PLAIN AND SPACE

TRUSSES

TRUSS
It is an assemblage of straight
members connected at their ends
by flexible connections to form a
rigid configuration.

Plane Truss
It is a truss where all members of a
truss and the applied loads lie in the
same plane.
Space Truss
These are three-dimensional bodies
subjected to three-dimensional force
system.

Plane Trusses Common Roof

Trusses

Plane Trusses Common Bridge

Trusses

Types of Plane Trusses

A. Simple Truss
These are formed connecting its member from
tip to tail in a triangular form and enlarging by
adding a new joint that connects from the other
two previous joint.

B. Compound truss
These are formed by connecting two or more
simple truss to form a single rigid body.
Connections must be capable of transmitting at
least three force components.

C. Complex truss
These are trusses which is neither a
simple truss nor compound truss.

Determining Internal Stability of

Plane Truss
Conditions are:
If m < (2j 3), the Truss is Internally
Unstable
If m (2j 3), the Truss is Internally
Stable
m = total number of members
j = total number of joints

Example of Internally Stable and

Unstable Truss

Static Determinacy, Indeterminacy

and Instability of Plane Truss
The Conditions of Static Instability,
determinacy, and Indeterminacy of Plane Truss
are as follows:
If,
(m + r) < 2j, statically Unstable Truss
(m + r) = 2j, statically Determinate Truss
(m + r) > 2j, statically Indeterminate Truss
degree of static indeterminacy
i = (m + r) 2j

Analysis of Member Forces on Plane Truss

by Method of Joints and Method of
Section
A. By Method of Joints
Using this method, the forces (member,
reactions, and applied loads) should be in form
of coplanar concurrent force system, which
must satisfy two equation of equilibrium F X=
0 and FY = 0.
By this method, there should be selecting
of joint with no more than two unknown
forces (which must not be collinear) acting on
it (joint).

B. By Method of Section
By this method, it enables to determine
forces in the specific members of truss
directly without calculating unnecessary
members through cutting portion of
truss(cutting with imaginary line) that will
form one or more unknowns using the
concept of line of action in Moment in
determining forces on it.

C. Identification of ZERO Force Members

Zero-force members are also added to trusses to

brace compression members against buckling and
slender tension members against vibrating. The
analysis of trusses can be expedited if we can identify
the zero-force members by inspection. Two common
types of member arrangements that result in zeroforce members are the following:
1. If only two non-collinear members are connected
to a joint that has no external loads or reactions
applied to it, then the force in both members is zero.
2. If three members, two of which are collinear, are
connected to a joint that has no external loads or
reactions applied to it, then the force in the member
that is not collinear is zero.

SPACE TRUSS
Space Truss is analysed by as three-dimensional
structure subjected to three-dimensional force
system.

Reactions on Space Truss

The Conditions for determinacy externally of space

structure are as follows:
If r < 6, the space structure is statically unstable
externally
If r = 6, the space structure is statically determinate
externally
If r > 6, the space structure is statically indeterminate
externally

Static Determinacy, Indeterminacy

and Instability of Space Truss
Structure
Conditions are as follows:
If (m + r) < 3j,

statically unstable space

truss

If (m + r) = 3j,

statically determinate
space truss

If (m + r) > 3j,

statically indeterminate
space truss

Analysis of Member Forces

A. Determining forces By Method of Joint

LAB =

FXAB = FAB()
FXAB = FAB()
FXAB = FAB()

FAB =

B. Determining Forces by Method of

section
- In this case, unlike with plane truss with
three equation of equation of equilibrium, there
are six equation of equilibrium to be applied in
here, same with Method of Joints.
- A joint should not exceed more than six
unknown Forces.

C. Identification of Zero-Force
Member in Space Truss
1. If all but one of the members connected to a
joint lie in a single plane and no external loads
or reactions are applied to the joint, then the
force in the member that is not coplanar is
zero.
2. If all but two of the members connected to a
joint have zero force and no external loads or
reactions are applied to the joint, then unless
the two remaining members are collinear, the
force in each of them is also zero.

End of Report.