6.

3 Trusses: Method of Sections

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 1, page 1 of 2
2 kN 1. Determine the force in members AC, CD, and DF, and 2 kN
G H state whether the force is tension or compression. G H

5m

4 kN 4 kN
E E
F F

5m
1 Pass a section through the three
members whose forces are to be
determined.
6 kN 6 kN
C D C D

5m

A B A B

3m
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 1, page 2 of 2
2 Free-body diagram of portion of truss above the section
4 Equations of equilibrium for the portion of the
2 kN truss (Note that moments are summed about
G H point D, even though point D is not part of the
free body):
+
Fx = 0: 2 kN + 4 kN + FCD = 0
5m
Fy = 0: FAC FDF = 0

+
MD = 0: FAC(3 m) (2 kN)(5 m + 5 m)

+
4 kN
E (4 kN)(5 m) = 0
F

FDF Solving simultaneously gives

3 At each cut through a
member, a force is shown
to represent the effect of
the portion of the member
on one side of the section
pulling on the portion on C
the other side. It is
convenient to always
assume the force to be
tension. FAC
FAC = 13.33 kN (T) Ans.
5m
FCD = 6.0 kN = 6.0 kN (C) Ans.
D FDF = 13.33 kN = 13.33 kN (C) Ans.
FCD
5 We had assumed member CD to be in tension.
Calculations showed that FCD is negative, so our
3m assumption was wrong: CD must be in compression.
Similarly DF must be in compression.
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 2, page 1 of 3
2. Determine the force in members CD, CH, and GH, and state whether the force is tension or compression.
F G H

8 ft

A E

B C D
800 lb 800 lb 800 lb

12 ft 12 ft 12 ft 12 ft

1 Pass a section through the three

members whose forces are to be
F G H determined.

A E

B C D
800 lb 800 lb 800 lb
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 2, page 2 of 3
2 Free-body diagram of portion of truss to right of section

FGH H
4 Equations of equilibrium for the portion of the
FCH truss:
+
8 ft Fx = 0: FGH FCH sin FCD = 0 (1)

Fy = 0: FCH cos 800 lb + Ey = 0 (2)

+
FCD E
D MH = 0: FCD (8 ft) + Ey (12 ft) = 0 (3)

+
800 lb
Ey

12 ft 5 Geometry H

= tan-1 12 ft = 56.31°
8 ft
3 At each cut through a member, a force is shown.
8 ft

C
D
12 ft

6 Three equations but four unknowns, so another

equation is needed.
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 2, page 3 of 3
7 Free-body diagram of entire truss.
F G H

8 ft

Ax A E

B C D
800 lb 800 lb 800 lb
Ay Ey

12 ft 12 ft 12 ft 12 ft

8 Equilibrium equation for entire truss. This will give the needed fourth equation.

MA = 0: (800 lb)(12 ft) (800 lb)(2 12 ft) (800 lb)(3 12 ft) + Ey(4 12 ft) = 0
+

Solving gives Ey = 1,200 lb.

9 Substituting Ey = 1,200 lb into Eqs. 1, 2, and 3 and solving simultaneously gives

FCD = 1,800 lb (T) Ans.

FCH = 721 lb (T) Ans.

FGH = 2,400 lb = 2,400 lb (C) Ans.

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 3, page 1 of 3
3. The diagonal members are not connected to each other where they cross. Determine the force
in members BG, CF, and FG, and state whether the force is tension or compression.

4m 4m 4m
E F G H

2.5 m

D
A B C

3 kN 3 kN 3 kN

1 Pass a section through the three members

whose forces are to be determined.
E F G H

D
A B C

3 kN 3 kN 3 kN
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 3, page 2 of 3
2 Free-body diagram of portion of truss to right of section

4m

FFG G H
FBG

2.5 m
FCF 5 Geometry
4m
D = tan-1 = 58.0°
2.5 m
C
4m
3 kN
Dy
F G

3 At each cut through a member, a force is shown

2.5 m
4 Equations of equilibrium for the portion of the truss:
C
+

Fx = 0: FFG FBG sin FCF sin =0 (1)

Fy = 0: FBG cos + FCF cos + Dy 3 kN = 0 (2)

+

6 Three equations but four unknowns, so

MG = 0: FCF sin (2.5 m) + Dy(4 m) = 0 (3) another equation is needed.
+
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 3, page 3 of 3
7 Free-body diagram of entire truss (This will give the needed fourth equation).
4m 4m 4m
Ey

Ex E F G H

2.5 m

D
A B C

3 kN 3 kN 3 kN
Dy

8 Equilibrium equation for entire truss.

ME = 0: (3 kN)(4 m) (3 kN)(2 4 m) + Dy(3 4 m) = 0

+

Solving gives Dy = 3.0 kN. Then substituting = 58.0° and Dy = 3.0 kN into Eqs. 1, 2, and 3 and solving
simultaneously gives

FBG = 5.66 kN (T) Ans.

FCF = 5.66 kN (T) Ans.

FFG = 9.6 kN = 9.6 kN (C) Ans.

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 4, page 1 of 4
4. Determine the force in members CE, EF, HF, and CF, and state whether the force is tension or compression.
1.5 m
3m 6 kN 6 kN
I J I J

3m

4 kN 4 kN
G H G H
1 Pass a section through at
least some of the members
3m whose forces are to be
determined. The general
idea is to choose as few
E F E F members as possible --three
in this instance-- because
each time a member is cut
3m
by a section, an additional
unknown is introduced into
D D the equilibrium equations.
C C

3m

A B A B

6m 6m
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 4, page 2 of 4
2 Free-body diagram of portion of truss above section (Using
the upper portion of the truss rather than the lower
eliminates the need to calculate the reactions at the bottom
of the truss).
LGH
J 6 kN
I

3m

4 kN
G H

3m
FFH
FEF
E F
LEF
FCE 3 Equations of equilibrium for the portion of the truss:

MG = 0: (6 kN)(3 m) + FEF(3 m) FFH cos (LGH) = 0 (1)

+
+

MF = 0: (6 kN)(2 3 m) 4 kN)(3 m) + FCE cos (LEF) = 0 (2)

+ Fx = 0: FCE sin + FEF + FFH sin + 4 kN + 6 kN = 0 (3)

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 4, page 3 of 4
1.5 m
4 Geometry
5 = tan-1 BB' = tan-1 = 7.125°
JB' 4 3m
LGH = 3 m + (3 m) tan + (3 m) tan = 3.75 m
I 3m J
LEF = 3 m + (6 m) tan + (6 m) tan = 4.50 m
3m 3m
(3 m) tan
6 Substituting these values for , LGH, and LEF into Eqs. 1, 2, and
3m 3 and solving simultaneously gives:
G H
(6 m) tan FCE = 10.75 kN Ans.
3m
3m
FEF = kN = 7.33 kN (C) Ans.
3m
F FFH = 10.75 kN = 10.75 kN (C) Ans.
E
3m
3m

3m
C D

3m 3m

A 1.5 m 3m B' 1.5 m B

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 4, page 4 of 4
7 Free-body diagram of joint F. 8 Equilibrium equations for joint F
This free body will enable us to
calculate the remaining unknown +
Fx = 0: FCF cos + FDF sin 7.125° + (10.75 kN)(sin 7.125°) 7.33 kN = 0 (4)
force the force in member CF.
Fy = 0: FCF sin FDF cos 7.125° (10.75 kN)(cos 7.125°) = 0 (5)

+
FFH = 10.75 kN (C)

9 Geometry
FEF = 7.33 kN (C)
LEF = 4.50 m
F (3 m) tan
E F
FCF
FDF
3m

D
C
= 7.125° 3m
= tan-1 = 31.61°
(3 m) tan 7.125° + 4.50 m

10 Substituting = 31.608° into Eqs. 4 and 5 and solving simultaneously gives:

FDF = 14.97 kN = 14.97 kN (C)

FCF = 7.99 kN (T) Ans.

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 5, page 1 of 4
5. Determine the force in members RS, LS, FL, and EF, and state whether the force is tension or compression.
N O P Q R S T

2m
H I J K L M

2m
A G
B C D E F

4 kN 4 kN 4 kN

3m 3m 3m 3m 3m 3m

1 Pass a section through the four

members whose forces are to be
N O P Q R S T determined. It does not appear
possible to find a section that cuts
only three of these members.

H I J K L M

A G
B C D E F

4 kN 4 kN 4 kN
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 5, page 2 of 4
2 Free body diagram of truss portion to right of section line

FRS S T

FLS 2m
M

FFL
2m
G
FEF F
Gy

3m

3 Equations of equilibrium for the portion of the truss:

MS = 0: FEF(2 2 m) + Gy(3 m) = 0 (1)

+

MF = 0: FRS(2 2 m) + G y(3 m) = 0 (2)

+

Fy = 0: FFL FLS + Gy = 0 (3)

+

4 Three equations with five unknowns so two more

equations are needed.
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 5, page 3 of 4
5 Free-body diagram of entire truss (This free body will enable us to calculate the reaction at G).
N O P Q R S T

2m
M
H I J K L

2m
A G
Ax B C D E F

4 kN 4 kN 4 kN
Ay Gy
3m 3m 3m 3m 3m 3m

6 Equation of equilibrium for the entire truss.

MA = 0: (4 kN)(2 3 m) (4 kN)(3 3 m) (4 kN)(4 3 m) + Gy(18 m) = 0 (4)

+

Solving gives

Gy = 6 kN

Substituting Gy = 6 kN into Eqs. 1 and 2 and solving gives:

FEF = 4.5 kN (T) Ans.

FRS = 4.5 kN = 4.5 kN (C) Ans.

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 5, page 4 of 4
7 Free-body diagram of joint S. This free body will
enable us to calculate the force in member LS. 10 Free body diagram of joint T
FST T
FRS = 4.5 kN (C) S FST

FMT
FMS

FLS
8 Equations of equilibrium for joint S. Note that there 11 Two members meet at joint T, they are not collinear and no
are three unknowns but only two equations. external force acts at joint T, so members ST and MT are zero-
force members.
+ Fx = 0: 4.5 kN + FST + FMS cos =0 (5)
Substituting FST = 0 in Eq. 5 and solving Eqs. 5 and 6
Fy = 0: FLS FMS sin =0 (6) simultaneously gives:
+

FMS = 5.41 kN = 5.41 kN (C)

9 Geometry
FLS = 3.0 kN (T) Ans.
S T

2m
M
3m 12 Substituting FLS = 3.0 kN and Gy = 6 kN into Eq. 3 and
solving gives:
-1 2 m
= tan = 33.69°
3m
FFL = 3.0 kN = 3.0 kN (C) Ans.
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 6, page 1 of 4
6. Determine the force in members TU, EF, and EU. State whether the force is tension or compression.
T U X
V W
5m
N O P Q R S

5m
A M
B C D E F G H I J K L

10 kN
12 panels @ 4 m each
T U V W X

N O P Q R S

A M
B C D E F G H I J K L

10 kN
1 Even though we were not asked to determine the force in member EP,
we have to pass the section through it because we must make the
section go completely through the truss.
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 6, page 2 of 4
2 Free-body diagram of portion of the truss to the left of the section
T FTU

5m 3 Equations of equilibrium for the portion of the truss:

N O FEU + Fx = 0: Ax + FTU + FEP cos + FEF = 0 (1)
FEP
5m Fy = 0: Ay + FEU + FEP sin =0 (2)

+
Ax A FEF ME = 0: Ay (4 4 m) FTU(2 5 m) = 0 (3)

+
B C D E

Ay 4 Three equations with six unknowns so three more

equations are needed.
4m 4m 4m 4m

5 Geometry
P
= tan-1 5 m = 51.34°
5m 4m
E
F
4m
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 6, page 3 of 4
6 Free-body diagram of entire truss (This free body will enable us to calculate the reactions at support A).
T U V W X

N O P Q R S

Ax A M
B C D E F G H I J K L
My
Ay 10 kN
12 panels @ 4 m each

7 Equations of equilibrium for entire truss. Note that we
only write two equations because we only need to
calculate Ax and Ay, since only Ax and Ay appear in
Eqs. 1, 2, and 3.
+ Fx = 0: Ax = 0 (4)
8 Consideration of joint F shows that member FP is a zero-force
member, so FFP = 0.
But if member FP is removed (because it is a zero-force
member), consideration of joint P shows that member EP is also
a zero-force member, so FEP = 0.

MM = 0: (10 kN)(6 4 m) Ay(12 4 m) = 0 (5)

+

Solving gives Ax = 0 and Ay = 5 kN.

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 6, page 4 of 4
9 Substituting

= 51.34°,

Ax = 0,

Ay = 5 kN,

and

FEP = 0

into Eqs. 1, 2, and 3, and solving gives:

FTU = 8 kN = 8 kN (C) Ans.

FEF = 8 kN (T) Ans.

FEU = 5 kN = 5 kN (C) Ans.

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 7, page 1 of 6
7. Determine the force in 2 kN
members KM, LM, and
DK. State whether the
force is tension or M
2 kN 2 kN
compression.

I
2 kN I J K L 2 kN
6m
2 kN 2 kN
G H
A F
B C D E

2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m

2 kN
We choose a section that cuts at least some of the
1
members whose forces are to be determined. But the
section should cut as few other members as possible,
2 kN M 2 kN since each time a member is cut, an additional
unknown appears in the equilibrium equations.
I
2 kN I J K L 2 kN
2 kN 2 kN
G H
A F
B C D E
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 7, page 2 of 6
2 Free-body diagram of portion of truss to right of section.
It is not essential but we can save some work if we use
the principle of transmissibility as shown in Step 3.
FKM 2 kN
FML
3 Same free body as in Step 2, but now the force FKM has been
moved along its line of action to joint D (principle of
transmissibility) and then expressed in terms of vertical and
horizontal components. Similarly FML is moved to joint F.
2 kN

K L 2 kN
K L 2 kN FML sin
2 kN FKM sin
H 2 kN
H
FCD FCD
F
D E F
D E
FKM cos
FML cos
Fy
Fy
2m 2m 2m 2m
4 Equations of equilibrium for free body in Step 3. Note that
because we were not asked to determine FCD, we choose two
moment equations in which FCD does not appear.

MF = 0: (2 kN)(2 m) + (2 kN)(3 2 m) FKM sin (4 2 m) = 0 (1)

+

MD = 0: (2 kN)(2 m) (2 kN)(3 2 m) (2kN)(4 2 m) + Fy(4 2 m) + FML sin (4 2 m) = 0 (2)

+

5 Two equations but three unknown forces, so another

equilibrium equation is needed.
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 7, page 3 of 6
6 Geometry

6m

F
D 8m
2m
6m
= tan-1 ( 2 m ) = 71.56°
6m
= tan-1 ( 2 m + 8 m ) = 30.96°
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 7, page 4 of 6
7 Free-body diagram of entire 2 kN
truss. This free body will
enable us to calculate the
reaction at support F. 2 kN M 2 kN

I
2 kN I J K L 2 kN
2 kN 2 kN
G H
Ax A
F
B C D E

Ay Fy
2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 2m
8 Equilibrium equation for entire truss

MA = 0: (2 kN)(2 m) (2 kN)(3 2 m) (2 kN)(5 2 m)

+

(2 kN)(7 2 m) (2 kN)(9 2 m) (2 kN)(10 2 m) + Fy(10 2 m) = 0 (3)

9 Solving gives Fy = 7 kN. Substituting Fy = 7 kN, = 71.56°, and

= 30.96° in Eqs. 1 and 2, and solving simultaneously gives:

FKM = 2.11 kN (T) Ans.

FML = 5.83 kN = 5.83 kN (C) Ans.

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 7, page 5 of 6
10 Free-body diagram of joint K (This free body will enable 11 Since there are only two unknown forces, FKL and FDK ,
us to calculate the force in member DK). we could write force-equilibrium equations in the x
y and y directions and then solve them simultaneously.
However, we can save work by noticing that a
zero-force member is present.
FKM = 2.11 kN (T)
x
K
FKL
FDK

13 Consideration of joint K shows that KL must

12 Free- body diagram of entire truss 2 kN be a zero-force member, so FKL = 0.

2 kN M 2 kN

I
2 kN I J K L 2 kN
2 kN 2 kN
G H
A
F
Ax B C D E

Ay
Fy
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 7, page 6 of 6
14 Free-body diagram of joint K (repeated)
y

FKM = 2.11 kN (T)

x
K
FKL
FDK

Fy = 2.11 kN FDK = 0 (4)

+

Solving gives

FDK = 2.11 kN (T) Ans.

6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 8, page 1 of 3
8. Determine the force in members GH,
CD, and CH. State whether the force is
tension or compression. Also, find the
tension in the cable.
Cable

F G 30° H I J

3 ft
A Cable
B C D E
5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft
5 kip

1 The section must pass through the

cable. Otherwise the portion of the
truss to the left of the section could F G 30° H I J
not be isolated as a free body.

A
B C D E

5 kip
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 8, page 2 of 3
2 Free-body diagram of portion of truss to left of section

T
3 The tension in the cable is
F G 30° one of the unknowns.
FGH
3 ft FCH
A
FCD
B C
5 ft 5 ft
4 Equations of equilibrium for the portion of the truss:
5 kip

+
MC = 0: T cos 30°(3 ft) FGH(3 ft) + (5 kip)(2 5 ft) = 0 (1)

MG = 0: (5 kip)(2 5 ft) + FCD(3 ft) + FCH sin (3 ft) = 0 (2)

+
Fy = 0: 5 kip + T sin 30° + FCH cos 0 (3)

5 +
Geometry
6 Three equations but four
G 5 ft
H unknown forces, so another
3 ft equilibrium equation is needed.
5 ft
= tan-1( 3 ft ) = 59.04°
C
6.3 Trusses: Method of Sections Example 8, page 3 of 3
7 Free-body diagram of entire truss
T
F G 30° H I J Jx

3 ft
A
C E Jy
B D

5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 5 ft
5 kip

8 Equation of equilibrium for the entire truss. Only one equation is

used because we need to calculate T only; the reactions at J are not
needed.
+

MJ = 0: (5 kip)(5 5 ft) T sin 30°(3 5 ft) = 0 (4)

T = 16.67 kip Ans.

9
Substituting = 59.04° and T = 16.67 kip into Eqs. 1, 2, and 3 and
solving simultaneously gives:

FGH = 2.23 kip (T) Ans.

FCD = 11.11 kip = 11.11 kip (C) Ans.

FCH = 6.48 kip = 6.48 kip (C) Ans.