Truss systems offer a typical example of interacting components within an engineering system, which are connected to each other to form planar or spatial structures by means of node connections. The load-bearing capacity of such constructions is limited by the utilization of their components (members or nodes). Typically, foreseeable loads are assumed in a structural design and dimensioning exercise, whereas initial material properties may be handled in a semi-probabilistic approach. Structures can, however, be exposed to largely unforeseeable events such as intense natural phenomena (hurricanes, floods and earthquakes), accidents (vehicle and vessel impacts, fires), war and crime acts, and planning or execution errors. Existing structures run particular risks, as damage to the load-bearing structure can also be caused by ageing processes, which are governed by uncertainties and often hidden defects. Recent significant collapses have highlighted the fact that robustness, as an integral part of design, is indispensable. However, current standards and directives offer generalised, qualitative robustness measures, and they have so far had little practical significance. Redundancy as a decisive factor influencing robustness plays an important role in the design of a structural system. This work focuses on the redundancy of truss structures and the effects of failure of members and nodes on system performance are investigated based on state-of-the-art robustness assessment concepts.