Introduction:

The word truss is derived from the old French word trousse, which meant “ a collection of things bound
together”. A truss in engineering is defined as “a single plane framework of individual structural
members that care connected at the ends to forms a series of triangles to accommodate a large span of
distance” With the web of triangles that compose the truss they allow for the even distribution of
weight and the handling of tension and compression. The triangular shape has been considered to be
the most geometrically stable among all the forms, compared to the four corner or more sided shapes
as they require more fixed corner joints to prevent shearing with the structure.

As the trusses are composed of triangular units, the ends of it connected at the joints are what are
called nodes. These nodes allow the structure to carry loads and transfer them to the supporting
structures namely those load-bearing structures like beams, walls and the ground.

Advantages of trusses are:

They are able to span across large distances

Minimize the weight of the structure

Reduce the deflection

Support heavy loads

Trusses are usually composed of three basic elements namely, the top chord for compression, bottom
chord for tension and bracing between the top and bottom chords. Both the top and bottom chords
help provide resistance to compression and tension while the bracing resists the shear force. These are
usually applied in bridges, roofs and towers.

Literature on Trusses:

The most common covering through history was said to be the truss roof that was constructed on a
frame and was composed of triangular sections that had space intervals. The truss in the past was made
of wood and was used to cover masonry as well the frames structures. It would be noted that the truss
was based o the geometric law that the triangle is the only figure that cannot be changed in shape
without changing the length of its sides. Such that a triangular frame that is firmly fastened at its joints
cannot be deformed by its own load or any other external forces. With trusses that are too large, a
system of small triangles were to be utilize in the frame. However, in history not all trusses are triangular
as the principles can be modified so that it applies to arches and vaults.
According to the University of Cambridge, Triangles are also special because they are the simplest
polygon — a common approach to a tricky geometrical problem, such as analysing a complex
surface, is to approximate it by a mesh of triangles. This approach is also used in the real world to
achieve some of the exotic shapes we now see in modern architecture, such as the curved shape of
30 St Mary's Axe, aka the Gherkin, or the canopy over the courtyard in the British Museum.

Types of Trusses:

 Roof trusses - in general, the roof load is transmitted to the truss by a series of purlins. The roof truss
along with its supporting columns is termed a bent. The space between bents is called a bay.

 Pratt Truss – This truss was patented in 1844 by two Boston railway engineers; Caleb Pratt and his son
Thomas Willis Pratt.  The design uses vertical beams for compression and horizontal beams to respond
to tension.  What is remarkable about this style is that it remained popular even as wood gave way to
iron, and even still as iron gave way to steel.

Howe Truss -The relatively rare Howe truss, patented in 1840 by Massachusetts millwright William
Howe.  It includes vertical members and diagonals that slope up towards the center, the opposite of
the Pratt truss.  In contrast to the Pratt Truss, the diagonal web members are in compression and the
vertical web members are in tension.

Warren Truss -The Warren truss was patented in 1848 by its designers James Warren and Willoughby
Theobald Monzani.  This truss and consists of longitudinal members joined only by angled cross-
members, forming alternately inverted equilateral triangle-shaped spaces along its length, ensuring that
no individual strut, beam, or tie is subject to bending or torsional straining forces, but only to tension or
compression.

Bridge trusses - the load is transmitted by the deck to a series of stringers and then to a set of floor
beams. The floor beams are supported by two parallel trusses. The supporting trusses are connected
top and bottom by lateral bracing. Additional stability may be provided by portal and sway bracing
Illustration of Trusses

Truss Joint Detail

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