Graphical Construction Glossary >> Roofs and roofing. >> Roof Trusses >> Iron Roof Truss

Iron Roof Truss

A roof truss made out of either wrought iron, cast iron or more likely a combination or the two. Capable of large spans and often highly decorated.

Cast Iron

In building construction an alloy principally of iron and around 2% carbon. Has strength in compression, but little in tension. Brittle and easily broken and hard to repair.

Wrought Iron.

A commercially pure form of fibrous iron, ductile and has corrosion resistant properties. Used in forged work, bolts rivets etc.

Above is the modern day European Union best practice Smithfield Meat Market in London. It is a brilliant blend of the old and the new.

A classic 19Th century roof consisting of what in the early years of that century was a new technology, with curved wrought iron ribs and braces, cast iron infill decorations, supported on typically decorated cast iron columns.

At the same time traditionally framed timber queen post trusses sit on top of the arched iron ribs.

A close up of the timber work shows that while embracing the new, the designers still had an eye on the past, using curved timber braces and infill tracery panels.

The former Covent Garden market building in London, has been given a brilliant makeover and is bustling again with open air entertainers, cafes and shopping.

When the industrial revolution got into full swing with bridges, railroads and iron steamships, the building industry raced alongside with it, building countless public buildings of this sort. Railway stations in particular took benefit from the ease of manufacturing standardised parts for roofs like these.

A small 19Th. century shopping arcade in the UK city of Hull. One of thousands that were built world wide as an way of providing traffic free shopping enclaves. This one using cast iron trusses.

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"What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?
Adam Smith 1723-1790

"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900