MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT

STATICS AND DYNAMICS: MEC-STD-221

LECTURE 3: Structures - Plane Trusses

Method of Joints
Method of Sections
Bows Notation
 STRUCTURES
 A structure is a body capable of resisting applied loads without any appreciable
deformation of one part relative to another.
 A structure, therefore, transmits forces from one point in space to another: e.g.
bridge, aeroplane, ship, etc
 There are two broad sub-divisions of structures namely:
a) Framed structures: These resist applied loads by virtue of their
geometry e.g Truss.
b) Mass structures: These resist applied loads by virtue of their mass
(weight) e.g. a dam.
 FRAMED STUCTURES
 For purposes of our study, emphasis will be placed on framed
structures.
 Framed structure consists of a number of straight members joined
together
 The joints at which these members are joined can either be rigid or
pinned
 A structure having all its members and loads in one plane is termed
a plane structure but these seldom occur in practice.
 The most common structures are space structures, where members
and loadings are in many planes (many dimensions e.g. 3D).
 In this study, plane frames, as opposed to space frames will be used
in most examples in order to avoid lengthy and complicated
computations.
 Loads applied to a framed structure are transmitted to supports,
which provide the necessary reactions to maintain equilibrium
 Types of supports

Fixed – end or Built – in or Encastre support

(gives three reaction forces: The vertical force V,
the horizontal force H and bending moment M)

Hinged support
(gives only two reaction forces: The vertical force V
and the horizontal force H )

Single roller support

(gives only one reaction forces, vertical force V. The roller permits
horizontal movement and no bending moment occurs)

Double roller support

(gives two reaction forces: The vertical force V, and bending
moment M)
 FRAMED STUCTURES
 For a truss, which is a framework of beams forming a rigid structure
that supports a roof or bridge or other structure, determinacy is
achieved by assuming that all joints are pinned so that if loads are
applied at those joints, the only forces in the members are direct
tensions and/or compressions.
 A member in tension is called a tie, while a member in compression
is called a strut
 FRAMED STUCTURES
 A framework with the correct number of bars required to keep it
stable is a perfect frame; otherwise substatic if it contains less and
hyperstatic if it contains more
 A hyperstatic frame contains what are termed redundant bars which
can be removed without causing instability

Perfect frame (it is stiff)

Substatic frame

Hyperstatic frame (contains redundant bars)

 Equilibrium equations
 The analysis and design of a framed structure requires knowledge of joint types as
well as types of supports, among others so that equations of static equilibrium
can be formulated.
 These equations of static equilibrium for a plane structure are summarized below,
thus:

 Structures that can be analyzed completely by use of these equations are termed
Determinate or Statically-Determinate structures
 Structures that cannot be analyzed solely by application of these equations are
termed Statically-Indeterminate or Redundant or Hyper-static structures. This
means that static equilibrium equations are not sufficient for determining the
internal forces and reactions on those structures.
 Statically Determinate Frameworks – Analysis
methods
Framed structures being referred to in this context are trusses. When analyzing these
trusses, the following assumptions are used:

 All bars are joined at their ends by pins, which act as perfect hinges thus allowing
rotation at the joint while resisting transmission of moments;
 Weight of bars is negligible, and the bars are straight and do not extend;
 Applied forces, support reactions and all bars lie in one plane;
 Forces and support reactions are applied at joints and
 The entire framework does not distort geometrically under application of forces
applied at the joints.

Three methods of analysis will be considered:

a. Methods of joints
b. Method of sections
c. Graphical method
 Method of joints
 Consideration is given to the equilibrium of a joint at which there are not more
than two unknown forces
 If there are only two unknowns, then the unknown forces can easily be
determined by equations of static equilibrium
 Thus, any joint satisfying the above condition is selected and the forces on the
joint resolved into two components at right angles.
 Since the joint is in equilibrium, the sum of force components in each direction
must be zero. This fact yields two equations from which the two unknowns can be
obtained
 Then the next joint is considered and so on and so forth until all member forces
are determined
 Before commencing any calculations, the nature of forces in the members may be
assumed i.e. whether tensile (T) or compressive (C).
 After the computations, a positive value implies that the assumed nature of force
is true and vice versa
 Method of joints
Example
Compute all the member forces using method of joints
50 kN 30 kN

D
E
All angles are and sides
are 3m

C
A
B

R1 R2
 Method of joints
Solution

50 kN 30 kN

D
E

Assume all internal member

forces are tensile
C
A
B

R1 R2

Reactions:
 Method of joints

Joint C
𝐹 𝐷𝐶

𝐹 𝐵𝐶
C

𝑅2
 Method of joints

Joint D
30 kN

𝐹 𝐸𝐷

𝐹 𝐵𝐷
𝐹 𝐷𝐶

Remainder of member forces are calculated in similar way

 Method of joints

Exercise
Determine forces in the members of the frame shown in the figure
when it is loaded as shown. Also indicate the nature of the forces i.e.
whether tensile or Compressive .
 Method of joints

Exercise

Expected values:
 Method of Sections

 Convenient if a selected few members are needed

 Based on passing an imaginary cutting plane through the truss to
divide it into two sections.
 When members are cut, the effects of the cut members are
represented as forces acting on the free body.
 The equations of static equilibrium are then applied to the section to
analyze these member forces
 Consider the frame below:
 Method of Sections

 Consider the frame below:

 Assume it is required to find forces in members BD, BE and CE; then a
section is cut through those members and the left-hand portion of
the truss is considered as shown below.
 The section below is a free body diagram and is therefore in
equilibrium under the action of external forces (loads) F1 and F2 and
forces in members BD, BE and CE, which are to be determined
 Method of Sections

 If BD is required, then you take moments about E. In this case, BD will

be the only unknown since moments due to BE and CE will be zero
(zero lever arm). Thus , BD is only unknown and can therefore be
found
 If CE is required, then you take moments about B. Again, in this case,
CE will be the only unknown since moments due to BE and BD will be
zero (zero lever arm). Thus , CE is only unknown and can therefore be
found
 Finally, BE can be determined by
resolving vertically all forces contained
in the free body diagram. This means
you consider F1, F2 and vertical
component of BE. Thus ; BE will be the
only unknown and can be determined
 Method of Sections

Note:
The only limitation of this method is that you can only cut such that
there are only 3 unknowns that can be determined by application of
three equations of static equilibrium:
 Method of Sections

Example
Determine the magnitude and type of forces in members a, b, and c
shown in the figure below. All forces are in kN and all members have
equal lengths
 Method of Sections

Solution

 Due to symmetry of the structure, RA = RB = 40kN (students should

prove this)
 Make a theoretical cut along section C-C cutting through members
whose forces are required, a, b and c as shown
 Method of Sections
 Consider the left-hand portion, which will be a free body diagram,
and is in equilibrium under the action of external forces 10kN and
20kN, reaction RA at support A and internal forces in members a, b
and c as shown below.
 The direction of forces in each member is assumed at this stage i.e.
whether tensile or compressive. In this case, a is assumed
compressive, b compressive and c tensile
(Computation to be done in class together
with the students)
 Graphical method- Bow’s notation
 Using Bow’s notation, spaces between all force lines are labelled
using capital letters
 Moving clockwise around the system of forces in the space
diagram, all the forces represented between two capital letters
can be expressed as vectors in the force diagram with lower case
letters at either end
 For example is described as force da and the joint at which this
force acts is described as joint AFED. is described as force bc and
joint at which it acts is join BCG 𝐹1 𝐹2

𝑅1 𝑅2
 Graphical method- Bow’s notation
 The force diagram is started at any joint at which at least one force
is known in magnitude and direction and where there are not
more than two unknown forces.
 The complete diagram is built up of the force polygons for each
joint in succession
 Magnitude and direction of each unknown force can be scaled off
the diagram
 Graphical method- Bow’s notation

Example
 Graphical method- Bow’s notation

Example

1. Calculate the reactions R1 and R2

Construction of the composite force

diagram to be demonstrated in class
 Graphical method- Bow’s notation
Example

2. Draw the force diagram to scale

g
c
 Graphical method- Bow’s notation
Example
3. Scale off magnitude of all unknown forces from the
force diagram:

Force gb = - 40
Force fg = +5.7
Force ef = -5.7
Force de = -52
Force ce = +26
g
Force cg = +20 c
Force af = -23
Exercise
Determine the internal forces in the pin-jointed truss of Figure below:
a. Using method of joints
b. Using Bow’s notation
Using method of sections, find internal forces in members 1, 2 and 3

1
g
2 c

3
Solution
Step 3: Scale off values of unknown member
Using Bow’s notation forces from the force diagram

Member Force (kN)

af -11.5
fe 10.0
jd -12.5
ej 10.9
Step 1: Calculate reactions bg -7.5
gf -4.0
ch -7.6
hg 4.6
jh -5.0
R1 5.75
R2 6.25

Step 2: Draw force diagram to scale

THANK YOU