University of Engineering & Technology

Peshawar, Pakistan

CE215: Structure Analysis I

Module 04:
Analysis of Statically Determinate Pin Joint Plane
Frames (Trusses)

By:
Prof. Dr. Bashir Alam
Civil Engineering Department
UET , Peshawar
 Topics to be Covered
• Trusses
• Common Types of Trusses
• Truss Analysis Assumptions
• Classification of Coplanar Trusses
• Determinacy of Coplanar Trusses
• Stability of Coplanar Trusses
• Method of Joints
• Zero-Force Members
• Method of Sections
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Trusses:
A truss is a structure composed of slender members joined together at
their end points.
Planar trusses lie in a single plane.
Typically, the joint connections are formed by bolting or welding the
end members together to a common plate, called a gusset plate.

gusset plate
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Trusses
:
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Trusses
:
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Types of Trusses:
1. Roof trusses:
In general, the roof load is transmitted to the truss by a series of
purlins.
The roof truss along with its supporting columns is termed a bent.
The space between bents is called a bay.
roof
purlins
top cord

knee
brace
bottom
cord
span bay
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Types of Trusses:
1. Roof trusses:

Howe truss Pratt truss Fink truss

saw-tooth truss Warren truss Modified Howe truss

three-hinged arch
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Types of Trusses:
2. Bridge trusses:
The load is transmitted by the deck to a series of stringers and then to
a set of floor beams.
The floor beams are supported by two parallel trusses.
The supporting trusses are connected top and bottom by
lateral bracing.
Additional stability may be provided by portal and sway bracing
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Types of Trusses:
2. Bridge trusses:
top cord

sway bracing

top lateral bracing

Portal bracing

stringers deck

portal
end post bottom cord
panel

floor beam
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Types of Trusses:
2. Bridge trusses:
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Types of Trusses:
2. Bridge trusses:

trough Pratt truss Howe truss Warren truss

deck Pratt truss parker truss

(Pratt truss with curved chord)

K truss Baltimore truss

 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Truss Analysis Assumptions:
Two important assumptions will be made in order to idealize the truss.
1. The members are joined together by smooth pins.
In cases where bolted or welded joint connections are used, this
assumption is generally satisfactory provided the center lines of the
joining members are concurrent at a point, as in Figure.

gusset plate
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Truss Analysis Assumptions:
Two important assumptions will be made in order to idealize the truss.
1. The members are joined together by smooth pins.
The actual connections do give some rigidity to the joint and this in
turn introduces bending of the connected members when the truss
is subjected to a load.
The bending stress developed in the members is called secondary
stress, whereas the stress in the members of the idealized truss,
having pin-connected joints, is called primary stress.
A secondary stress analysis of a truss can be performed using
a computer.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Truss Analysis Assumptions:
Two important assumptions will be made in order to idealize the truss.
2. All loadings are applied at the joints.
In most situations, such as for bridge and roof trusses, this assumption
is true.
Frequently in the force analysis, the weight of the members is
neglected, since the force supported by the members is large in
comparison with their weight.
If the weight is to be included in the analysis, it is generally
satisfactory to apply it as a vertical force, half of its magnitude applied
at each end of the member.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Truss Analysis Assumptions:
Because of these two assumptions, each truss member acts as an axial
force member, and therefore the forces acting at the ends of the member
must be directed along the axis of the member.
If the force tends to elongate the member, it is a tensile force (T),
whereas if the force tends to shorten the member, it is a compressive
force (C).
In the actual design of a truss it is important to state whether the force is
tensile or compressive.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Classification of Coplanar Trusses:
1. Simple Truss
The simplest framework that is rigid or stable is a triangle.
Therefore, a simple truss is constructed starting with a basic triangular
element and connecting two members to form additional elements.
As each additional element of two members is placed on a truss, the
number of joints is increased by one.
Most often, compression members must be made thicker than tension
members, because of the buckling or sudden instability that may occur
in compression members.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Classification of Coplanar Trusses:
1. Simple Truss
The simplest framework that is rigid or stable is a
triangle.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Classification of Coplanar Trusses:
2. Compound Truss
This truss is formed by connecting two or more simple trusses together.
This type of truss is often used for large spans.
There are three ways in which simple trusses may be connected to
form a compound truss:
i. Trusses may be connected by a common joint and bar.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Classification of Coplanar Trusses:
2. Compound Truss
There are three ways in which simple trusses may be connected to
form a compound truss:
ii. Trusses may be joined by three bars.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Classification of Coplanar Trusses:
2. Compound Truss
There are three ways in which simple trusses may be connected to
form a compound truss:
iii. Trusses may be joined where bars of a large simple truss, called the
main truss, have been substituted by simple trusses, called secondary
trusses
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Classification of Coplanar Trusses:
3. Complex Truss
This is a truss that cannot be classified as being either simple
or compound.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Classification of Coplanar Trusses:
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Determinacy of Coplanar Trusses:
• Since all the elements of a truss are two-force members, the moment
equilibrium is automatically satisfied.
• Therefore there are two equations of equilibrium for each joint, j,
in a truss. If r is the number of reactions and b is the number of
members

In particular, the degree of indeterminacy is specified by the difference in

the numbers (b + r) - 2j.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Determinacy of Coplanar Trusses:
Example 01:
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Determinacy of Coplanar Trusses:
Example 02:
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Determinacy of Coplanar Trusses:
Example 03:

S.I = b + r – 2j
S.I = 14 + 4 – 16 = 2°

S.I = 21 + 3 – 20 = 4°
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Stability of Coplanar Trusses:
• If b + r < 2j, a truss will be unstable, which means the structure will
collapse since there are not enough reactions to constrain all the
joints.
• A truss may also be unstable if b + r > 2j. In this case, stability will
be determined by inspection.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Stability of Coplanar Trusses:
Example 04:
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Stability of Coplanar Trusses:
External stability –
A structure (truss) is externally unstable if its reactions are
concurrent or parallel.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Stability of Coplanar Trusses:
Internal stability –
• May be determined by inspection of the arrangement of the
truss members.
• A simple truss will always be internally stable.
• The stability of a compound truss is determined by examining how
the simple trusses are connected
• The stability of a complex truss can often be difficult to determine by
inspection.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Stability of Coplanar Trusses:
Internal stability –
• In general, the stability of any truss may be checked by performing a
complete analysis of the structure. If a unique solution can be found
for the set of equilibrium equations, then the truss is stable .
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Stability of Coplanar Trusses:
Internal stability –
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Example 05:
Classify each of the trusses in the figure below as stable, unstable,
statically determinate, or statically indeterminate. The trusses are
subjected to arbitrary external loadings that are assumed to be known
and can act anywhere on the trusses.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Example 05:
Solution:
Externally stable, since the reactions
are not concurrent or parallel.
Since b = 19,r = 3, j = 11, then b +
r = 2j or 22 = 22. Therefore, the
truss is statically determinate.
By inspection the truss is internally
stable.

Externally stable. Since b = 15, r = 4,

j = 9, then b + r > 2j or 19 > 18. The
truss is statically indeterminate to
the first degree. By inspection the
truss is internally stable.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Example 05:
Solution:

Externally stable. Since b = 9, r =

3, j = 6, then b + r = 2j or 12 = 12.
The truss is statically determinate.
By inspection the truss is internally
stable.

Externally stable. Since b = 12, r =

3, j = 8, then b + r < 2j or 15 < 16.
The truss is internally unstable.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Analysis of Determinate Trusses
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
If a truss is in equilibrium, then each of its joints must be
in equilibrium.
The method of joints consists of satisfying the equilibrium equations
for forces acting on each joint.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Recall, that the line of action of a force acting on a joint is
determined by the geometry of the truss member.
The line of action is formed by connecting the two ends of
each member with a straight line.
Since direction of the force is known, the remaining unknown is
the magnitude of the force.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Procedure for analysis:
The following is a procedure for analyzing a truss using the method of
joints:
1. Determine the support reactions
2. Draw the free body diagram for each joint.
In general, assume all the force member reactions are tension (this is
not a rule, however, it is helpful in keeping track of tension and
compression members).
3. Write the equations of equilibrium for each joint,
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Procedure for analysis:
The following is a procedure for analyzing a truss using the method of
joints:
4.If possible, begin solving the equilibrium equations at a joint where
only two unknown reactions exist. Work your way from joint to joint,
selecting the new joint using the criterion of two unknown reactions.
5.Solve the joint equations of equilibrium simultaneously, typically
using a computer or an advanced calculator.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 06: Analyze the following
truss.

B
500 N
2m r=3
b =3
45o j =3
A C r+b=2x
j 3+3 =
2m 2x3
6=6,
Statically
Determinat
e
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 06:
Solution: Reactions
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 06:
Solution: Reactions

B
500 N

2m

A 45o
C
Ax = 500 N
2m

Ay = 500 N Cy = 500 N
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 06:
Solution: Equilibrium at joint “A”

B
500 N

2m

A 45o
C
Ax = 500 N
2m

Ay = 500 N Cy = 500 N
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 06:
Solution: Equilibrium at joint “B”

B
500 N

2m

A 45o
C
Ax = 500 N
2m

Ay = 500 N Cy = 500 N
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 06:
Solution: Final Analyzed Structure

B
500 N

Fbc = 707.2 lb
Fab = 500 lb

45o
A C
Ax = 500 N
Fac = 500 lb

Ay = 500 N Cy = 500 N
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 07: Determine the force in each member of the truss shown
in the figure.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 07:
Solution: Determinacy

r=3
b =9
j =6
r+b=2x
j 3+9 =
2x6
12=12,
Statically
Determinat
e
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 07:
Solution: Reactions
∑Fx= 0 = Ax
Ax = 0 k

∑MA= 0 = –
12x20 –

24x40 +
Dyx60
Dy = 20 k
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 07:
Solution: Equilibrium at joint “A”

∑Fy= 0 = Ay + FAB
sin(36.87) FAB = – 26.67 k

∑Fx= 0 = Ax + FAF + FAB cos(36.87) FAB sin(36.87)

FAB
FAF = + 21.34 k F cos(36.87)
AB

FAF
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 07:
Solution: Equilibrium at joint “F”

∑Fy= 0 = – 12 +
FFB FFB = + 12 k

FFB
∑Fx= 0 = – FAF + FFE
FFE = +21.34 k
FAF = 21.34 k
FFE
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 07:
Solution: Equilibrium at joint “B”

∑Fy= 0

0 = – 12 – FBE sin(36.87) + FAB cos(53.13)

FBE = +6.7 k FBA sin(53.13)
53.13o 36.87o FBC
36.87o
FBE cos(36.87)
∑Fx= 0 FBA = 26.67 k
FBA cos(53.13) FBE
0 = FBE + FBE cos(36.87) + FAB sin(53.13) FBF = 12 k FBE sin(36.87)

FBC = – 26.67 k
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 07:
Solution: Equilibrium at joint “C”

∑Fx= 0 = FCB – FDC

cos(36.87) FDC = 33.33 k

∑Fy= 0 = – FC E + FDC sin(36.87)

FCB
FCE= 19.99 k FDC cos(36.87)

FDC= 33.33 k
FDC sin(36.87)
FCE
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 07:
Solution: Equilibrium at joint “C”

∑Fy= 0 = –24 + FEC + FEB sin(36.87)

FEB= 6.66 k

FEB sin(36.87)
FEC =19.99 k
∑Fx= 0 = – FEF + FED – FEB cos(36.87)
FEB
FEB cos(36.87)
FEB = 6.66
k FEF =21.34 k FED =26.67 k
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Joints:
Example 07:
Solution: Final Analyzed
Structure
26.67 k

6.67 k 33.34 k
26.67 k 19.99 k
12 k

21.33 k 21.34 k 26.67 k

0k

16 k 20 k
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Zero-Force Members:
Truss analysis using the method of joints is greatly simplified if one is
able to first determine those members that support no loading.
These zero-force members may be necessary for the stability of the
truss during construction and to provide support if the applied loading
is changed.
The zero-force members of a truss can generally be determined by
inspection of the joints.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Zero-Force Members:
The zero-force members of a truss can generally be determined
by inspection of the joints and they are occur in two cases,
Case 1:
If two members are connected at a joint and there is no external
force applied to the joint
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Zero-Force Members:
The zero-force members of a truss can generally be determined
by inspection of the joints and they are occur in two cases,
Case 2:
If three members are connected at a joint and there is no external force
applied to the joint and two of the members are collinear.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Zero-Force Members:
Example 08: Indicate all the members of the truss shown in the figure
below that have zero force.

B C
P

E D
A

Ey Dy
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Zero-Force Members:
Example 08: P
B C
Zero force
Solution :
member are shown

E D with dash
lines
A

Joint A: Joint C:
Ey Dy
C
FAB FCB

A FAE

+ Fy = 0: FAB sin = 0, FAB = FCD

0 +
Fx = 0: FCB = 0
+
Fx = 0: FAE + 0 = 0, FAE = 0 + Fy = 0: FCD =
0
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Zero-Force Members:
Example 09: Indicate all the members of the truss shown in the figure
below that have zero force.

A B

C
H

D
G F E

P
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Zero-Force Members:
Example 09:
A B Zero force member
Solution : Ax
are shown with dash
Ax C
lines
H
Gx D
G F E
Joint D
P
y
Joint E
FDC FEC

FDE x
D E
FEF 0

+ Fy = 0: FDC sin = 0, FDC = 0 P

+ F = 0: FEF = 0
x
+ F = 0:
x
FDE + 0 = 0, FDE = 0
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Zero-Force Members:
Example 09:
A B Zero force member
Solution : Ax
are shown with dash
Ax C
lines
H
Gx D
G F E
y
P
Joint G Joint H

FGA FHA FHB

H
Gx
G FGF FHF
x
+ Fy = 0: FGA = 0 + F = 0: FHB = 0
y
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Sections:
If the forces in only a few members of a truss are to be determined, the
method of sections is generally the most appropriate analysis
procedure.
The method of sections consists of passing an imaginary line through
the truss, cutting it into sections.
Each imaginary section must be in equilibrium if the entire truss is in
equilibrium.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Sections:
Procedure for analysis:
The following is a procedure for analyzing a truss using the method of
sections:
1.First, if necessary, determine the support reactions for the entire
truss.
2.Next, make a decision on how the truss should be “cut” into sections
and draw the corresponding free-body diagrams. In general, the cut
passes through not more than three members in which the forces are
unknown.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Sections:
Procedure for analysis:
The following is a procedure for analyzing a truss using the method of
sections:
3. Try to apply the three equations of equilibrium such that
simultaneous solution is not required.
Moments should be summed about points that lie at the intersection of
the lines of action of two unknown forces, so that the remaining force
may be determined.
Each imaginary section must be in equilibrium if the entire truss is in
equilibrium.
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Sections:
Example 10: Determine the force in members BC, GC and GF of the
truss shown in fig below using method of sections.
Dy

B C D Dx
r=3
b =3
2m j =3
r+b=2x
A j 3+3 =
G F E Ex 2x3
100 N 6=6,
2m 2m 2m
Statically
Determinat
e
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Sections:
Example 10:
Solution: Typically the section with the fewest forces or with section
with the most convenient geometry is selected.
Dy
• In this example the left-hand side. a
B C D Dx
• Apply the three equations
of equilibrium to the 2m

section. A
G a F E Ex
• If possible, attempt to
100 N
develop an equation in just one 2m 2m 2m

unknown.
• Look for points where the
lines of action of several
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Sections:
Example 10:
Solution: Typically the section with the fewest forces or with section
with the most convenient geometry is selected.

B FBC C
+ MG  
100(2) – FBC (2) = 0, FBC = 100 N (T) FGC
45o
A
+
Fy = 0: G FGF
100 N
-100 + FGC sin45 = 0 , FGC = 141.42 N (T)
o 2m

+ MC  

100(4) – FGF (2) = 0, FGF = 200 N (C)

 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Sections:
Example 11: Determine the force in members GF and GD of the truss
shown in the figure below. State whether the members are in tension or
compression. The reactions at the supports have been calculated.

G
H F
4.5 m
3m
A E
Ax = 0
B C D

Ay = 9 kN 6 kN 8 kN 2 kN Ey = 7 kN

3m 3m 3m 3
m
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Sections:
Example 11:
Solution: Typically the section with the fewest forces or with section
with the most convenient geometry is selected.
G
a
H F
4.5 m
3m
A E
Ax = 0
B C D
a
Ay = 9 kN 6 kN 8 kN 2 kN Ey = 7 kN

3m 3m 3m 3
m
 Analysis of Statically Determinate Trusses
Method of Sections:
Example 11:
Solution: Equilibrium at section aa.

Section a-a
+ ∑MD = 0: FFG
26.6o
FFG sin26.6o(6) + 7(3) = 0, F
FFG = -7.82 kN (C) FDG

56.3o
+ ∑MO = 26.6o
FDC O
0: D E
- 7(3) + 2(6) + FDGsin56.3o(6) = 0, 2 kN E y= 7 kN
FDG = 1.80 kN (C)
3m

3m
 References

• Structural Analysis by R. C.
Hibbeler

• Online Civil Engineering blogs