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0. ANALYSIS OF TRUSSES BY METHOD OF SECTIONS
We have leant to analyse the forces in a plane truss using the method of joints. In that we have
considered the equilibrium of each joint. The free body diagram of each joint consists of a system
of concurrent forces. We can use two equilibrium equations Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 and Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0. Hence for solving
the problem easily, we begin with a joint with maximum two unknown forces.
*Q1 500 N
D
Let us consider a plane truss as shown. Instead of 750 N
E
isolating a joint, if we cut through the whole truss,
separate the halves, and consider the free body 1m
diagram of any one part, we will get a system of
general case of forces. Then we can use three
equilibrium equations Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0, and Σ𝑀 = 0.
A 2m C 2m B
Now we can find out three unknowns from these
equations. 1000 N
If we carefully take sections in such a way that only 500 N
D
a maximum of three unknown force members are 750 N
E
cut, the solution procedure becomes easier.
Let us find out the support reactions first by 1m
considering the free body diagram of the complete
truss. θ θ
B
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 𝑋𝐴 − 750 𝑁 = 0 𝑋𝐴 = 750 𝑁 XA A 2m C 2m
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0 𝑌𝐴 + 𝑌𝐵 − 500 𝑁 − 1000 𝑁 = 0
Σ𝑀𝐴 = 0 1000 N
YA YB
𝑌𝐵 × 4𝑚 − 1000 𝑁 × 2𝑚 − 500 𝑁 × 3𝑚 + 750 𝑁 × 1𝑚 = 0
𝑌𝐵 = 687.5 𝑁 𝑌𝐴 = 812.5 𝑁 θ=450
Cut the members AC, DC, and DE and separate the
two parts. Consider the equilibrium of left part.
500 N
Σ𝑀𝐷 = 0 750 N D F3
E
𝑋𝐴 × 1𝑚 − 𝑌𝐴 × 1𝑚 + 𝐹1 × 1𝑚 = 0 θ F3
𝐹1 = 62.5 𝑁
1m F2
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0 F2
𝑌𝐴 − 𝐹2 sin 45 = 0 𝐹2 = 1148.3 𝑁 F1
B
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0
XA A F1
𝑋𝐴 + 𝐹1 + 𝐹3 + 𝐹2 cos 45 − 750 = 0 C 2m
𝐹3 = −874.5 𝑁 YA 1000 N
YB
Now, cut the members AD, DC, CE, and CB and 500 N
D
consider the equilibrium of one of the parts. 750 N
E
Σ𝑀𝐶 = 0 −𝑌𝐴 × 2𝑚 − 𝐹4 sin 45 × 2𝑚 = 0 F2
F4
𝐹4 = −1149.1 𝑁 F5
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0 𝑌𝐴 + 𝐹2 sin 45 + 𝐹4 sin 45 + 𝐹5 sin 45 − 1000 = 0 F4 F2 F5
𝐹5 = 266 𝑁 θ θ F6 F6
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 B
𝑋𝐴 + 𝐹4 cos 45 + 𝐹6 − 𝐹2 cos 45 + 𝐹5 cos 45 = 0 XA A 2m C
YA 1000 N
𝐹6 = 686.4 𝑁
YB
Engineering Mechanics ……………………Dr. Biju N, Professor in Mechanical Engineering, SOE, CUSAT
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We can now section members AD, DC, CE, and BE and
consider the equilibrium of bottom part.
D 500 N
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 750 N
E
𝑋𝐴 + 𝐹4 cos 45 − 𝐹2 cos 45 + 𝐹5 cos 45 − 𝐹7 𝑐𝑜𝑠45 = 0
F2 F7
𝐹7 = −970.7 𝑁 F4 F5
F7
Check F4 F2
F5
θ θ
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0 B
XA A 2m C
𝑌𝐴 + 𝐹2 sin 45 + 𝐹4 sin 45 + 𝐹5 sin 45 − 1000 + 𝑌𝐵 + 𝐹7 𝑠𝑖𝑛 45 = 0
YA YB
𝑌𝐵 = 687 𝑁 1000 N
Q 2. B 1000 N
Calculate the forces in the members of the truss
shown by method of sections. 0.5 m C
θ E
Since the truss is a cantilever type, we need not find θ
θ
out the support reactions. We can take sections of 0.5 m
the truss and consider the equilibrium of free end
part. D
A 1m 1m
tan θ=0.5 Θ=26.60
We cut members AD, DC, and CE and consider the B 1000 N
equilibrium of the right part.
Σ𝑀𝐷 = 0 −1000 × 1𝑚 + 𝐹3 × 0.5𝑚 = 0 C F3 F3 E
𝐹3 = 2000 𝑁
F2
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0 𝐹2 − 1000 𝑁 = 0
F2
𝐹2 = 1000 𝑁
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 −𝐹1 − 𝐹3 = 0 F1 F1 D
A
𝐹1 = −2000 𝑁
A new section is considered by cutting members CA,
F5
CB, CD, and DE
Σ𝑀𝐶 = 0 −1000 × 1𝑚 − 𝐹6 sin 26.6 × 1𝑚 = 0 B 1000 N
𝐹6 = −2236 𝑁
F5
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 −𝐹4 cos 26.6 − 𝐹5 cos 26.6 − 𝐹6 cos 26.6 = 0 C E
−𝐹4 − 𝐹5 = −2236 F4 F2
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0 −𝐹2 − 𝐹4 sin 26.6 + 𝐹5 sin 26.6 − 𝐹6 sin 26.6 − 1000 = 0 F4 F6
−1000 − 𝐹4 sin 26.6 + 𝐹5 sin 26.6 − (−2236) sin 26.6 − 1000 = 0 F2
−𝐹4 + 𝐹5 = 2236 F6
A D
𝐹4 = 0
𝐹5 = 2236 𝑁
Engineering Mechanics ……………………Dr. Biju N, Professor in Mechanical Engineering, SOE, CUSAT
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Q3
Using the method of section, find the force produced in
C
bars 1, 2, and 3 of the truss shown due to the action of
a ball of weight W= 1000 N and radius R=0.5 m resting
on the hinge D and supported by a cable as shown
1 2m
tan 𝜃 = 3
2
θ =33.70 D
2
Let us consider the free body diagram of the whole A θ 3
truss. The force acting at joint D is the action of the 1m 1m 1m
B
ball of weight W.
Consider the free body diagram of the ball. We are W
interested only in the force exerted by the ball on the T C
Y
truss. Hence, we can resolve the forces parallel and
θ R
x
perpendicular to AC. θ
1 2m
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0 𝑅 − 𝑊 cos 33.7 = 0 RD
m 2
𝑅 = 1000 cos 33.7 = 832 𝑁 A θ 3
1𝑚 XA 1m
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = 1m 1m B
𝐴𝐷 YA
1𝑚 YB
𝐴𝐷 = = 1.2 𝑚
𝑐𝑜𝑠 33.7
Now consider the free-body diagram of the whole truss.
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 : 𝑋𝐴 + 𝑅 sin 33.7 = 0 𝑋𝐴 = −832 sin 33.7 = −461.6 𝑁
832× 1.2
Σ𝑀𝐴 = 0 : 𝑌𝐵 × 3𝑚 − 𝑅 × 𝐴𝐷 = 0 𝑌𝐵 = = 332.8 𝑁
3
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0 : 𝑌𝐴 + 𝑌𝐵 − 𝑅 × cos 33.7 = 0 𝑌𝐴 = 359.4 𝑁
Consider a section cutting through members 1, 2, and 3 F1
of the truss and the equilibrium of the left part
: 𝐹2 × 2𝑚 − 𝑅 × 𝐴𝐷 = 0 : 𝐹2 = 499.2 𝑁 θ 1 F2
Σ𝑀𝐴 = 0 R D
2
Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0 : 𝑌𝐴 + 𝐹2 − 𝑅 × cos 33.7 + 𝐹1 × sin 33.7 = 0
A θ 3
F3
𝐹1 = −300 𝑁 XA 1m 1m
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 1m
YA
𝑋𝐴 + 𝐹1 cos 33.7 + 𝐹3 + 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛 33.7 = 0
𝐹3 = 250 𝑁
#Exercise 1 #Exercise 2
Find the forces in all the bars of the truss Find the forces in all the bars of the truss
Engineering Mechanics ……………………Dr. Biju N, Professor in Mechanical Engineering, SOE, CUSAT
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#Exercise 3
Find the forces in all the bars of the truss, if
F5-x= 1000 N, F3-y= 750 N 1m
1m 2m 1m
#Exercise
Find the forces in the bars DE, EF, and FG of
the truss
Engineering Mechanics ……………………Dr. Biju N, Professor in Mechanical Engineering, SOE, CUSAT
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Engineering Mechanics ……………………Dr. Biju N, Professor in Mechanical Engineering, SOE, CUSAT
