The Design Challenge
SWOT analysis
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It is a way to take what we have learned about a product’s Strengths and Weaknesses and predict the advantages (Opportunities) and disadvantages (Threats) of the product in a certain context.
Watch the video below about SWOT analysis.
Truss Forces & Terminology
The diagram below shows top, bottom, diagonal, and vertical chords. We also see end posts.
Force Diagrams
Below are diagrams of various truss design types. All of the bridges have a center load point which is shown by the downward pointing arrow.
When looking at the Warren Truss:
The chord with -10.54 is in more compression than the chord with -6.67
The chord with 16.67 is in more tension than the chord with 10.
The members labeled with “0” are zero force members. This means that they aren’t in compression or tension and are redundant.
Answer the following questions*:
Question 1) What are the similarities and differences between a Howe and a Pratt Truss?
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Compare the forces on the top and bottom chords, and vertical chord near the load point when answering this question.
Question 2) Which of these two designs do you think is most efficient? Use the information from the force diagrams to support your answer.
Question 3) When comparing the Howe Truss to the K truss, which design do you think is most efficient? Give two examples of why you think this way.
*Use the terminology above when writing about the designs.
Warren Truss
Howe Truss
Pratt Truss
K Truss