Chapter

4
ENGINEERING STATICS

Structures:
Plane Trusses
Engineering Structure
“An engineering structure is any connected system of members to support and transfer forces and to
safely withstand the loads applied to it”
Determine the forces of action and reaction between the connected members
(i.e. Internal to the structure)

A Bridge Structure

An Engineering Structure Action/Reaction forces Action/Reaction forces

external to structure internal to structure
Trusses

“A framework composed of members joined at their ends to form a rigid structure is called a truss”

Channel
beam

Bridge truss Roof support Derricks truss

truss

Angles

I-beams

Welded Joint Rivet Joint Nut/Bolt

Joint
Plane Trusses
“When the members of the truss lie in a single plane, the truss is called a Plane truss”

The basic element of a plane truss is a triangle that form

a rigid frame.

A pair of plane truss

on either side.
Triangular element A non-rigid polygon A rigid element
extension

• When more members are present than needed to prevent collapse

then the structure become statically indeterminate
“Structures built from a basic triangle are known as simple
trusses”
• In a simple truss, m = 2n - 3 where m is the total number of members and n is
the number of joints.
Analysis of Trusses by the Method of Joints
• Dismember the truss and create a freebody
diagram for each member and pin.
• The two forces exerted on each member are
equal, have the same line of action, and
opposite sense.
• Forces exerted by a member on the pins or
joints at its ends are directed along the member
and equal and opposite.
• Conditions of equilibrium on the pins provide
2n equations for 2n unknowns. For a simple
truss, 2n = m + 3. May solve for m member
forces and 3 reaction forces at the supports.
• Conditions for equilibrium for the entire truss
provide 3 additional equations which are not
independent of the pin equations.
Sample Problem 4.1
SOLUTION:
• Based on a free-body diagram of the
entire truss, solve the 3 equilibrium
equations for the reactions at E and C.

• Joint A is subjected to only two unknown

member forces. Determine these from the
joint equilibrium requirements.
• In succession, determine unknown
member forces at joints D, B, and E from
joint equilibrium requirements.
Using the method of joints,
determine the force in each member • All member forces and support reactions
of the truss. are known at joint C. However, the joint
equilibrium requirements may be applied
to check the results.
Sample Problem 4.1
SOLUTION:
• Based on a free-body diagram of the entire truss,
solve the 3 equilibrium equations for the reactions
at E and C.

 M C 0
2000 lb24 ft  1000 lb12 ft  E 6 ft 
E 10,000 lb 

 Fx 0 C x C x 0

 Fy 0  2000 lb - 1000 lb  10,000 lb  C y

C y 7000 lb 
Sample Problem 4.1

• Joint A is subjected to only two unknown

member forces. Determine these from the
joint equilibrium requirements.

2000 lb FAB FAD FAB 1500 lb T

 
4 3 5 FAD 2500 lb C

• There are now only two unknown member

forces at joint D.
FDB  FDA FDB 2500 lb T

FDE 2 53 FDA FDE 3000 lb C
Sample Problem 4.1
• All member forces and support reactions are
known at joint C. However, the joint equilibrium
requirements may be applied to check the results.

 Fx  5250  53 8750 0 checks

 Fy  7000  54 8750 0 checks
Analysis of Trusses by the Method of Sections
• When the force in only one member or the
forces in a very few members are desired, the
method of sections works well.

• To determine the force in member BD, pass a

section through the truss as shown and create
a free body diagram for the left side.

• With only three members cut by the section,

the equations for static equilibrium may be
applied to determine the unknown member
forces, including FBD.
Sample Problem 4.2

SOLUTION:
• Take the entire truss as a free body.
Apply the conditions for static equilib-
rium to solve for the reactions at A and L.

𝑀∑ 𝐴=0=−(5 m)(6 kN)−(10 m)(6 kN)−(15 m)(6 kN)

Sample Problem 4.2
• Pass a section through members FH, GH, and GI
and take the right-hand section as a free body.

• Apply the conditions for static equilibrium to

determine the desired member forces.
 M H 0
7.50 kN10 m  1 kN5 m  FGI 5.33 m  0
FGI 13.13 kN
FGI 13.13 kN T
Sample Problem 4.2
FG 8 m
tan    0.5333  28.07
GL 15 m
 MG 0
7.5 kN15 m  1 kN10 m  1 kN5 m 
 FFH cos 8 m  0
FFH  13.82 kN
FFH 13.82 kN C

GI 5m
tan   2 0.9375  43.15
HI
3
8 m 
 M L 0
1 kN 10 m  1 kN5 m  FGH cos  10 m  0
FGH  1.371 kN
FGH 1.371 kN C