General Information
Figure 1 shows a steel canopy roof.
Suspension Rod
Figure 2 shows the canopy roof.
The steel structure consists mainly of two front columns, a longitudinal front truss, a single suspension rod (marked by the blue line), transverse beams, purlins, and metal roofing sheets. The span s ≅ 12 m, and the span b ≅ 3 m. Figure 3 shows the suspension rod.
The suspension rod is made of a square hollow section and is placed in the mid-span region of the front truss; it connects the front purlin (marked by the red dashed line) with the balcony handrail. Figures 4 and 5 show a front and a bottom view of the suspension rod to canopy roof connection.
The suspension rod is welded to an L-plate, which is connected to the front purlin by a sheet metal screw.
The transverse beam overhangs from the longitudinal front truss, and the front purlin is placed over its free end.
Does the canopy roof have a structural safety or serviceability problem without the suspension rod?
Connection Between Truss and Column
The front truss is connected to the front columns as shown in figure 6.
The truss chords and the column are connected side-by-side by welding: the bottom chord with a seat angle, while the upper chord without a seat angle. A truss chord is made of two square hollow sections placed one over the other, while a front column is made of a circular hollow section.
What are the main problems?