF
COMPRESSION
MEMBER
1. FULL SECTION
RESISTANCE OF
COMPRESSION MEMBER
o The full design resistance of a member that fails by

yielding and not susceptible to buckling is given as Nc,Rd

as specified in clause 6.2.4 EN 1993-1-1:2005

N Ed
1. 0
N c , Rd

o Where NEd is the design compression force and Nc,Rd is

y section in classes 1,2, and
the full design resistance for
c , Rd
3.
m0

Af

DESIGN OF
COMPRESSION
MEMBER
2. BUCKLING RESISTANCEOF
COMPRESSION
MEMBER
o

The design of compression member susceptible to

buckling shall satisfy as specified in clause 6.3.1 EN
1993-1-1:2005 : Ed

N
1.0
N b , Rd

Af

y of a member carrying
The buckling resistance, Nb,Rd
N b , Rd
axially loaded compression
force is given by:
m1

3. BUCKLING RESISTANCE ABOUT Y-Y AXIS, Ny,b,Rd

N y ,b , Rd

y Af y

m1

. Where; the capacity of reduction factor is given as

1
y

1.0

y 0.5 1 ( y 0.2) y

Af y
N cr

Lcr 1

x
i y 1

And 1 = 93.9 = 93.9 x 0.92 = 86.39

4. BUCKLING RESISTANCE ABOUT Z-Z AXIS, Nz,b,Rd

N z ,b , Rd

z Af y

m1

. Where; the capacity of reduction factor is given as

1
z 2 z z

1.0

z 0.5 1 (z 0.2) z

Af y
N cr

Lcr 1

x
iz 1

And 1 = 93.9 = 93.9 x 0.92 = 86.39

 Buckling Length, Lcr

o Lcr of the top chord equals to the distance between

nodes

Example-Design of
Compression Member with
Single Angle Section

The following figure shows a truss with one of the

member carries compression force of 50kN. The
member consists of a single angle section with
both ends are connected to long leg. Design the
compression member using steel grade S275 with
end members are connected with two bolts.

Solution:
Axial compression load, NEd = 50 kN
Try unequal angle 80 x 60 x 7 L
o Ag = 938 mm2; T = 7 mm;
o iy = 25.1mm; iz = 17.4mm; iu = 27.7mm; iv = 12.8mm

From Table 3.1: Steel grade S275, t = 7mm <

40mm

fy = 275 N/mm2

 From Table 5.2(sheet 3 of 3) (page 44)

= (235/fy)0.5 = (235/275)0.5 = 0.92
For angle; h/t = 80/7 = 11.4 15 = 15(0.92) =
13.8
(b + h)2t = (60+80)/(2x7) = 10.0 11.5 =
11.5(0.92) = 11.5
Section is class 3 and not susceptible to local buckling

 The smallest radius of gyration, iv = 12.8mm will

contribute to the largest slenderness = Lcr/iv,
hence v-v is the weakest axis.

Note: the larger the slenderness,

the weaker is the axis.
*

v Af y weakest axis, v-v axis,

Buckling resistance
about
N v ,b , Rd
Nv,b,Rd
m1

1
v v v
2

1.0

v 0.5 1 (v 0.2) v

Af y
N cr

Lcr 1

x
iv 1

And 1 = 93.9 = 93.9 x 0.92 = 86.39

Lcr = 1.0L = 1.0 (2154) = 2154 mm

Lcr 1 2154mm
1
v
x
x
1.95
iv 1 12.8mm 86.39
From Table 6.2: L sectionshave buckling curve
type b
From Table 6.1:for type b , imperfection
2
factor,
0.5 1 (v 0.2) v
= 0.34 v

v 0.5 1 0.34(1.95 0.2) (1.95) 2 2.7

1
v 2 v v
1
2.7

2.7

1.95

0.2 1.0

N v ,b , Rd

v Af y

m1
0.2(938)(275) x10 3

1.0
51.6kN

Check force equilibrium

NEd =50kN < Nv,b,Rd = 51.6kN OK!
Angle section 80 x 60 x 7 L is adequate.

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