In a parallel chord truss, the bottom cord is subject to what type of force?

Enhance your skills with the Art of Reading Buildings Test. This test features multiple choice questions, each equipped with hints and explanations to aid in your learning. Prepare effectively for your upcoming exam!

Multiple Choice

In a parallel chord truss, the bottom cord is subject to what type of force?

Explanation:
In a pin-connected truss, each member carries only axial force along its length. In a parallel-chord arrangement, the web members transfer the vertical load such that the top chord is pushed into compression while the bottom chord is pulled apart into tension. The joints and load paths cause the bottom edge to lengthen as the structure resists the load, so the bottom chord is subjected to tensile forces. Bending and shear aren’t the primary forces in the individual truss members of an ideal truss; those effects are handled by the overall frame or by members that aren’t acting as pure two-force members.

In a pin-connected truss, each member carries only axial force along its length. In a parallel-chord arrangement, the web members transfer the vertical load such that the top chord is pushed into compression while the bottom chord is pulled apart into tension. The joints and load paths cause the bottom edge to lengthen as the structure resists the load, so the bottom chord is subjected to tensile forces. Bending and shear aren’t the primary forces in the individual truss members of an ideal truss; those effects are handled by the overall frame or by members that aren’t acting as pure two-force members.

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