Truss systems are triangular arrangements of wooden or steel beams used in construction, stage design, and bridges. They are simple, strong, and easy to build, but may not work well in irregularly shaped roofs. Variations exist to handle different loading requirements.
In architecture or structural engineering, a truss system is an arrangement of wooden or steel support beams configured in a triangular shape. Typically, the horizontal ends are connected to other trusses in the system. Truss systems are often used in the construction of buildings, bridges and service towers. They are also commonly used in stage design and performances.
One of the advantages of the trellis system is its simplicity. The triangle bears loads only at its joints, or nodes. A triangular structure is stable and does not need additional support to prevent collapse, as a rectangle would. Force calculations are easy because only compressive and tensile forces are present. This limits the number and direction of forces that must be considered when determining the forces in a truss member.
Despite its simplicity, a wooden truss system is extremely durable. A truss system is stronger than a beam because it can dissipate forces through its structural members. The use of truss systems in construction remained popular even after other stronger materials became available. Trellis systems are easy to build because they consist of just a few pieces. They tend to be lightweight and very inexpensive because only beams and joints are needed.
Truss systems can span large distances and dissipate forces throughout the structure with loading only at the ends. This can be very convenient in residential and commercial building construction because curtain walls can be placed at intervals between two ends of the truss system. This allows for flexibility in wall spacing and allows for easy removal if needed.
There are some disadvantages of truss systems, which is why they are not used in all roof structures. In situations where more space is needed in the roof area, such as attics, truss systems may take up too much space. Truss systems are more difficult to place than beams. They have to be assembled on the ground and lifted into place with a crane, while the girders can be built quickly and without special equipment. In roof systems with many irregularities in shape, truss systems may not work well.
Many variations of the truss system are available to counteract some of the disadvantages and make the system capable of handling different loading requirements. In the case of service towers, a three-dimensional truss system could be used to make the structure vertically stable and able to withstand strong winds without tipping over. Another example of a variation on the truss system is the use of a cantilever truss in bridge construction to make long spans of truss systems possible.
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