Highly Standardized Long-Span Hybrid Trusses

This paper presents an innovative technology in the field of truss structures, which is based on an innovative concept of mixing two different types of materials and joining them with a newly conceived connection, able to carry high loads with a small size. After an initial feasibility study aimed at pursuing the realization of sustainable and green structures, the project of the hybrid space truss was finally developed. Here, hybridization is the keyword, that is, making use of two different building materials, steel and wood, to achieve lighter roofs through a specialization of their functions and an optimization of their mechanical properties. Another key point is modularity, which is an important aspect that allows easy and fast assembly of structures and, most of all, standardization of parts. The trusses have been designed in detail, with special attention to the connections, and have been built and tested at the Laboratories of the Hunan University at Changsha (China). In a typical process of “designing by experimenting”, the prototypes have been produced and the assembly process has been tested in order to confirm the feasibility of the whole process, from production to construction to ultimate performance conditions.