The span of a truss refers to which dimension?

The span of a truss specifically refers to the horizontal distance between the two supports of the truss, which is typically the length of the bottom chord. This measurement is crucial in structural engineering and design as it directly influences the load-bearing capacity, the overall design requirements, and the materials needed for construction. The bottom chord runs along the bottom of the truss structure and acts as a key component in distributing loads and maintaining the integrity of the entire truss system. Understanding this dimension helps engineers assess how well a structure will perform under various load conditions and in different environmental situations.