What type of force do the vertical members of a Howe truss experience?

In a Howe truss, the vertical members are primarily subjected to tensile forces. This stems from the specific geometry of the truss itself, where the diagonal members create a system of forces that ultimately pull on the vertical members. When a load is applied to the truss, the diagonals form tension in the upper chords and compression in the lower chords. Consequently, this pattern also induces tension in the vertical members because they are designed to support vertical loads by resisting the stretching forces acting on the structure.

Understanding the behavior of truss members under load is fundamental to structural engineering, as it informs the material selection and the design of each element within the truss system. In this case, recognizing that the vertical members experience tension helps in assessing the overall stability and performance of the truss structure when subjected to various load conditions.