Introduction :

A framework, typically consisting of rafters,

posts, and struts, supporting a roof, bridge, or
other structure is known as truss.
The main reasons for using trusses are: Long
span, Lightweight, Reduced deflection
(compared to plain members), Opportunity to
support considerable loads.
Truss is assembled in such a way that forces are
applied only on theends.
The members are connected with a gusset joint
that is either riveted, bolted or welded in such a

 Component parts of trusses :

Purlin : A horizontal beam along the length of a roof, resting

on principal rafter and supporting the common rafters or
boards.
Principal Rafter : one of the upper diagonal members of a
roof truss supporting the purlins and commonraftersor
those joints to which the roof boarding is secured.
Common Rafter : A rafter having no function other than to
bear roofing.
Ridge Board : The horizontal timber or member at the top
of a roof, to which the upper ends of the rafters are
fastened.
Strut : Provided to resist longitudinal compression.

 Types of Trusses :
There are variety of trusses available
depending on the requirement including
span length and loading condition.
Basically two types of trusses exists :a) Bridge Truss
b) Roof Truss

a)Bridge Truss :
1. Pratt Truss -

 A Pratt Truss has been used over the past

two centuries as an effective truss method.
The vertical members are in compression,
whilst the diagonal members are in tension.
This has a few effects - it reduces the cost
of the structure due to more efficient
members, reduces the self weight and
eases the constructability of the structure.
This type of truss is most appropriate for
horizontal spans, where the force is
predominantly in the vertical direction.

Pratt Truss

Advantages:
Aware of member's behavior - diagonal members are in tension, vertical
members in compression
The above can be used to design a cost effective structure
Simple design
Well accepted and used design

Disadvantages:
Not as advantageous if the load is not vertical

Applications:
Where a cost effective design is required
Where a mix of loads are applied
Where a simple structure is required

2. Warren Truss

 The Warren Truss is another very popular truss structure and

is easily identified by its construction from isosceles triangles.
One of the main advantages of a Warren Truss is its ability to
spread the load evenly across a number of different
members; this is however generally for cases when the
structure is undergoing a spanned load (a distributed load)
It's main advantage is also the cause of it's disadvantage the truss structure will undergo concentrated force under a
point load.
Under these concentrated load scenarios, the structure is not
as good at distributing the load evenly across its members.
Therefore the Warren truss type is more advantageous for
spanned loads, but not suitable where the load is
concentrated at a single point or node.

Advantages:
Spreads load fairly evenly between members
Fairly simple design

Disadvantages:
Poorer performance under concentrated loads
Increased constructability due to additional members

Applications:
Long span structures
Where an evenly distributed load is to be supported
Where a simple structure is required

3. Howe bridge Truss

It includes vertical members and diagonals that slope
up towards the center.
Has diagonal members that slant away from the middle.
Howe truss were designed a long time ago when
bridges needed to fill a specific role, and for the
particular resources that people had available.
The Howe truss design used a lot of wood as opposed to
the Pratt which used more iron.
This made the Howe popular earlier on when iron was
expensive to produce.

Howe Bridge Truss

 Advantage:
The advantages of truss bridges is that it is
economical, light, strong and uses short timbers.
Greater strength with less material.
Easier to repair and maintain.

Disadvantage:
Disadvantage can be wasted material if not
designed properly.
Longer build time, more complex construction.

4. Bailey Bridge Truss

It is designed for military use, the prefabricated and
standardized truss elements may be easily
combined in various configurations to adapt to the
needs.
The military utilizes the Bailey design, which is
easily disassembled and portable.
Most of the design has vertical members attaching
to horizontal members as well as diagonal braces
located between the vertical members.

Bailey Truss

Advantages:
A Bailey bridge had the advantages of requiring no
special tools or heavy equipment to assemble.
The wood and steel bridge elements were small and
light enough to be carried in trucks and lifted into place
by hand, without requiring the use of a crane.
The bridges were strong enough to carry tanks.
Bailey bridges continue to be extensively used in civil
engineering construction projects and to provide
temporary crossings for foot and vehicle traffic

 Roof Truss :

1.King Post Truss :

 If span length is in the range of 5 to 8

meter, then king post trusses are used.
The trusses are spaced not more than 3m
c/c.
A vertical post is provided in the center that
is called the king post.
A king post extends vertically from a
crossbeam to the apex of a triangular truss.
It connects the apex of the truss with its
base, holding upthe beam(in tension) at
the base of the truss.

2. Queen Post Truss

 If the span length is in between 8 to 12 meter then

queen post trusses are used.
Two vertical posts are provided in 2 sides at a
distance which are termed as queen posts.
Straining beam and straining seal is used to keep
the queen posts in exact position.
Queen postis atensionmember in atrussthat can
span longer openings than aking posttruss.
A queen-post bridge has two uprights, placed about
one-third of the way from each end of the truss.
The central square between the two verticals was
either unbraced on shorter spans, or had diagonal

3. Fink Roof Truss

 They are used for longer spans having high pitch

roof, since the web members in such truss are subdivided to obtain shorter members.
AFink trussis the most commonly used type of
residential construction truss.
It is composed of several boards or steel bars that
connect together to form an intersection at the top
angle of the roof.
These trusses provide support for the rafters and
give the roof its rigidity.
AFink trussis the perfect solution for many
architectural designs and allows for several
different types of rooflines, while providing the

4. Howe Roof Truss

 It is a roof truss with vertical web members to take

tension forces and withangledbracesto take
compression.
The converse of the Pratt truss is the Howe truss.
The Howe truss can be advantageous for very
lightly loaded roofs in which reversal of load due to
wind will occur.
In addition the tension chord is more heavily
loaded than the compression chord at mid-span
under normal vertical loading.
The Howe truss offers greater economy in terms of
steel weight for long-span high-pitched roofs as
the members are subdivided into shorter

5. Warren Roof Truss

 Warren trussis a kind of design that is used

in different types of construction for
supporting a load.
In warren roof trussdiagonalmembers are
alternatively in tension and compression are
used in a building ranging from 20-100 m in
length.
The unique design of aWarren truss
structureensures that no strut, beam or tie
bends or withstands torsional straining forces
but is only subject to tension or compression.
The use of the Warren truss design is common

 Advantages-

There is less material required for the construction of a

Warren truss bridge.
There is less blockage of view.
The constituents of a Warren truss bridge can be
assembled piece wise.

Disadvantages
The maintenance of the joints and fittings of a Warren
truss bridge could be expensive

The calculations to determine the load-bearing

capacity of a Warren truss bridge can be hassling.

There could be too much deflection for long spans