Design of Web Members in Space Trusses

Abstract

The work presented in this paper is intended to improve our understanding of how critical the web members are to the integrity of space trusses. The points covered include the internal force distribution in the web members both in the composite and non-composite states, and the implications on web member design. Also included is the effect of web member damage and geometric imperfections on overall space truss performance. Further, the consequences of slightly reducing the size of web members, which could be a viable option in some practical designs, are considered. Throughout the paper, the effects of different influences in web members are compared with the corresponding effects in chord members in order to relate the work done herein to earlier work found in the literature. The findings of this research could be of considerable importance to future practical space truss designs.