TRUSS CONFIGURATION
The Courtyard area will use a truss arrangement with parallel chords. Web members at
every panel point from roof loadings alternate between tension and compression. By
removing the bracing components, economies of scale can be realized, maximizing cost
effectiveness with less fabrication and construction.
TRUSS DEPTH APPROXIMATION
The height of the truss was chosen to be 2m. Truss depth ratios range from 10 to 15 to
maximize member efficiency. Less stress is transmitted between truss nodes when the
depth is less, whereas longer web members produced by deeper depths increase the truss's
self-weight. Overall, the increased depth leads to a more rigid structure and reduced
deflection as a result.
SELECTION OF SECTION MEMBER-TYPE
Several section types may be used in a standard truss structure. This is based on the
strength of internal forces and the simplicity of member connections. Hot formed SHS
Square Hollow Sections are used for the chords and bracing. In construction, square hollow
sections create lightweight and visually appealing structures due to its symmetrical
appearance. They provide greater flexibility, higher strength-to-weight ratio than
conventional sections. This enhances efficiency and reduces cost as well.
Purlins are chosen with Parallel Flange Channels. When a uniformly distributed load is
applied with little moment or bending, they have the best loading bearing profile for direct
roof loadings. The loading from the roof is passed to the purlins, then the truss roof structure,
using Parallel Flange Channels as a secondary beam.
TRUSS MODELLING
The structure of the truss was modelled on Tekla Structure Designer, to scale with the exact
dimensions of the roof (24m length x 48m width). Architectural details including the 1.75m x
1m glass panels for truss with 29° as well as 1.47m x 1m glass panels for truss with 6° were
installed longitudinally across the purlins on the steel frame of the roof truss.
AXIAL TENSION AND COMPRESSION FORCES OF MEMBERS
A full manual computation of axial forces using the joint and method of sections are included
in the appendix. The axial forces produced by the structural analysis program Tekla
Structural Designer are shown in Table 6 and both results are cross-checked to make sure
there are no inconsistencies in the results. The chord and the bracing's critical members that
are subject to the greatest axial force are indicated in the illustration below. Checks for
design adequacy are then computed.
Type of member Member Axial force (kN) Nature of force
Chord PR 901.8 Compression
OQ 930.6 Tension
Bracing AB 315.0 Compression
IJ 334.1 Tension
DIMENSION OF TRUSS MEMBERS
Courtyard Roof
Purlin PFC 200 x 90 x 30 (Grade 275)
Truss top chord SHS 200 x 200 x 10 (Grade 355)
Truss SHS 200 x 200 x10 (Grade 355)
bottom
chord
Truss side & SHS 100 x 100 x 8 (Grade 275)
internal
bracing
Truss Loadings and Reactions
Permanent actions
Dead load = G k 1= 2.5 kN /m 2
Glass panel loading = G k 2 = 0.392 kN /m 2
Total dead load = G k = 2.5 + 0.392 = 2.892 kN /m 2
Variable actions
Live load = Q k = 1.5
Partial factors for actions
Partial factors for permanent actions = γ G= 1.35
Partial factor for variable actions = γ Q =1.5
Factored loadings = 1.35 G k + 1.5 Q k = 1.35 (2.892) + 1.5 (1.5) = 6.15kN /m 2
Loadings on truss nodes (29 angle)
Uniformly distributed load on truss = 6.15 x 4 = 24.62 kN /m
Point load on inner edge = 24.62 x 1.75 = 43.07 kN
Point load on outer edge = 43.07 x 0.5 = 21.54 kN
Loadings on truss nodes (6 angle)
Uniformly distributed load on truss = 6.15 x 4 = 24.62 kN /m
Point load on inner edge = 24.62 x 1.477 = 36.37 kN
Support Reactions
Column reaction = ∑ fy=0 = (0.5) [(21.54 x 2) + (36.37 x 7)] + (43.07 x 8) = 315 kN
Primary Frame Design Check
Maximum axial forces 901.8kN (Compression) 930.6kN (Tension)
Cross-section SHS 200 x 200 x 10 with Grade 355
Cross-section Classification Class 1
Capacity Check (Compression) Ned 901.8
= =0.339<1.0
Ncrd 2658.9
Flexural Buckling Check (Compression) Ned 901.8
= =0.339< 1.0
Nbrd 2602.1
Capacity Check (Tension) Ned 930.6
= =0.349<1.0
Nplrd 2658.9
Maximum axial forces 315kN (Compression) 334.1kN (Tension)
Cross-section SHS 100 x 100 x 8 with Grade 275
Cross-section Classification Class 1
Capacity Check (Compression) Ned 315
= =0.397<1.0
Ncrd 792
Flexural Buckling Check (Compression) Ned 315
= =0.397<1.0
Nbrd 721.7
Capacity Check (Tension) Ned 334.1
= =0.422<1.0
Nplrd 792
Purlin Design Check
Purlins are positioned at the mid-span of the upper chord member and the joints of the roof
trusses. From truss to truss, they run longitudinally, directly supporting the glass roof above.
The table below summarizes the verification of checks for the purlin member design.
Maximum shear force V Ed=21.32 kN
Maximum moment M max =21.32 kNm
Chosen section 200 x 90 x 30 parallel flange channel in
S275 steel
Section classification Class 1
Lateral Torsion Buckling check M b , Rd ¿ 40.9 kNm> M max =21.32 kN /m (Ok!)
Shear Check V pl , Rd=¿ 243.87 kN >¿ V Ed=21.32 kN (Ok!)
High / Low shear check V pl ,Rd
=121.94 kN > ¿ V Ed=21.32 kN (Ok!)
2
()
Shear buckling check hw ε
=24.6 ≤ 72 =66.5 (Ok!)
tw η
Bending resistance M c , y , Rd=80.03 kNm ≥ mmax ¿ 21.32 kNm(Ok!)
Deflection check δ max =1.65 mm<δ=11.11 mm (Ok!)
Purlin Connection Design
To prevent any movement of purlin caused by roof loadings, it is crucial to connect the
purlins, especially those that lie on the top chord of the truss roof. With a 150 x 90 x 15
unequal angle web cleat, C-shaped purlins, also known as Parallel Flange Channels (PFC),
are attached to the top chord of the roof truss system. Two M20 Class 10.9 Hexagon head
bolts that are joined in a single row at the long leg are intended to withstand shear stresses.
Purlin connection adequacy checks
Chosen Connection 150x90x15 unequal angle cleat in S355 steel
section
Bolt design 2 M20 Class 10.9 Hexagon head bolts @ long leg, single row
Cross-section b+h
=8≤ 11.5 ε (Class3)
classification 2t
Design shear force V Ed = 33.29 kN
Edge distance, spacing e 1 = 30mm, e 2=30 mm , p1=¿ 90mm
for connection
Shear resistance F v , Rd=196 kN >21.32 kN (Ok !)
Column Truss Design Connection
The connection type between the RC column and truss structure is of pin and roller
connection design. Forces are transferred from the truss roof structure to the RC column
through the connection. For this project specifically, the pinned connection concept was
simplified and constructed as a bolted connection. The support reaction, F Ed =315 kN is
derived from the calculations from Appendix. The connection utilises a single bolt - 42mm in
diameter, Class 10.9 bolt, Hexagonal, Non-Preloaded Bolt. The connection design involves a
300 x 50mm thick fin plate in S355 steel, wedged between two identical adjacent fin plates.
The single fin plate is welded to the base plate, and the two fin plates are welded to the truss
roof's bottom chord member.
Pinned Connection adequacy checks
Edge distance, spacing e 1 = 70mm, e 2=70 mm
for pin connection
Shear resistance of bolt F v , Rd=896 kN > F Ed =315 kN (Ok !)
Bearing resistance of F v , Rd=2052.96 kN > F Ed=315 kN (Ok ! )
bolt
Plain shear resistance F v , Rd=906.9 kN > F Ed=315 kN (Ok ! )
of plate
Base Plate Design
The purpose of the base plate is to transmit axial forces from the pinned connection to the
RC column. Four hexagonal M20 Class 4.6 holding-down bolts embedded in the RC column
serve as the anchors for the 670 x 670 x 10mm baseplate. Between the base plate and the
RC column is a layer of levelling grout that is 25 mm thick. The baseplate's minimum
thickness is calculated, and a thickness is suggested. For the effective area calculation, the
area of the fin plate in contact with the base plate is considered.
Base Plate adequacy checks
Thickness adequacy Proposed thickeness=10 mm>6.35 mm
checks
APPENDIX
