6.

4 Space Trusses
6.4 Space Trusses Example 1, page 1 of 6
1. The truss is supported by short links at B and D and by a
ball and socket at C. Determine the force in each member,
and state whether the force is tension or compression.
y

4m 4m

D
C
2m 5m
B

A
7m
z

200 N
6.4 Space Trusses Example 1, page 2 of 6
y
1 At joint A, only three unknown forces are
present, so begin the analysis there.
4m 4m

2 Free-body diagram of joint A.

FAD FAB D
C
FAC 5m
2m
B
A
x
200 N

Equilibrium equation

FAD + FAC + FAB {200j}N= 0 (1)

A
7m
z

200 N
6.4 Space Trusses Example 1, page 3 of 6
y
3 Express the forces in component form.
4m 4m
FAD = FAD unit vector pointing from A to D

4i + 5j 7k
= FAD D
42 + 52 + 72 C
2m 5m
= FAD( 0.4216i + 0.5270j 0.7379k) (2) B

FAC and FAD differ only in sign of x component x

FAC = FAC(0.4216i + 0.5270j 0.7379k) (3)

3j 7k
FAB = FAB A
32 + 72 7m
z
= FAB(0.3939j 0.9191k) (4)
200 N
6.4 Space Trusses Example 1, page 4 of 6
4 Substitute the component forms of the force vectors into Eq.1:

FAD + FAC + FAB 200j = 0 (Eq. 1 repeated)

0.4216FADi + 0.5270FADj 0.7379FADk

+ 0.4216FACi + 0.5270FACj 0.7379FACk)

+ 0.3939FABj 0.9191FABk 200j = 0

Or, in scalar form,

Fx = 0: 0.4216FAD + 0.4216FAC = 0 (5)

Fy = 0: 0.5270FAD + 0.5270FAC + 0.3939 FAB 200 = 0 (6)

Fz = 0: 0.7379FAD 0.7379FAC 0.9191FAB = 0 (7)

Solving gives

FAD = 474.3616 N (T) Ans. (8)

FAC = 474.3616 N (T) Ans. (9)

FAB = 761.5773 N = 761.5773 N (C) Ans. (10)

6.4 Space Trusses Example 1, page 5 of 6
y

4m 4m 5 Free-body diagram of joint B. Now that the force

in member AB is known, the member forces FBD
and FBC can be found.
Bzk (Reaction force)
D
C 4i + 2j
FBD FBC = FBC
2m 5m 42 + 22
B B = FBC (0.8944i + 0.4472j)
x
4i + 2j FBA = FAB (Force of member AB on joint B is equal
FBD = FBD and opposite to force on joint A.)
42 + 22
= FAB(0.9191j 0.3939k), by Eq. 4
= FBD( 0.8944i + 0.4472j) 761.5773 N, by Eq. 10
A
7m = (300j 700k) N
z

200 N

6 Summing the forces in the x and y directions gives 7 Solving gives

+ FBC = 335.4102 N = 335.4102 N (C) Ans.
Fx = 0: FBC(0.8944) FBD(0.8944) = 0

Fy = 0: FBC(0.4472) + FBD(0.4472) + 300 = 0 FBD = 335.4102 N = 335.4102 N (C) Ans. (11)

+
6.4 Space Trusses Example 1, page 6 of 6
y

4m 4m 8 Free-body diagram of joint D. Now that the force

in member BD is known, the remaining unknown
member force FDC can be found.

Dyj Reaction forces

D Dzk
C
FDC = FDCi
2m 5m D
B FDB = FBD
by Eq. 11
x = ( 335.4102)( 0.8944i + 0.4472j)

FDA = FAD = 300i + j

= FAD( 0.4216i + 0.5270j 0.7379k), by Eq. 2

A 474.3616 N, by Eq. 8
7m
z
= (200i 250j + 350k) N
200 N 9 Summing the x components of the forces acting on
joint D gives
+
Fx = 0: 200 300 + FDC = 0

Solving gives

FDC = 100 N (T) Ans.

6.4 Space Trusses Example 2, page 1 of 4
2. Determine the force in each member of the space truss, and
state whether the force is tension or compression. The truss is
supported by short links at C and D and by ball-and-socket
supports at A and E.
y 1 Only three unknowns two member forces and a
reaction force are present at D, so a free-body
diagram of D is a good place to start.
4m

B Free-body diagram of joint D

A C
x
FDB
4m Dzk
3m
(Reaction force
from link at D)
FDE
3m D
E
D 700 N

700 N
z 5m
Equilibrium equation

FDB + FDE {700j}N+ Dzk = 0 (1)

6.4 Space Trusses Example 2, page 2 of 4
2 Express the forces FDB and FDEin component form. y

FDB = FDB unit vector pointing from D to B

4m
5i + 4j 3k
= FDB B
52 + 42 + 32
A C
x
= FDB( 0.7071i + 0.5657j 0.4243k) (2) 4m
3m
FDE = FDEi (3)

Substitute the component form of the force vectors in Eqs. 2 3m

and 3 into Eq. 1: E
D
FDB + FDE 700j + Dzk = 0 (Eq. 1 repeated)
700 N
z 5m
or

0.7071FDBi + 0.5657 FDBj 0.4243FDBk

FDEi 700j + Dzk = 0 3 Solving gives
In scalar form, FDB = 1237.4369 N (T) Ans. (4)
Fx = 0: 0.7071FDB FDE = 0 FDE = 875 N
Fy = 0: 0.5657FDB 700 = 0 = 875 N (C) Ans. (5)
Fz = 0: 0.4243FDB + Dz = 0 Dz = 525 N
6.4 Space Trusses Example 2, page 3 of 4
y
4 Now that the force in member DB is known,
there are only three unknowns at joint B.
4m
Free-body diagram of joint B
B
FBA B
A C
x
FBC 4m
3m
FBE FBD

Equilibrium equation 3m
E
FBE + FBC + FBA + FBD = 0 (6) D
700 N
5 Express each force in component form Force of member
z 5m BD on joint B is
equal and opposite
4 j + 3k force of member
FBE = FBE
42 + 32 BD on joint D.

= FBE ( 0.8j + 0.6k) (7) FBA = FBA i (9)

4j 3k FBD = FDB
FBC = FBC 1237.4369 N, by Eq. 4
2 2
4 +3 = FDB( 0.7071i + 0.5657j 0.4243k), by Eq. 2

= FBC ( 0.8j 0.6k) (8) = {875i 700j + 525k} N (10)

6.4 Space Trusses Example 2, page 4 of 4
6 Substitute the component form of the force vectors in Eq. 7-10 7 Free-body diagram of joint C.
into Eq. 6:
y
FBE + FBC + FBA + FBD = 0 (Eq. 6 repeated) B

or,

0.8FBEj + 0.6FBEk 0.8FBCj 0.6FBCk

4m
FBAi 875i 700j + 525k = 0
FBC = 0
In scalar form,
z x, C
Fx = 0: FBA + 875 = 0 FEC
Cyj
Fy = 0: 0.8FBE 0.8FBC 700 = 0
3m
Fz = 0: 0.6FBE 0.6FBC 525 = 0
Fz = 0: FEC + 0 = 0
Solving gives
Thus
FBE = 875 N = 875 N (C) Ans.
FEC = 0 Ans.
FBA = 875 N (T) Ans.

FBC = 0 Ans.
6.4 Space Trusses Example 3, page 1 of 6
3. The truss is supported by ball-and-socket
joints at A, C, D, and F. Determine the force
in each member and state whether the force
is tension or compression.
y

10 ft

D F
8 ft

C
A x
E

6 ft

B
5 kip
2 kip
z 4 kip
6.4 Space Trusses Example 3, page 2 of 6
1 At joint B, only three unknown forces are y
present, so begin the analysis there.
10 ft
2 Free-body diagram of joint B
FBA FBE
D F
FBC 8 ft

B 5 kip
2 kip
4 kip C
A x
3 Equilibrium equation: E

FBA + FBE + FBC + {5i} kip {4j} kip

+ 2k} kip = 0 (1)
6 ft
4 Express the forces in component form
B
FBA = FBA j (2) 5 kip

FBE = FBE k (3) 2 kip 4 kip

z
10i + 6j
FBC = FBC (4)
2 2
10 + 6

= FBC(0.8575i + 0.5145j) (5)

6.4 Space Trusses Example 3, page 3 of 6
5 Substitute the component form of the force vectors in Eqs.
2-5 into Eq. 1:

FBA + FBE + FBC + 5i 4j

+ 2k = 0 (Eq. 1 repeated)

FBAj FBEk + 0.8575FBCi + 0.5145FBCj

+ 5i 4j + 2k = 0

In scalar form,

Fx = 0: 0.8575FBC + 5 = 0 (6)

Fy = 0: FBA + 0.5145FBC 4=0 (7)

Fz = 0: FBE + 2 = 0 (8)

Solving gives

FBA = 7 kips (T) Ans. (9)

FBC = 5.8310 kip (T)

= 5.8310 kip (C) Ans. (10)

FBE = 2 kip (T) Ans. (11)

6.4 Space Trusses Example 3, page 4 of 6
6 Free-body diagram of joint E. Now that the force y
in member BE is known, the forces in members
ED, EC, and EF can be found. 10 ft
FED
D F
FEF 8 ft

FEC
E

FEB C
A x
E
Equilibrium equation

FEB + FED + FEF + FEC = 0 (12)

6 ft

B
5 kip
2 kip
z 4 kip
6.4 Space Trusses Example 3, page 5 of 6
y
7 Express each force in component form.
10 ft
FEB = force in direction opposite to FBE

= FBE
D F
by Eqs. 3 and 11 8 ft

= { 2}k kip (13)

FED = FEDj (14)

C
10i + 6j A x
FEF = FEF E
102 + 62

= FEF(0.8575i + 0.5145j) (15)

6 ft
10i + 6j + 8k
FEC = FEC B
102 + 62 + 82 5 kip
2 kip
= FEC(0.7071i + 0.4243j 4 kip
+ 0.5657k) (16) z
6.4 Space Trusses Example 3, page 6 of 6
8 Substitute the component form of the force vector in Eqs. 13-16 into Eq. 12:

FEB + FED + FEF + FEC = 0 (Eq. 12 repeated)

2k + FEDj + 0.8575FEFi + 0.5145FEFj + 0.7071FECi

+ 0.4243FECj + 0.5657FECk = 0

In scalar form,

Fx = 0: 0.8575FEF + 0.7071FEC = 0

Fy = 0: FED + 0.5145FEF + 0.4243FEC = 0

Fz = 0: 2 + 0.5657FEC = 0

Solving gives

FEC = 3.54 kip = 3.54 kip (C) Ans.

FED = 0 Ans.

FEF = 2.92 kip (T) Ans.

6.4 Space Trusses Example 4, page 1 of 7
4. Determine the force in each member of the space
truss. State whether the force is tension or
compression. The supports at C and D are short
links; at A a ball-and-socket support is present.

y
2m 800 N
400 N
B

5m

C x
A
4m
D

8m
z
6.4 Space Trusses Example 4, page 2 of 7
1 Joint B is the only joint with no more
than three unknown forces, so begin y
with a free-body diagram of joint B. 2m 800 N
400 N
B

2 Free-body diagram of joint B

800 N 5m

B
C
400 N x
FBC
A
FBA FBD 4m
D
Equilibrium equation
8m
FBA + FBD + FBC {800j}N + (400k}N= 0 (1)
z
6.4 Space Trusses Example 4, page 3 of 7
3 Express the forces in component form. y
2m 800 N
400 N
FBA = FBA unit vector pointing from B to A
B
2i 5j
= FBA
22 + 52
5m
= FBA( 0.3714i 0.9285j) (2)

6i 5j C
FBC = FBC x
62 + 52
A
4m
= FBC(0.7682i 0.6402j) (3) D

6i 5j + 4k 8m
FBD = FBD z
62 + 52 + 42

= FBD(0.6838i 0.5698j + 0.4558k) (4)

6.4 Space Trusses Example 4, page 4 of 7
4 Substituting the component form of the forces in Eqs. 2, 3, and 4 into
Eq. 1 gives

FBA + FBD + FBC 800j + 400k = 0 (Eq. 1 repeated)

or, in scalar form,

Fx = 0: 0.3714FBA + 0.7682FBC + 0.6838FBD = 0 (5)

Fy = 0: 0.9285FBA 0.6402FBC 0.5698FBD 800 = 0 (6)

Fz = 0: 0.4558 FBD + 400 = 0 (7)

5 Solving Eqs. 5, 6, and 7 simultaneously gives

FBA = 646.2198 N = 646.2198 N (C) Ans. (8).

FBC = 468.6150 N (T) Ans. (9)

FBD = 877.4964 N = 877.4964 N (C) Ans. (10)

6.4 Space Trusses Example 4, page 5 of 7
6 Now that the force in member BC is known, there are y
only three unknowns at joint C. 2m 800 N
400 N
Free-body diagram of joint C B

FCB = FBC

FCAi = (468.6150 N)(0.7682i 0.6402j), by Eq. 3 5m

C
= 360i + 300j
FCDk C
Cyj (Reaction from link C) x
Equilibrium equations: A
4m
D
Fx = 0: FCA 360 = 0
8m
Fy = 0: Cy + 300 = 0
z
Fz = 0: FCD = 0

7 Solving simultaneously gives

FCA = 360 N

= 360 N (C) Ans. (11)

FCD = 0 Ans. (12)

Cy = 300 N (13)
6.4 Space Trusses Example 4, page 6 of 7
8 Now that the forces in members CD and BD are known, y
a free-body diagram of joint D will give an equation for 2m 800 N
the remaining unknown member force, FDA. 400 N
B

9 Free-body diagram of joint D

FDB
FCD = 0 5m
FDA
Dxi
D
C
x
Reactions from links
Dyj A
4m
10 Equilibrium equation: D

8m
FDA + FDB + Dxi + Dyj = 0 (14)
z

11 Express the forces in component form.

FDB = FBD 8i 4k
12 FDA = FDA
= FBD(0.6838i 0.5698j + 0.4558k) (Eq. 4 repeated) 82 + 42
877.4964 N, by Eq. 10
= FDA( 0.8944i 0.4472k ) (16)
= {600i 500j + 400k} N (15)
6.4 Space Trusses Example 4, page 7 of 7
13 Substitute the component form of the force vectors in Eqs. 15 and
16 into Eq. 14:

FDA + FDB + Dxi + Dyj = 0 (Eq. 14 repeated)

or

0.8944FDAi 0.4472FDAk + 600i 500j

+ 400k + Dxi + Dyj = 0

Then the summation of the z components gives

Fz = 0: 0.4472FDA + 400 = 0

Solving gives

FDA = 894 N (T) Ans.

6.4 Space Trusses Example 5, page 1 of 5
5. The truss is supported by ball-and-socket
joints at A, B, C, and D. Determine the forces
in members FE and EC. State whether the y
forces are tension or compression.
800 N 800 N
800 N 800 N
G H
E
F

8m
B
C x

4m

2m

4m
A
D

5m 3m
3m

z
6.4 Space Trusses Example 5, page 2 of 5
y

800 N 800 N
800 N
800 N G H
Section E
F

8m
B
C x

4m

2m

4m
D A

3m 5m 3m 1 Because we have been asked to find only two

member forces, the method of sections will be
z used. Pass a section through the truss that cuts
members DF, CF, FG, and FE.
6.4 Space Trusses Example 5, page 3 of 5
2 Free-body diagram of portion of truss on
side of section that includes joint F.
y

800 N FFG (parallel to the z axis)

F
FFE
FBD
3 FEF can be computed by summing moments about the z axis:
+ Mz = 0: (800 N)(3 m) FFE(8 m) = 0
8m
C x
Solving gives

FFE = 300 N = 300 N (C) Ans.

3m
D

z
6.4 Space Trusses Example 5, page 4 of 5
y

800 N 800 N
800 N
800 N G H
E Section
F

8m
B
C x

4m

2m

4m
D A

3m 5m 3m 4 To calculate the force in member EC, pass a

section through the truss that cuts members EC,
z EF, EA, and EH.
6.4 Space Trusses Example 5, page 5 of 5
5 Free-body diagram of portion of truss on 6 FEC can be found by summing moments about line AB. To
side of section that includes joint E sum moments, first we have to express FEC in component
form.
800 N
8i 8j 6k
FEC (Parallel to line AB) FEC = FEC
82 + 82 + 62
E
FFE = 300 N (C)
Position = FEC( 0.6247i 0.6247j 0.4685k)
y vector
FEC
FEA from B The moment of FEC about the line AB is given by
to E
8m MAB = u rBE FEC
C B
x = k { 3i + 8j + 6k} m
6m FEC( 0.6247i 0.6247j 0.4685k)
Unit vector
parallel to AB = 6.8716 FEC
8m
z
7 Sum moments about AB, calling a moment positive if it
A produces a counterclockwise moment about AB, as
3m viewed from A looking back at B.
+
MAB = (800 N)(3 m) 300 N)(8 m) + 6.8716 FEC = 0

Solving gives

FEC = 0 Ans.