Cold-formed steel roof truss systems that use complex stiffener patterns in existing hat shape members for both top and bottom chord elements are a growing trend in the North American steel framing industry. When designing cold-formed steel sections, a structural engineer typically tries to improve the local buckling behavior of the cold-formed steel elements. The complex hat shape has proved t...

The present work intends to introduce a domain-specific sketch method for modeling and analysis of forms and structures concurrently. The approach adopted particularly addresses architects, aiming to provide a natural environment for them to present and appraise structural configurations of different truss systems by means of sketching. This is achieved by developing Sketch-based Modeling and A...

These days there is an unprecedented rise in the number of lattice towers due to an ever increasing demand in communication. Lattice towers are 3D space frames that for design are conventionally analyzed as 2D trusses. For safety and economy, these designs need to be more rigorously analyzed considering them as 3D frames. In this study, two lattice towers of heights 18m and 40 have been analyze...

Engineers often decide to measure structures upon signs of damage to determine its extent and its location. Measurement locations, sensor types and numbers of sensors are selected based on judgment and experience. Rational and systematic methods for evaluating structural performance can help make better decisions. This paper proposes strategies for supporting two measurement tasks related to st...

We describe a method to construct precise truss structures from non-precise commodity parts. Trusses with precision in the order of micrometers, such as the truss of a space telescope, can be accomplished with precisely machined truss connection systems. This approach is expensive, heavy, and prone to failure, e.g., when a single element is lost. In the past, we have proposed a novel concept in...

fundamental engineering concepts through a course in statics. Statics problems usually require the student to draw planar truss and other free-body diagrams (FBDs). In civil and mechanical engineering, visual and spatial thoughts are essential for the correct absorption of fundamental concepts. By relying on visual aids as opposed to only using the verbal channel of acquiring knowledge, the cog...

In this paper, based on maximizing the outrigger-belt truss system’s strain energy, a methodology for determining the optimum location of a flexible outrigger system is presented. Tall building structures with combined systems of framed tube, shear core, belt truss and outrigger system are modeled using continuum approach. In this approach, the framed tube sys...