Introduction to Truss

Trusses are rigid structures made up of two-force members, which

are objects with exactly two forces/connections. Trusses are commonly
found in the frame of a roof and the sides of a bridge:

For statics, you will be analyzing structures to calculate forces in each member
using the two methods;
a.) Methods of Joints
b.) Methods of Sections
Methods of Joints
Is like a particle analysis wherein you use only x and y equilibrium equations.
Methods of Sections
It is more like a rigid body analysis where you can also include the moment
equilibrium equations.

Two Force Members

A two force member is a body that has forces (and only forces, no moments)
acting on it in only two locations. In order to have a two force member in static
equilibrium, the net force at each location must be equal, opposite, and collinear.
This will result in all two force members being in either tension or compression
as shown in the diagram below.
Imagine a beam where forces are only exerted at each end of the beam (a two
force member). The body has some non-zero force acting at one end of the beam,
which we can draw as a force vector. If this body is in equilibrium, then we know
two things: 1) the sum of the forces must be equal to zero, and 2) the sum of the
moments must be equal to zero.

In order to have the sum of the forces equal to zero, the force vector on the other
side of the beam must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. This is
the only way to ensure that the sum of the forces is equal to zero with only two
forces.

In order to have the sum of the moments equal to zero, the forces must be
collinear. If the forces were not collinear, then the two equal and opposite forces
would form a couple. This couple would exert a moment on the beam when there
are no other moments to counteract the couple. Because the moment exerted by
the two forces must be equal to zero, the perpendicular distance between the
forces (d) must be equal to zero. The only way to achieve this is to have the forces
be collinear.

Trusses (Theory of Structures)

A truss is an engineering structure that is made entirely of two force members.

In addition, statically determinate trusses (trusses that can be analyzed
completely using the equilibrium equations), must be independently rigid. This
means that if the truss was separated from its connection points, no one part
would be able to move independently with respect to the rest of the truss.
 When we talk about analyzing a truss, we are usually looking to identify not only
the external forces acting on the truss structure, but also the forces acting on
each member internally in the truss. Because each member of the truss is a two
force member, we simply need to identify the magnitude of the force on each
member, and determine if each member is in tension or compression.

To determine these unknowns, we have two methods available: the method of

joints, and the method of sections. Both will give the same results, but each
through a different process.

The method of joints focuses on the joints, or the connection points where the
members come together. We assume we have a pin at each of these points that
we model as a particle, we draw out the free body diagram for each pin, and then
write out the equilibrium equations for each pin. This will result in a large
number of equilibrium equations that we can use to solve for a large number of
unknown forces.

The method of sections involves pretending to split the truss into two or more
different sections and then analyzing each section as a separate rigid body in
equilibrium. In this method we determine the appropriate sections, draw free
body diagrams for each section, and then write out the equilibrium equations for
each section.

The method of joints is usually the easiest and fastest method for solving for all
the unknown forces in a truss. The method of sections on the other hand is
better suited to targeting and solving for the forces in just a few members without
having to solve for all the unknowns. In addition, these methods can be
combined if needed to best suit the goals of the problem solver.

Parts of a Truss

A truss is composed of:

 joints
 members, and
 external forces (reaction forces and applied forces).

The joints are often labelled with a letter and are where the external forces and
members connect.
Here is an example of just the joints without the members:

The members are the metal or wooden beams that are labelled with the
connection between joints. For example member AB connects joints A and B.
 The external forces are the reaction forces and the applied forces. The applied
forces come from the load distributed across the bridge or from the roof.

The applied force / load from trucks and cars goes from the deck, to the
stringers, across the beams, to the joints of the truss where it is carried as
applied (external) forces on the edges of the bridge.
Tension & Compression

The two-force members carry internal forces in either tension or compression

between the joints. One standard sign convention is to assume all members are
in tension, labelled as positive (+), then any negative number (-) means the
member is in compression.

Following Newton’s 3rd law regarding equal and opposite reactions, when there
is tension in a member, there is also tension in a joint. Pulling on the member
(tension) in turn pulls on the joint. Similarly, pushing on a member
(compression) pushes on the joint as well.

Similarly, the force from member AB (Fab) is distributed from joint a through
member ab to joint b. Shown here in compression, Fab is negative. The magnitude
of Fab on joint a is the same as the magnitude on joint b, even though they are
pointing two different directions (hence equal and opposite). Member bc will have
a different magnitude.

When you look at each joint, compression (-) appears to be pushing on the joint
while tension (+) is pulling on it with the force named for the member ( Fab ).

Keynotes
Basically: A truss is a rigid structure composed of two force members (where
forces are applied at only two locations) that connect at joints and have external
forces applied. The internal forces of the truss put members in compression (-)
or tension (+).

Application: The frame of a roof is often composed of a wooden truss, and

trusses are commonly found in wooden and metal bridges.
Steps in the Analysis of Trusses (Methods of Joints)
The method takes advantage of the conditions of equilibrium at each joint.
1. Determine support reaction forces.
2. Draw a FBD of each member AND each joint
3. Identify geometry of angled members
4. Identify zero force members and other special (easy to solve) cases
5. Each pin is in equilibrium ( 0 ∑ Fx = and ∑ Fy = 0 for a concurrent force
system)
6. Total equations = 2n = b+3 (one force per member + 3 support reactions)
Assessment Task 01
Find the forces acting in all members of the truss shown

B C
95 KN
1.25m

A D
E 1.5m F 1.5m
1.5m
65KN

Assessment Task 02
Find the forces acting in all members of the truss shown

D 3m E1.5m F

4m

C 3m 3m
B A

60 KN 80 KN