Architectural/Structural Steel Drawings, Continued
Trusses
A truss is framework consisting of two horizontal (or nearly horizontal)
members joined by a number of vertical and/or inclined members to form a
series of triangles. The horizontal members are called the upper or top and
bottom or lower chords. The vertical and/or inclined members that connect
the upper and lower chords are called web members. Use trusses when the
maximum given load exceeds the rated strength of a beam.
Figure 4-15 illustrates the terminology of a truss.
Figure 4-15.—Truss nomenclature.
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