BASIC CIVIL ENGINEERING & MECHANICS :

UNIT- 5
ANALYSIS OF PLANE TRUSSES
 Engineering Structures

 Rigid or perfect Truss

 Determination of Axial
forces in the members
of truss

Method of Joints

Method of Sections.

THIS SLIDE IS MADE BY PARIMAL JHA, H.O.D- CIVIL ENGG, C.E.C DURG, C.S.V.T.U ,CHATTISGARH
 ENGINEERING STRUCTURES

ENGINEERING These may be defined as any system of

STRUCTURES connected members built to support of
transfer forces acting on them and to safely
withstand these forces

The engineering structures are broadly divided in to

Trusses Frames Machines

 Trusses

▪ A truss is a structure composed of slender

members joined together at their end points
▪ Each member only takes axial forces
▪ It is a system of uniform bars and members (
of circular, channel and angle section etc.)
joined together at their ends by riveting and
welding
▪ Trusses are constructed to support loads
▪ The members of a truss are straight
members and the loads are applied only on
the joints.
▪ Every member of a truss is two force
member.
 Frames
▪ It is a structure consisting of
several bars or members
pinned together and
▪ In which one and more than
one of its members is subjected
to more than two forces.
▪ They are designed to support
loads and are stationary
structures
 Machines

▪ Machines are structure designed to

transmit and modify forces and
contain some moving members.
RIGID OR PERFECT TRUSS

▪ The term rigid with reference

to the truss, is used in the
sense that the truss is non
collapsible when external
forces are removed

▪ Stable structure
If ( m+3 = 2 x j )
1. The joints of simple truss are assumed to be pin connections and
frictionless. The joints therefore can not resist moments.
2. The loads on the truss are applied in joints only.
3. The members of a truss are straight two force members with the
forces acting collinear with the centerline of the members.
4. The weight of the members are negligibly small unless otherwise
mentioned.
5. The truss is statically determinate
 Determination of Axial forces in the members of truss

There are three methods :

1. METHOD OF JOINTS

2. METHOD OF SECTIONS

3. GRAPHICAL METHOD
 Method of Joints :

Principle Procedure
▪

If a truss is in equilibrium, 1. Start with a joint that has no more than two
then each of its joints must unknown forces
also be in equilibrium.
2. Establish the x and y axis;
3. At this joint, ∑ Fx = 0 and ∑ Fy = 0;
4. After finding the unknown forces applied on this
joint, these forces become the given values in the
analysis of the next joints.
5. At this joint, ∑ Fx = 0 and ∑ Fy = 0;
Method of Joints :

Tips -
1. The joints with external supports always connect with two truss
members. Thus many times, the analysis starts from analyzing the
supports. Therefore very often the analysis begins with finding the
reaction forces applied at the supports.

2. Pay attention to symmetric systems and zero-force members.

Identification of these special cases sometimes will make the whole
analysis WAY EASIER!!
 Method of Joints :

At any joint having two unknown forces

∑ Fx = 0 and ∑ Fy = 0
SPECIAL CONDITIONS

1. When two members meet at a joint

are not collinear and there is no
external force acting at the joint,
then the forces in both the members
are zero.
2. When there are three members
meeting at a joint, of which two are
collinear and third member be at an
angle and if there is no load at the
joint, the force in third member is
zero.
 Method of Joints :

▪ The method of joints is one of the simplest methods for determining the force
acting on the individual members of a truss because it only involves two force
equilibrium equations.
▪ Since only two equations are involved, only two unknowns can be solved for at a
time. Therefore, you need to solve the joints in a certain order. That is, you need to
work from the sides towards the center of the truss.
▪ Since you need to work in a certain order, the Method of Sections (which will be
covered later) can be more useful if you just want to know the forces acting on a
particular member close to the center of the truss.
 Method of Joints :

▪ Using method of joints find the axial forces in all the members of a truss with the
loading shown in figure.
Sol : As there is no horizontal external force acting on the truss, so
horizontal component of a reaction at A is zero
therefore
Lets take moment at A

∑ MA= 0
-2000 x 1.5-4000 x 4.5+ Rc x 6 = 0
Rc = 3500 N

∑ Fy = 0
Ra + Rc -2000-4000 = 0
Ra = 2500 N
Two unknown reactions are known now
 Method of Joints :

▪ Using method of joints find the axial forces in all the members of a truss with the
loading shown in figure. JOINT A :

Lets begin with joint A, at which there are two

unknown forces. We can not begin with joint D
because there are three unknown forces acting at
joint D
therefore ,
Consider a free body diagram at joint A. Equations
of equilibrium can be written as
∑ Fx= 0 , Fab- Fad cos 600= 0
∑ Fy = 0, Ra-Fad sin 600= 0

Fad = Ra/ sin 60 = 2500/ 0.866 = 2887 N (Comp)

C = Fad cos 600 = 2887 x 0.5 = 1443 N (Tensile)
The forces Fad & Fab are both positive therefore the
assumed direction of forces are correct
 Method of Joints :

▪ Using method of joints find the axial forces in all the members of a truss with the
loading shown in figure. JOINT C :

therefore ,
Consider a free body diagram at joint C. Equations
of equilibrium can be written as
∑ Fx= 0 , Fce cos 600 - Fcb= 0
∑ Fy = 0, Rc-Fce sin 600= 0

Fce = Rc/ sin 60 = 3500/ 0.866 = 4041 N

(Comp)
Fcb = Fce x cos 600 = 4041 x 0.5 = 2020.5 N
(Tensile)
The forces Fce & Fcb are both positive therefore the
assumed direction of forces are correct
 Method of Joints :

▪ Using method of joints find the axial forces in all the members of a truss with the
loading shown in figure. JOINT D :

therefore ,
Consider a free body diagram at joint C. Equations
of equilibrium can be written as
∑ Fx= 0 , Fdb cos 600 + Fad cos 600- Fde = 0
∑ Fy = 0, Rc-Fce sin 600= 0

Fce = Rc/ sin 60 = 3500/ 0.866 = 4041 N

(Comp)
Fcb = Fce x cos 600 = 4041 x 0.5 = 2020.5 N
(Tensile)
The forces Fce & Fcb are both positive therefore the
assumed direction of forces are correct
 Method of Joints :

▪ Using method of joints find the axial forces in all the members of a truss with the
loading shown in figure. JOINT E :

therefore ,
Consider a free body diagram at joint C. Equations
of equilibrium can be written as
∑ Fx= 0 , Fce cos 600 - Fcb= 0
∑ Fy = 0, Rc-Fce sin 600= 0

Fde = Fce cos 600 + Fad cos 600

= 577 x 0.5 + 2887 x 0.5= 1732 N (Comp)

Fce = 4041 N (Comp ) known

The forces Fce & Fde are both positive therefore the
assumed direction of forces are correct
Method of Joints :

▪ ∑ Fx= 0 , Feb cos 600 +Fde - Fde cos 600 = 0

Feb = 4041 x 0.5 - 1732 / 0.5 = 577 N (comp)
▪ There is no need to consider the equilibrium of the joint B as all the forces
have been determined
 Method of Sections.

1. The Method of Sections involves

analytically cutting the truss into
sections and solving for static
equilibrium for each section.
2. The sections are obtained by
cutting through some of the
members of the truss to expose the
force inside the members.
 Method of Sections.
In the Method of Joints, we are
dealing with static equilibrium at a
point.
This limits the static equilibrium
equations to just the two force
equations.
A section has finite size and this
means you can also use moment
equations to solve the problem.
This allows solving for up to three
unknown forces at a time.
 Method of Sections.

4. Since the Method of Sections allows solving for

up to three unknown forces at a time, you
should choose sections that involve cutting
through no more than three members at a
time.
5. When a member force points toward the joint
it is attached to, the member is in compression.
If that force points away from the joint it is
attached to, the member is in tension.
▪ Refer back to the end of the ”truss-initial-analysis.pdf” file to see
what has been solved so far for the truss. This is what has been solved
for so far:
Method of Sections.
Method of Sections.
Method of Sections.
Method of Sections.

▪ Solving in the order of the previous page:

▪ FY=+15N−FBC =0
FBC = 15N (tension)
▪ MB = −(120N)(3m) − (15N)(4m) + FAC (3m) = 0
FAC = 140N (tension)
▪ MC = −(15N)(4m) − (120N)(3m) + FBD (3m) = 0
FBD = 140N (compression)
 Method of Sections.

Method of Sections - Important Points

▪ When drawing your sections, include the points that the cut members would have
connected to if not cut. In the section just looked at, this would be points C and D.
▪ Each member that is cut represents an unknown force. Look to see if there is a
direction (horizontal or vertical) that has only one unknown. If this true, you should
balance forces in that direction. In the section just looked at, this would be the
forces in the vertical direction since only FBC has a vertical component.
▪ If possible, take moments about points that two of the three unknown forces have
lines of forces that pass through that point. This will result in just one unknown in
that moment equation. In the section just looked at, taking moments about point B
eliminates the unknowns FBC and FBD . Similarly, taking moments about point C
eliminates the unknowns FBC and FAC from the equation.
 Method of Sections.

▪ Since we know (from the previous section) the direction of FBD we draw that in first. We could
also reason this direction by taking moments about point C.
▪ Since FCD is the only force that has a vertical component, it must point down to balance the 15 N
force (AY ).
▪ Taking moments about point D has the 120 N force and 15 N force acting at A giving clockwise
moments. Therefore FCE must point to the right to give a counter-clockwise moment to balance
this out.
Method of Sections.

Solving in the order of the previous page:

▪ FY =+15N−3/5 FCD=0
FCD = 5/3(15N) = 25N (compression)
▪ MD = −(120N)(3m) − (15N)(8m) + FCE (3m) = 0
FCE = = 160N (tension)
Method of Sections.
Method of Sections.

▪ Solving in the order of the previous page:

FY = −150N + 135N +3/5 FDG = 0

FDG = 5/3(150N − 135N) = 5/3(15N) = 25N (tension)
MG = +(135N)(4m) − FDF (3m) = 0
FDF = 180N (compression)
MD = −(150N)(4m) + (135N)(8m) − FEG (3m) = 0
FEG = (−600 + 1080)Nm = 480Nm = 160N (tension)
Method of Sections.
Method of Sections.

▪ Solving in the order of the previous page:

▪ FY =−150N +135N +FFG =0

FFG = 150N − 135N = 15N (compression)
▪ MF = +(135N)(4m) − FGH (3m) = 0
FGH = 180N (tension)
Method of Sections.

▪ Method of Sections - Remaining members

▪ For the rest of the members, AB, DE and FH, the only sections that would cut
through them amount to applying the Method of Joints.

▪ To solve for the force in member AB, you would cut through AB and AC. This is
equivalent to applying the method of joints at joint A.
▪ To solve for the force in member FH, you would cut through FH and GH. This is
equivalent to applying the method of joints at joint H.
▪ To solve for the force in member DE, you would cut through CE, DE and EG.
This is equivalent to applying the method of joints at joint E.
SOLVED EXAMPLES