Civil115 Tutorial 9(week 10)

Chapter 6(6.1-6.4)
TA: Zhu Honggang
Important points:
Definition of truss, planar truss, simple truss
Zero force members: determination; can be removed in the analysis of forces. Note
that zero-force members are used to increase stability and rigidity of the truss, and to
provide support for various different loading conditions.
Force analysis of a truss: determine the forces in each truss member
Two assumptions are made for force analysis of a truss:
1. All loads are applied at the joints.
2. The members are joined together by smooth pins.
With these two assumptions, the members act as two-force members which are loaded
in either tension or compression.
Two methods for force analysis of a truss: method of joints and method of sections
Method of joints:
In this method, the equilibrium of a joint (pin) is considered. Forces acting at the joint
include all external forces (including support reactions) as well as the forces acting in
the members.
Step for analysis:
1. If the support reactions are not given, draw a FBD of the entire truss and determine
all the support reactions using the equations of equilibrium. Sometimes the support
reactions have no need to obtain, for example if we can start the analysis from a joint
with a known force and one or two unknown forces.
2. Draw the free-body diagram of a joint with one or two unknowns. Assume that all
unknown member forces act in tension (pulling the pin) unless you can determine by
inspection that the forces are compression loads
3. Apply the scalar equations of equilibrium, å FX =0 and å FY= 0, to determine the
unknown(s). If the answer is positive, then the assumed direction (tension) is correct,
otherwise it is in the opposite direction (compression). Remember that a member in
compression “pushes” on the joint and a member in tension “pulls” on the joint.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at each joint in succession until all the required forces are
determined.
Methods of section:
In this method, a truss is divided into two parts by taking an imaginary “cut” through
the truss. The internal forces at the cut member will also be either tensile or
compressive.
Step for analysis:
1. Decide how you need to “cut” the truss. This is based on: a) where you need to
determine forces, and, b) where the total number of unknowns does not exceed three
(in general).
2. Decide which side of the cut truss will be easier to work with (minimize the
number of reactions you have to find). Sometimes more than one time of cut need to
be performed or it need combine with the method of joints.
3. If required, determine the necessary support reactions by drawing the FBD of the
entire truss and applying the EofE.
4. Draw the FBD of the selected part of the cut truss. We need to indicate the
unknown forces at the cut members. Initially we assume all the members are in
tension. Upon solving, if the answer is positive, the member is in tension as per our
assumption. If the answer is negative, the member must be in compression. (Please
note that you can also assume forces to be either tension or compression by inspection
as was done in the figures above.)
5. Apply the equations of equilibrium (EofE) to the selected cut section of the truss to
solve for the unknown member forces. Moments should be summed about a point that
lies at the intersection of the lines of action of two unknown forces, so that the third
unknown forces is determined directly form the moment equation. If two of the
unknown forces are parallel, forces may be summed perpendicular to the direction of
these unknowns to determine directly the third unknown force.
Examples:
Hint: The resultant force at the pin E acts along member ED, why?