UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

MECH 1 STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

MODULE 4: ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES

UNIT 2: METHOD OF SECTIONS

 UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this unit, here are the following desired learning outcomes:
✘ Use the method of sections to analyze specific member forces of a
truss.

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 ANALYSIS OF
PIN-CONNECTED TRUSSES

METHOD OF SECTIONS

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 METHOD OF SECTIONS

The determination of the member forces in a truss by the method of joints often
requires a large number of calculations with a corresponding chance for error. Thus, if
the member force in a single member near the center of the truss is required it is
necessary to start at the end of the truss and consider the equilibrium of the joints in
order until a joint is reached which involves that particular member. By the method of
sections the member force in a single member may frequently be found by use of a
single equation.

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 METHOD OF SECTIONS
In determining the member forces in the It will be noted that the method of sections
members of a pin-connected truss by the involves a non-concurrent force system and
method of sections a section is passed hence there are three equations of equilibrium
through the truss so that it cuts not more than from which three unknown forces may be
three members in which the member forces found.
are unknown. Consequently the section must not cut more
The part of the truss on either side of this than three members in which the member
section is then treated as a free body in forces are unknown. As a rule any one of these
equilibrium under the action of the known three unknown member forces may be found
external forces which act on that part and the by using one equilibrium equation.
member forces which the members of the
other part exert on the part considered.

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 METHOD OF SECTIONS
For example, consider the truss shown in
𝐹𝑖𝑔. 1 (𝑎). In order to determine the member
force in the member 𝐷𝐺 consider the section
which cuts the members 𝐷𝐹, 𝐷𝐺, and 𝐸𝐺.
The free-body diagram of the portion of the
truss to the left of this section is shown in
𝐹𝑖𝑔. 2 𝑎 . 𝐹𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒 1
𝐹𝐵𝐶
This part of the truss is in equilibrium under the
action of six forces; namely, 𝑅1 , 𝑃1 , and 𝑃2 ,
which are assumed to be known, and the 𝐹𝐷𝐹 𝐹𝐷𝐹
unknown member forces in the members
𝐷𝐹, 𝐷𝐺, and 𝐸𝐺. 𝐹𝐷𝐺 𝐹𝐷𝐺
𝐹𝐸𝐺
𝐹𝐸𝐺
𝐹𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒 2
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 METHOD OF SECTIONS
The member force 𝐹𝐷𝐺 in the member 𝐷𝐺 may
be obtained from the equation ∑𝐹𝑦 = 0, since
neither of the other two unknowns will appear
in this equation.
Similarly the member force 𝐹𝐷𝐹 in the member
𝐷𝐹 may be obtained from the single equation
∑𝑀𝐺 = 0. 𝐹𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒 1
𝐹𝐵𝐶
And the member force 𝐹𝐸𝐺 in the member 𝐸𝐺
may be obtained from the single equation
∑𝑀𝐷 = 0. 𝐹𝐷𝐹 𝐹𝐷𝐹

𝐹𝐷𝐺 𝐹𝐷𝐺
𝐹𝐸𝐺
𝐹𝐸𝐺
𝐹𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒 2
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 METHOD OF SECTIONS

It is important to note that the forces 𝐹𝐷𝐹 , 𝐹𝐷𝐺

and 𝐹𝐸𝐺 are regarded as internal member
forces when the equilibrium of the truss as a
whole is considered, but that they are
𝐹𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒 1
regarded as external forces when the part of
𝐹𝐵𝐶
the truss on one side of the section is
considered.
𝐹𝐷𝐹 𝐹𝐷𝐹

𝐹𝐷𝐺 𝐹𝐷𝐺
𝐹𝐸𝐺
𝐹𝐸𝐺
𝐹𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒 2
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 METHOD OF SECTIONS
In considering the equilibrium of the part of the
truss on the left of the section 𝐹𝑖𝑔. 2 𝑎 only
the external forces which act on the left part
are involved and hence the member forces in
the members of the left part that are not cut
by the section do not affect the values of
𝐹𝐷𝐹 , 𝐹𝐷𝐺 and 𝐹𝐸𝐺 . 𝐹𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒 1
Thus the left part may be thought of as a solid 𝐹𝐵𝐶
block as indicated in 𝐹𝑖𝑔. 2 𝑏 on which the
forces 𝐹𝐷𝐹 , 𝐹𝐷𝐺 and 𝐹𝐸𝐺 act together with 𝑅1 ,
𝐹𝐷𝐹
𝑃1 , and 𝑃2 , the six forces holding the block in 𝐹𝐷𝐹

equilibrium. 𝐹𝐷𝐺 𝐹𝐷𝐺

𝐹𝐸𝐺
𝐹𝐸𝐺
𝐹𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒 2
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EXAMPLE 1. 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑: 𝐹𝐵𝐶 , 𝐹𝐶𝐸 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝐹𝐸𝐹
Find the following member forces of the truss,
𝐹𝐵𝐶 , 𝐹𝐶𝐸 and 𝐹𝐸𝐹 using the method of sections. 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
Solving for the Reactions
∑𝐹𝑥 = 0
−𝐴𝐻 + 80 = 0
𝐴𝐻 = 80 𝑘𝑁 ←
Σ𝑀𝐴 = 0
−𝐷𝑉 3 + 50 2 + 80 0.75 = 0
160
𝐷𝑉 = 𝑜𝑟 53.333 𝑘𝑁 ↑
3
Σ𝑀𝐷 = 0
𝐴𝑉 3 − 50 1 + 80 0.75 = 0

𝐴𝐻 10
𝐴𝑉 = − 𝑜𝑟 − 3.333 𝑘𝑁; 𝐴𝑉 = 3.333 𝑘𝑁 ↓
3
𝐴𝑉 𝐷𝑉 The Negative Sign for 𝐴𝑉 means that it’s assumed
direction was wrong. 𝐴𝑉 must be downward.

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EXAMPLE 1.
Find the following member forces of the truss, 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑: 𝐹𝐵𝐶 , 𝐹𝐶𝐸 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝐹𝐸𝐹
𝐹𝐵𝐶 , 𝐹𝐶𝐸 and 𝐹𝐸𝐹 using the method of sections.

80 𝑘𝑁

10 160
𝑘𝑁 𝑘𝑁
3 3

𝐹𝐵𝐶 𝐹𝐵𝐶

𝐹𝐶𝐸 𝐹𝐶𝐸

80 𝑘𝑁

𝐹𝐸𝐹 𝐹𝐸𝐹

10 160
𝑘𝑁 𝑘𝑁
3 3

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EXAMPLE 1.
Find the following member forces 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑: 𝐹𝐵𝐶 , 𝐹𝐶𝐸 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝐹𝐸𝐹
of the truss, 𝐹𝐵𝐶 , 𝐹𝐶𝐸 and 𝐹𝐸𝐹 using
the method of sections. Left Side of section a-a’
∑𝐹𝑥 = 0
∑𝐹𝑦 = 0 4
𝐹𝐵𝐶 𝐹𝐵𝐶 + 𝐹𝐸𝐹 + 𝐹𝐶𝐸 − 80 = 0
3 10 5
𝐹𝐶𝐸 − =0
𝐹𝐶𝐸 5 3 40 4 50
+ 𝐹𝐸𝐹 + − 80 = 0
5
3
50 9 5 9
80 𝑘𝑁 4
𝐹𝐶𝐸 = 𝑜𝑟 5.556 𝑘𝑁 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
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640
𝐹𝐸𝐹 𝐹𝐸𝐹 = 𝑜𝑟 71.111 𝑘𝑁 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
9
10
∑𝑀𝐸 = 0
𝑘𝑁
3
10
𝐹𝐵𝐶 0.75 − 1 =0
3
40
𝐹𝐵𝐶 = 𝑜𝑟 4.444 𝑘𝑁 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
9

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EXAMPLE 1.
Find the following member forces 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑: 𝐹𝐵𝐶 , 𝐹𝐶𝐸 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝐹𝐸𝐹
of the truss, 𝐹𝐵𝐶 , 𝐹𝐶𝐸 and 𝐹𝐸𝐹 using
the method of sections. Right Side of section a-a’
∑𝐹𝑥 = 0
∑𝐹𝑦 = 0 4
𝐹𝐵𝐶 −𝐹𝐵𝐶 − 𝐹𝐸𝐹 − 𝐹𝐶𝐸 + 80 = 0
3 160 5
− 𝐹𝐶𝐸 − 50 + =0
5
3 5 3 640 4 50
𝐹𝐶𝐸 4 −𝐹𝐵𝐶 − − + 80 = 0
50 9 5 9
𝐹𝐶𝐸 = 𝑜𝑟 5.556 𝑘𝑁 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
9
40
𝐹𝐸𝐹 𝐹𝐵𝐶 = 𝑜𝑟 4.444 𝑘𝑁 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
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∑𝑀𝐶 = 0
160
𝑘𝑁
3
160
𝐹𝐸𝐹 0.75 − 1 =0
3
640
𝐹𝐸𝐹 = 𝑜𝑟 71.111 𝑘𝑁 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
9

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EXAMPLE 1.
Find the following member forces
of the truss, 𝐹𝐵𝐶 , 𝐹𝐶𝐸 and 𝐹𝐸𝐹 using
the method of sections.

Summary:

4.444 𝑘𝑁 (𝑇)

71.111 𝑘𝑁 (𝑇)
80 𝑘𝑁

10 160
𝑘𝑁 𝑘𝑁
3 3

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 Let’s review some concepts
Step 1: Solve for reactions. Step 4: Use the equations of static
equilibrium for non-concurrent forces to
solve for the required unknown member
Step 2: Pass a cutting plane that forces. (Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0, Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 Σ𝑀𝑂 = 0).
will cut at most three (3) unknown
member forces that will divide the
truss into to sides. Step 5; Check your answers by solving the
member forces using the other side of the
cut.
Step 3: Draw the free-body
diagram of a chosen side, either
will do, and assume all the
member forces to be tension
(away).
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