 Frame:

 It is a pin-connected structure in which some or

all of the members are subjected to bending
action because of loads applied along their
length in addition to loads at their ends.
 It is not feasible to analyze a frame by passing
a section through the members. Instead,
consider separately the FBD of each member
subjected to bending.
 This procedure is called method of members.
 Frames are structures with at least one
multiforce (>2 forces) member. Frames are
designed to support loads and are usually
stationary.
 A free body diagram of the complete frame is
used to determine the external forces acting on
the frame.
 Internal forces are determined by
dismembering the frame and creating free-body
diagrams for each component.
 Example:
 A free-body diagram of the complete frame
indicates four unknown force components which
cannot be completely determined from the
three available equilibrium conditions for this
FBD.
 Example:
 The frame must be considered as two distinct,
but related, rigid bodies.

 With equal and opposite reactions at the contact

point between members, the two free body
diagrams show 6 unknown force components.
 Equilibrium requirements for the two rigid bodies
yield 6 independent equations. Thus, taking the
frame apart made the problem solvable.
 Example:
 Members ACE and BCD are connected by a pin at
C and by the link DE. For the loading shown,
determine the force in link DE and the
components of the force exerted at C on member
BCD.
 Answer:
 Create a free-body diagram for the complete
frame and solve for the support reactions.

 FY  0  A y  480N
A y  480N 
 MA  0   480N100 mm  B160 mm
B  300N 
 Fx  0  B  A x
A x  300N
A x  300N 
Note :
80
  tan1  28.07
150
 Answer:
 Create a free body diagram for member BCD
(since the problem asked for forces on this body).

 MC  0   FDE sin  250mm  300N60mm  480N100mm

F  561N
DE
F  561NC
DE
 Answer:
 Sum of forces in the x and y directions can be
used to find the force components at C.

 Fx  0  Cx  FDE cos   300N

0  Cx   561N cos  300N
C x  795 N
 Fy  0  Cy  FDE sin   480N
0  Cy   561N sin  480N
C y  216 N
 Answer:
 Check the computations by considering the free
body ACE .

 MA  FDE cos  300mm  FDE sin  100 mm  Cx 220 mm

  561cos  300mm   561 sin  100mm   795220 mm
0
 Example:
 Determine the force in member BD and the
components of the reaction at C.
 Answer:
 Free body: ABC:
 Example:
 Determine the force in member BD and the
components of the reaction at C.
 Answer:
 Free body: ABC:
E