Truss

rigid structure that consists of two-force members only

A truss is a structure that has beams, called members, across a structure such as a building or bridge to give it more support.[1]

The trusses on the John Hancock Center in Chicago

There are two basic types of truss:

  • The pitched truss, or common truss, uses triangular shaped bases. It is most often used for roof construction.
  • The parallel chord truss, or flat truss, gets its name from its parallel top and bottom chords. It is often used for floor construction.

References

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  1. Plesha, Michael E.; Gray, Gary L.; Costanzo, Francesco (2013). Engineering Mechanics: Statics (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. pp. 364–407. ISBN 978-0-07-338029-2.