Structural Performance and Desigh Methods of the Truss - Frame Using Stressed H - Shape Steel

Abstract

A recent innovative development was introduced in Japan by Strarch International Ltd., Australia. The unique feature of this structural sysetm is the way in which a prestressing cable passing through the bottom chord of the truss is stressed so that predetermined gaps in the bottom chord close to allow the chord to shorten, thus producing upward curvature of the truss into on arch shape. But the top chord sections are restricted to cold-formed square hollow sections. Its sections have not enough variation to be selected suitably and it is difficult to obtain to time in Japan. So we thought of extending the steel sections to H-shape-steel. This paper describes loading tests, parametric analyses and design methods of the truss-frame composed of stressed H- shape- steel.