TRUSSES – METHODS OF JOINTS

Today’s Objectives:
Students will be able to:
In-Class Activities:
a) Define a simple truss.
• Check homework, if any
b) Determine the forces in members
• Reading quiz
of a simple truss.
• Applications
c) Identify zero-force members.
• Simple truss
• Methods of joints
• Zero-force members
• Concept quiz
• Group problem solving
• Attention quiz
 READING QUIZ

1. One of the assumptions used when analyzing a simple truss is that

the members are joined together by __________.
A) welding B) bolting C) riveting
D) smooth pins E) super glue

2. In the method of joints, typically _________ equations of

equilibrium are applied at every joint.
A) two B) three
C) four D) six
APPLICATIONS

Trusses are commonly used to support a

roof.

For a given truss geometry and load, how

can we determine the forces in the truss
members and select their sizes?

A more challenging question is that for a

given load, how can we design the
trusses’ geometry to minimize cost?
APPLICATIONS (continued)

Trusses are also used in a variety of

structures like cranes and the frames
of aircraft or space stations.

How can we design a light weight

structure that will meet load, safety,
and cost specifications?
 DEFINING A SIMPLE TRUSS (Section 6.1)

A truss is a structure composed of slender members joined together at

their end points.
If a truss, along with the imposed load, lies in a single plane
(as shown at the top right), then it is called a planar truss.
A simple truss is a planar truss which begins
with a a triangular element and can be expanded
by adding two members and a joint. For these
trusses, the number of members (M) and the
number of joints (J) are related by the equation
M = 2 J – 3.
 ANALYSIS and DESIGN ASSUMPTIONS
When designing both the member and the joints of a truss, first it is
necessary to determine the forces in each truss member. This is called
the force analysis of a truss. When doing this, two assumptions are
made:
1. All loads are applied at the joints. The weight of the truss
members is often neglected as the weight is usually small as
compared to the forces supported by the members.
2. The members are joined together by smooth pins. This
assumption is satisfied in most practical cases where the joints
are formed by bolting or welding.

With these two assumptions, the members act as

two-force members. They are loaded in either
tension or compression. Often compressive
members are made thicker to prevent buckling.
 THE METHOD OF JOINTS (Section 6.2)

In this method of solving for the forces in truss members, the

equilibrium of a joint (pin) is considered. All forces acting at the
joint are shown in a FBD. This includes all external forces
(including support reactions) as well as the forces acting in the
members. Equations of equilibrium ( FX= 0 and  FY = 0) are
used to solve for the unknown forces acting at the joints.
 STEPS 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.
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,  FX = 0 and
 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).
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at each joint in succession until all the
required forces are determined.
ZERO-FORCE MEMBERS (Section 6.3)

If a joint has only two non-colinear

members and there is no external
load or support reaction at that joint,
then those two members are zero-
force members. In this example
members DE, CD, AF, and AB are
zero force members.
You can easily prove these results by
applying the equations of
equilibrium to joints D and A.
Zero-force members can be
removed (as shown in the
figure) when analyzing the
truss.
ZERO – FORCE MEMBERS (continued)
If three members form a truss joint for
which two of the members are collinear
and there is no external load or reaction at
that joint, then the third non-collinear
member is a zero force member.
Again, this can easily be proven. One can
also remove the zero-force member, as
shown, on the left, for analyzing the truss
further.
Please note that zero-force members
are used to increase stability and
rigidity of the truss, and to provide
support for various different loading
conditions.
 EXAMPLE

Given: For the given truss, P1 = 50 kN

and P2 = 150 kN.
Find: Forces in each member of the
truss
 CONCEPT QUIZ

1. Truss ABC is changed by decreasing its P

height from H to 0.9 H. Width W and load
A
P are kept the same. Which one of the
following statements is true for the revised H
B
truss as compared to the original truss? C

A) Force in all its members have decreased. W

B) Force in all its members have increased.

C) Force in all its members have remained
the same.
D) None of the above.
 CONCEPT QUIZ (continued)
F F
F

2. For this truss, determine the number of zero-force

members.
A) 0 B) 1 C) 2
D) 3 E) 4
 SOLUTION (continued)
FBD of pin D
Analyzing pin D: Y

 + FY = – 100 – (5 / 13) FDB = 0 FDC D 240 kN

FDB = – 260 kN (C) 13 5
X

FDB 12
100 kN
 +  FX = 240 – FDC – (12 / 13) (– 260) = 0
FDC = 480 kN (T) FBC Y 260 kN
13 5
Analyzing pin B:
12
X
+  FY = FBC – (5 / 13) 260 = 0 BX B
FBC = 100 kN (T) FBD of pin B
 ATTENTION QUIZ
1. Using this FBD, you find that FBC = – 500 N. FBC
Member BC must be in __________.
A) tension B) compression B FBD
C) Can not be determined
BY
2. For the same magnitude of force to be
carried, truss members in compression
are generally made _______ as compared
to members in tension.
A) thicker
B) thinner
C) the same size
 TRUSSES–THE METHOD OF SECTIONS (Section 6.4)
Today’s Objectives:
Students will be able to determine
forces in truss members using the
method of sections. In-Class Activities:
• Check homework, if any
• Reading quiz
• Applications
• Method of sections
• Concept quiz
• Group Problem solving
• Attention quiz
 READING QUIZ

1. In the method of sections, generally a “cut” passes through no

more than _____ members in which the forces are unknown.
A) 1 B) 2
C) 3 D) 4

2. If a simple truss member carries a tensile force of T along its

length, then the internal force in the member is ______ .
A) tensile with magnitude of T/2
B) compressive with magnitude of T/2
C) compressive with magnitude of T
D) tensile with magnitude of T
APPLICATIONS

Long trusses are often used to

construct bridges.

The method of joints requires that

many joints be analyzed before we
can determine the forces in the
middle part of the truss.

Is there another method to

determine these forces directly?
 THE METHOD OF SECTIONS

In the method of sections, a truss is divided into two parts by

taking an imaginary “cut” (shown here as a-a) through the truss.

Since truss members are subjected to only tensile or compressive

forces along their length, the internal forces at the cut member will
also be either tensile or compressive with the same magnitude.
This result is based on the equilibrium principle and Newton’s
third law.
 STEPS 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).
3. If required, determine the necessary support reactions by
drawing the FBD of the entire truss and applying the EofE.
 PROCEDURE (continued)

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, as we did when using
the method of joints. 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.)
 PROCEDURE (continued)

5. Apply the equations of equilibrium (EofE) to the selected cut

section of the truss to solve for the unknown member forces.
Please note that in most cases it is possible to write one
equation to solve for one unknown directly.
 EXAMPLE

Given: Loads as shown on the

roof truss.
Find: The force in members
DE, DL, and ML.

Plan:
a) Take a cut through the members DE, DL, and ML.
b) Work with the left part of the cut section. Why?
c) Determine the support reaction at A. What are they?
d) Apply the EofE to find the forces in DE, DL, and ML.
 EXAMPLE (continued)

Analyzing the entire truss, we get  FX = AX = 0. By

symmetry, the vertical support reactions are
AY = IY = 36 kN
+ MD = – 36 (8) + 6 (8) + 12 (4) + FML (5) = 0
FML = 38.4 kN ( T )
 EXAMPLE (continued)

+ ML = –36 (12) + 6 (12) + 12 (8) + 12 (4) – FDE ( 4/17)(6) = 0

FDE = –37.11 kN or 37.1 kN (C)
 +  FX = 38.4 + (4/17) (–37.11) + (4/41) FDL = 0
FDL = –3.84 kN or 3.84 kN (C)
 CONCEPT QUIZ

1. Can you determine the force

in member ED by making the
cut at section a-a? Explain
your answer.
A) No, there are 4 unknowns.
B) Yes, using  MD = 0 .
C) Yes, using  ME = 0 .
D) Yes, using  MB = 0 .
 CONCEPT QUIZ

2. If you know FED, how will you

determine FEB ?
A) By taking section b-b and
using  ME = 0
B) By taking section b-b, and
using  FX = 0 and  FY = 0
C) By taking section a-a and
using  MB = 0
D) By taking section a-a and
using  MD = 0
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING

Given: Loading on the truss as

shown.
Find: The force in members BC,
BE, and EF.

Plan:
a) Take a cut through the members BC, BE, and EF.
b) Analyze the top section (no support reactions!).
c) Draw the FBD of the top section.
d) Apply the equations of equilibrium such that every
equation yields answer to one unknown.
 SOLUTION

+  FX = 5 + 10 – FBE cos 45º = 0

FBE = 21.2 kN (T)
+  ME = – 5(4) + FCB (4) = 0
FCB = 5 kN (T)
+  MB = – 5 (8) – 10 (4) – 5 (4) – FEF (4) = 0
FEF = – 25 kN or 25 kN (C)
 ATTENTION QUIZ

1. As shown, a cut is made

through members GH, BG
and BC to determine the
forces in them. Which section
will you choose for analysis
and why?
A) Right, fewer calculations.
B) Left, fewer calculations.
C) Either right or left, same
amount of work.
D) None of the above, too
many unknowns.
 ATTENTION QUIZ

2. When determining the force in

member HG in the previous
question, which one equation of
equilibrium is best to use?
A)  MH = 0
B)  MG = 0
C)  MB = 0
D)  MC = 0