شابتر 4

An-Najah National University
College of Engineering
Statics-61110
Chapter [4]
Structures
Dr. Sameer Shadeed
1 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

Chapter Objectives
Students will be able to:
1. Define a plane truss and space truss
2. Determine the forces in members of a truss
3. Identify zero-force members
4. Draw the free body diagram of a frame or

machine and its members
5. Determine the forces acting at the joints and

supports of a frame or machine
Applications
Trusses are commonly

used to support a roof
For a given truss

geometry and load, how can
we determine the forces in
the truss members and
select their sizes?
A more challenging
question is that for a given
load, how can we design the
trusses geometry to
minimize cost?
Applications
Trusses are also

used in a variety of
structures like cranes
and the frames of
aircraft or space
stations
How can we design

a light weight
structure that will
meet load, safety, and
cost specifications?
Plane Trusses
A truss is a structure composed of slender members

joined together at their end points
If a truss, along with the imposed load, lies in a single
plane (as shown at the top right), then it is called a plane
truss

Simple Trusses
A simple truss is a plane truss which begins with a

triangular element and can be expanded by adding
two members and a joint
For these trusses, the number of members (M) and
the number of joints (J) are related by the equation
M = 2J – 3

Analysis and Design Assumptions
When designing both the member and the joints of a truss,

first it is necessary to determine the forces in each truss
member
This is called the force analysis of a truss. When doing
this, two assumptions are made:
1. All loads are applied at the joints. The weight of the

truss members is often neglected as the weight is
usually small as compared to the forces supported by
the members
2. The members are joined together by smooth pins. This
assumption is satisfied in most practical cases where
the joints are formed by bolting or welding

Analysis and Design Assumptions
With these two assumptions, the

members act as two-force members
The two forces are applied at the

ends of the member and are
necessarily equal, opposite and
collinear for equilibrium
They are loaded in either tension or

compression
Often compressive members are

made thicker to prevent buckling
The Method of Joints
In this method of solving for the

forces in truss members, the equilibrium
of a joint (pin) is considered
All forces acting at the joint are
shown in a FBD
This includes all external

forces (including support
reactions) as well as the forces
acting in the members
Equations of equilibrium
∑FX= 0 and ∑FY = 0) are
(∑
used to solve for the unknown
forces acting at the joints
Steps For Analysis
1. If the support reactions are not given, draw a FBD of the entire
truss and determine all the support reactions using the equations
of equilibrium
2. Draw the free-body diagram of a joint with one or two unknowns
3. Assume that all unknown member forces act in tension (pulling
the pin) unless you can determine by inspection that the forces
are compression loads
4. Apply the scalar equations of equilibrium, ∑FX = 0 and ∑FY = 0,
to determine the unknown (s)
5. If the answer is positive, then the assumed direction (tension) is
correct, otherwise it is in the opposite direction (compression)
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at each joint in succession until all the
required forces are determined
Example 1
Determine the force in each member of the shown truss and
indicate whether the members are in tension or compression

Example 1 (Solution)
Joint B: ∑FX = 500 – FBC sin45°= 0, F BC =

707.1 N (C)
∑FY = FBC cos45°– F BA = 0, FBA =

500 N (T)
Joint C:
∑FX = – FCA + 707.1 cos45°= 0
FAC = 500 N (T)
∑FY = CY – 707.1 sin45°= 0

CY = 500 N

Joint A:
∑ FX = 500 – Ax = 0
Ax = 500 N
∑ FY = 500 – AY = 0
AY = 500 N


Example 2



Example 3





Zero – Force Members
If a joint has only two non-

collinear members and there is no
external load or support reaction at
that joint, then those two members
are zero-force members
In this example members DE,
CD, AF, and AB are zero force
members
You can easily prove these
results by applying the equations of
equilibrium to joints D and A
Zero-force members can be
removed (as shown in the figure)
when analyzing the truss
Zero – Force Members
If three members form a truss joint
for which two of the members are
collinear and there is no external load
or reaction at that joint, then the third
non-collinear member is a zero force
member
Again, this can easily be proven. One
can also remove the zero-force
member, as shown, on the right, for
analyzing the truss further
Please note that zero-force members
are used to increase stability and
rigidity of the truss, and to provide
support for various different loading
conditions
Example 4
Using the method of joints, determine all the zero-force

members of the truss shown

Look for joint geometries that have three members for which two
are collinear
Joint G:
∑FY = 0
FGC = 0
Joint D:
+ ∑FX = 0
FDF = 0

Joint F:
∑FY = 0
FFC cosθ = 0
Since θ ≠ 0, FFC = 0

The Method of Sections (When It Is Used)
Long trusses are often used to construct bridges

The method of joints requires that many joints be analyzed
before we can determine the forces in the middle part of the truss
The method of sections is another method to determine these
forces directly?
The Method of Sections
When we need to find the force in only a few members of a

truss, we can analyze the truss using the method of sections
It is based on the principle that if a body is in equilibrium

then any part of the body is also in equilibrium
In the method of
sections, a truss is
divided into two parts
by taking an imaginary
“cut” (shown here as a-
a) through the truss

The Method of Sections
Since truss members are

subjected to only tensile or
compressive forces along their
length, the internal forces at
the cut member will also be
either tensile or compressive
with the same magnitude
This result is based on the

equilibrium principle and
Newton’s third law

Steps For Analysis
1. Decide how you need to “cut” the truss. This is based on:
a) where you need to determine forces, and, b) where the total
number of unknowns does not exceed three (in general)
2. Decide which side of the cut truss will be easier to work with
(minimize the number of reactions you have to find)
3. If required, determine the necessary support reactions by
drawing the FBD of the entire truss and applying the equations of
equilibrium
4. Draw the FBD of the selected part of the cut truss. We need to
indicate the unknown forces at the cut members
5. Initially we may assume all the members are in tension, as we did
when using the method of joints. Upon solving, if the answer is
positive, the member is in tension as per our assumption. If the
answer is negative, the member must be in compression
Steps For Analysis
6. Apply the equations of

equilibrium to the selected cut
section of the truss to solve for
the unknown member forces.
Please note that in most cases
it is possible to write one
equation to solve for one
unknown directly

Example 5



Example 6




Example 7






Space Truss
A space truss consists of members joined together at their
ends to form a stable three dimensional structure
The simplest element of a space truss is a tetrahedron,
formed by connecting six members together
The members of a space

truss may be treated as
two force members
provided the external
loading is applied at the
joints and the joints
consists of ball-and-socket
connections

Procedure for Analysis
Either the method of joints or the method of sections can

be used to determine the forces developed in the members
of a simple space truss
Method of Joints:
If the forces in all the members of the truss must be
determined, the method of joints is most suitable for analysis
When using the method of joints, it is necessary to solve
the three scalar equilibrium equations ∑FX = 0, ∑FY = 0, and
∑FZ = 0 at each joint
If the three dimensional geometry of the force system at
the joint is hard to visualize, it is recommended that a
Cartezian vector analysis be used for the solution
Procedure for Analysis
Method of Sections:
If only a few member forces are to be determined, the
method of sections may be used
When an imaginary section is passed through a truss and
the truss is seperated into two parts, the force system acting
on one of the parts must satisfy the six scalar equilibrium
equations: ∑FX = 0, ∑FY = 0, ∑FZ = 0, ∑MX = 0, ∑MY = 0,
and ∑MZ = 0
By proper choice of the sections and axis for summing
forces and moments, many of the unknown member forces
in a space truss can be computed directly, using a single
equilibrium equation

Statically Determinant Space Truss
In general case of statically determinate space

truss , the entire truss composed of m members (m
unknowns) plus six unknown support reactions
Thus, for any space truss , the equation m + 6 = 3j
will be satisfied if the truss is statically determinate
internally
If m + 6 > 3j , there are more members than there
are independent equations, and the truss is statically
indeterminate internally
If m + 6 < 3j , there is a deficiency of internal
members, and the truss is unstable and subject to
collapse under load
Example 8




Frames
Frames are commonly

used to support various
external loads
How is a frame different

than a truss?
How can you determine

the forces at the joints and
supports of a frame?

Machines
Machines, like these below, are used in a variety of
applications. How are they different from trusses and frames?
How can you determine the loads at the joints and
supports? These forces and moments are required when
designing the machine members

Definitions
Frames and machines are two common types of
structures that have at least one multi-force member.
(Recall that trusses have nothing but two-force
members)
A multi-force member is defined as one with three or
more forces acting on it, or one with two or more forces
and one or more couples acting on it
Frames are structures which are designed to support
applied loads and are usually fixed in position
Machines are structures which contain moving parts
and are designed to transmit input forces or couples to
output forces or couples
Steps for Analyzing a Frame or Machine
1. Draw the FBD of the frame or machine and its members,
as necessary
2. Develop a strategy to apply the equilibrium equations to
solve for the unknowns
Hints:
a) Identify any two-force members, b) Forces on contacting
surfaces (usually between a pin and a member) are equal and
opposite, and,
c) For a joint with more than two members or an external
force, it is advisable to draw a FBD of the pin
Notice that: Problems are going to be challenging since

there are usually several unknowns. A lot of practice is needed
to develop good strategies

Steps for Analyzing a Frame or Machine

Example 9




Example 10





Example 11





Example 12



Example 13

Example 13



Example 14



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An-Najah National University

Dr. Sameer Shadeed

1 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

Students will be able to:

1. Define a plane truss and space truss

2. Determine the forces in members of a truss

3. Identify zero-force members

4. Draw the free body diagram of a frame or

5. Determine the forces acting at the joints and

Trusses are commonly

For a given truss

Trusses are also

How can we design

A truss is a structure composed of slender members

5 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

A simple truss is a plane truss which begins with a

6 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

When designing both the member and the joints of a truss,

1. All loads are applied at the joints. The weight of the

7 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

With these two assumptions, the

The two forces are applied at the

They are loaded in either tension or

Often compressive members are

In this method of solving for the

This includes all external

11 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

Joint B: ∑FX = 500 – FBC sin45°= 0, F BC =

∑FY = FBC cos45°– F BA = 0, FBA =

∑FY = CY – 707.1 sin45°= 0

12 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

13 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

14 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

15 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

16 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

17 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

18 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

19 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

20 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

21 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

22 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

If a joint has only two non-

Using the method of joints, determine all the zero-force

25 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

26 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

27 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

Long trusses are often used to construct bridges

When we need to find the force in only a few members of a

It is based on the principle that if a body is in equilibrium

29 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

Since truss members are

This result is based on the

30 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

6. Apply the equations of

32 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

33 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

34 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

35 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

36 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

37 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

38 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

39 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed

40 Statics Notes 2013 [Structures] Dr. Sameer Shadeed