How Do I Choose the Best Methods for Truss Building?

To choose the best methods for truss building, it often is important to consider function, design, materials and internal forces. Trusses can be used to support many types of structures, from bridges to skyscrapers, and the function of a truss will often determine other important factors. Many truss designs exist, even within the same function, so it is important to choose carefully. Materials and designs that are cost-effective for one application may be impractical elsewhere. Internal forces of the best truss building depend on the function, design and materials.

Most of the time, the function of a truss is to create a rigid structure. A roof truss, for instance, might be combined with the rest of a house frame to provide a base for a roof in new construction. In this case, the best methods for truss building might be basic in design, because simple trusses can usually handle the weight of a roof. If a truss is needed to frame a skyscraper, on the other hand, it will likely require a more complicated truss structure. Truss analysis often considers whether a design will fit a certain truss function.

There is a wide variety of trusses, but many have a planar or space frame design. Flat or two-dimensional trusses are considered to be planar, much like a roof truss or structural truss. Space frame trusses, on the other hand, usually extend into three dimensions, like the supports used to create power line towers. These various designs fit certain applications and might benefit from specific materials.

Wood, metal and pre-stressed concrete or composites are some examples of the materials used to create trusses. In general, the best truss building should use materials appropriate for the forces it must withstand. Wooden trusses, for instance, are often sufficient for making a structural truss in a small building that won't create a great deal of force. Larger architectural trusses might require metal components because of the immense strain they will probably bear.

The best methods for truss building should consider the internal forces that the trusses must withstand. Straight pieces that make up the majority of the truss structure are connected at joints. This allows the straight pieces to be subject only to forces of compression and tension, while the joints are responsible for many of the other forces, such as bending. The best methods for truss building consider the design and materials used to create optimal internal forces.