The truss shown connects one end of a stretcher to a rescue helicopter. Consider
ID: 1912007 • Letter: T
Question
The truss shown connects one end of a stretcher to a rescue helicopter. Consider alternative truss de- signs that support the stretcher at A and B and are supported at E and G. Compare the maximum tensile and compressive loads in the members of your designs to those in the truss shown. Assum- ing that the cost of a truss is proportional to the sum of the lengths of its members, compare the costs of your designs to that of the truss shown. Write a brief report describing your analysis and recommending the design you would choose.
Explanation / Answer
In architecture a truss is a structure comprised of one or more triangular units constructed with straight members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes. External forces and reactions to those forces are considered to act only at the nodes and result in forces in the members which are either tensile or compressive forces. Moments (torques) are explicitly excluded because, and only because, all the joints in a truss are treated as revolutes. A planar truss is one where all the members and nodes lie within a two dimensional plane, while a space truss has members and nodes extending into three dimensions.A truss consists of straight members connected at joints, traditionally termed panel points. Trusses are composed of triangles because of the structural stability of that shape and design. A triangle is the simplest geometric figure that will not change shape when the lengths of the sides are fixed.[2] In comparison, both the angles and the lengths of a four-sided figure must be fixed for it to retain its shape. [edit]Planar truss Planar roof trusses The roof trusses of the basilica di Santa Croce (Florence) The simplest form of a truss is one single triangle. This type of truss is seen in a framed roof consisting of rafters and a ceiling joist,[3] and in other mechanical structures such as bicycles and aircraft. Because of the stability of this shape and the methods of analysis used to calculate the forces within it, a truss composed entirely of triangles is known as a simple truss.[4] The traditional diamond-shape bicycle frame, which utilizes two conjoined triangles, is an example of a simple truss.[5] A planar truss lies in a single plane.[4] Planar trusses are typically used in parallel to form roofs and bridges. The depth of a truss, or the height between the upper and lower chords, is what makes it an efficient structural form. A solid girder or beam of equal strength would have substantial weight and material cost as compared to a truss. For a given span, a deeper truss will require less material in the chords and greater material in the verticals and diagonals. An optimum depth of the truss will maximize the efficiency.[6] [edit]Space frame truss A space frame truss is a three-dimensional framework of members pinned at their ends. A tetrahedron shape is the simplest space truss, consisting of six members which meet at four joints.[4] Large planar structures may be composed from tetrahedrons with common edges and they are also employed in the base structures of large free-standing power line pylons
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