In a world of trusses, stress is the game,

Method of Joints, the path to fame.

Every member, a force to name,
Balance them out, that’s the aim!

This lecture is a written adaptation of the video lecture on truss analysis using the Method
of Joints featured in our online Structural Analysis I course.

©2024 Educative Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved.

Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Lecture 3.1: Truss Analysis Using

The Method of Joints
Trusses are commonly used in structures such as buildings, bridges, towers, and other
facilities. Figure 3.1 illustrates three different applications of trusses: in a dome structure
(upper left), a bridge (lower left), and a tower (right).

Figure 3.1: Three examples of truss structures.

A structural system is categorized as a truss based on its response to applied loads. For
example, as depicted in Figure 3.2, a beam undergoes bending when loaded, leading to the
development of shear force and bending moment in its members.

Figure 3.2: A simply supported beam subjected to a point load.

Unlike beams, trusses respond differently to loads. Truss members experience displace-
ment and changes in length without bending like beams. Consequently, theoretically, truss

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members carry only axial forces and do not develop shear forces or bending moments
(refer to Figure 3.3).

Figure 3.3: A two-dimensional truss and its deformed shape.

This lecture concentrates on analyzing statically determinate trusses in two-dimensional
space using the Method of Joints.

A truss can be seen as a network of slender, interconnected members, as depicted in Figure

3.4. Joints are points where two or more members meet. Trusses can only bear loads ap-
plied at their joints.

Figure 3.4: A simple truss structure.

When a load is applied directly to a truss member, as illustrated in Figure 3.5, it induces
internal shear force and bending moment in the member, causing it to act like a beam.

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Figure 3.5: A hybrid structure with a beam member.

A truss joint permits members to rotate relative to each other, though the structure's geom-
etry and topology limits this rotation. For instance, in the simple truss depicted in Figure
3.6, when subjected to a load, the top joint moves downward, causing the two inclined
members to rotate inward.

Figure 3.6: Truss member rotation due to a displaced joint.

The load displayed in Figure 3.6 compresses the two inclined truss members, resulting in a
decrease in their length. However, they maintain their straight configuration; they do not
undergo bending, as shown in Figure 3.7.

Figure 3.7: An impermissible truss member deformation.

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The aim of truss analysis is to determine the axial force in each truss member. For statically
determinate trusses, we employ the Method of Joints to compute the member forces. This
method entails (1) determining the support reactions, (2) isolating the joints of the truss,
and (3) applying the equilibrium equations to each joint to find the unknown member
forces.

Let's illustrate this process with the truss depicted in Figure 3.8.

Figure 3.8: A statically determinate truss.

The truss comprises six (6) joints and nine (9) members. To find the support reactions, we
follow these steps:

(1) Draw the free-body diagram, indicating the unknown support

reaction forces.
(2) Write and solve the three static equilibrium equations for the
unknown reaction forces.

The free-body diagram for the truss is presented in Figure 3.9.

Figure 3.9: The overall free-body diagram of a truss structure.

The equilibrium equations for the free-body diagram are as follows.

 Fx  Ax  15  0 [3.1]
 Fy  Ay  C y  0 [3.2]
 M z   8.66 15  20  C y  0 [3.3]

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Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Note: The moment equilibrium equation ([3.3]) uses A as its reference point.

Solving Equations [3.1] through [3.3] for the unknowns, we get Ax = -15 kN, Ay = -6.5 kN, and
Cy = 6.5 kN.

Now that we know the support reactions, we can begin isolating the truss joints to calculate
the member forces. How do we isolate the joints?

Consider truss member AD. Visualize cutting and separating this member from the struc-
ture, as illustrated in Figure 3.10.

Figure 3.10: The free-body diagram of an isolated truss member.

As a truss member, AD carries only an axial force. Since this force is unknown, we assume
it to be tensile. Such a force is represented by an arrow pointing away from either end of
the member, as depicted in Figure 3.10. Let's denote the magnitude of this force as FAD.

Because the member has been 'cut' and separated from the truss near joints A and D, the
member force must also be depicted at these joints. Hence, we place arrows at A pointing
toward D and at D pointing toward A. Each arrow represents the tension force in member
AD, with a magnitude of FAD, as illustrated in Figure 3.10.

Note that the force arrow displayed at the upper end of member AD and the force arrow at
joint D must cancel each other out; their algebraic sum must be zero. The same principle
applies to the force arrow shown at the lower end of the member and the force arrow at
joint A—their algebraic sum must also be zero. Therefore, a tensile force in a truss member
is represented by a force arrow pointing away from each end joint of the member.

Now, let's examine member AB. Assuming the member bears a tensile force with a magni-
tude of FAB, we depict the tensile force acting at joints A and B, as illustrated in Figure 3.11.

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Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Figure 3.11: An isolated truss joint subjected to multiple forces.

Following the same representation scheme, we replace each remaining truss member with
two force arrows acting at its end joints. This allows us to isolate each truss joint and depict
the member forces acting on it, as shown in Figure 3.12.

Figure 3.12: Isolated joints of a truss structure.

Since the truss is in static equilibrium, each truss joint must satisfy equilibrium equations.
For every joint, we can express the following equilibrium equations.

 Fx  0 [3.4]
 Fy  0 [3.5]
 Mz  0 [3.6]
Please note that Equation [3.6] is automatically satisfied. This is because every force acting
at a joint passes through it, resulting in zero moment at the joint. Consequently, Equation
[3.6] holds no computational significance when determining member forces using the
Method of Joints.

We are left with Equations [3.4] and [3.5] to determine the unknown member forces. This
implies that if the number of unknown forces at a joint does not exceed two, we can calcu-
late them using these equations.

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Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

For instance, let's examine joint A. Four forces are acting at this joint, with FAD and FAB
being unknown. Hence, we can employ Equations [3.4] and [3.5] to determine them. When
expanded for joint A, these equations are as follows.

 Fx  FAB  FAD cos(60 )  15  0 [3.7]

 Fy  FAD sin(60 )  6.5  0 [3.8]

Solving equations [3.7] and [3.8] for the unknown forces, we get FAD = 7.5 kN and FAB =
11.25 kN. These member forces are shown in the following diagram.

Figure 3.13: The results of applying the equilibrium equations to a support joint in a truss.
According to Figure 3.13, seven (7) additional unknown member forces are to be deter-
mined. We can determine two (2) of them by applying the equilibrium equations to a joint
that has, at most, two unknown forces. Two qualifying joints are D and F. Let's consider
joint D. The unknown force magnitudes at the joint are FBD and FDE. The resulting equilib-
rium equations for the joint are as follows.
 Fx  FDE  FBD cos(60 )  7.5 cos(60 )  0 [3.9]

 Fy   FBD sin(60 )  7.5 sin(60 )  0 [3.10]

Equations [3.9] and [3.10] yield the following results: FBD = -7.5 kN and FDE = 7.5 kN.

Please observe the negative value for the force magnitude in member BD. This negative sign
indicates that the force's direction contradicts our initial assumption. Therefore, member
BD is in compression, not in tension.

When representing the force in member BD, we have two options:

1) Keep the direction of the force arrow as is and write -7.5 kN for its magnitude.
2) Reverse the direction of the arrow and write +7.5 kN for its magnitude.

In both cases, we indicate that member BD is under a compressive force of 7.5 kN. These
alternative representations are illustrated in Figure 3.14.
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Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Figure 3.14: Two ways to show a compressive force in a truss member.

For simplicity, let's maintain the initially assumed direction of the force arrow and express
the force magnitude as a negative value, as depicted in Figure 3.15.

Figure 3.15: The results of applying the equilibrium equations to a truss joint.
Next, we can analyze either joint B or joint F. Let's choose joint F. The equilibrium equa-
tions for this joint are as follows.

 Fx  15  FEF  FCF cos(60 )  0 [3.11]

 Fy   FCF sin(60 )  0 [3.12]

Equations [3.11] and [3.12] yield the following results: FCF = 0 and FEF = 15 kN. The updated
truss force diagram is shown in Figure 3.16.

Figure 3.16: The results of applying the equilibrium equations to a truss joint.
Referring to Figure 3.16, three (3) unknown force magnitudes remain to be determined. To
determine two (2) more member forces, we can select joint B, C, or E. Let's opt for joint C.
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Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

The unknowns at this joint are FCE and FBC. The equilibrium equations for the joint are as
follows.
 Fx   FBC  FCE cos(60 )  0 [3.13]

 Fy  FCE sin(60 )  6.5  0 [3.14]

Solving Equations [3.13] and [3.14] for the unknowns, we get FCE = -7.5 kN and FBC =
3.75 kN. Figure 3.17 shows the updated force diagram.

Figure 3.17: The results of applying the equilibrium equations to a truss joint.
We can determine the remaining unknown force magnitude (FBE) by analyzing either
joint B or joint E. Let's proceed with Joint E. The equilibrium equations for this joint are as
follows.
 Fx  15   7.5 cos(60 )  7.5  FBE cos(60 )  0 [3.15]

 Fy    7.5 sin(60 )  FBE sin(60 )  0 [3.16]

Either Equation [3.15] or Equation [3.16] can be used to determine the unknown force,
FBE = 7.5 kN.

Figure 3.18 displays the outcomes of the analysis. The force magnitude for each member is
noted adjacent to it.

Figure 3.18: The calculated member forces in a truss structure.

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Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Exercise Problems: Analyze the following statically determinate trusses using the Method
of Joints.

(1)

(2)

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Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes