TOS ASSIGNMENT 3

“STEEL ROOF TRUSSES”

QUES 1: What are the component parts of a steel roof truss?

ANS:

Top Chord - The uppermost line of members that extend from one support to the other through
the apex is called top chord. The top chord is also known as the upper chord of the roof truss.

Bottom Chord - The lowermost line of members of truss extending from one support to the other
is called bottom chord. The bottom chord is also known as lower chord of the roof truss.

Span - The distance between the supporting end joints of a truss is called its span. When
supported on walls, the distance between the centres of bearings would be considered as span.

Rise- The vertical distance measured from the apex to the line joining supports.

Pitch - The ratio of the rise to the span is called the pitch of a roof truss, OR, The angle between
the lower and the upper chords. Roofs are pitched to facilitate drainage of water. Where the roofs
are to carry snow loads in addition to wind load, a pitch of 1/4 is most common and economical.
The pitches 1/3 and 1/5 and corresponding to an angle of inclination of 30 degrees are also
commonly employed.
Slope- The slope of a roof is defined as the tangent of the angle that the plane of the roof makes
with horizontal. The slope of the roof therefore is not equal to the pitch and greater care should be
taken to see that the two terms are not used. The slope of the roof is equal to twice the numerical
value of pitch in all the cases whether truss is symmetrical or unsymmetrical.

Wind Bracing- Provides stability to truss and resists wind drag along the roof
Panel -The portion of the truss lying between two consecutive joints is called a panel. It is also
defined as the distance between the two adjacent purlins.
Bay - The portion of a roof truss contained between any two consecutive trusses is called as Bay.

Purlin - The member spanning from truss to truss which is meant to carry the load of the roofing
material and to transfer it on the panel points is called a purlin. Hence the length of the purlin is
equal to the width of the bay, i.e., the spacing of the trusses.

Sub-purlins -The sub-purlins are the secondary system of purlins resting on the rafter.
These are spaced to support the tiles or slate coverings.

Principal Rafter - The top chord members are called principal rafters. They carry compressive
forces.
Rafters - The rafters are beams and they rest on the purlins. The rafters support the sheathing.
They may support sub-purlins directly. These are called common rafters to distinguish from
principal rafter.

Sheathing - The sheathing are coverings of boards or reinforced concrete. They provide support
for the roof covering.

Ridge Line - The ridge line is a line joining the vertices of the trusses.

Eaves - The bottom edges of an inclined roof surface or a pitched roof is termed as eaves.
Truss Spacing - The spacing of the truss depends on the type of roof used, the truss span, the
function of the building, the subsoil conditions etc. The spacing varies from about 4 m for short
span structures to 10 m for relatively long span construction. Spacing as large as 10 m has been
used for truss spans of 40-50 m. A good thumb rule for the truss spacing is 1/5 to 1/3 of their span.
Depth of a Truss - The depth of a truss determines its strength, stiffness, its first cost and the cost
of transportation to the site and subsequent erection. It should be obvious that a deep truss
develops smaller forces in the chord members thus reducing their size and hence the cost. The
height to span ratio ranging from 1/10 to 1/5 is often used in practice.
Spacing of Purlins – The distance between two adjacent panel points, if purlins are placed at panel
points only is called the spacing of purlins. Generally, the spacing of purlins varies from 2 m to 3 m.
Sag Tie - A sag tie is a tie member provided to join the peak of truss and the middle tie member.
The length of the middle tie member is large. The deflection of this member due to self-weight
may be 'large. When a sag-tie is provided, it decreases the deflection of the middle tie member.

QUES: 2 what are standardized trusses? What information can be obtained from SP 38? How is it
beneficial for Architects?
ANS: (a) Industrial sheds meant for storage purposes or light industrial structures which are low
rise buildings normally used for steel plants, automobile industries, utility and process industries,
thermal power station, warehouse, assembly plants, storage, garages, small scale industries, etc.
require trusses that have been designed already by SP38. They are called as Standardized trusses.
It doesn’t include heavy span trusses for big industries.
(b) Information available in SP38 handbook:
1. Configuration of trusses and sizes of the members is already worked out for standard trusses.
2. Joint connection detail
3. Support connection detail
4. Size and connection details of Purlins and bottom runners
5. Bracing details

6. Size/connection details for base plates etc.

7. Quantities of material for each truss.
It provides standard designs for A-type trusses and Lean to type trusses. A detailed design
example in. the design office format is given in the Handbook illustrating the use of analysis and
design information presented.

(c) This handbook is beneficial for architects because:

1. Analysing huge trusses and working out the designs from the fundamentals is tedious and time
consuming. This cannot be resorted to the design offices these days, where time plays an
important role.
2. Various software’s have been used to analyse these trusses and a design has been worked out
and can be used directly by the architects for designing roof trusses.
3. It simplifies their work and help them adopt a suitable standard truss from this handbook for
their design.

QUES : 3Refer SP 38 and mention standard spans, spacing, and slopes of roof and wind
pressures mentioned for designing purpose.

ANS: Typified designs available in the handbook are for following standard spans-
1. A Type Trusses- 9, 12, 18, 24, 30 meter
2. Lean to Type: 9, 12, 15 meters
 Standard spacing of Trusses in meters- 4.5 and 6m
 Standard Roof slopes- Roof slopes = 1 in 3, 1 in 4 and 1 in 5
 Standard wind pressure for which trusses are designed 1. Wind pressure- 1KN/m2;
1.5KN/m2 ; 2KN/m2

SPAN (m) Column height (m)

 A-Type Truss Lean to roof type truss
9m 4.5, 6 4.5, 6
12m 4.5,6,9 4.5,6,9
15m - 4.5,6,9
18m 6,9,12 -
24m 9,12 -
30m 9,12 -
As the steel roof trusses are light weight systems, hence wind loads play major role in the
design and earthquake loads are not considered critical.

QUES 4: Write merits and demerits of tubular trusses over structural trusses

ANS: MERITS
∙Even though they are considered to be more expensive, metal roof trusses can span further than
wood.
∙Metal roof trusses can be manufactured to exact standards.
∙They are much more lightweight and this allows for larger shipments. This reduces the time it
takes to get to the project site.
∙Metal roof trusses are fire resistant.
∙They are compatible with almost all types of roofing systems.
∙No insect infestations can occur like in wood trusses. Chemical treatments are not necessary to
maintain the trusses.
∙Metal roof trusses are recyclable and therefore environmentally friendly.

DEMERITS

∙Skilled labor is required to installing process.

∙They are not energy efficient since they allow more heat to escape from the structure.
∙They allow sound to be more easily transmitted.
∙When the metal is cut, drilled, scratched or welded, rust can become a problem.
∙The workers have a higher risk of electrocution when installing the metal roof trusses.
∙Wires that are on the trusses can rub over time creating a hazard to anyone who happens to
touch the metal truss.

QUES 5: What should be the max. spacing of purlin for an A type truss if the spacing is 4.5m c/c
and 6m c/c. Refer SP38

ANS : A/c to SP38, the max. spacing of purlin for an A type truss if the spacing is 4.5m c/c and 6m
c/c will be 1.4 m.