Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 1

Plane truss Prismatic truss Prismatic truss frame

Space truss (2-way spans) Triangular space truss (3-way spans)
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 2
Truss / shear wall
Gravity load
DL = 20 psf
LL = 12 psf (60% of 20psf for tributary area > 600 ft
2
)
=32 psf
1 Isometric
2 Roof plan
3 Section
A Truss
B J oist (should rest on truss joints only)
C Roof braces (resist lateral load in roof plane)
D Shear walls (transfer lateral load to footing)
d Effective depth d = 8 at center, d = 7 at support
h height h = 16
Assume:
Steel trusses on pilasters (column attached to wall)
Uniform load w = 32psf x25/1000 w = 0.8 klf
J oint load P = 0.8 x 10 P = 8 k
Shear V = 7 P/2 = 7 x 8/2 V = 28 k
Global moment M = w L
2
/8 = 0.8 x 80
2
/8 M = 640 k
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 3
Chord forces C = T = M/d = 640/8 C = T = 80 k
Top chord (KL= 10)
Try DL4x4x (DL=25.60 plf) P
all
= 99 k > 80
D
L

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Try P6 (DL=18.97 plf) P
all
= 101k > 80
Use ST4x4x3/8 (DL=17.27 plf) P
all
= 89 k > 80
Bottom chord (KL= 0 - no buckling)
Use 4x3x1/4 (DL=10.51plf) P
all
= 85 k > 80
Vertical bar (KL = 7 @ support)
Max compression C = max shear C = 28 k
Use ST4x2x1/4 (DL=8.81plf) P
all
= 32 k > 28
Diagonal bar (KL= 0 - no buckling)
Max tension (graphic vector) T = 49 k
Use ST4x2x3/16 (DL=6.87plf) P
all
= 56k > 49
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 4
Sddeutshe Zeitung, Munich, Printing Plant
Architect: Von Seidlein et all
Result of a design competition, the plant consists of
2 wings, joined by a circulation spine with north light
A Offices
B Newsprint storage (fire rated concrete)
C Printing
D Concourse gallery
E Processing
33.75
7.5 37.5
A
B
C
D
E
C
D
Wind bracing
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 5
Assume: Steel trusses
Span L = 123
Truss spacing e = 38
Truss depth d = 7.4
Chord bar lengths Lc = 123/10 panels Lc =12.3
Web bar lengths Lw = ([12.3/2]
2
+7.4
2
)

Lw = 9.6
DL = 32 psf
LL = 18 psf (60% of 30 psf for tributary area > 600 ft
2
)
= 50 psf
111
25 123
P P P P P P P P P
e =38 truss spacing
L =123
7
.
4

Max. web bar compression (Lw = 9.6)

Cw = Tw Cw = 136 k
Use ST 6x4 x p
all
= 150 > 136
Uniform load
w = 50 psf x 38/1000 w =1.9 klf
J oint load
P = w Lc = 1.9 x 12.3 P = 23.4 k
Global shear (governs web bars)
V = 9P/2 = 9x23.4/2 V = 105 k
Max. web bar tension (KL=0, no buckling)
Tw = V Lw/d = 105x9.6/7.4 Tw = 136 k
Use ST 6x4x 5/16 P
all
= 155 > 136
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 6
7
.
4

J oints MUST be
concentric (center
lines of bars meet
at ONE point)
111
25 123
7
.
4

Span L = 123
Truss depth d = 7.4
Chord bar lengths
Lc = 123/10 panels Lc =12.3
Uniform load
w = 50 psf x 38/1000 w =1.9 klf
Global moment
M=wL
2
/8=1.9x123
2
/8 M=3593 k
Chord bar forces
T=C=M/d=3593/7.4 T=C=486 k
Top chord (KL= 12.3)
Use DL8x8x1 P
all
=496>486
Bottom chord (tension)
A = T/Fa = 486/22 A = 22 in
2
Use W12x79 A = 23.2>22
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 7
Speed skating rink, Heerenveen, Holland, 1986
Architect: Van der Zee & Ybema
Engineer: Arie Krijegsman, ABT
Assume: steel truss
Allowable stress Fa=22 ksi
Truss span L = 217
Truss spacing e = 24
Truss depth d = 19
DL = 0.6 kPa (12.5 psf)
LL = 0.5 kPa (10.4 psf)
= 1.1 kPa (22.9 psf)
L = 217
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 8
Uniform load
w = 24 x 22.9 psf / 1000 w = 0.55 klf
Mid span point load
(center truss carries round end loads r = 162.5)
Tributary area
A = (262.5)
2
/3 A= 27,639 ft
2
Load per truss (16 trusses)
P= 27,639 x 22.9 psf /16/1000 P = 40 k
Global moment (M = PL/4+wL
2
/8)
M =40 x 217/4 + 0.55 x 217
2
/8 M = 5,407 k
Chord bar force
C = T = M/d = 5,407 / 19 C =T = 285 k
Bottom chord (KL=0, no buckling)
Use W8x48 P
all
= 305>285
Top chord un-braced length
KL = 217/12 KL = 18
Use W12x65 P
all
= 311>285
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 9
Speed skating rink, Heerenveen Holland, 12,500 seats
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 10
Centre Pompidou, Paris
Architect: Piano and Rodgers
Engineer: Ove Arup
The Centre Pompidou has six exhibit levels 60x166 m
a mechanical zone at rear and a circulation zone in Front.
Steel trusses span between outriggers called
Gerberettes after 19
th
century Gerber Beam inventor.
The Gerberettes prevent eccentric column bending.
Lateral load is resisted by:
A-bracing between trusses in width direction
X-bracing in length direction
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 11
Assume: Max compressive stress Fa = 207 MPa (30 ksi)
DL = 3.2 kN/m
2
(67 psf)
LL = 4.8 kN/m
2
(100 psf)
= 8.0 kN/m
2
(167 psf)
Uniform truss load
w = 12.8 m (8 kN/m
2
) w = 102 kN/m
Global moment
M = wL
2
/8 = 102(44.8
2
)/8 M = 25,590 kN-m
Max. chord bar force
C = T = M/d = 25,590/2.5 C = T = 10,236 kN
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 12
Assume: Max compressive stress Fa = 207 MPa (30 ksi)
DL = 3.2 kN/m
2
(67 psf)
LL = 4.8 kN/m
2
(100 psf)
= 8.0 kN/m
2
(167 psf)
Uniform truss load
w = 12.8 m (8 kN/m
2
) w = 102 kN/m
Global moment
M = wL
2
/8 = 102(44.8
2
)/8 M = 25,590 kN-m
Max. chord bar force
C = T = M/d = 25,590/2.5 C = T = 10,236 kN
Tension bars (2 bars)
A = T/(2Fa) = 10,236/(2x207x10
3
) A = 24,725 mm
2
= 2(A/)
1/2
= 2(24,725/)
1/2
2 177 mm
Compression bars (try 2 375x30 mm)
Radius of giration
r =(D
2
+d
2
)
1/2
/4 =(375
2
+315
2
)
1/2
/4 = 122 mm r = 0.122 m
Unbraced length KL = 44.8m/7 KL = 6,4 m
Slenderness KL/r = 6,4/0.122 KL/r = 53
Allowable buckling stress (from AISC table)
Fa =23.88 ksi/0.145 Fa = 165 Mpa
Cross section area (2 bars)
A = 2x10
-6
(375
2
-315
2
)/4 A =0.065 m
2
Stress f = C/A = 10,236/(0.065x10
3
) f = 157 MPa < 165
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 13
At KL/r = 53, Fa = 23.88 ksi = 165 MPa
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 14
Lateral bracing:
length direction
width direction
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 15
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 16
Gerberettes = small Gerber
Define zones for
circulation in front
and ducts at rear
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 17
Gerber beam
The Gerber beam is named after its inventor, Gerber, a
19th century professor at Munich.
The Gerber beam has hinges at inflection points to
reduce bending moments, taking advantage of
continuity, to allow settlements without axtra stress.
The Gerber beam was developed in response to
frequent failures, caused by unequal settlements of 19
th
century railroad bridges.
1 Simple beams over three spans
2 Reduced bending moment in continuos beam
3 Failure of continuous beam due to unequal foundation
settlement, causing one span to double and the
bending moment to increase four times.
4 Gerber beam with hinges at inflection points reduces
bending yet allows unequal settlement without failure.
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 18
Staggered Truss System
Staggered truss systems consist of story-high
Trusses that span the entire width of the building.
Trusses alternate from floor to floor with trusses
at each floor between trusses above and below.
Staggered trusses provide story-high depth
and large spaces between trusses.
Mid-span truss panels designed as Vierendeel
without diagonal bars provide openings to pass
between adjacent spaces.
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 19
Staggered Truss System
Mystic Marriot Hotel
Groton, Connecticut
Architect: Brennan Beer Gorman
Engineer: Wexler & Associates
Truss span ~ 60
Truss depth 10
Truss spacing 28
Chord bars 10 wide-flange
Web bars 10 tubing
Floors 8 concrete planks
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 20
PRISMATIC TRUSS AND TRUSS FRAME
IBM sports hall, UK
Architect: Nicholas Grimshaw
Sainsbury Center, UK
Architect: Norman Foster
Engineer: Anthony Hunt
Truss frames may consist of
prismatic trusses or flat trusses.
Truss frames provide both
roof and wall support and resist
both gravity and lateral load
Prismatic trusses resist buckling
Prismatic truss
graphic web bar adjustment
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 21
Truss details
1. Partial truss
2. Gusset plate to join double L bars
3. Gusset plate to join double channel bars
4. Gusset plate to join pipe bars
5. Welded tubing joint
Truss bar options:
Double L-shapes
Double channels
T-bars (alternate chord bar with double Ls)
Pipes
Tubing (square or rectangular)
Note:
Use concentric joints to avoid bending stress
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 22
Space Truss
Support span = 6 x 16.4 L = 98
Truss depth d = 6
Analysis
Point load @ top joints P = 3 k
Uniform load equivalent
w = 3k/16.4 w = 0.18 klf
Global moment
M = 0.18 x 98
2
/ 8 M = 216 k
Top chord compression
C = M/d = 216 / 6 C = 36 k
Bottom chord tension
T = M/d = 216 / 6 T = 36 k
Multiframe analysis C = 28-44 k
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 23
Javits Convention Center New York
Architect: I M Pei
Engineer: Weidlinger
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 24
Currigan exhibit hall, Denver
Architect: Muchow, Ream, and Larson
The space truss is expressed inside and along
the roof edge outside. Inverted truss pyramids
support define the organization.
The space truss has four modules of 240x680
combined length.
The truss is two layers deep to reduce buckling
length of web bars.
Top and bottom grids, 10x10. are offset by half
a module and joined by pyramidal web bars.
Truss bars consist of twin-Ls, joined by gussets.
The span/depth ratio is 6.5, DL = 13 psf.
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 25
Festival Plaza, Expo 70, Osaka
Architect: Kenzo Tange
Engineer: Yoshitomi Suga
Six towers support the 108x292 m space truss.
Pneumatic roof panels provide natural lighting.
Top and bottomgrids, 10.8 msquare, offset by
half modules, are joint by web bars, also 10.8 m,
for span/depth ratios of 11.5 and 8 in length and
width, respectively.
Assembled at ground from350-500 mmpipes and
Mero joints, the space truss was raised by
hydraulic jacks.
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 26
Larkspur ferry terminal, San Francisco
Architect: J acques De Brer
Engineer: Kaiser Engineers
The Terminal for 2000 daily passengers is an
equilateral triangle of 192 side length
Three inverted truss pyramids support the truss
Plastic roof panels provide natural lighting
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 27
Olympic Arena Barcelona
Architect: Arata Isozaki
Engineer: Mamoru Kawaguchi
The 1992 Olympic arena features a 106x128m
space truss of 5 (Pentadome) units with hinged
joints for assembly near ground and hydraulic
lifting to final position.
Hinged columns along the periphery allowed the
lateral displacement needed during erection.
Linear skylights accentuate the intersection of
the five units.
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 28
Mero joint
The popular Mero joint provides concentric onnections
for space truss bars in any direction.
Mero is an abbreviation of:
the first 2 letters of Dr. Meneringhausen, the inventor,
and the first 2 letters of Rohr, German for pipe.
A Node
B Web bar
C Chord bar
D Roof support
E Wall support
F J oint support
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 29
Sainsbury Center, UK 1977
Architect: Norman Foster
Engineer: Anthony Hunt
Prismatic frame truss
Frame action resist gravity and lateral load
Prismatic cross section provides stability
to prevent lateral buckling and rotation
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 30
Kurilpa Tensegrety Bridge Brisbane
Architect: Cox Rayner
Engineer: Ove Arup
Length: 430 m, span: 128 m (420)
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Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 31
Iowa River Bridge
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 32
Concord-Pleasant Hill Rail Bridge
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 33
Big Bridge Oshima J apan
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 34
Maxau Rhein Bridge
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 35
Rhein Bridge Nijmegen Holland
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 36
Van Brienenoordbrug Bridge near Rotterdam
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 37
Hudson River Bridge Kingston-Rhinecliff
Truss structures Copyright Prof Schierle 2011 38