Comparison between Vierendeel beams and trusses

aspects of structural behavior in face of design loads

Abstract

In this article, a comparative study is carried out between Vierendeel beams and trusses based on the structural behavior and design loads. Some concepts of the forms and functions of these structural systems are presented, the morphological study as a process of integrating the activities of the project to the execution. From the conceptualization of the Vierendeel beam and trusses typologies, the distribution and absorption of the internal forces by its structural elements are analyzed, as well as the degrees of displacements generated, based on software models, under the same loading conditions. It is shown that type K trusses generate smaller vertical displacements, in contrast to Vierendeel trusses, which in addition to tensile efforts, must resist shear and bending moment. The maximum normal tensile and compression efforts in the flanges are observed on the Brown and Warren trusses. When comparing the structural behavior of the Vierendeel beam trussed and Vierendeel beam, for a span of 30 meters, greater stresses and deflections are verified in the Vierendeel beam, with vertical displacements that reach 44.4% higher. It is observed that the architectural and structural decision between the trusses and Vierendeel beams not only lie in the condition of form and function, but also in the structural and, consequently, constructive constraints.