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This analysis calls for very careful observance of Newton's 3rd law, which states that
each is accompanied by an equal and opposite reaction.
Def. of truss: a framework composed of members connected at their ends to form a rigid
structure.
Examples: Bridges, roof supports, derricks
Structural members used: I-beams, channels, angles, bars
Fastened together at ends by: Welding , rivets, bolts
Weights of truss members are assumed to be applied to the joints, half the weight at each
end. Many times weight is small compared to the forces the members support so it is
neglected.
What does this do? The forces at each end of a member reduce to a single force and no
couple. Members become a 2 -force member. Equal, opposite, collinear (Newton's 3rd
law)
tension Compression
Typical trusses are shown on Pg. 174. what is common about all these trusses?
Made up of triangles. Triangles constitute a rigid truss.
B C
Not rigid
Lecture15.doc 1
A
D
Simple Truss: add 2 new members, attach them to separate existing joints and connect
them at a new joint.
B D
Total # of members, m
m=2n-3 n=total # of joints
A C
A D B
RA F RB
Dismembering
C
D B
A
RA F
Lecture15.doc 2
RB
Notice Newton's 3rd law between the pin and member equal and opposite
The entire truss is a rigid body in equilibrium thus we can write the following equation
for the entire truss.
Fx 0
Fy 0
M 0
The arrangement of pins and members in a simple truss is such that it will always be
possible to find a joint involving only 2 unknown forces.
Once these forces are determined their values are transferred to adjacent joints and this
joint is analyzed. This is repeated until all the unknown forces are determined.
Lecture15.doc 3
Examples
B
A
10 "
Find: using the method of joints, find the force in each member, state compression or
tension.
A y 450 lbs
M A 0
Fx 0
B C y (7.5) 450(31.5) 0
A Ax 0
C y 1890 lbs
x
A
C
Fy 0
x
Ay 450 1890 0
Ay 1440 lbs
C y
Joint B
450 lbs
Fy 0 Fx 0
B
F AB 450 FBC sin 0 FAB FBC cos 0
10 FAB 1170 ( 24
26 )
450 FBC 0
F BC 24 10
2 2
FAB 1080 lbs
FBC 450( 10
26
)
FBC 1170 lbs
Lecture15.doc 4
FBC
These are forces on pins! Forces on members are:
FAb FAB
BC in
Compression
AB in Tension
Joint A
1440
A 1080
F AC
F y 0
1440 FAC sin 0
10
FAC 1440
7.5 10
2 2
FAC 1440( 1210.5 )
FAC 1800 lbs C
Check:
Fx 0
1080 1800 cos 0
1080 1800( 127..55 ) 0
00
Lecture15.doc 5
2). Given: the following truss
A B C
1.6m
D E F
3m 3m
12kn
Find: Using the method of joints, determine the force in each member, state compression,
or
tension.
F.B.D.
5 kN 20 kN 5 kN
A B C
y
D E
F Fx x
Dy 12 kN Fy
M F 0 Fy 0
Fx 0
12(3) 20(3) 5(6) D y (6) 0 5 20 5 12 21 Fy 0
Fx 0
D y 21 kN Fy 21 kN
Joint A
F y 0
Fx 0
5kn FAD 5 0
FAB 0
FAD 5 kN C
FAB
FAD
Lecture15.doc 6
Joint D
FBD
5 kN
FDE
21 kN
F y 0
21 5 FBD sin 0 Fx 0
1.6 FBD cos FDE 0
FBD 16
1.6 3
2 2
FDE 34( 33.4 )
FBD 16( 13..64 ) FDE 30 kn
FBD 34 kN FDE 12 kN T
FBD 34 kN C
Joint E
FBE F y 0
FBE 12 0
FBE 12 kN
30 kN FEF
FBE 12 kN T
12 kN
Lecture15.doc 7