Engineering Mechanics:
Statics in SI Units, 12e
6 Structural Analysis
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Chapter Objectives
• Determine the forces in the members of a truss using
the method of joints and the method of sections.
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Chapter Outline
1. Simple Trusses
2. The Method of Joints
3. Zero-Force Members
4. The Method of Sections
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6.1 Simple Trusses
• A truss composed of slender members joined together
at their end points
Planar Trusses
• Planar trusses used to support roofs and bridges
• Roof load is transmitted to the truss at joints by means
of a series of purlins
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6.1 Simple Trusses
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6.1 Simple Trusses
Planar Trusses
• The analysis of the forces developed in the truss
members is 2D
• Similar to roof truss, the bridge truss loading is also
coplanar
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6.1 Simple Trusses
Planar Trusses
• For large trusses such as in case of a bridge, hinge
support is provided at one end and a roller/rocker at
the other to allow for thermal expansion
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6.1 Simple Trusses
Assumptions for Design
1. “All loadings are applied at the joint”
- Weight of the members neglected
2. “The members are joined together by smooth pins”
- Assume connections act as pins provided the center lines of
the joining members are concurrent
Each member acts as a two force member. The force inside a
member can either be a compressive or a tensile force
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6.1 Simple Trusses
Simple Truss
• Form of a truss must be rigid to prevent collapse
• The simplest form that is rigid or stable is a triangle
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6.2 The Method of Joints
• For truss, we need to know the force in each members
• Forces in the members are internal forces
• For external force members, equations of equilibrium
can be applied
• Force system acting at each joint is coplanar and
concurrent
• ∑Fx = 0 and ∑Fy = 0 must be satisfied for equilibrium
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6.2 The Method of Joints
• When using the method of joints, always
start at a joint having at least one known
force and at most two unknown forces.
• Application of ∑Fx = 0 and ∑Fy = 0 yields
two algebraic equations which can be
solved for the two unknowns.
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6.2 The Method of Joints
Procedure for Analysis
• Draw the FBD with at least 1 known and 2 unknown
forces
• Find the external reactions at the truss support
• Determine the correct sense of the member
• Orient the x and y axes
• Apply ∑Fx = 0 and ∑Fy = 0
• Use known force to analyze the unknown forces
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Example 6.1
Determine the force in each member of the truss and
indicate whether the members are in tension or
compression.
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Solution
• 2 unknown member forces at joint B
• 1 unknown reaction force at joint C
• 2 unknown member forces and 2 unknown reaction
forces at point A
For Joint B,
Fx 0;
500N FBC sin 45 N 0 FBC 707.1N (C )
Fy 0;
FBC cos 45 N FBA 0 FBA 500N (T )
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Solution
For Joint C,
Fx 0;
FCA 707.1 cos 45 N 0 FCA 500N (T )
Fy 0;
C y 707.1sin 45 N 0 C y 500N
For Joint A,
Fx 0;
500N Ax 0 Ax 500N
Fy 0;
500N Ay 0 Ay 500N
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Solution
• FBD of each pin shows the effect of all the connected
members and external forces applied to the pin
• FBD of each member shows only the effect of the end
pins on the member
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Example 6.2
Determine the force in each member of the truss and
indicate whether the members are in tension or
compression.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
Example 6.3
Determine the force in each member of the truss and
indicate whether the members are in tension or
compression.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
6.3 Zero-Force Members
• Method of joints is simplified using zero-force members
• Identify members which support no loading
• They provide stability of the truss during construction and provide added
support if loading is changed
• If only two members form a truss joint and no external load or support
reaction is applied to the joint, the two members must be zero force
members.
6.3 Zero-Force Members
• If three members form a truss joint 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 to the joint.
Example 6.4
Using the method of joints, determine all the zero-force
members of the Fink roof truss. Assume all joints are pin
connected.
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Solution
For Joint G,
Fy 0 FGC 0
GC is a zero-force member.
For Joint D,
Fx 0 FDF 0
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Solution
For Joint F,
Fy 0 FFC cos 0
90 , FFC 0
For Joint B,
Fy 0 FFC cos 0
90 , FFC 0
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Solution
FHC satisfy ∑Fy = 0 and therefore HC is not a zero-force
member.
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6.4 The Method of Sections
• Used to determine the loadings within a body
• If a body is in equilibrium, any part of the body is in
equilibrium
• To find forces within members, an imaginary section is
used to cut each member into 2 and expose each
internal force as external
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6.4 The Method of Sections
• Consider the truss and section a-a as shown
• Member forces are equal and opposite to those acting
on the other part – Newton’s Law
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6.4 The Method of Sections
Procedure for Analysis
Free-Body Diagram
• Decide the section of the truss
• Determine the truss’s external reactions
• Use equilibrium equations to solve member forces at
the cut session
• Draw FBD of the sectioned truss which has the least
number of forces acting on it
• Find the sense of an unknown member force
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6.4 The Method of Sections
Procedure for Analysis
Equations of Equilibrium
• Summed moments about a point
• Find the 3rd unknown force from moment equation
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Example 6.5
Determine the force in members GE, GC, and BC of the
truss. Indicate whether the members are in tension or
compression.
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Solution
• Choose section a-a since it cuts through the three
members
• Draw FBD of the entire truss
Fx 0; 400N Ax 0 Ax 400N
M A 0; 1200N (8m) 400N (3m) D y (12m) 0 D y 900N
Fy 0; Ay 1200N 900N 0 Ay 300N
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Solution
• Draw FBD for the section portion
M G 0; 300N (4m) 400N (3m) FBC (3m) 0 FBC 800N (T )
M C 0; 300N (8m) FGE (3m) 0 FGE 800N (C )
3
Fy 0; 300N FGC 0 FGC 500N (T )
5
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Example 6.6
Determine the force in members CF.
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Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
Example 6.7
Determine the force in member EB.
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