PROBLEM 6.

Using the method of joints, determine the force in each member of the truss
shown. State whether each member is in tension or compression.

SOLUTION

AB = 32 + 1.252 = 3.25 m
BC = 32 + 42 = 5 m
Reactions:
ΣM A = 0: (84 kN)(3 m) − C (5.25 m) = 0

C = 48 kN

ΣFx = 0: Ax − C = 0

A x = 48 kN

ΣFy = 0: Ay = 84 kN = 0

A y = 84 kN

Joint A:
12
ΣFx = 0: 48 kN − FAB = 0
13
FAB = +52 kN FAB = 52.0 kN T 

5
ΣFy = 0: 84 kN − (52 kN) − FAC = 0
13
FAC = +64.0 kN FAC = 64.0 kN T 
Joint C:

FBC 48 kN
= FBC = 80.0 kN C 
5 3

PROPRIETARY MATERIAL. © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this Manual may be displayed,
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, or used beyond the limited
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 PROBLEM 6.4

Using the method of joints, determine the force in each member

of the truss shown. State whether each member is in tension or
compression.

SOLUTION
Free body: Truss:
From the symmetry of the truss and loading, we find C = D = 600 lb

FAB FBC 300 lb

Free body: Joint B: = =
5 2 1

FAB = 671 lb T FBC = 600 lb C 

Free body: Joint C:
3
ΣFy = 0: FAC + 600 lb = 0
5
FAC = −1000 lb FAC = 1000 lb C 

4
ΣFx = 0: ( −1000 lb) + 600 lb + FCD = 0 FCD = 200 lb T 
5
From symmetry:
FAD = FAC = 1000 lb C , FAE = FAB = 671 lb T , FDE = FBC = 600 lb C 

PROPRIETARY MATERIAL. © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this Manual may be displayed,
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, or used beyond the limited
distribution to teachers and educators permitted by McGraw-Hill for their individual course preparation. If you are a student using this Manual,
you are using it without permission.

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