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Calculating The Truss Member Forces
Calculating The Truss Member Forces
0
0
y
x
F
F
So when you write your equations they MUST equal ZERO.
What is a vector?
A vector is any quantity which has both MAGNITUDE (#
and a unit) and DIRECTION. The vector is always
represented as an ARROW. Suppose the vector below
represents a displacement of 10m.
10 m, NORTH-EAST
MAGNITUDE
DIRECTION
A vectors direction
Direction is best described by using a Cartesian Coordinate
system. Forces on the negative x or negative y axis must
have a negative sign. Using this idea allows us to write the
equation of equilibrium. Assume the object is at rest.
F
a1
=+10 N F
a2
=? N
N F
F
F F
F F
F
A
A
A A
A A
x
10
0 10
0
0 ) (
0
2
2
2 1
2 1
AB BC
x
BI
y
F F
F
F
F
If you knew the FORCE in member AB, you would be able to solve for the
FORCE in member BC. Isolating just ONE JOINT to analyze the force is called
the METHOD OF JOINTS.
Some Basic Concepts from Trigonometry
A truss is a structure composed of members arranged in
interconnected triangles. For this reason, the geometry
of triangles is very important in structural analysis.
This diagram shows a right trianglea
triangle with one of its three angles
measuring exactly 90
o
. Sides a and b form the
90
o
angle. The other two angles, identified as
1
and
2
, are always less than 90
o
. Side c, the
side opposite the 90
o
angle, is always the
longest of the three sides. It is called the
hypotenuse of the right triangle. Thanks to an
ancient Greek mathematician named
Pythagoras, we can easily calculate the length
of the hypotenuse of a right triangle. The
Pythagorean Theorem tells us that:
Some Basic Concepts from Trigonometry
The Pythagorean Theorem shows how the lengths of the
sides of a right triangle are related to each other. But
how are the lengths of the sides related to the angles?
The sine of an angle (abbreviated sin) is defined
as the length of the opposite side divided by the
length of the hypotenuse. For example, the sine of
the angle
1
would be calculated as:
The cosine of an angle (abbreviated cos) is
defined as the length of the adjacent side divided
by the length of the hypotenuse. Applying this
definition to our example, we have:
Breaking a Vector into its Components
Once the coordinate axis system is established, we can represent the direction of any
vector as an angle measured from either the x-axis or the y-axis. For example, the
force vector at right has a magnitude (F) of 20 Newtons and a direction () of 50
degrees, measured counterclockwise from the x-axis.
This force can also be represented as two
equivalent forces, one in the x-direction
and one in the y-direction. Each of these forces
is called a component of the vector F.
What if a member is at an angle?
Calculating the Vectors Components
Lets get started
The required load our bridge must withstand is
49N or 5-kg.
Since there are TWO trusses held together by
lateral bracings, HOW much load does ONE
truss bridge hold?
24.5 N
Lets get started
The load acts downward at joints J, K, and L. How much force acts at each one
of these locations?
8.17 N
Lets get started
The two upward forces are both force normals. The R in
this case stands for REACTION as they are a reaction to the
load. How much force does each REACTION FORCE(force
normal) support?
12.25 N
Joint A
R
A
F
AB
F
AI
Force AI must be broken into
components
R
A
F
AB
F
AI
q
F
AI
q
What is the VALUE of the angle THETA?
q
Length
BI
Length
AB
) ( tan tan
1
adj
opp
adj
opp
q q
What other angle are also equal to theta?
Length
AI
Where is theta?
q q
q
q
q
Force AIs Components
R
A
F
AB
F
AI
q
F
AI
q
F
AI
cosq
F
AI
sinq
R
A
F
AB
F
AI
sinq
F
AI
cosq
Lets now REDRAW the FBD!
Joint As Equations of Equilibrium
R
A
F
AB
F
AI
sinq
F
AI
cosq
) cos (
0 cos
0
mean? this does What
? # negative A )
sin
(
0 sin
0
q
q
q
q
AI AB
AI AB
x
A
AI
AI A
y
F F
F F
F
R
F
F R
F