Influence of Structural Detailing on the Stability Behaviour of Truss Girders

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn the design of truss structures, stability verifications are often decisive. Especially flexural buckling is of relevant issue. Structural systems are therefore usually stabilised by means of constructional members and components. Depending on the stiffening system and loading, the torsional behaviour and lateral torsional buckling of members can be of importance as well. However, all conventional structures for stabilisation have in common that they in general provide a shear stiffness (by bracings or sheeting) as well as an elastic rotational support.The influence of different structural truss details are analysed with regard to the girder stability. In this context, the stiffness of bracing systems and its position as well as the influence of rotational stiffness provided by purlins are investigated. In doing so, individual truss girders are analysed as well as systems of several girders based on full three‐dimensional beam models. The investigations provide information on the global stability behaviour with respect to different girder quantities stabilized by one bracing system. Additionally, a subset of structural systems are modelled in more detail using shell elements in regions of connections/joints to account for structural detailing influences. Overall, the aim is to identify and focus different effects of structural details on the stability behaviour of lattice girders to promote an economic and safe design.