Simple trusses
A truss structure is composed of slender members joined
together at their end points
Members are commonly wooden struts or metal bars
Joint connections are formed by bolting or welding the ends
of the members to a common plate (gusset plate) or by
simply passing a large bolt or pin through each of the
members
Planar trusses lie in a single plane (often seen supporting
roofs and bridges), 2-D analysis of forces appropriate
Method of joints
If a truss is in equilibrium, then each of its joints must also be
in equilibrium
The method of joints consists of satisfying the equilibrium
conditions for the forces exerted on the pin at each joint of
the truss
Truss members are all straight two-force members lying in the
same plane
The force system acting at each pin is coplanar and concurrent
(intersecting)
Rotational or moment equilibrium is automatically satisfied at the
joint, only need to satisfy Fx = 0, Fy = 0
Method of joints Procedure for analysis
Draw the free-body diagram of a joint having at least one
known force and at most two unknown forces (may need to
first determine external reactions at the truss supports)
Establish the sense of the unknown forces
Always assume the unknown member forces acting on the joints
free-body diagram to be in tension (pulling on the pin)
Assume what is believed to be the correct sense of an unknown
member force
In both cases a negative value indicates that the sense chosen
must be reversed
Method of joints Procedure for analysis
(continued)
Orient the x and y axes such that the forces can be easily
resolved into their x and y components
Apply Fx = 0 and Fy = 0 and solve for the unknown
member forces and verify their correct sense
Continue to analyze each of the other joints, choosing ones
having at most two unknowns and at least one known force
Members in compression push on the joint and members in
tension pull on the joint
Mechanics of Materials and building codes are used to size the
members once the forces are known
Zero-force members
Truss analysis using the method of joints is greatly simplified if one is
able to determine those members which support no loading (zeroforce members)
These zero-force members are used to increase stability of the truss
during construction and to provide support if the applied loading is
changed
If only two members form a truss joint and no external load or
support reaction is applied to the joint, the members must be zeroforce members, SHOW
If three members form a truss for which two of the members are
collinear, the third member is a zero-force member provided no
external force or support reaction is applied, SHOW
EXAMPLES (pg 279)
Method of sections
Based on the principle that if a body is in equilibrium, then any part of
the body is also in equilibrium
Procedure for analysis
Section or cut the truss through the members where the forces are to be
determined
Before isolating the appropriate section, it may be necessary to determine the
trusss external reactions (then 3 equs. of equilibrium can be used to solve for
unknown member forces in the section)
Draw the free-body diagram of that part of the sectioned truss that has the
least number of forces acting on it
Establish the sense of the unknown member forces
Apply 3 equs. of equilibrium trying to avoid equations that need to be solved
simultaneously
Moments should be summed about a point that lies at the intersection of the lines
of action of two unknown forces
If two unknown forces are parallel sum forces perpendicular to the direction of
these unknowns
EXAMPLES (pg 289)
Frames and machines
Structures are often composed of pin-connected multiforce
members
Frames are generally stationary and are used to support loads
Machines contain moving parts and are designed to transmit
and alter the effect of forces
Can apply the equations of equilibrium to each member of the
frame or machine to determine the forces acting at the joints
and supports (assuming the frame or machine is properly
constrained and contains no more supports or members than
are necessary to prevent collapse)
Frames and machines procedure for
analysis
Construct applicable free-body diagrams
Draw an outline of the shape
Show all forces or couple moments that act on the part
Indicate dimensions needed for determining moments
Identify all two force members in the structure
All loadings are applied at the joint
Members are joined together by smooth pins
Members have two equal but opposite forces acting at their points of
application
The line of action of the forces are along the axis of the members
Forces common to any two contacting members act with equal
magnitudes but opposite sense on the respective members
Apply the equations of equilibrium
EXAMPLES (pg 313)
