ABSTRACT
Abstract A simple truss with stocky members is designed from rectangular hollow sections. Its strength is analysed as a pin-jointed truss, as a rigidly-jointed frame, and as a shell structure with nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A three criterion analysis method is suggested for taking the secondary stresses into account. The rationale of the proposal is discussed in the light of the nonlinear FEA results. Keywords' Trusses, Secondary stresses, Finite Elements, Tubular Construction, Rectangular Hollow Sections.
