To achieve the rigidity of a structure (which is not deformed), the profiles must form triangular cells. Cables, bars and braces can be used for this purpose. A structure is made up by 4 bars that is easily deformable.
However, a structure composed of 3 bars may not deform and for this reason most of the metal structures are composed of triangular structures.
Trussing
Method to obtain more rigid structures which consists of making triangular structures.
Trussing gives rigidity to the structure. As you can see in the following image the triangulation prevents deformity. The central bar prevents that the structure from deforming.
Profiles
The shape of the beams is called Profile. Here you have some examples of the profiles of the different types of metal beams more common:
Exercise: Which of these structures does not deform by applying a force on its vertex? Draw what you would get when the 3 other structures don´t deform.
