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Notes 03b PDF
Notes 03b PDF
If a truss is in equilibrium, then each of its joints Recall, that the line of action of a force acting on
must be in equilibrium. a joint is determined by the geometry of the truss
member.
The method of joints consists of satisfying the
equilibrium equations for forces acting on each The line of action is formed by connecting the
joint. two ends of each member with a straight line.
F F
Since direction of the force is known, the
x 0 y 0 remaining unknown is the magnitude of the
force.
Tension Force
Compression Force
Idealized joint –
members connected by Lower chord in tension
a frictionless pin
This is a Pratt truss
CIVL 3121 Trusses - Method of Joints 2/5
Procedure for analysis - the following is a Procedure for analysis - the following is a
procedure for analyzing a truss using the method procedure for analyzing a truss using the method
of joints: of joints:
3. Write the equations of equilibrium for each joint, 4. If possible, begin solving the equilibrium equations
at a joint where only two unknown reactions exist.
F F
Work your way from joint to joint, selecting the new
x 0 y 0 joint using the criterion of two unknown reactions.
Example - Consider the following truss Example - Consider the following truss
First, determine the support reactions for the truss First, determine the support reactions for the truss
Ax
Fy 0 Ay Cy Ay = -500 lb. Ax
10 ft.
Ay Cy Fx 0 Ax 500 lb. Ax = -500 lb.
10 ft.
Ay Cy
CIVL 3121 Trusses - Method of Joints 3/5
Fx 0 FBC cos 45 500 lb.
500 lb.
FAB
Fx 0 FAC 500 lb. FAC = 500 lb. FAB
FBC FBC = -707.2 lb.
500 lb. FAC
B 4 ft. C
E
A 60 60 D
4 ft. 4 ft.
800 lb.
Case 1: If two members are connected at a joint and there is Case 2: If three members are connected at a joint and there
no external force applied to the joint is no external force applied to the joint and two of the
members are colinear
y
Fy 0 F1 sin
y
F1 F1 = 0 F1
Fx 0 F1 cos F2 F2 = 0
F3 F2
F2
x
x
Fy 0 F1 sin F1 = 0
Determine the force in each member of the truss shown Determine the force in each member of the truss shown
below: below:
B D B D
E E
A A
G F G F
Determine the force in each member of the truss shown The equations of equilibrium for Joint C
below: 800 lb.
Fx 0 FBC FCD
4 4
The remaining non-zero
FBC = FCD
800 lb. 5 5
4 4
forces can be found using 3 3
the method of joints C
Fy 0 FBC FCD 800 lb.
3 3
FBC FCD
5 5
B D FBC = -666.7 lb.
E
A FBC = 666.7 lb. (C)
G F
8 ft. 8 ft.
CIVL 3121 Trusses - Method of Joints 5/5
Any questions?