Influence of roof pitch on the design and steel consumption of Pratt trusses in industrial sheds

This research investigates the influence of roof pitch on the design and material consumption of steel trusses used in industrial sheds. Steel has long been a popular material for structural elements in Brazil, particularly in trussed roofing systems, due to its efficiency and lightweight characteristics. However, challenges related to environmental sustainability and material waste have prompted a closer examination of steel consumption in roofing designs. Despite the widespread use of steel in trusses, there is limited literature on the impact of roof pitch on material optimization. To address this gap, a computational tool based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) was developed to evaluate Pratt-type planar trusses with varying pitches. A total of 28 truss configurations were analyzed, ranging from 3° to 30° in increments of 1°. The results revealed significant differences in material consumption, with the lowest steel usage observed at a 13° pitch. For smaller pitches, such as 5° (commonly recommended by manufacturers), material consumption increased by 29%. The study highlights the importance of pitch selection in steel truss design, emphasizing that excessive forces at smaller pitches can lead to inefficient material use, especially in critical structural components. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing steel consumption in roofing systems, contributing to more sustainable construction practices.