Difference between truss and space frame

Truss structure and space frame are common building structure forms. From the layman’s point of view, both of them have the same point, they are connected by metal materials. How to distinguish truss and space frame? How to distinguish between truss and space frame? When to use space frame and when to use truss?

Common forms of truss structure and space frame

The common forms of space frame are triangular cone, triangular prism, square, truncated quadrangular cone, etc. It is a kind of spatial architecture which usually has bolted ball nodes and welded ball nodes.There are single-row truss, triangular truss, quadrilateral truss, and the truss we often talk about is quadrilateral truss, which is also the most used kind of truss. Commonly used are steel truss and aluminum alloy truss.

Stress of truss structure and space frame

Truss structure is a kind of plane structure, which needs to be supported by external force such as base to form a stable structure, and it is a one-way force system.It is a one-way force system. Space frame can be peripherally supported, multi-point supported, with large rigidity in the face, which is a two-way force system.

Characteristics of truss structure and space frame

The advantage of truss is that the rods mainly bear tension or pressure, which can give full play to the role of materials, save materials and strengthen the weight of structure. Truss structure is developed on the basis of space frame structure, which has its unique superiority and practicability compared with space frame structure, and the amount of steel used in the structure is also more economical.

The space frame structure is characterized by space force, light weight, high rigidity, good seismic performance, etc. The disadvantage is that the number of bars converging on the nodes is more, and the fabrication and installation is more complicated than that of plane structure.

Application of truss structure and space frame

Truss structure mainly bears axial tension or pressure, so it is suitable for stage construction, advertisement frame, background frame, sound and light frame, roof frame, roof rack, bridge, hanger and so on. It is used for outdoor performance, exhibition construction, bridge bearing and decoration. Due to the characteristics of its nodes, the mesh is mainly used for curved structures and tops, which can be used as roofs of gymnasiums, movie theaters, waiting rooms and other buildings.