Tags: howe truss, k-truss, pratt truss, tips, truss design, warren truss
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Truss Design
Learn all the main types of trusses used in real bridges, and see how to apply them to model bridges. Learn the history of each common truss design. This page is designed to help you make an educated decision about what truss design you should use on your bridge.
Common trusses used in engineering:
Warren Truss
Warren Truss
The Warren truss is one of the most simple yet strong designs. This simple design already existed, but what made the Warren unique is that it uses equilateral triangles. Each side of the triangles are the same length. This marked an improvement over the older Neville truss which did not use equilateral triangles.
Go to a more in depth analysis of the Warren Truss.
Pratt And Howe Truss
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- Pratt Truss
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- Howe Truss
The Pratt and Howe trusses are very similar. In fact, the only difference is the direction the slanted members are angled. This changes which members are in compression and tension. On the Pratt truss, the shorter, vertical members are in compression. However, on the Howe truss, the longer, angled members are in compression. Because most materials (especially wood) that model bridge builders use decrease in the ability to resist compression the longer they are, I think the Pratt truss has an advantage.
There are more factors to consider, however. The Pratt and Howe trusses also differ in how they spread the load to the top and bottom chords. The Pratt truss has larger forces on the top and bottom chords than the Howe. Thus. you’d have to use bigger top and bottom chords.
Go to a more in depth analysis of the Pratt Truss.
Go to a more in depth analysis of the Howe Truss.
K Truss
K Truss
The K truss looks very good on paper. It shortens the lengths of the compression members compared to the other trusses. However, one must wonder if it adds additional weight simply because of the number of members. It is really interesting to note the two green members on the K truss, in theory those pieces could be taken off. However, I had to include them to make the truss design program work. This shows only one orientation of the K truss. If I reversed the direction of the K’s, I wonder how much it would change the forces.
Go to a more in depth analysis of the K Truss.
The one thing I don’t like about this truss is the long vertical compression member in the middle of the bridge. If that one member could be shortened or even eliminated, I think the bridge would become more efficient.The K truss would be the hardest of these trusses to build. This is something worth considering. Making a strong joint that would make the most of the switch between compression and tension of the vertical members would be difficult.
If you are interested in learning more about trusses and truss design, check out Truss Fun, Second Edition
im supposed to build a truss bridge in one of my classes. what would be the most efficient design to build?
Doin sciene project was helpful
Thx
Which triangle is the best? equilateral or isoceles? and out of these 4 which bridge is the best?
Equaliteral because you want it to be sturdy and strong and in a right angle to hold more efficant, and im an 8th grader.
You can’t have an equilateral triangle that is right…
i agree with Jerome.
this helped me in my per engeing class
very helpful, thanks:)
They aren’t equilateral triangles that warren trusses use, They’re isosceles triangles. Equilateral triangles have the length for all three sides, which are not what were used for the example image. I’m not saying they can’t be equilateral, it’s just you make it seem that they can only be made up of equilateral triangles
Alex, good point. I made a mistake with those example images for the Warren Truss. A true Warren is indeed made from equilateral triangles. I have updated the images in the article. Thanks.
doing a science fair project on making a better bridge design
this is very helpful
thanx
Vry helpful info, thank you
how can i design a panel pratt roof truss? datas reqd to design?
the best way is to put a stick on a stick to make an X figure
I am looking at constructing a 20m footbidge design model for an university assignment which links 2 building together. Which truss system do you think would be best for my application and why?
Thanks for your help..
So you do this for a living?
thanks.. i appreciated the help! this is a great website keep up the great work
Hello. I am to build a truss bridge and was thinking about using the warren truss, but with vertical members. I was wondering if there is a distributed load over the bridge, will the vertical members still be zero force or will they need to be calculated?
Thanks