What is the main structural role of a truss in building design?

The main structural role of a truss in building design is to support loads and maintain structural integrity. Trusses are engineered frameworks typically made up of triangular units that effectively distribute weight and provide stability to the structure. This design allows trusses to bear heavy loads, including the weight of the roof, potential snow accumulation, and other dynamic forces.

By employing a system of triangular shapes, trusses can efficiently manage tensile and compressive forces, ensuring that the entire structure remains stable and secure. This characteristic makes trusses particularly valuable in both roofs and bridges, where they play a critical role in supporting the overall weight and any additional stress applied to these structures.

While trusses can indeed create aesthetic appeal and allow for open spaces without walls, those features are secondary to their primary function of load-bearing and maintaining the integrity of the building. Additionally, insulation relating to sealing is not a primary function of a truss system; rather, it's more relevant to the materials used in the building's enclosure and insulation systems.