STRENGTH OF

MATERIALSTrusses

TRUSSES
Planar trusses consist of an arrangement of linear

elements joined by frictionless pins, forming a

pattern of triangles.
The truss is viewed as a rigid body with individual
members subjected to tension or compression
forces when external loads are applied at the
truss joints.
Members are considered as two-force members.

 Force analysis of planar trusses can be carried

out using the method of joints or the method of

sections.
Both methods require the use of FBDs and the
equations of equilibrium.

 Pinned frames contain members that are

multiforce membersthat is, a member acted

upon by three or more forces, generally resulting
in the member experiencing bending moment(s).
Multiple FBDs with several sets of equilibrium
equations are required to determine the support
reactions and internal pin forces of the frame.
Three hinged arches are analyzed in a manner
similar to pinned frames.

3.7 Solve for the support reactions at A and

C, and then determine all member forces.

 Solution:

Step 1: Construct the FBD of the entire truss.

 Step 2: Solve for external support reactions.

AD and AB are assumed as tension forces. The equations

of equilibrium will verify the assumed directions.
[Fx = 0 ]: - Ax + 2 kN = 0

Ax = 2 kN
[ MA = 0]: - 2 kN (9 m) - 2 kN (12 m) + Cy (24 m) = 0

Cy = +1.75 kN
[ Fy = 0]: + Ay - 2 kN + Cy = 0

Ay = 0.25 kN

 Step 3: Isolate a joint with no more than two unknown

member forces.
AD and AB are assumed as tension forces. The equations
of equilibrium will verify the assumed directions.
Step 4: Write and solve the equations of equilibrium.

Assume both members are in tension.

Joint A
Force

Fx

Fy

Ax

-2 kN

Ay

0.25 kN

AB

4/5 AB

3/5 AB

AD

+AD

 [Fy = 0]: + 0.25 kN + 3/5 (AB) = 0

AB = -0.42 kN assumed wrong direction

[ Fx = 0]: - 2 kN + 4/5 (AB) + AD = 0

AD = +2 kN 4/5 (-0.42 kN)

AD = +2 kN + 0.33 kN = +2.33 kN
Note: The FBD of joint A

represents the forces applied

to the theoretical pin at joint A.
These forces are acting equal
and opposite on the corresponding
members.

 Step 5: Proceed to another joint with no more than

two unknown forces.

Joint D.
[Fx = 0] - 2.33 kN + DC = 0
DC = +2.33 kN
[ Fy = 0] + DB - 2 kN = 0
DB - 2 kN = 0

Known forces should be shown in the correct direction.

Force

Fx

Fy

2 kN

+2kN

AB

+4/5 (0.42 kN)

= +.33 kN

+3/5(.42kN)
=0.25kN

BD

-2kN

BC

4/5BC

3/5BC

[Fx = 0]: + 2 kN + 0.33 kN + 4/5 BC = 0

BC = -2.92 kN wrong direction assumed
[ Fy = 0]: - 2 kN + 0.25 kN 3/5 (-2.92 kN) = 0
-2 kN + .25 kN + 1.75 kN = 0 CHECKS

 A summary diagram, called a force summation diagram,

should be drawn as a last step.

Force summation diagram.

Method of Sections
In 1862, the German engineer, August Ritter, devised
another analytical approach to truss analysis, the method
Of sections.
Ritter cut the truss along an imaginary line and replaced
the internal forces with equivalent external forces.
By making specific cuts and taking moments about
convenient points on the truss section (cut) FBD, the
magnitude and direction of the desired member forces
were obtained.

Example Problems: Method of Sections

3.10 Solve for member forces BC and BE, as shown in
Figure 3.45.

 Step 1: Draw an FBD of the entire truss. Solve for the

support reactions. This may not be necessary in some

cases, depending on which sectioned FBD is used.

Step 2: Pass an imaginary line through the truss

(the section cut).
The section line a-a must not cut across more than
three unknown members, one of which is the desired
member.
This line divides the truss into two completely separate
parts but does not intersect more than three
members.
Either of the two portions of the truss obtained may
then be used as an FBD.

 Note: The internal forces in the members cut by the

section line are shown as external dotted lines to

indicate the line of action of these member forces.

 Step 3: Draw the FBD of either portion of the truss.

Either FBD (c) or FBD (d) may be used for the solution of
member forces BC and BE.

 In FBD (c), joints C and E are imaginary, and joints A, B,

and G are real. The method of sections operates on the
idea of external force equilibrium. Uncut members AB and
BG have internal forces only and do not affect the

external force equilibrium. Note that if FBD (c) is chosen

for the solving of member forces BC and BE, the support
reactions are essential and must be solved first. Cut
members BC, BE, and GE are assumed to act in tension
(T), as opposed to compression (C).
Solving for BC,

 Moments are taken about imaginary joint E because the

other two unknown forces, BE and GE, intersect at E;

therefore, they need not be considered in the equation of
equilibrium. The solution of BC is completely independent
of BE and GE.
Solving for BE,

 An equation involving the summation of forces in

thevertical direction was chosen, because the other two

cut members, BC and GE, are horizontal; therefore, they
are excluded from the equation of equilibrium. Again, BE
was solved independent of the other two members.
If member force GE is desired, an independent equation
of equilibrium can be written as follows:

 Equations of equilibrium based on FBD (d) would yield

results identical to those with FBD (c). In this case,

support reactions are unnecessary, because none

appears in FBD (d). Members CB, EB, and EG are the cut
members; therefore, they are shown as forces. Joints B
and G are imaginary, because they were removed by the
section cut.
Solving for CB,