Trusses are an extremely strong, well-accepted, cost-effective option for the construction of various structures. To maximize the efficiency of the structure (which is often measured in the material used or labor), an appropriate truss type should be selected for the design and construction. Today we will explore what types of truss structures are out there and how they can benefit your design.
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 simplifies and produces a more efficient design since the steel in the diagonal members (in tension) can be reduced. 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.
Below is an example of a Pratt Truss, constructed and analyzed using our SkyCiv Truss Calculator. Compressive members are shown as green and tension as red.
ratt Truss
ratt Truss
Click here for a detailed technical analysis of Pratt Truss, including a detailed definition, advantages and pratt truss design tips.
The Warren Truss is another very popular truss structure system and is easily identified by its construction from equilateral 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). Its main advantage is also the cause of its 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.
An example of a Warren Truss, and its axial forces under a distributed load is shown below. The structure was built and analyzed using SkyCiv Truss Calculator. Compressive members are shown as green and tension as red.
The K Truss is a slightly more complicated version of the Pratt Truss. Its main difference is that the vertical members have become shortened – improving its resistance against buckling. It does, however, have similar pros and cons to the Pratt Truss and although it is not widely used, it is a strong design. One of its main disadvantages is that the members don’t always behave as expected. A member may be in compression under one load scenario and in tension under another. This can mean the structure may not be able to be optimally designed – since
An example of a K-Truss setup and its reaction under an applied load is shown below. Learn more about our SkyCiv Truss Calculator. Compressive members are shown as green and tension as red.
Howe trusses are essentially the opposite of Pratt trusses in terms of geometry. In fact, looking at a Pratt truss upside-down will visualize a Howe truss of sorts. The entire structure is still relatively the same, but the diagonal braces are now occupying the opposite or the unoccupied joints. This switch in position of the diagonal members has a very important effect structurally.
A Pratt truss (above) and a Howe Truss (below)
Previously, we discussed how Pratt trusses have their vertical members in compression and diagonal members in tension upon the application of gravity loads at the joints of the top chord. For Howe trusses, the reverse becomes true as diagonal members are now in compression, while the vertical loads are in tension.
As they are similar in structure to Pratt trusses, their uses are generally the same. To maximize the efficiency of the truss, the truss can be loaded at the joints of the bottom chord. Roof trusses can be loaded with a ceiling load for example.
Another thing to note is that, depending on the geometry and loading, Pratt trusses can have more unloaded members than Howe trusses.
The Fink truss in its most basic form has web members that follow a V-pattern which can be repeated several times. As the top chords are sloping downward from the center, the V pattern becomes noticeably smaller. As Fink trusses rely more on diagonal members, they can be very efficient at transmitting loads to the support.
Derivatives of the Fink truss include the Double Fink and the Fan truss types. Double Fink trusses are essentially Fink trusses that repeat the pattern twice on either side. If the most basic Fink truss can be characterized by a double-V, then a double fink would look like a double-W. Fan trusses are essentially Fink trusses that have its web members ‘fan out’ from the joints at the bottom, usually the addition of vertical members.
A Fink (top), a Double fink (middle), and a Fan Truss (bottom)
In the exterior, a gambrel truss has two different slopes, where the slope gets steeper from the center. Due to outward-protruding shape, gambrel trusses can be effective to be fitted with a hollow center, which can be used as a storage area. As such, the upper section of a barn is usually shaped in a gambrel. In the case of a barn, as the members are usually constructed with wood, the structure acts more like a frame than a truss. Derivatives of the gambrel include the Mansard roof, which is also called a French roof, hence its popularity in France.
SkyCiv offers two truss software; one Free Truss Calculator to model and analyze the internal forces of a truss structure. SkyCiv also offers powerful 3D Structural Analysis Software to model your 3D trusses and frames.