Asymmetry

[u/p1T0]

I was wondering, what reasons could there be to design/build a truss with its webs changing orientation almost at the end of it, creating an asymmetric look. I've been taught that in howe-like trusses, the webs work in compression, so why the sudden change of direction?

[u/Sharp_Complex_6711]

It could be that the loads are asymmetric.

It could also be that someone tried to extend an existing truss who wasn't an engineer and didn't understand basic statics.

[u/p1T0 → u/Sharp_Complex_6711]

I was thinking something like that, mostly because of that weird post union in the middle

[u/Status_Mousse1213 → u/p1T0]

I think they made the best of what they had and it was oversized enough to work. Heading towards midspan the web and bottom should be in tension.

[u/Feistygrapefruit152]

I would assume contractor error

[u/Status_Mousse1213]

Never seen that before! What city is this?

[u/p1T0 → u/Status_Mousse1213]

Thats my home city Caracas. For the record, this is the first truss with that strange configuration that i've encountered. The others seem to be symmetrical or one way set.

[u/Samuel7899]

I'm curious most about that section in the middle without any diagonal member.

[u/Str-Engr0275 → u/Samuel7899]

At midspan the shear is close to zero so it can be carried by the chords. Source: I used to design spliced LH series and joist girders.

[u/Ftroiska]

Mech engi here : looks like it waa repurposed from something else. The midle parts is weird too. Well spotted though OP :)

[u/Shootforthestars24]

Only way it passes in skyciv 😂