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Memorandum
To: Karen Thompson
From: Abigail Messegee
Date: June 29, 2014
Subject: Writing to Define and Describe Technical Information

This memo delivers your requested technical definition and description of a topic in the field of
civil engineering. I have selected the truss bridge as the topic. This memo will explain the
targeted audience, the problem addressed, and the placement of the definition and
description.

Audience
The target audience is transportation officials figuring out what type of bridge will best fit their
needs. They understand the need of a bridge. They know the predicted traffic use of the bridge
in question. They are well educated in roadway systems.

Purpose
The definition and description will solve the need to better understand the benefits and designs
of a truss bridge.

Placement
The definition and description will be given at a briefing given to the transportation officials.
The definition will be in the background after the introduction. The description will follow the
definition.

Choice of Visuals
The visuals I chose were not photos of real truss bridges since I was only trying to deliver the
basic idea of a truss. The visuals in the definition are meant to assist in the visualization of my
explanation of the design types. The visual in the description gives a better understanding of
the different types of force each member will experience.

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Technical Definition: Truss Bridge
A truss bridge is a bridge that is supported by a unit of members above or below the bridge
deck. The members usually form several triangles. This unit is known as the truss. The truss is
responsible for distributing and bearing the load acting on the bridge.
Types
There are several types of truss bridges categorized by the
location of the truss in relation to the bridge deck. The bridge
deck is the part of the bridge with the road. A bridge with the
truss below the bridge deck is called a deck bridge, as shown in
Figure 1. A deck bridge is only possible if there is sufficient room
below the bridge deck for a truss. A deck bridge allows for a
wider roadway. A through bridge is a bridge with a connected
truss above the bridge deck, as shown in Figure 1. A pony bridge
is similar to a through bridge, the only difference being it is not
connected. A pony bridge only has two parallel trusses whereas a through
bridge has two parallel trusses connected by another truss on top. There are also
a few common truss design types. The Howe truss has only vertical and diagonal members. The
Lenticular truss has two arch shaped trusses, which forms almost a shape of a human eye. This
specific truss has the benefits of both a truss and arch bridge. Another common truss design is
the Lattice truss. The Lattice truss has all diagonal members, which will take on different load
bearings.
History
The truss bridge is one of the oldest bridge types used in the United States. Commonly, the
truss bridge was utilized in railroad systems. The first truss bridge was built in the 1820s. Some
of the earlier wood truss bridges are still functional presently. Today, with the discovery of
steel, truss materials are stronger and allow for more possibilities for the truss bridge.
Benefits
Truss bridges can be more efficient than other types of bridges, both in cost and functionality.
The cost of constructing and maintaining a truss bridge is cheaper than most. Fixing or replacing
a single member of a truss bridge is cheaper than fixing or replacing the entire structure of
another bridge. For example, if a failure were to occur in a beam bridge, the entire bridge
would be compromised whereas if a failure were to occur in a truss bridge, only the failed
members would need to be replaced. Another benefit of the truss bridge is its ability to span
Figure 1: Deck and Through Truss
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longer distances. For example, a beam bridge is weaker the longer it is. The beam bridge is
supporter at both ends of the bridge and experiences two types of forces. It will bend more if it
is too long. The truss bridge is supported throughout the bridge, distributing the load and
eliminating any bending.

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Technical Description: Truss Bridge
The truss bridge is a bridge which uses a truss to distribute the load acting on the bridge.
Trusses have high strength to weight ratios and are able to sustain a larger load.
What is the truss bridge composed of?
The truss bridge is supported by a unit of members above or below the bridge deck. This unit is
known as the truss. The members usually form several triangular shapes to form the truss. The
members are connected by joints. Joints are strong and welded or bolted to the members it
connects. Today, most trusses are made of steel and straight beams for strength.
How does the truss work?
The truss distributes the load on the bridge
throughout each of its members. The force
that each member experiences depends on
the orientation and location of the member
in the truss. The orientation of a member
will determine the type of force the member will experience, as shown in
Figure 2. A vertical member will usually be under a tension force. A tension force can be
thought of as both ends pulling away from each other, stretching the member. A horizontal
member will usually experience bending and shear forces. These forces are complex and
important. They are effective internally and stress the beam member. A diagonal member will
usually be under a compressive force. A compressive force can be thought of as both ends
pushing towards each other, bending the member. The location of a member will determine
the amount of force that member will experience. For example, members on the ends of the
truss will experience the most force. These members will most likely be the first to fail if a
failure was to occur.
How is a truss bridge designed?
The forces acting on each member are important factors considered in the design of a truss
bridge. Truss bridges are designed using Newtons Law of Motion. Newtons Law of Motion
claims that the action and reaction forces between two bodies are equal, opposite, and
collinear. Each member is experiencing an equal, opposite, and collinear reaction from the joint
it is connected to. The forces acting at each member and joint determines the structural
stability of a truss. Each member has a predicted strength and load force. Each member should
Figure 2: Force Truss
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have a larger predicted strength than predicted load. If this is not the case, the truss design is
not sufficient.
Visuals
i. How Bridges Work HowStuffWorks.com
ii. Black bear Construction Co.