Truss Structures

Design and test truss bridges

Designing and Testing Bridges

A truss is a structure made of triangles connected at joints (nodes). Trusses are incredibly strong for their weight — they are used in bridges, roof structures and cranes. Different truss patterns (Pratt, Warren, Howe) are suited to different loading conditions.

Example

Truss Bridge Types

Common truss patterns: • Warren truss: equilateral triangles (good for evenly distributed loads) • Pratt truss: verticals and diagonals sloping toward centre • Howe truss: verticals and diagonals sloping away from centre Design challenge: Build a truss bridge from straws/dowels that spans 40 cm Test: How much mass can it hold before failing? Record: load at failure, where it failed, why Improve: reinforce weak points, test again

Note

Remember

In a truss, members are in either compression or tension — never bending (ideally). This makes trusses very efficient. When testing, increase load gradually and observe where failure begins. Real bridges in SA (like the N1 highway bridges) use steel and concrete trusses.

Key Vocabulary

TrussA structure of triangles connected at joints

NodeA point where members meet in a truss

SpanThe distance a bridge or beam covers without support

FailureWhen a structure breaks or collapses under load

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Truss

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