Statics

Chapter 6: Analysis of Structures

Zaid A. Al-Sadoon, Ph.D., P.Eng.

1
 Contents
 Introduction
 Analysis of Trusses
o Method of Joints
o Method of Sections
 Analysis of Frames
 Analysis of Machines

1
 Introduction

 For the equilibrium of structures made of

several connected parts, the internal forces as
well the external forces are considered.

 In the interaction between connected parts,

Newton’s 3rd Law states that the forces of
action and reaction between bodies in contact
have the same magnitude, same line of action,
and opposite sense.

6-3
 Introduction
 Three categories of engineering structures are considered:
a) Trusses: formed from two-force members, i.e., straight members
with end point connections
b) Frames: contain at least one multi-force member, i.e., member
acted upon by 3 or more forces.
c) Machines: structures containing moving parts designed to transmit
and modify forces.

Truss
Machine
Frame 6-4
Truss Structures
 A truss consists of straight
members connected at joints
(bolted or welded). No member
is continuous through a joint.

6-5
 Truss Structures
 Bolted or welded connections are
assumed to be pinned together.
 Forces acting at the member ends
reduce to a single force and no
couple (two-force members).

 When forces tend to pull the

member apart, it is in tension.
 When the forces tend to compress
the member, it is in compression.
6-6
 Truss Structures

 Most structures are made of several trusses joined together to form

a space framework. Each truss carries those loads which act in its
plane and may be treated as a two-dimensional structure.
 Members of a truss are slender and not capable of supporting large
lateral loads. Loads must be applied at the joints. 6-7
Definition of a Truss

6-8
Simple Trusses
 A rigid truss will not collapse
under the application of a load.

 A simple truss is constructed by

successively adding two
members and one connection to
the basic triangular truss.

 In a simple truss, m = 2n - 3
where m is the total number of
members and n is the number
of joints.

6-9
Analysis of Trusses by the Method of Joints
 Detach the truss and create a freebody diagram then determine the
reactions at the supports.

 Dismember the truss and

create a freebody diagram
for each member and pin.

6 - 10
Analysis of Trusses by the Method of Joints
 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
dependent of the pin equations.
6 - 11
Joints Under Special Loading Conditions
 Forces in opposite members intersecting in
two straight lines at a joint are equal.
 The forces in two opposite members are
equal when a load is aligned with a third
member. The third member force is
equal to the load (including zero load).
 The forces in two members connected at
a joint are equal if the members are
aligned and zero otherwise.
 Recognition of joints under special
loading conditions simplifies a truss
analysis.

6 - 12
Joints Under Special Loading Conditions
 For the given loading, determine the zero-force members in each of
the two trusses shown

6 - 13
 Sample Problem 6.1
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

 Using the method of forces at joints D, B, and E from joint
equilibrium requirements.
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. 6 - 14
Sample Problem 6.1
SOLUTION:
 Based on a free-body diagram of the
entire truss, solve the 3 equilibrium
equations for the reactions at E and C.
∑ MC = 0
= (2000 lb )(24 ft ) + (1000 lb )(12 ft ) − E (6 ft )
E = 10,000 lb ↑
∑ Fx = 0 = C x
Cx = 0

∑ Fy = 0 = −2000 lb - 1000 lb + 10,000 lb + C y

C y = 7000 lb ↓
6 - 15
Sample Problem 6.1
 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
6 - 16
Sample Problem 6.1
 There are now only two unknown member
forces at joint B. Assume both are in tension.

∑ Fy = 0 = −1000 − 54 (2500) − 54 FBE

FBE = −3750 lb FBE = 3750 lb C

∑ Fx = 0 = FBC − 1500 − 53 (2500) − 53 (3750)

FBC = +5250 lb FBC = 5250 lb T

 There is one unknown member force at joint

E. Assume the member is in tension.
∑ Fx = 0 = 53 FEC + 3000 + 53 (3750)
FEC = −8750 lb FEC = 8750 lb C
6 - 17
Sample Problem 6.1
 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)

6 - 18
Example 1

6 - 19
Example 1

6 - 20
Example 1

+ 6 kN, T

- 3.75 kN, T
+ 3.75 kN, C

6 - 21
Analysis of Trusses by the Method of Sections
 Used when the force in only one
member or the forces in a very few
members are desired.

 For example, to determine the force in

member BD:
 Pass a section through the truss and
member BD as shown.
 Create a free body diagram for the left
side.

 Determine the unknown force FBD by

taking the moment around joint E.

6 - 22
 Sample Problem 6.3
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.

 Pass a section through members

FH, GH, and GI and take the right-
hand section as a free body.
 Apply the conditions for static
 Determine the force in members equilibrium to determine the desired
FH, GH, and GI. member forces.

6 - 23
Sample Problem 6.3
SOLUTION:
 Take the entire truss as a free body.
Apply the conditions for static
equilibrium to solve for the
reactions at A and L.

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

− (20 m )(1 kN ) − (25 m )(1 kN ) + (30 m )L
L = 7.5 kN ↑
∑F y = 0 = −20 kN + L + A
A = 12.5 kN ↑
6 - 24
Sample Problem 6.3
 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.

∑MH = 0
(7.50 kN )(10 m ) − (1 kN )(5 m ) − FGI (5.33 m ) = 0
FGI = +13.13 kN

FGI = 13.13 kN T
6 - 25
Sample Problem 6.3
FG 8 m
tan α = = = 0.5333 α = 28.07°
GL 15 m
∑ MG = 0
(7.5 kN )(15 m ) − (1 kN )(10 m ) − (1 kN )(5 m )
+ ( FFH cos α )(8 m ) = 0
FFH = −13.82 kN

FFH = 13.82 kN C
GI 5m
tan β = = 2 = 0.9375 β = 43.15°
HI 3 (8 m )
∑M L =0
(1 kN )(10 m ) + (1 kN )(5 m ) + (FGH cos β )(15 m ) = 0
FGH = −1.371 kN

FGH = 1.371 kN C
6 - 26
Example 2

6 - 27
Example 2

6 - 28
Example 2

6 - 29
 Frames
 Frames are structures with at least one multiforce member.
 Designed to support loads and are usually stationary.

6 - 30
 Analysis of Frames
 A free body diagram of the complete frame is used
to determine the external reactions acting on the
frame.

 Internal forces are determined by dismembering

the frame and creating free-body diagrams for each
component.

 Forces on two force members have known lines of

action but unknown magnitude and sense.

 Forces on multiforce members have unknown

magnitude and line of action.

 Forces between connected components are equal,

have the same line of action, and opposite sense.
6 - 31
Frames Which are not Rigid When Detached
From Their Supports
 Some frames may collapse if removed from their
supports. Such frames can not be treated as rigid
bodies.
 A free-body diagram of the complete frame indicates
four unknown force components which can not be
determined from the three equilibrium conditions.

 The frame must be considered as two distinct, but

related, rigid bodies.
 With equal and opposite reactions at the contact
point between members, the two free-body diagrams
indicate 6 unknown force components.
 Equilibrium requirements for the two rigid bodies
yield 6 independent equations. 6 - 32
 Sample Problem 6.4
SOLUTION:
 Create a free-body diagram for the
complete frame and solve for the
support reactions.

 Define a free-body diagram for member

BCD. The force exerted by the link DE
has a known line of action but unknown
magnitude. It is determined by
summing moments about C.

 With the force on the link DE known,

the sum of forces in the x and y
 Members ACE and BCD are connected
directions may be used to find the force
by a pin at C and by the link DE. For
components at C.
the loading shown, determine the force
in link DE and the components of the  With member ACE as a free-body,
force exerted at C on member BCD. check the solution by summing
moments about A. 6 - 33
Sample Problem 6.4
SOLUTION:
 Create a free-body diagram for the complete
frame and solve for the support reactions.

∑ Fy = 0 = Ay − 480 N Ay = 480 N ↑

∑ M A = 0 = −(480 N )(100 mm ) + B(160 mm )

B = 300 N →

∑ Fx = 0 = B + Ax Ax = −300 N ←

 Note:
α = tan −1 150
80 = 28.07°
6 - 34
 Sample Problem 6.4
 Define a free-body diagram for member
BCD. The force exerted by the link DE has
a known line of action but unknown 60
magnitude. It is determined by summing
moments about C.

∑ M C = 0 = (FDE sin α )(250 mm ) + (300 N )(60 mm ) + (480 N )(100 mm )

FDE = −561 N FDE = 561 N C

 Sum of forces in the x and y directions may be used to find the force
components at C.

∑ Fx = 0 = C x − FDE cos α + 300 N

C x = −795 N
0 = C x − (− 561 N ) cos α + 300 N

∑ Fy = 0 = C y − FDE sin α − 480 N

0 = C y − (− 561 N ) sin α − 480 N C y = 216 N
6 - 35
 Sample Problem 6.4

 With member ACE as a free-body,

check the solution by summing
moments about A.

∑ M A = (FDE cos α )(300 mm ) + (FDE sin α )(100 mm ) − C x (220 mm )

= (− 561 cos α )(300 mm ) + (− 561sin α )(100 mm ) − (− 795)(220 mm ) = 0

(checks)

6 - 36
Example 1

6 - 37
Example 1

6 - 38
 Machines
 Machines are structures designed to transmit and modify forces.
 Their main purpose is to transform input forces into output forces.

The Falkirk Wheel, Scotland 6 - 39

 Machines
 Given the magnitude of P, determine the
magnitude of Q.

 Create a free-body diagram of the

complete machine, including the reaction
that the wire exerts.

 The machine is a non rigid structure. Use

one of the components as a free-body.

 Taking moments about A,

a
∑ M A = 0 = aP − bQ Q= P
b 6 - 40