Why are Steel Trusses so Strong?
One of the key principles that’s shared in both engineering and architecture is the idea of weight distribution and structural support. Simply put: you need to make sure weight is properly and evenly supported to ensure stability from the structure at hand!
This is an easy concept to understand, but not always an easy one to put into practice. When geometry starts to play a role in design, you can be sure that the solution to weight distribution is going to be one that takes a keen understanding of both engineering and architecture. Case in point: steel trusses in Arkansas.
But what makes a truss special? From an outsider’s perspective, the design of a truss is very straightforward and simple! What’s not inherently told in the story of the design, however, is how truly effective it as at bearing weight and helping to manage weight distribution across development projects of all types.
Trusses harness the power of triangles! It sounds silly, but it’s true: this simple shape is one of the strongest shapes in nature and can be geometrically harnessed to help support developments of all sizes, shape and styles, indiscriminately. Here’s why:
Imagine you have an equilateral triangle, measuring a perfect 60-degrees at all three points. This ensures perfect weight distribution, since all three sides are equally bearing of the shape of the triangle. In fact, if you want to adjust this triangle at all, you’re going to need to adjust at least one of the sides so that not all of the angles are even, effectively creating an isosceles triangle.
Now, if you consider that all of the sides of steel trusses in Arkansas are made with steel, changing even one side is going to take a tremendous amount of strength, since every side is equally supported. Moreover, due to the perfect nature of a triangle’s shape, any force exerted on one side is going to be distributed to all others, to maintain homeostasis! In this way, the power of a triangle is ideal for bearing the burden of weight distribution.
Steel trusses in Arkansas also have an advantage in construction because they can be linked in a three dimensional way, thus creating beams that offer support in three-dimension. Now, instead of three equal distribution points for bearing weight, a truss can rely on as many axis points as are built into the design of the truss—which could be dozens.
As weight is dispersed over each incremental support axis, the overall brunt of the burden is diminished, giving trusses the power to hold tremendous burdens where other load bearing engineering constructs might fail.
Now, when you get into the world of prefab steel buildings, you’re talking about entire buildings made out of steel… which means a fair amount of weight that needs to be accounted for and supported. Having steel trusses as an integral design aspect means being able to handle this weight safely.
Trusses may seem simple in their appearance, but the science behind them is fascinating!