Comparative Analysis of the Mechanical Performance of Timber Flat Truss Typologies for Different Strength Classes via Optimization Algorithm
Matheus Henrique Morato de Moraes,
Iuri Fazolin Fraga,
Isabella Silva Menezes,
Francisco Antonio Rocco Lahr,
Tulio Hallak Panzera,
Rodrigo Teixeira Santos Freire,
Alfredo Manuel Pereira Geraldes Dias,
Herisson Ferreira dos Santos,
Emerson Faustino,
Wanderlei Malaquias Pereira Junior,
André Luis Christoforo
Affiliations
Matheus Henrique Morato de Moraes
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos 13565-905, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Iuri Fazolin Fraga
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos 13565-905, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Isabella Silva Menezes
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos 13565-905, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Francisco Antonio Rocco Lahr
Sao Carlos Engineering School, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos 13566-590, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Tulio Hallak Panzera
Centre for Innovation and Technology in Composite Materials, Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Federal University of São João del Rei, São João del Rei 36301-158, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Rodrigo Teixeira Santos Freire
Centre for Innovation and Technology in Composite Materials, Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Federal University of São João del Rei, São João del Rei 36301-158, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Alfredo Manuel Pereira Geraldes Dias
ISISE, Department of Civil Engineering, Rua Luís Reis Santos—Pólo II, University of Coimbra (UC), 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
Herisson Ferreira dos Santos
Federal Institute of Rondonia - Campus Ariquemes, Ariquemes 76870-000, Rondonia, Brazil
Emerson Faustino
Federal Institute of Rondonia - Campus Ariquemes, Ariquemes 76870-000, Rondonia, Brazil
Wanderlei Malaquias Pereira Junior
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Catalão, Catalão 75705-220, Goias, Brazil
André Luis Christoforo
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Sao Carlos 13565-905, Sao Paulo, Brazil
This study aimed to compare the mechanical performance of two truss typologies, the modified Fan and Howe trusses, using five different wood species: Cambará-rosa, Cupiúba, Angelim-pedra, Garapa, and Jatobá. The spans considered were 6, 9, 12, and 15 m, and the optimization algorithm used was a swarm intelligence algorithm to minimize the structure weight. The study found that wood is a sustainable and viable option for truss constructions, with different wood species having distinct mechanical properties that must be considered when designing the structure. The Howe truss typology presented lower results for the objective function in comparison with the modified Fan truss. The distribution of normal forces in the truss correlated with the characteristic strength in compression and tensile of the species. The Howe truss typology presented a larger amplitude in relation to the modified Fan truss typology in most of the conditions adopted for the Ultimate Limit State constraints. Constraints associated with deflection in the immediate condition were observed to limit the optimization process. The study used the matrix analysis method to evaluate internal efforts and nodal displacements in the trusses. In summary, this study demonstrates the importance of considering all constraints when dimensioning timber structures and the benefits of using different wood species for sustainable construction.
