We live in a generation where our buildings are constructed with very great tools and equipment. Steel trusses are structures that consist of members arranged to form a triangular shape. These members, when brought together as an assembly, remain together as one object and are used in constructing bridges, roofs, walls, joists, floors, and towers.

In the fields of building and construction, steel trusses play a great role in determining the performance of the structures. Engineers developed steel trusses due to the inability of some materials to carry tremendous load and pressure. These structures bear huge loads and pressures and thus are used in constructing bridges of all sizes and other structures.

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History About Steel Trusses

The development of a steel truss was a very great intervention to solve the rapid failures of structures due to their inability to withstand and support large amounts of load. Engineers at that time developed a triangular-shaped truss structure using wood which was successful in its function. After the importance of trusses was observed by many, it was fully accepted as a basic constructional tool, and several modifications have been made to it.

What Is The Main Purpose Of A Truss?

Trusses are mostly used in the construction of bridges, roofs, and towers. Specifically, they support large amounts of external loads in construction.

In the aspect of supporting a roof, trusses provide a safe and healthy roof system. Additionally, they create an optimum vapour barrier to prevent the development of moulds. They also help in providing good insulation and ensure proper ventilation of a structure. Trusses prevent the penetration of ultraviolet radiation into homes and structures.

Trusses are environmentally friendly, promote energy efficiency, support, and strengthen roof framework.

What Are The Uses Of Trusses?

As the main purposes of trusses have been spelt out, there are other uses of this great material. Here are a number of them:

• Trusses are used in other civil construction aspects such as the construction of a scaffold.
• Some forms of cranes are built from trusses. Moreover, the cantilever beams of cranes are made of trusses.
• Trusses are useful in the construction of power pylons or transmission towers.
• Trusses are used in designing railway platforms.
• Some sections of sports stadiums are made of truss

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Why Is Truss Triangle?

Trusses are an assembly of triangles designed and constructed from a series of straight bars. A truss is constructed triangular-shaped due to its mechanical strength and stability. Moreover, triangles are the only geometric shapes that cannot be bent out of shape making them very stable.

A triangle is known to be a very great tool way back in ancient times. It was used in the construction of pyramids. Additionally, triangles have a great method of transferring loads and their spatial openness.

How Do Trusses Work?

Many people wonder how and why a simple device like a truss can carry very large loads. Others question the capability of trusses to function to their greatest capability with damaging and causing loss of lives.

Imagine making a  triangular shape with some sticks and making a four-sided figure with the same sticks. Even without proper bolting, the triangular-shaped structure maintains very rigid stability and strength compared to the other. Most often, trusses are designed in a manner that the loads are applied at the joints of the triangles. These forces imposed on the trusses are axial and are either in compression or in tension. When a load is imposed on any part of the truss, the load is transformed uniformly through the truss, and the load is supported.

The efficiency of the trusses is because each of the members is axially positioned.

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Is It Cheaper To Use Rafters Or Trusses?

Rafters have been in existence several decades ago and are still utilized in some parts of the world. Generally, trusses are cheaper than rafters. The price of these two is accounted for in terms of the design cost and the labour cost.

Which Is Better Rafters Or Trusses?

The debate on whether rafters are better than trusses or vice versa has been a thing of the past due to the advancement of science and technology.

Rafters are traditional means of supporting roof whiles trusses have become the norm in the modern world. In the rafter, the stick framing method is used to support loads of a roof while in the truss, the rigidity of triangles is used to support roofs.

One basic advantage of trusses over rafters is the cheapness of trusses. Comparing material and labour costs in the design of the two materials, makes trusses have an advantage over rafters.

Moreover, the accuracy level in the construction of trusses is higher with fewer errors as compared to rafters.

The time frame for building the same size of trusses and rafters is different in terms of the two. While an area of 250 square meters will take a day for completion in terms of trusses, it might take a week for that of a rafter of the same dimension.

Additionally, the webbing effect of trusses makes them have a longer lifespan than that of rafters. On the other hand, rafters are more flexible than trusses.

What Are The Advantages Of Steel Roof Trusses?

Although it is generally accepted that steel trusses are better than roof trusses, some key benefits make roof trusses also unique. Some of the advantages of roof trusses include:

• Steel trusses are eco-friendly.
• Steel Roof trusses are lighter.
• They are durable and strong.
• Steel Roof trusses are energy efficient.
• They have good fire resistance properties as compared to wood.

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What Are The Disadvantages Of Roof Trusses?

In this world, every good thing has its shortcomings or disadvantages. Roof Trusses is an application of trusses in design to support loads of roof to provide shelter. The most common disadvantage of roof trusses is the inability of the trusses to leave enough space for a usable attic. Roof trusses occupy the spaces and do not leave enough space for the attic. When the designer creates his own unusual space for the attic, it tends to reduce the lifespan of the truss.

Are Roof Trusses Self Supporting?

Roof trusses do not possess any load-bearing walls internally.

Are Steel Trusses Cheaper Than Wood?

In terms of cost, wood trusses are cheaper than steel trusses. Moreover, other costs such as chemical treatment of wood may accrue when using wood. Additionally, in transporting the trusses, it is more convenient to transport steel trusses as compared to wood trusses.

Why Is It Important For Roof Trusses To Have Members And Beams?

By definition, trusses are an assembly of beams and consist of force members. members.  Roof trusses need to have members and beams as their main constituents. The presence of members and beams provides resistance to tensional and compressional forces, shear forces, and bending. Additionally, it is worth knowing that top members of the truss are known as top chords while bottom members of the truss are called bottom chords.

How Much Does It Cost To Repair Roof Trusses?

The cost of repairing a roofing truss depends usually on the extent of damage to the roof truss and the roofing style. Sometimes, extreme weather conditions can cause extensive damage to the roof and might affect the roof trusses. In order to ensure the safe functioning of roof trusses to prevent leakages, roof trusses must be repaired and maintained.

The average cost of repairing a roof truss also depends on the number of working forces required to complete the work and the time frame for the repairs.

Trusses are an important part of the good performance of a building and it is required for homeowners to have a fair idea about roof trusses.