A.

INTRODUCTION
In our daily life, we could see most buildings such as houses and factories with roofs

on top of them, to protect the people inside them from the rain, overheating caused by the
sun, the changing weather and mostly to increase comfiness in living.
It is very important that these protective roofs do not collapse and also possess rigid
strength to withstand external forces such as heavy rain and the wind. Behind the strength in
every roof there is, there is a term called truss which is actually responsible for the stability
of roofs.
A truss is a structure composed of slender members joined together at their end points.
The members commonly used in construction consist of wooden struts or metal bars.
Basically, roof trusses are load bearing frames constructed of connected triangular shapes.
They take advantage of a triangles natural attributes, its strength and its stability.
The members forming the triangles have pinned joints. The members making up the
truss are either in compression or tension, unlike beams which experience tension and
compression at the same time. This is the main reason why trusses are more efficient at
supporting loads over wider spans than simple beams.
In case of the types of trusses, there are a lot of terms given to every truss in which
below are the six basic and most popular trusses in the architecture field. In the figure below,
it can be seen that Howe truss and Pratt truss are similar. The only difference between them is
direction and angle of the slanted members. When it comes to choosing the best truss design,
one cannot simply say Howe is better than Pratt because the strength and stability depends on
the materials used. The case also take into consideration a specific situation in which perhaps
one design is better than the other, in that particular context.

B.

PROJECT GOALS

The goals for this project are for students to:

Learn the design process.

See practical applications for trigonometry, physics, and statics.

Improve skills associated with collecting data and drawing meaningful conclusions.

Recognize the necessity of good communication skills for engineers by completing

memos, reports, and drawings.

C.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

How to design a roof truss from aluminium pipe to support Tensile Load and
Compressive Load of not more than 30Kn (35 109 Nmm2 L-2) ?

Description of the problem

Design a roof truss from aluminum to support certain loads by referring to Figure 1 below.
The truss is to be supported at joints P (pin) and Q (roller). Besides, joints are also at points
K, M, and N. You are advised to construct the truss by using only one size of pipe. The
weight of the truss is already accounted for the loads given and no additional factors of safety
beyond those already incorporated in the table. It is not necessary to determine the truss
design with minimum weight however it is advisable to use a small-diameter pipe so that the
truss is reasonably economical.

Because of buckling, long compressive members are

undesirable in trusses. To improve the strength of the truss and reduce length of compressive
members, zero force members should be used.

Figure 1

Nominal Inside
Diameter

Tensile Load Not to

Exceed

Compressive Load Not to Exceed

11 mm

10 kN

10 kN or 6 x 109 Nmm2L-2

23 mm

30 kN

30 kN or 35 x 109 Nmm2L-2

36 mm

50 kN

50 kN or 100 x 109 Nmm2L-2

50 mm

80 kN

80 kN or 250 x 109 Nmm2L-2

Table 1

D.

METHOD OF PROBLEM ANALYSIS

Before our group be able to provide the solution for the required problem statement, we
actually carried out several strategies with analytical and mathematical skills to lay out the
piece by piece steps or solutions so that we can understand the problem thoroughly.

Here are the strategies that were used:

Read the problem description carefully and understand the exact requirement to the
solution.

Brainstorm some tasks that are needed to provide the solution.

1. Choose one roof truss design from the Internet sources.
2. Determine and finalise whether the given roof truss design is symmetrical or
not symmetrical.
3. Calculate and finalise the dimensions of the truss by using appropriate method
such as Pythagoras Theorem.
4. Draw or design the final roof truss model clearly together with correct
dimensions.
5. Choose the diameter and maximum Tensile/Compressive Load.
6. Analyse the force of each member of the roof truss.
7. Verify that each member does not exceed the chosen Tensile/Compressive
Load.

Divide tasks between group members.

Conduct group meetings once a day to report on everyones progress of their work.

Conclude the report with the roof truss design and its force analysis.

E.

ROOF TRUSS DESIGN ANALYSIS

E.1

Concept of Tensile Load and Compressive Load

5

In the table given from the problem description, each of the member in the truss must not
exceed certain value of tensile and compressive load. The chosen diameter and also the
resulting force of a member would directly affect the value of these loads.
In other terms, Tensile Load is known as Tensile Strength whereas Compressive Load is
known as Compressive Strength.

E.1.1 Tensile Strength

The tensile strength is defined as the maximum tensile load a body can withstand before
failure divided by its cross sectional area.

Typically, ceramics perform poorly in tension, while metals are quite good. Fibres such as
glass, Kevlar and carbon fibre are often added polymeric materials in the direction of the
tensile force to reinforce or improve their tensile strength.

E.1.2 Compressive Strength

Compressive strength is defined as the maximum compressive load a body can bear prior to
failure, divided by its cross sectional area.

Ceramics typically have good tensile strengths and are used under compression e.g. concrete.

E.1.3 General Formula

Generally, the formula for Tensile/Compressive Load is given as:

E.2

Choosing the Truss Design

Our group approach in this report is to select few designs that we think are different from
each other. Then we compare and contrast their characteristics. Based on the verdict, we
choose the suitable truss design.
Actually, we assume that we have no idea whether:
1. The force on each member are the same with different roof truss design
or
2. The force on each member are different with different roof truss design.
We have discussed in our group and we chose two simple designs from the Internet sources
which are the Pratt truss and the Howe truss.
From the process of comparing and contrasting between these two truss designs, we found
out from the Internet sources that the Pratt truss dissipates load more efficiently than the
Howe truss, although both truss designs dissipate the force significantly more effectively than
the Beam truss. In addition, the Pratt truss deflects the least and held the most, on average,
while the beam truss deflects the most and held the least. This brings one to the conclusion
that the more rigid the structure is, the stronger it is and the more load it can hold. Therefore,
the Pratt truss dissipates the force of the load the most effectively, due to its rigid design.

Below are the basic designs of these trusses:

PRATT TRUSS

HOWE TRUSS

Below are the real life application of Pratt and Howe truss:

PRATT TRUSS

HOWE TRUSS

F.

FORCE ANALYSIS OF THE TRUSS DESIGN

F.1

Selecting an appropriate aluminium pipe diameter

Nominal Inside
Diameter

Tensile Load Not to

Exceed

Compressive Load Not to Exceed

11 mm

10 kN

10 kN or 6 x 109 Nmm2L-2

23 mm

30 kN

30 kN or 35 x 109 Nmm2L-2

36 mm

50 kN

50 kN or 100 x 109 Nmm2L-2

50 mm

80 kN

80 kN or 250 x 109 Nmm2L-2

Referring to the table above, it would be best to choose a diameter which is not too small
and not too big. A small diameter may affect the strength of the truss because aluminium
pipe is used. The strength would also be affected if the thickness of the pipe is to be
considered. Assuming the pipe is not thick, so an aluminium pipe with a diameter of 23 mm
is suitable.
On the other hand, if we choose a big diameter, the cost factor would play role in
here as it involves much higher cost to obtain the aluminium pipe. So again, 23 mm is
suitable to fulfil the economical aspect of the design.

F.2

Setting up the dimensions of the design

This is the Pratt Truss basic design that we chose. We had changed the labelling or letters of
the members. The required dimensions are also given in this design. So, all there is left to do
10

is to perform simple calculations involving Pythagoras Theorem on each of the triangle

ACG, ABH and HCG to find the missing dimensions.

F.2.1 Analysis on ACG triangle

11

1.0 m

A
3.2 m

3.22+ 1.02 =

x2

x = 3.352 m

cos =

1.0
3.352

= 72.68o

12

F.2.2 Analysis on ABH triangle

0.5 m

H
1.6 m

0.52 +1.62 =

x2

x = 1.676 m

cos =

1.6
1.676

= 17.32o

From the figure, since AC = 2AB, so it is proven that the design is symmetrical. It is
indeed an isosceles triangle.

13

F.2.3 Analysis on HCG triangle

1.0 m

G
1.6 m

1.02 +1.62 =

x2

x = 1.887 m

cos =

1.0
1.887

= 58.0o

14

F.3

Pratt Truss Design with Dimensions

15

F.4

Cost/Economical Analysis of the Truss Design

16

MEMBER

LENGTH (m)

COST (RM)

AB

1.676

15.30

AH

1.600

14.64

BC

1.676

15.30

BH

0.500

4.96

CH

1.887

16.84

CD

1.676

15.30

CF

1.887

16.84

CG

1.000

9.36

DF

0.500

4.96

DE

1.676

15.30

EF

1.600

14.64

FG

1.600

14.64

GH

1.600

14.64

BG

1.676

15.30

DG

1.676

15.30

TOTAL

21.23 metres

RM 203.32

*price source is calculated from https://www.metalsdepot.com/catalog_cart_view.php

F.5

Force Analysis on each member

17

F.5.1 Analysis on the entire truss

MA = 0
Ay (6.4) = 7000(1.6) + 7000(3.2) + 7000(4.8) + 3000(6.4)
6.4Ay = 86400
Ay = 13 500 N

+ Fx = 0
Ax = 0 N

18

+ Fy = 0
Ay + Ey = 3000 + 7000 + 7000 + 7000 + 3000
Ay = 27 500 13 500
Ay = 13 500 N

F.5.2 Analysis on Joint A

F

+ Fy = 0
13 500 = FAB

0.5
)
1.676

FAB = 45 252 N (C)

+ Fx = 0
AX + FAH = FAB

0.5
)
1.676

FAH = 45 252 0.95465

FAH = 43 200 N (T)

F.5.3 Analysis on Joint B

19

7
F

+ Fx = 0
FBC cos 17.32O = FAB

1.6
)
1.676

FBC cos 17.32O = 45 252

FBC =

1.6
)
1.676

43200
)
cos 17.32

FBC = 45 252 N (C)

+ Fy = 0
FAB

0.5
)
O
1.676 + FBG cos 57.99 = 7000 + FBC sin 17.32

FBG = 13 153 N (T)

20

F.5.4 Analysis on Joint H

F
F

+ Fy =0
(

1
)
1.887 FHC = 0

FHC = 0 N

+ Fx = 0
FHG - 43 200 = FHC

1.6
)
1.887

FHG = 43 200

FHG = 43 200 N (T)

21

F.5.5 Analysis on Joint C

The truss design and the external forces acting on it is symmetrical so the left and right
members experience the same force.
7

F
F

+ Fy =0
FCG = 7000 + 2(45252 cos 72.68o)
FCG = 7000 + 29 943.777

FCG = 19 944 N (T)

F.5.6

Summary of Force Analysis

The truss design is symmetrical thus the force acting on the left side is equal to the force
acting on the right side.
MEMBER
AB
AH
BH
BC
CH
CG
GH
CD
CF
DF
DE
EF
FG

FORCE (N)
45 252
43 200
Zero force member
45 252
0
29 788
44 150
45 252
0
Zero force member
45 252
43 200
44 150

TENSION/COMPRESSION

C
T
C
C
C
C
C
T
C
22

BG
DG

G.

13 153
13 153

VERIFICATION

OF

T
T

TENSILE

LOAD

AND

COMPRESSIVE LOAD REQUIREMENT

Tensile/Compressive Load =

where the area is given by

FORCE
AREA
r 2

Diameter chosen is 23mm. Radius is 11.5 mm.

2
Area = 11.5

Area = 415.476 mm2

TENSILE LOAD
(Nmm2L-2)

COMPRESSIVE
LOAD (Nmm2L-2)

MEMBER

FORCE (kN)

AB

45.252

AH

43.200

BH

54.954

13 485 399.28

BC

45.252

11 104 583.62

BG

13.153

CG

29.788

7 309 805.91

GH

44.150

10 834 159.09

CD

45.252

11 104 583.62

DG

13.153

DF

54.594

13 485 399.28

DE

45.252

11 104 583.62

EF

43.200

FG

44.150

11 104 583.62
10 601 034.48

3 165 766.49

3 165 766.49

10 601 034.48
10 834 159.09

The maximum Tensile/Compressive Load given was 30kN or 35 000 000 000 Nmm2L-2.

23

Based on the calculated Tensile/Compressive Load in the table above, none of them exceeds
35 109 Nmm2L-2.
Thus, it is verified that all the forces do not exceed the given maximum
tensile/compressive load.

H.

DISCUSSION

H.1

Zero Force Members

In the field of engineering mechanics, a zero force member refers to a member (a single truss
segment in a truss which given a specific load, is at rest: neither in tension nor in
compression).
In this project, our design has an addition of two zero force members. They are members BG,
DG, BH and DF. The reason these members are excluded from the calculation is that they do
not participate in the transfer of forces.
Although they play no role in the force analysis, zero force members actually have definite
role in maintaining the stability of a structure.
Some of their functions are as below:

Ensure the truss retain its shape.

Prevent buckling (in the plane of the structure) of long compressive members.
Increase stability of the truss during construction.
To maintain alignment of two members during construction.
Provide added support if the loading is changed.
To act as backup members in case some members fail or require strengthening.

24

H.2

Improving the Design of the Truss

In todays competitive world of trusses, component manufacturers are always looking for
ways to generate more efficient truss designs. The design of trusses must also be economical
and efficient at the same time. One common way to achieve those aspects is by using
composite trusses. Apart from using aluminium materials, two other materials can be
considered which are steel and concrete.
Steel as a structural material is equally strong both in tension and compression and
hence steel trusses are more efficient. They tend to be economical to support loads over larger
span lengths. However, the members in the compression chord of the simply supported steel
truss (top chord) may prematurely buckle before the stresses reach the material strength. In
this context, the concrete slab acting in composite with the truss compression chord becomes
useful.

A reinforced concrete or composite deck floor is required in any case in building and other
structures to provide a flat surface. Using it as a part of the compression member in truss
system could be an economical proposition. Concrete has a lower strength compared with
steel and hence requires larger cross section to sustain a given compression. Consequently,
the concrete floor slab used as a part of the compression chord of the truss is less vulnerable
to buckling failure. Further, concrete can more economically carry compression, whereas it is
very weak in tension. In a composite truss system, the relative merits of steel and concrete as
construction materials are fully exploited. It is one of the most economical systems in longer
span flooring construction. Thus composite truss systems are structurally efficient and
economical.

25

I.

CONCLUSION
In this project, we have chosen the Pratt truss as the main design for our roof truss.

Earlier in this report, we have stated that the Pratt truss is better in terms of load dissipation
among its members as compared to the Howe truss. Although both truss designs are similar,
but it is proven through calculation that the Pratt truss actually have a vertical member that
reduces the overall compression force acting on the entire truss.
Therefore, based on this fact alone, it is a very brilliant choice to select aluminium
pipe as the material to construct roof truss using Pratt truss concept. Under such structural
arrangement (in the Pratt truss), when subject to external loads, tension is induced in diagonal
members while the vertical members tackle compressive forces. Hence, thinner and lighter
aluminium or iron can be used as materials for diagonal members so that a more efficient
structure can be enhanced. This factor can be economical as aluminium is much cheaper than
any materials such steel.
The design of Howe truss is the opposite to that of Pratt truss in which the diagonal
members are slanted in the direction opposite to that of Pratt truss (i.e. slanting away from the
middle of bridge span) and as such compressive forces are generated in diagonal members.
Hence, it is not economical to use steel members to handle compressive force.

J.

REFERENCES

MECHANICS FOR ENGINEERS:

HIBBELER, YAP, PEARSON (2013)

Engineering Mechanics: Volume 1: Equilibrium, C. Hartsuijker, J.W. Welleman,

Springer (2006)

https://www.metalsdepot.com/catalog_cart_view.php

STATICS,

THIRTEENTH

EDITION,

26

https://www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/2009/Projects/J0204.pdf

https://www.garrettsbridges.com

https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au

http://www.engineeringcivil.com/what-are-the-differences-among-warren-truss-howetruss-and-pratt-truss.html

http://www.iitg.ac.in/kd/Lecture%20Notes/ME101-Lecture06-KD.pdf

http://www.steel-insdag.org/teachingmaterial/chapter27.pdf

27