Example

Design of Truss girder bridge

Example
Pratt truss girder through bridge is provided for single broad guage
track. The effective span of bridge is 50 m. The cross girders are spaced
5 m apart. The stringers are spaced 2 m between centre lines. 0.6 kN
per metre stock rails and 0.40 kN/m check rails are provided. Sleepers
are spaced at 0.45 m from centre to centre and are of size 2.8 m × 250
mm × 250 mm. weight of timber may be assumed as 7.50 kN/m3. The
main girders are provided at a spacing of 7.0 m between their centre
lines. Design the central top chord member, bottom chord member,
vertical and diagonal member of central panel. The bridge is to carry
standard main line loading. Take 𝑓𝑦 = 260 𝑀𝑃𝑎
Solution
Preliminary design:
Effective span of truss girder bridge = 50 m
Panel length of bridge girder = 5 m
Therefore, number of panels = 50/5 = 10 Nos.
Spacing between main girders = 7 m
Height of truss girder:
1
As per IS 1915, 𝐻𝑚𝑖𝑛 = × 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛
10
1
= × 50 = 5 𝑚 (𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚)
10
1
For economic consideration, 𝐻 = × 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛
7
1
= × 50 = 7.14 𝑚
7
Therefore, provide a truss girder of height 6.0 m
 Step 1: Dead Loads
Weight of stock rails per track per meter = 2 × 0.6 = 1.2 kN/m
Weight of check rails per track per meter = 2 × 0.4 = 0.8 kN/m
Weight of fastenings (assumed) = 0.2 kN/m
1
Weight of sleepers per track per meter = × 2.8 × 0.25 × 0.25 × 7.5 = 2.92 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
0.45
Weight of stringers per track per meter (assumed) = 3 kN/m
Weight of cross girders per track per meter (assumed) = 5 kN/m
Self-weight of both truss girders (By Fuller’s formula)
15𝑙 + 550
=
100
15 × 50 + 550
= = 13 𝑘𝑁/𝑚
100
Total dead load per track per meter = 1.2 + 0.8 + 0.2 + 2.92 + 3 + 5 + 13 = 26.12 kN/m
Therefore, Total dead load per truss girder per meter = 26.12/2 = 13.06 kN/m ≈ 13.1 kN/m
Step 2: Influence line diagrams for forces in the
members
ILD for 𝑈4 𝑈5 :
Load at 𝐿5
𝑅𝐵 × 10 = 1 × 5
⇒ 𝑅𝐵 = 0.5; 𝑅𝐴 = 1 − 0.5 = 0.5
Considering stability of left portion
of section 1-1 and taking moments
about 𝐿5
𝑅𝐴 × 25 = 𝐹𝑈4 𝑈5 × 6
0.5 × 25
⇒ 𝐹𝑈4 𝑈5 =
6
= 2.08 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝. )
ILD for 𝑳𝟒 𝑳𝟓

Load at 𝐿4
𝑅𝐵 × 10 = 1 × 4
⇒ 𝑅𝐵 = 0.4; 𝑅𝐴 = 1 − 0.4 = 0.6
Taking moments about 𝑈4
𝑅𝐴 × 20 = 𝐹𝐿4𝐿5 × 6

0.6 × 20
⇒ 𝐹𝐿4𝐿5 =
6
= 2.0 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
 ILD for 𝑈4 𝐿4
Considering stability of left portion of section
2-2
Unit load at 𝐿4
⇒ 𝑅𝐵 = 0.4; 𝑅𝐴 = 1 − 0.4 = 0.6
Applying 𝑉 = 0
𝑅𝐴 − 1 + 𝐹𝑈4𝐿4 = 0
⇒ 𝐹𝑈4𝐿4 = 1 − 𝑅𝐴 = 1 − 0.6 = 0.4 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
Unit load at 𝐿5 The point of intersection of IL curve for force 𝐹𝑈4 𝐿4 is
𝑅𝐵 = 0.5; 𝑅𝐴 = 0.5 at a distance from left hand support
Applying 𝑉 = 0 0.4 𝑥
=
𝑅𝐴 + 𝐹𝑈4𝐿4 = 0 0.5 5 − 𝑥
⇒ 𝐹𝑈4𝐿4 = −𝑅𝐴 = −0.5 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝. ) ⇒ 𝑥 = 2.22𝑚 + 20𝑚 = 22.22 𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐴
Therefore, point of intersection of IL curve from
support B = 50 - 22.22 = 27.78 m
 ILD for 𝑈4 𝐿5
Unit load at 𝐿4
⇒ 𝑅𝐴 = 0.6; 𝑅𝐵 = 0.4
Considering stability of left portion of section 1-1 and
applying 𝑉 = 0
𝑅𝐴 − 1 + 𝐹𝑈4 𝐿5 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 0
1 − 𝑅𝐴
⇒ 𝐹𝑈4 𝐿5 =
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
1 − 0.6
= × 61
6
= 0.52 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝. )
Unit load at 𝐿5
⇒ 𝑅𝐴 = 0.5; 𝑅𝐵 = 0.5
𝑉=0

𝑅𝐴 + 𝐹𝑈4 𝐿5 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 0
−𝑅𝐴
⇒ 𝐹𝑈4 𝐿5 =
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
−0.5
= × 61
6
= −0.65 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
Step 3: force in the members due to dead load
Dead load = 13.1 kN/m
Force in member 𝑈4 𝑈5 = Area of ILD × intensity of DL
1
= × 50 × 2.08 × 13.1
2
= 681.2 𝑘𝑁 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝. )
Force in member 𝐿4 𝐿5
1
= − × 50 × 2.0 × 13.1
2
= −655.0 𝑘𝑁 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
Force in member 𝑈4 𝐿4
1 1
= − × 22.22 × 0.4 + × 27.78 × 0.5 × 13.1
2 2
= −4.44 + 6.945 × 13.1 = 32.8 𝑘𝑁 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝. )
Force in member 𝑈4 𝐿5
1 1
= × 22.22 × 0.52 − × 27.78 × 0.65 × 13.1
2 2
= 5.777 − 9.028 × 13.1 = −42.58 𝑘𝑁 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
Step 4: Forces in the members due to live load (LL) and imposed load (IL)
Member 𝑈4 𝑈5
Loaded length = 50 m
20 20
Impact factor = =
14+𝑙 14+50
= 0.313
From bridge rules, for broad guage, 50 m loaded length, LL+IL per girder
1
= 1 + 0.313 × × 4380
2
= 2875.47 𝑘𝑁
Live load and impact factors for each loaded length are found from IRS bridge Rules. For
maximum forces in chord members, the whole of the span should be loaded and live load
is determined corresponding to maximum BM. For other diagonal and vertical members,
part of the span as indicated by influence line diagram should be loaded and the live load is
determined corresponding to shear force. The impact factor is found corresponding to
loaded length.
Therefore, force in the member due to LL and IL = Area of ILD × intensity of (LL and IL)
1 2875.47
= × 50 × 2.08 ×
2 50
2990.47 𝑘𝑁 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝. )
Member 𝐿4 𝐿5
Loaded length = 50 m; Impact factor = 0.313
LL+IL per girder
1
= 1 + 0.313 × × 4380
2
= 2875.47 𝑘𝑁
Force in the member due to LL and IL
1 2875.47
= − × 50 × 2 ×
2 50
−2875.47 𝑘𝑁 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
• 𝑈4 𝐿4
For tension, Loaded length = 22.22 m
20 20
Impact factor = = = 0.552
14+𝑙 14+22.22
LL+IL per girder
1
= 1 + 0.552 × × 2404.4
2
= 1865.81 𝑘𝑁
Force in the member due to LL and IL
1 1865.81
= − × 22.22 × 0.4 ×
2 22.22
−372.82 𝑘𝑁 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
For compression, Loaded length = 27.78 m
20 20
Impact factor = = = 0.479
14+𝑙 14+27.78
LL+IL per girder
1
= 1 + 0.479 × × 2849.06
2
= 2106.88 𝑘𝑁
Force in the member due to LL and IL
1 2106.88
= × 27.78 × 0.5 ×
2 27.78
= 526.72 𝑘𝑁 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝. )
Member𝑈4 𝐿5
For compression, Loaded length = 22.22 m
20 20
Impact factor = = = 0.552
14+𝑙 14+22.22
LL+IL per girder
1
= 1 + 0.552 × × 2404.4
2
= 1865.81 𝑘𝑁
Force in the member due to LL and IL
1 1865.81
= × 22.22 × 0.52 ×
2 22.22
= 484.66 𝑘𝑁 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝. )
For tension, Loaded length = 27.78 m
20 20
Impact factor = = = 0.479
14+𝑙 14+27.78
LL+IL per girder
1
= 1 + 0.479 × × 2849.06
2
= 2106.88 𝑘𝑁
Force in the member due to LL and IL
1 2106.88
= − × 27.78 × 0.65 ×
2 27.78
= 684.73 𝑘𝑁 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
Design forces Member (DL) (LL+IL) (DL+LL+IL)
Comp. Tension Comp. Tension Comp. Tension
(kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN)
𝑈4 𝑈5 681.20 -- 2990.49 -- 3671.69 --
𝐿4 𝐿5 -- 655.00 -- 2875.47 -- 3530.47
𝑈4 𝐿4 32.76 -- 526.72 372.82 559.48 372.82
𝑈𝐿5 -- 42.58 484.66 684.74 484.66 727.32
 Design of top chord member
Design force = 3671.69 kN (Comp.)
Depth of truss girder = 6 m = 6000 mm
1
Depth of top chord member = ×
10
6000 = 600 𝑚𝑚
Width of top chord member = depth
of top chord + twice the thickness of
gusset plates
= 600 + 2 × 22 = 644 𝑚𝑚
Choose the section as shown
Approximate radii of gyration are
𝑟𝑥 = 0.39ℎ = 0.39 × 600 = 234 𝑚𝑚
𝑟𝑦 = 0.55ℎ = 0.55 × 600 = 354 𝑚𝑚
⇒ 𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 234 𝑚𝑚
Length of member = 5 m = 5000 mm
Effective length as per IS 1915 = 0.85 × 5000 = 4250 𝑚𝑚;
𝑙 4250
Slenderness ratio = = = 18.16 Maximum width of plate elements between
𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛 234
lines of rivets≯ 50𝑡, t = thickness of cover
From IS 800, plate
𝜎𝑎𝑐 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑏 720.8
154.37 𝑁 𝑚𝑚2 ∴ ≯ 50 = = 45.05 < 50 𝑂𝐾
𝑡 16
3671.69×103
Area required = = 23785 𝑚𝑚2 Total width of top cover plate = 720.8 +
154.37
Width of top cover plate of the section between c/c 𝑒𝑋𝑋 × 2
= 720.8 + 53.6 × 2
of rivet line
= 828 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑎𝑦 850 𝑚𝑚
= 644 + 12 × 2 + 𝐶𝑋𝑋 × 2
A larger width of top cover plate is provided
= 644 + 24 + 26.4 × 2 = 720.8 𝑚𝑚
to safeguard any chance of rain water
entering the section
 Area provided
Top covrer plate = 850 × 16 = 13600 𝑚𝑚2
Web = 2 × 600 × 12 = 14400 𝑚𝑚2
4 ISA 80 × 50 × 6 𝑚𝑚 = 4 × 746 =
2984 𝑚𝑚2
Total area = 30984 𝑚𝑚2
Centre of gravity of the section from the top
fibre is at a distance 𝑦
𝐴1 𝑦1 + 𝐴2 𝑦2 + ⋯ + 𝐴𝑛 𝑦𝑛
𝑦=
𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + ⋯ + 𝐴𝑛
𝑦
850 × 16 × 8 + 2 × 746 × 11.6 + 16 + 2 × 746 × 600 − 11.6 + 16 2 × 600 × 12 × 300 + 16
=
850 × 16 + 2 × 746 + 2 × 746 + 2 × 600 × 12
108800 + 41.18 × 103 + 901.76 × 103 + 4550400
=
13600 + 1492 + 1492 + 14400
5602140
= = 180.8 𝑚𝑚
30984
𝐼𝑋𝑋
1
= 2× × 1.2 × 603 + 2 × 60 × 1.2
12
1
× 30 − 18.08 + 𝑏𝑑3 𝑁𝑒𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 + 85 × 1.6
2

2
12
× 18.08 − 0.8 + 4 × 14.4 + 2 × 7.46
× 18.08 − 1.16 + 1.6 2 + 2 × 7.46

𝐼 134807.66 × 104
𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = = 208.58 𝑚𝑚
𝐴 30984
𝑙 4250
Slenderness ratio = = 20.37
𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛 208.58

From IS 800, allowable stress in axial compression, 𝜎𝑎𝑐 =

153.88 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
Load carrying capacity of the member
153.88 × 30984
= = 4767.8 𝑘𝑁 > 3676.89 𝑘𝑁 (𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒)
1000
Design of bottom chord member:
Force in the member = 3530.47 kN
To allow for the effect of fatigue, the allowable working stress in tension (axial or
bending) is reduced as compared with the basic permissible stress. The reduction
depends on the ratio of minimum stress to maximum stress, the number of
repetitions of cycles, steel quality etc.
𝑓𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 655 𝑘𝑁; 𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 3530.47 𝑘𝑁
𝑓𝑚𝑖𝑛 655
𝑅= = = 0.186
𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥 3630.47
From IS 1915, k = 1.0 (for 6 x 105 cycles)
Therefore, allowable stress in axial tension
= 1.0 × 0.6 × 260 𝑓𝑦 = 0.6𝜎𝑦
= 156 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
3530.47×1000
Net area required = = 22631.28 𝑚𝑚2 ~𝐴𝑟. 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑑
156
 Design of bottom chord member
The overall dimension of the section is kept same as that
for top chord section.
Area provided:
2 Web plates 600 × 12 𝑚𝑚 = 2 × 600 × 12 =
14400 𝑚𝑚2
2 Additional plates with web = 2 × 600 × 8 = 9600 𝑚𝑚2
4 ISA 200 × 150 × 10 𝑚𝑚 = 4 × 3400 = 13600 𝑚𝑚2
Total area = 37600 𝑚𝑚2
Use 22 𝑚𝑚𝜙 rivets, assuming that 20 rivets would be
necessary for connecting main members and lacings
Area of holes = 4 × 23.5 × 10 + 4 × 23.5 × (10 + 12 +
Design of vertical member
Compressive force = −559.48 𝑘𝑁
Tensile force = 372.82 𝑘𝑁
The overall depth of vertical member is kept equal to the internal width of top
chord member less twice the thickness of gusset plate
Therefore, depth of the member = 644 − 2 × 22 = 600 𝑚𝑚
Length between c/c of intersection = 6000 𝑚𝑚
Effective length = 0.7 × 6000 = 4200 𝑚𝑚
Assuming allowable stress in axial compression for steel having yield stress as 260
N/mm2 and slenderness ratio as 70, 𝜎𝑎𝑐 = 115 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
𝑙
For rolled steel beam section → 70 − 90
𝑟
Design of vertical member
559.48×1000
Area required = = 4865 𝑚𝑚2
115
Provide 4 ISA 125 × 75 × 8 𝑚𝑚
Area provided = 4 × 1538 = 6152 𝑚𝑚2
𝐼𝑋𝑋
= 4 × 67.2 + 4 × 15.38 × 30 − 1.68 2
× 104 𝑚𝑚4
= 268.8 + 49340.4 × 104 𝑚𝑚4
= 49609.21 × 104 𝑚𝑚4
𝐼𝑌𝑌
= 4 × 245.5 + 4 × 15.38 × 4.15 + 0.5 2
× 104 𝑚𝑚4
= 982 + 1330.22 × 104 𝑚𝑚4
= 2312.2 × 104 𝑚𝑚4
𝐼 2312.2 × 104
𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = = 61.31 𝑚𝑚
𝐴 6152
 𝑙 4200
Required Slenderness ratio = = 68.50
𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛 61.31
From IS 800, for steel having yield stress as 260 N/mm2 , 𝜎𝑎𝑐 = 116.54 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
116.64×6152
Load carrying capacity = = 717.56 𝑘𝑁 > 559.48 𝑘𝑁 (𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒)
1000
To check the member for tension:
𝑓𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 372.82 𝑘𝑁(𝑇); 𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥 = −559.48.47 𝑘𝑁(𝐶)
𝑓𝑚𝑖𝑛 372.82
𝑅= =− = −0.666
𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥 559.48
From IS 1915, k = 0.63 (20x105 cycles)
Therefore, allowable stress in axial tension, allowing the effect of fatigue
= 0.63 × 0.6 × 260 𝑓𝑦 = 0.6𝜎𝑦
= 98.28 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
372.82×1000
Net area required = = 3793.44 𝑚𝑚2
98.28
Gross area provided = 6152 𝑚𝑚2
Area of rivet holes = 4 × 23.5 × 8 = 752 𝑚𝑚2
Net area provided = 6152 − 752 = 5400 𝑚𝑚2 > 3793.44 𝑚𝑚2 (𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒)
Design of diagonal member:
Tensile force = 727.32 𝑘𝑁
Compressive force = −484.66 𝑘𝑁
𝑓𝑚𝑖𝑛 484.66
𝑅= =− = −0.666
𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥 727.32
From IS 1915, k = 0.63
Therefore, allowable stress in axial tension,
allowing the effect of fatigue
= 0.63 × 0.6 × 260 𝑓𝑦 = 0.6𝜎𝑦
= 98.28 𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
727.32×1000
Net area required = = 7400.48 𝑚𝑚2
98.28
Provide 4 ISA 125 × 95 × 12 𝑚𝑚
Gross area provided 4 × 2498 = 9992 𝑚𝑚2
Area of rivet holes = 4 × 23.5 × 12 = 1128 𝑚𝑚2
Net area provided = 9992 − 1128 = 8864 𝑚𝑚2 > 7400.48 𝑚𝑚2 (𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒)