UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Analysis of Structures

I. Introduction
Analysis of structure is the process of determining how the applied loads are distributed to the
members of the structure. Two types of structures will be studied; they are pin-connected trusses
and pin connected Frames.

II. Objectives
After completion of this course the student should be able to:

a. Determine how structures are analyzed

b. Solve the members of the truss by method of joints and sections
III. Truss

A truss is an assemblage of straight members connected at their ends by flexible connections to

form a rigid configuration. Since they are light in weight and of high strength they are widely used
for supporting bridges and roof of buildings. Trusses are formed by enlarging the basic truss
element (triangular truss, three members, and three joints) by adding two additional members
for every additional joint like in Figure 5.1.

Figure 5. 1 Truss

Here are the basic assumptions on the Analysis of Structures

1. All members are connected only at their ends by frictionless hinges
2. All loads and support reactions are applied only at the joints.
The centroidal axis of each member coincides with the line connecting the centers of the adjacent
joints. The reason for making these assumptions is to obtain an ideal truss whose members are
subjected to axial forces (two force member).

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UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

IV. Zero-Force-Members

Two common type of arrangements of members that result in zero force member. Shown in
Figure 5.2, the first type is when there is only two non collinear member that are connected to a
joint and has no external loads or reactions applied to it, then the force in both members is zero.
The second one is if there are three members, two of which are collinear, that are connected to
a joint that has no external loads or reactions applied to it, then the force in non collinear member
is zero.

Figure 5. 2 Common Types of Zero-Force-Members

V. Method of Joints
The assumption that the members of the truss are two force members indicates that the free
body diagram of the force acting any joint is a concurrent force system.

General procedure for analysis.

2. Identify if there are zero force members.

3. Draw a free body of the whole truss, showing all external loads and reactions.

4. Examine the free body diagram of the truss to select a joint that has no more than two
unknown force (which must not be collinear) acting on it.

5. Draw the FBD of the selected joint and apply ∑x = 0 and ∑y =0 to determine the unknown
forces. Forces directed to joint are compressive (push) and tensile (pull) if directed away
from the joint. Proceed to the next joint with no more than two unknown forces and
apply step 4.

6. Repeat step 4 until all forces in the truss members have been found. It is customary to
start at one end to the middle member then from the other end to the middle member.
Check the equilibrium of the forces in the unused joint using computed results.

53 STATICS OF RIGID BODIES v.1.0 BY CHARMAINE P. NARVADEZ

UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Example 5.1 Solving by Method of Joints

Determine the force in each member of the roof truss shown.

Solution:

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES v.1.0 BY CHARMAINE P. NARVADEZ 54

UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

to check:

Example 5.2 Solving by Method of Joints

Determine the force in each member of the roof truss shown.

55 STATICS OF RIGID BODIES v.1.0 BY CHARMAINE P. NARVADEZ

UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Solution:

By symmetry the reactions at the support will be

equal to half the total loads

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UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

57 STATICS OF RIGID BODIES v.1.0 BY CHARMAINE P. NARVADEZ