Effects of External Temperature Changes on Cold-Formed Steel Trusses in Residential Buildings

Abstract

External temperature variations significantly affect the behavior of cold-formed steel trusses by inducing thermal expansion and contraction according to the material's mechanical properties. As temperatures fluctuate between daytime and nighttime, the resulting thermal stresses and strains accumulated within the structure can impact the serviceability and stability of the truss system. This study investigates the effects of temperature changes on the performance of cold-formed steel trusses used in residential buildings. The analysis categorizes the boundary conditions into two types of supports: pin supports and roller supports. Finite Element Method (FEM) is employed to compare the deformation behavior under different support conditions, focusing on the relationships between stress, strain, and displacement of the truss members. The findings provide practical insights into selecting appropriate support configurations to ensure that cold-formed steel trusses effectively accommodate thermal variations while maintaining their structural behavior in accordance with engineering design specifications.