MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM

Chapter 7
Trusses, Frames, and Machines

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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
Before this chapter In this chapter

F1 F2 F1 F2
R1 R2 R1 R2

Determine the reactions, R1 Determine the reactions, R1

and R2, of a rigid body
subjected to a pair of forces
F1, and F2.
and R2, and the forces in
nine rigid members that are
joined together with six pin
joints, subjected to a pair of
forces F1, and F2.

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MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
Idealized trusses
1. Members are connected together at their ends only.
2. Members are connected together by frictionless pins.
3. Loads are applied only at the joints. (Thus, all
members are two-force members.)
4. Weights of members are neglected.

An actual riveted truss joint, which transmits both forces

and moments among connecting members

An idealized frictionless pin connection, which transmits

forces among connecting members, but not moments.
This assumption can be justified so long as the members
are long.
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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
A triangle is the building block of all plane trusses
B B F H
D 12
4 8
3 3 5 11 13
1 1 7 9
10 G
2 2
A C A C 6

m = 2j−3
E

m = NUMBER OF MEMBERS; j = NUMBER OF JOINTS

Total unknowns: m (one for each member) + 3 (3 support reactions).
Each joint yields two equations (ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0)
Is a truss always “stable” and “solvable” when m = 2j -3 is satisfied?

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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
A triangle is the building block of all plane trusses
B B F H
D 12
4 8
3 3 5 11 13
1 1 7 9
10 G
2 2
A C A C 6

m = 2j−3
E

m = NUMBER OF MEMBERS; j = NUMBER OF JOINTS

Total unknowns: m (one for each member) + 3 (3 support reactions).
Each joint yields two equations (ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0)
Is a truss always “stable” and “solvable” when m = 2j -3 is satisfied?

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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
Rigidity and Solvability of A Truss
m = 2j−3 m=2j−r
j = 9 m = 15 j = 9 m = 15 r = 3
m=2j−r
2 j − 3 = 15 = m 2 j − r = 15 = m

m: # of Members
j: # of Joints
r: # of Reactions j = 9 m = 14 j = 9 m = 14 r = 4
2 j − 3 = 15 ≠ m 2 j − r = 14 = m

j=6 m=9 j=6 m=9 r=3

2j−3= 9 = m 2j−r =9=m

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MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
m=2j−r

j = 8 m = 12 r = 3
2 j − r = 13 > m = 12

j = 8 m = 14 r = 3
2 j − r = 13 < m = 14 j = 8 m = 13 r = 3
2 j − r = 13 = m
j = 10 m = 16 r = 3 Yet, it is unstable!
2 j − r = 17 > m = 16

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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
Method of Joints

1. Draw a free-body diagram of the entire structure

and determine the reactions (if r = 3).
2. Draw free-body diagrams for all members (assume
tensile forces in all members) and all joints.
3. Set up the equilibrium equations for each joint and
solve them one joint at a time, begin with those that
have at most two unknowns.
4. Check the results at the last joint.

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MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
Method of Joints
Reactions

∑ M = (8)B − (4)(1000) − (8)(2000) = 0

A y

∑ M = −(8)A − (4)(1000) = 0
B y

∑ F = A + 1000 = 0
x x

Ax = −1000 lb
Ay = −500 lb
B y = 2500 lb

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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
Method of Joints
⎧∑ F x = TAB + TAC cos θ − 1000 = 0
A: ⎨
2000 lb ⎩∑ F y = TAD + TAC sin θ − 500 = 0

D TCD
⎧∑ Fx =TAB = 0
D C
C
B:⎨
⎩∑ Fy = TBC + 2500 = 0
TCD
TAD TCD TCD TBC
TAC
TAD C TAC TBC ⎧∑ Fx = −TCD − TAC cos θ = 0
D C C:⎨
⎩∑ Fy = −TBC − TAC sin θ − 2000 = 0

A B ⎧∑ Fx = TCD + 1000 = 0
D:⎨
⎩∑ Fy = TAD = 0
TAC A TBC
TAD
TAD TAC TBC
A B D (TAD , TCD ) ⇒ C (TAC , TBC )
B
1000 lb A TAB TAB TAB TAB ⇒ A(TAB , TAC ) ⇒ B (TAB , TBC )
500 lb 2500 lb
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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
Method of Joints

? m=2j−r ?

j=4 m=5 r=3 j=4 m=5 r=4 j=4 m=5 r=3 j=4 m=5 r=4
2j−r =5=m 2j−r =4<m=5 2j−r =5=m 2j−r =4<m=5

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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
Zero-Force Members
P P P
D B D B D B
A A A

C C C

E E E
y′
TBD B TAB TCD x′ TAC

C
TCE
TBC

∑F y = 0 ⇒ TBC = 0 ∑F y′ = 0 ⇒ TCD = 0

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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
Zero-Force Members

D B D B D B
A A A

C C C

E E E

Zero-force member: Zero-force member: Zero-force member:

BC, CD AB, AC AB, AC, BC

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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
More About Zero-Force Members
Zero force members cannot simply be removed from the truss and
discarded, as they are needed to guarantee stability of the truss.

If members BD and AD are removed, then a slight disturbance would cause joint D to
buckle outward. The equilibrium at joint D (see the free-body diagram) requires that
∑F x = −TDE cos φ + TCD cos φ = 0 ⇒ TDE = TCD ⎫⎪
⎬ ⇒ TDE = TCD = 0
∑F y = TDE sin φ + TCD sin φ = 0 ⇒ TDE = −TCD ⎪⎭
Yet equilibrium at joint C requires that TCD ≠ 0. Thus, joint D will continue to buckle
outward and the truss is no longer stable.
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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
More About Zero-Force Members
Zero-force members may become non-zero-force members, or
vice versa, as the load moves from one location to another.
Consider a “Warren” truss with vertical supports.
(See http://www.geocities.com/Baja/8205/truss.htm for other types of bridge truss)

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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
Other Bridge Trusses

Warren Truss
w/o Vertical
Supports

Pratt
Truss

Quadrangular
Warren
Trusses
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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
More About Zero-Force Members
Washington Crossing Bridge

Tension-only members

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 MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics MEM
7.2 Plane Trusses
More About Zero-Force Members

Cross members are slender tension-only members. Any

compressive force will buckle the member, render it useless.
T T T T T
T
C C C C C
C

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