Forces carried by the top member of a truss are in which type of force?

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Multiple Choice

Forces carried by the top member of a truss are in which type of force?

Explanation:
In a truss, all forces in the members are axial, meaning they act along the length of each member. Under typical downward loads, the diagonals tend to push the joints at the top toward each other, which compresses the top chord. That inward push makes the top member carry compressive force as it helps resist the bending tendency of the overall structure. The bottom chord, on the other hand, is pulled outward by the diagonals and carries tensile force to hold the span together. So the best way to describe the force in the top member under standard loading is compression.

In a truss, all forces in the members are axial, meaning they act along the length of each member. Under typical downward loads, the diagonals tend to push the joints at the top toward each other, which compresses the top chord. That inward push makes the top member carry compressive force as it helps resist the bending tendency of the overall structure. The bottom chord, on the other hand, is pulled outward by the diagonals and carries tensile force to hold the span together. So the best way to describe the force in the top member under standard loading is compression.

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