Long span post-tensioned steel/concrete truss and method of making same

摘要

A long span truss of substantially conventional steel construction provided with concrete encasement of the top and bottom chords with the concrete encasement being reinforced and the concrete encasement on the bottom chord and optionally on the top cord including post-tensioned steel tendons. The invention further relates to a method of making the truss as described above in which the light structural steel truss is first erected and provided with temporary steel scaffolding and bracing to support formwork. Reinforcing steel and steel tendons are placed in the formwork and concrete is poured to encase the top and bottom chords of the truss. The steel tendons are post-tensioned to provide maximum load support capability. The truss of the present invention can be used in situation where trusses are used to carry heavy loads over long spans such as bridges, stadiums, convention halls and the like and is especially beneficial when spanning a busy highway or waterway with the trusses including a single span or continuous trusses of two or more spans in which one or more intermediate supports are employed.