THE LATERAL STABILITY OF TRUSSES

This repart gives theoretical and experimental analysis for the lateral stability of trusses. The general formula for buckling load of the truss is presented. It is gained by an approximate analysis, using the energy method, for the elastic stability out of the plane of the truss. The truss is an elastic plane truss with parallel chords and it, in the present treatment, is considered as a whole. The result applies to any arrangement of vertical and diagonal web members. As the experimental investigation, tests on full size trusses are carried out. The trusses are composed of circular steel tubes and warren type webs are joined rigidly to the main chards of trusses. The most of the test results are found in general to be in good agreement with the theoretical works. In addition, it is found that the lateral buckling load of these trusses is very high, because of the high tarsional rigidity of circular tube. Special mention must be made of these results.