Analysis of Plane Trusses

Dr. Arkadeb Mukhopadhyay

Department of Mechanical Engineering
 Introduction

• Determination of the forces internal to a structure-that is, forces of action and reaction between the connected
members.
• An engineering structure is any connected system of members built to support or transfer forces and to safely
withstand the loads applied to it.
• To determine the forces internal to an engineering structure, we must dismember the structure and analyze
separate free body diagram of individual members or combinations of members.
• This analysis requires careful application of Newton's third law, which states that each action is accompanied
by an equal and opposite reaction.
• The internal forces acting in several types of structures-namely, trusses, frames, and machines.
• In this treatment we consider only statically determinate structures, which do not have more supporting
constraints than are necessary to maintain an equilibrium configuration.
 Introduction contd…
• A framework composed of members joined at their ends to
form a rigid structure is called a truss.
Pratt Howe
• Bridges, roof supports, derricks, and other such structures
are common examples of trusses.
• Structural members commonly used are I-beams, channels,
angles, bars, and special shapes which are fastened together Warren
at their ends by welding, riveted connections, or large bolts Commonly used Bridge Trusses
or pins.
• When the members of the truss lie essentially in a single
plane, the truss is called a plane truss.
• For bridges and similar structures, plane trusses are
commonly utilized in pairs with one truss assembly placed The combined weight of the roadway and vehicles
on each side of the structure. is transferred to the longitudinal stringers, then to
the cross beams, and finally, with the weights of the
stringers and cross beams accounted for, to the
upper joints of the two plane trusses which form the
vertical sides of the structure.
 Simple Trusses
• The basic element of a plane truss is the triangle.
• Three bars joined by pins at their ends, constitute a rigid frame.
• The term rigid is used to mean non-collapsible and also to mean that deformation of the
members due to induced internal strains is negligible.
• On the other hand, four or more bars pin-jointed to form a polygon of as many sides
constitute a nonrigid frame.
• We can make the nonrigid frame rigid, or stable, by adding a diagonal bar joining A and D
or B and C and thereby forming two triangles.
• We can extend the structure by adding additional units of two end-connected bars, such as
DE and CE or AF and DF, which are pinned to two fixed joints.
• In this way the entire structure will remain rigid.
• Structures built from a basic triangle in the manner described are known as simple trusses.
• When more members are present than are needed to prevent collapse, the truss is statically
indeterminate.
• A statically indeterminate truss cannot be analyzed by the equations of equilibrium alone.
• Additional members or supports which are not necessary for maintaining the equilibrium
configuration are called redundant.
 Simple Trusses contd…
• To design a truss, we must first determine the forces in the various member: and then
select appropriate sizes and structural shapes to withstand the forces.
• Several assumptions are made in the force analysis of simple trusses.
• First, we assume all members to be two-force members.
• A two-force member is one in equilibrium under the action of two forces only.
• Each member of a truss is normally a straight link joining the two points of application
of force.
• The two forces are applied at the ends of the member and are necessarily equal, Tension Compression
opposite, and collinear for equilibrium.
Two-Force Members
• The member may be in tension or compression.
• When we represent the equilibrium of a portion of a two-force member, the tension T
or compression C acting on the cut section is the same for all sections.
• We assume here that the weight of the member is small compared with the force it
supports.
 Truss connections and support

• When welded or riveted connections are used to join structural

members, we may usually assume that the connection is a pin
joint if the centerlines of the members are concurrent at the joint.
• We also assume in the analysis of simple trusses that all external
forces are applied at the pin connections.
• This condition is satisfied in most trusses.
• In bridge trusses the deck is usually laid on cross beams which are
supported at the joints.
• For large trusses, a roller, rocker, or some kind of slip joint is used
at one of the supports to provide for expansion and contraction
due to temperature changes and for deformation from applied
loads.
Method of joints

• This method for finding the forces in the members of a truss

consists of satisfying the conditions of equilibrium for the forces
acting on the connecting pin of each joint.
• The method therefore deals with the equilibrium of concurrent
forces, and only two independent equilibrium equations are
involved.
• We begin the analysis with any joint where at least one known
load exists and where not more than two unknown forces are
present.
• The solution may be started with the pin at the left end.
 Method of joints – Example 1
Determine the force in each
member of the loaded truss
by Method of Joints
 Method of joints – Example 1
Determine the force in each
member of the loaded truss
by Method of Joints
 Method of joints – Example 2
Determine the force in each
member of the loaded truss by
Method of Joints.
 Method of joints – Example 2
Determine the force in each
member of the loaded truss by
Method of Joints.
 Method of joints – Example 3
Using the method of joints, determine
the force in each member of the truss.
SOLUTION:
• Based on a free-body diagram of the
entire truss, solve the 3 equilibrium
equations for the reactions at E and C.
• Joint A is subjected to only two unknown
member forces. Determine these from the
joint equilibrium requirements.
• In succession, determine unknown
member forces at joints D, B, and E from
joint equilibrium requirements.
• All member forces and support reactions
are known at joint C. However, the joint
equilibrium requirements may be applied
to check the results.
Method of joints – Example 3

SOLUTION:
• Based on a free-body diagram of the entire truss,
solve the 3 equilibrium equations for the reactions
at E and C.
∑M C 0
 10 kN 12 m   5 kN 6 m   E 3 m 
E  50kN 

∑ Fx  0  C x Cx  0

∑F y  0  10kN - 5 kN  50 kN  C y
C y  35 kN 
Method of joints – Example 3

• Joint A is subjected to only two unknown

member forces. Determine these from the
joint equilibrium requirements.

10 kN FAB FAD FAB  7.5 kN T

  FAD  12.5 kN C
4 3 5

• There are now only two unknown member

forces at joint D.
FDB  FDA FDB  12.5 kN T

FDE  2 35 FDA FDE  15 kN C
Method of joints – Example 3

• There are now only two unknown member

forces at joint B. Assume both are in tension.
∑F y
 0  5kN  4
5
12kN  45 FBE
FBE  18.75 kN FBE  18.75 kN C

∑ Fx  0  FBC  7.5kN  35 12.5kN  35 18.75

FBC  26.25 kN FBC  26.25 kN T

• There is one unknown member force at joint

E. Assume the member is in tension.
∑F x  0  35 FEC 15kN  53 18.75kN
FEC  43.75 kN FEC  43.75 kN C
Method of joints – Example 3

• All member forces and support reactions are

known at joint C. However, the joint equilibrium
requirements may be applied to check the results.

∑F x   26.25  43.75  0 checks

3
5

∑F y   35  5 43.75  0 checks
4
 Method of sections
Method of Joints:
• Only two of three equilibrium
equations were applied at each
joint because the procedures
involve concurrent forces at each
joint

• Calculations from joint to joint

• More time and effort required

Method of Sections
• Take advantage of the 3rd or moment equation of equilibrium by
selecting an entire section of truss

• Equilibrium under non-concurrent force system

• Not more than 3 members whose forces are unknown should

be cut in a single section since we have only 3 independent
equilibrium equations
 Method of sections

• Find out the reactions from equilibrium of whole truss

• To find force in member BE

• Cut an imaginary section (dotted line)
• Each side of the truss section should remain in
equilibrium

• For calculating force on member EF, take moment

about B

• Take moment about E, for calculating force BC

• Now apply Σ Fy = 0 to obtain forces on the members BE

 Method of sections
• Principle: If a body is in equilibrium, then any part of the body is also in
equilibrium.
• Forces in few particular member can be directly found out quickly without solving each joint of
the truss sequentially
• Method of Sections and Method of Joints can be conveniently combined
• A section need not be straight.
• More than one section can be used to solve a given problem
Method of sections - Example

Find out the internal

forces in members FH,
GH, and GI

Find out the reactions

∑ M A  0  5 m6 kN  10 m6 kN  15 m 6 kN 

 20 m 1 kN  25 m 1 kN  30 m L
L  7.5 kN 
∑ Fy  0  20 kN  L  A
A  12.5 kN 
Method of sections - Example

• Pass a section through members FH, GH, and

GI and take the right-hand section as a free
body.
FG 8m
tan     0.5333   28.07
GL 15 m

• Apply the conditions for static equilibrium to determine the

desired member forces.

∑ M H  0
7.50 kN 10 m   1 kN 5 m   F GI 5 .33 m   0
FGI   13 .13 kN
FGI  13 .13 kN T
Method of sections - Example

∑MG  0
7.5 kN 15 m  1 kN 10 m  1 kN 5 m 
 FFH cos  8 m   0
FFH  13.82 kN
FFH  13.82 kN C
GI 5m
tan     0.9375   43.15
HI 2
3
8 m
∑ML  0
1kN 10 m 1 kN 5 m FGH cos  15 m  0
FGH  1.371kN
FGH  1.371 kN C
 Redundant Members
 To maintain alignment of two members during construction
 To increase stability during construction
 To maintain stability during loading (Ex: to prevent
buckling of compression members)
 To provide support if the applied loading is changed
 To act as backup members in case some members fail or
require strengthening
 Analysis is difficult but possible