L4 - 1

Schedule
Week No. Lecture Tutorial
Week 1 Introduction to Statics, Statics of Particles, Equilibrium
10 Jan – 14 Jan 2022 of Rigid Bodies
Week 2 Analysis of Pin-Connected Structures (Trusses, Frames
17 Jan – 21 Jan 2022 and Machines)
Week 3 Introduction to Mechanics of Materials, Stresses and Tutorial 1 on Statics
24 Jan – 28 Jan 2022 Strains (Groups 2A,2B,2C,2D,2E)
Axially-Loaded Members
Week 4 Tutorial 1 on Statics
CNY on Tues 1 Feb,
31 Jan – 5 Feb 2022 (Groups 2H,2I,2J,2K,2L)
Makeup on Sat 5 Feb 10:30 – 11:30 am
Tutorial 2 on Stress & Strain,
Week 5
Torsion of Cylindrical Shafts Axially Loaded Members
7 Feb – 11 Feb 2022
(Groups 2A,2B,2C,2D,2E)
Tutorial 2 on Stress & Strain,
Week 6
Transformation of Stress and Strain Axially Loaded Members
14 Feb – 18 Feb 2022
(Groups 2H,2I,2J,2K,2L)
Recess Week: Sat 19 Feb – Sun 27 Feb 2022
Quiz (All topics in Statics, Stress/Strain, Axially-Loaded Members)
Sat 5 Mar 2022, Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am, LumiNUS + Zoom

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 2

READING QUIZ 1 (L3)

1. If a support prevents translation of a body, then the support exerts a
___________ on the body.
A) Couple moment
B) Force
C) Both A and B.
D) None of the above
2. Internal forces are _________ shown on the free body diagram of a whole
body.
A) Always
B) Often
C) Rarely
D) Never
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 3

READING QUIZ 2 (L3)

y
1. The resultant force ( FR) due to a distributed Distributed load curve
w
load is equivalent to the _____ under the
distributed loading curve, w = w(x).
A) Centroid B) Arc length x

C) Area D) Volume FR

2. The line of action of the distributed load’s equivalent force passes through the
______ of the distributed load.
A) Centroid B) Mid-point
C) Left edge D) Right edge

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 4

Examples of Equivalent Point Load and Location for Distributed Load

w is a function of x and has units of force per length.

The centroid of a right triangle is at a distance one third the width of the
triangle as measured from its base.
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 5

CONCEPT QUIZ 1 (L3)

1. What is the location of FR , i.e., the

FR distance d ?
A B A B
A) 2 m B) 3 m C) 4 m
d
3m 3m D) 5 m E) 6 m

2. If F1 = 1 N, x1 = 1 m, F2 = 2 N
FR
and x2 = 2 m, what is the location
x2 F1 F2 of FR , i.e., the distance x.
x
A) 1 m B) 1.33 m C) 1.5 m
x1 F1 x1  F2 x2  FR x D) 1.67 m E) 2 m
F x  F2 x2 (1)(1)  (2)(2)
x 1 1   1.67 m
FR 3

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 6

CONCEPT QUIZ 2 (L3)

FR
100 N/m

12 m x

1. FR = ____________ 2. x = __________.
A) 12 N B) 100 N A) 3 m B) 4 m
C) 600 N D) 1200 N C) 6 m D) 8 m
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 7

CONCEPT QUIZ 3 (L3)

1. The beam and the cable (with a frictionless pulley at D)
support an 80 kg load at C. In a FBD of only the beam, how
many unknowns are there?
A) Two forces and one couple moment
B) Three forces and one couple moment
C) Three forces
D) Four forces

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 8

2. If the directions of the force and the couple moments are both reversed,
what will happen to the beam?
A) The beam will lift from A.
B) The beam will lift at B.
C) The beam will be restrained.
D) The beam will break.
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 9

ATTENTION QUIZ (L3)

1. Internal forces are not shown on a FBD because the internal forces are _____.
(Choose the most appropriate answer.)
A) Equal to zero B) Equal and opposite and they do not affect the calculations

C) Negligibly small D) Not important

2. How many unknown support reactions are there in this problem?
A) Two forces and two couple moments
B) One force and two couple moments
C) Three forces
D) Three forces and one couple moment

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 10

Steps for Analysis of by Method of Joints

1. If the truss’s support reactions are not given, draw a FBD of the entire truss
and determine the support reactions at one chosen support using the
equations of equilibrium of rigid body.
2. Draw the FBD of a joint with 1 or 2 unknowns. Assume that all unknown
member forces act in tension (pulling on the pin) unless you can
determine by inspection that the forces are compression loads.
3. Apply the scalar equations of equilibrium,  Fx = 0 and  Fy = 0, to
determine the unknowns. If the answer is positive, then the assumed
direction (tension) is correct, otherwise it is in the opposite direction
(compression).
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at each joint in succession until all the required forces
are determined.
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 11

Special Joints
How to recognize the special joints? What are their special properties?
E
Mother of special joint A
B
1) Only 4 members are connected at joint A.
A
2) We focus on joint A and not concerns other joints.
3) DAB is a straight line and EAC is also a straight line.
D C
E
FAE
B FAB

A A

FAD
D C FAC

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 12

Special Joint Properties:

FAE
1. The forces in opposite members must be equal, i.e. FAB
A
FAE  FAC and FAB  FAD
FAD
FAC
2. The forces in two opposite members must be equal
and the force in the other member must be equal to
P. If P = 0, then the force in member AC is zero.
P FAB FAB
FAE  P and FAB  FAD
A
If P  0  FAC  P  0 A

FAD FAD
FAC
FAC  0
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 13

Special Joint Properties:

P FAB
FAB
A
If P  0  FAC  P  0 A

FAD
FAD
FAC

3. The forces in the two members are equal.

FAB  FAD FAE FAE
FAE
FAB
R P  0, R  0
A A A

FAD FAD P FAD

FAC FAC  P and FAB  R
4. The forces in the two members are zero. FAE  P and FAD  R
FAE  FAD  0 If P  0, R  0  FAE  FAD  0

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 14

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, DC, 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.
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 15

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, e.g., DA and CA.

Again, this can easily be proven. One can also remove the
zero-force member, as shown, on the left, for analyzing the
truss further.
Note that zero-force members are used to increase stability
and rigidity of the truss, and to provide support for various
different loading conditions. (For aesthetics design)

• Identify zero force members in

the figure on the right

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 16

Example 1.14 Determine the force in each member of the truss and state if the members
are in tension or compression.
Solution:
Is member CE a zero-force member?

Analyzing pin D:

  Fx  0 : FDE (3 / 5)  600  0


FDE  1000  1 kN (C)

FBD of pin D

   Fy  0 :
y
(1000) ( 4 / 5)  FCD  0
600N
D FCD  800 N  0.8 kN (T)
x
5
4
3
FDE FCD
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 17

FAE FAE  P P FBD of pin C

FAB
FAB y
A FCD = 800 N
A

FAD FAD FCE C 900 N

FAC FAC x
Analyzing pin C: FBC
  Fx  0 : FCE  900  0  FCE  0.9 kN (C)


   Fy  0 : 800  FBC  0  FBC  0.8 kN (T)

FBD of pin E
y FDE = 1000 N
Analyzing pin E:
3   Fx  0 : FAE (3 / 5)  FBE (3 / 5)  1000(3 / 5)  900  0
4 
5
E FCE = 900 N    Fy  0 : FAE (4 / 5)  FBE ( 4 / 5)  1000(4 / 5)  0
3 x
4 5 4 5 Solving these two equations, we get:
FAE 3 FBE FAE  1.75 kN (C), FBE  0.75 kN (T)

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 18

Method of Sections

• Long trusses are often used to construct the bridges.

• The method of joints requires that many joints be analyzed before we
can determine the forces in the middle part of truss.
• Is there another method to determine these forces directly?
• The alternative method is called the Method of Sections.
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 19

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.

Since truss members are subjected to only tensile or compressive forces along their
length, the internal forces at the cut members will also be either tensile or
compressive with the same magnitude as the forces at the joint. This result is based
on the equilibrium principle and Newton’s third law.

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 20

Steps for Method of Section Analysis

1. To “cut” based on: a) forces to be determined, b) total unknowns < 3.

2. Choose side of cut truss (minimize the number of external reactions).
3. If required, determine support reactions by entire truss FBD and applying equations of
equilibrium (E-of-E).
4. Indicate the unknown forces at the cut members. Assume all members are in
tension. Assume forces to be compression by inspection.
5. Apply E-of-E to selected cut section and solve for unknown forces. Try to write one
equation to solve for one unknown directly.
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 21

Advantages and Disadvantages

Method of joints: to find force in each and every member of truss.
Method of sections: to find force in only a few members of truss.

Determine force in members GE, GC and

Determine force in each member of
BC of truss shown by method of section
truss shown by method of joint

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 22

Example 1.15 Determine the force in members KJ, KD, and CD of Pratt truss.
State if the members are intension or compression.

Solution: Plan
a) Take a cut through members KJ, KD and CD.
b) Work with the left part of the cut section. Why?
c) Determine the support reactions at A. What are they?
d) Apply the E-of-E to find the forces in KJ, KD and CD.
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 23

Ax
Ay Gy
56.7 kN

Analyzing the entire truss for the reactions at A, we get

  Fx  0 : Ax  0

A moment equation about G to find Ay results in:
+  M G  0 :  Ay (18)  20(15)  30(12)  40(9)  0  Ay  56.7 kN
Now take moments about point D. Why do this?
+ M D  0 :  56 .7 ( 9 )  20 ( 6 )  30 ( 3)  FKJ ( 4 )  0
 FKJ   75 .1 kN or FKJ  75.1 kN (C)

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 24

Ax
Ay Gy
56.7 kN

Now use the x and y-directions equations of equilibrium.

   Fy  0 : 56.7  20  30  ( 4 / 5) FKD  0
FKD  8.38 kN (T)

  Fx  0 :  75.1  (3 / 5)(8.38)  FCD  0



FCD  70.1 kN (T)

 ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 25

Recommended Procedure for Truss Analysis

Step 1: Draw FBD of entire truss structure as one rigid body showing all applied
forces and support reactions.
Step 2: Find support reactions (not necessarily for finding all unknown reactions).
Step 3: Inspect all joints, once at a time, and determine whether joint is
“special”. If yes, you decide member forces. FBC  0, FAB  FBD
Step 4: Use Method of Joint/Section to determine required member forces with
support reactions that has been computed.
15 kN 5 kN 15 kN 5 kN
4 4
C E 3
C E
3

1m 1m

B D F A B D F
A
9 kN Ay 1m
Ax 1m 1m Fy
1m 1m 1m
20/3 kN 31/3 kN

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 26

Example 1.16 A plane truss shown in Figure. Determine the forces in members
BH, EL, EK and DJ. The force applied at joint J of the truss acts perpendicular
to JK.
1 kN
J

I K

H L

30o 30o
A G
B C D E F
0.5kN 0.5kN
10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 27

Solution: (i) Support reactions at G. 30o 1 kN

J

I K

H L

A 30o 30o
G
Ax B C D E F
Ay 0.5 kN 0.5 kN
RG
10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m

+ M A  0 : RG (60)  0.5(40  20)  (1cos30o )(30)  (1sin 30o )(30 tan 30o )  0
RG  0.789 kN
(ii) By inspection, we have FBH  0 kN, FLF  0 kN, FEL  0 kN,
FEK  0.5 kN. Special joint at B, F, L and E.

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 28

30o 1 kN
J (iii) FBD of section a-a
a
Perpendicular distance from
I K FJK point D to action line of FJK
I K

H
FDJ
L
H FDI L
o o
A 30 30
Ax C a E
G FDC 30o
G
B D F
Ay 0.5 kN 0.5 kN D E F
RG 0.5 kN
10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m 10 m RG
10 m 10 m 10 m

+ M D  0 : FJK sin 30o (30)  RG (30)  (0.5)(10)  0  FJK  1.245 kN

  Fx  0 :  FIJ cos 30o  FJK cos 30o  1sin 30o  0 (iv) FBD of Joint J


 FIJ  1.822 kN 30o 1 kN

J
   Fy  0 :  FDJ  FJK sin 30  FIJ sin 30  1 cos 30  0 o o o 30o 30o

FJK
 FDJ  0.677 kN FIJ
FDJ
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 29

Analysis of Frames/Machines

Frame

Machine

• Have at least one multi-force member. (Trusses have only two-force

members).
• Frames are generally stationary and support external loads.

• Machines contain moving parts and are designed to alter the effect of forces.

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 30

Pin-Jointed Frames
 Acted by three or more forces are not directed along the member.
 Always contain at least 1 multi-force member
 Frame/machines may contain 1 or more 2-force members
Pin-Jointed Machines
 Transmit & modify forces and contain moving parts.
 Machines, like frames always contain at least one multi-force member.

Frames Machines
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 31

Difference Between Truss and Frames/Machines

Truss Frames and Machines

Connection Pin Pin

Member 2-force member ≥ 1 multi-force member

Load applied on joints only can be applied anywhere

Methods method of joints & sections dismembering

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 32

Difference Between Frames and Machines

Frames Machines

Structure Designed to support loads Designed to transmit or modify forces

and usually stationery. and always contain moving parts.

Support Overall equilibrium is Overall equilibrium is insufficient to

generally sufficient to determine all support reactions.
determine the reactions. Structures must be taken part &
Entire frame as a FBD to analyzed. Dismember structure and
write 3 E-o-E. draw FBD of each of multi-force
members.
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 33

Method of Solution
 To solve problems of frames/machines, the method requires:
• Drawing FBD of each components
• Writing equations of equilibrium for each FBD.

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 34

Method of Solution
• In case of trusses, direction of force in all members is known.

• For frames/machines, directions may not be known for some members.

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 35

Analysis of Frames
Example: To determine external forces, consider
equilibrium of entire frames:
M  0: A  T
F  0:
x  Ax
F  0:
y  Ay

To determine internal forces, consider equations of

equilibrium of any multi-force member, such as CF:

M  0: C  FBE
M  0: E  Cy
F  0:
x  Cx

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 36

Points to Note
• Take advantage of 2-force members and show that force
as acting in its known direction.
• Common mistake: treating frames like trusses, i.e. to
draw all forces as acting along members and applying
method of joints.

• Forces on pin connection must be represented with two

unknown components.

• Forces between connected components are equal, have the

same line of action, and opposite sense.

• Unlike analysis of trusses, FBD of pins of a frame are

usually not drawn and analyzed separately.
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 37

Pin ended rigid frame system has pins as their support conditions. This
Analysis of Non-Rigid Frames (1) frame is considered to be non rigid if its support conditions are removed.

• Some frames may collapse if removed from their supports. Such

frames cannot be treated as rigid bodies.
• A FBD of the complete frame indicates 4 unknown force
components which cannot be determined from the 3 equilibrium
conditions.
• 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 FBDs 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.
 M A  0 and  M B  0  Cx , C y
AC CB

F
AC
x  0  Ax F
AC
y  0  Ay

F
CB
x  0  Bx F
CB
y  0  By

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 38

Analysis of Non-Rigid Frames (2)

• Method of analysis may involve solving simultaneous
equations

M
AC
A  0 and  M B  0  C x , C y
CB

• More efficient method is to avoid solving simultaneous

equations

M
ACB
A  0  By M
ACB
B  0  Ay

M
AC
C  0  Ax F
AC
x  0  Cx

F
AC
y  0  Cy F
ACB
x  0  Bx
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 39

Example 1.17 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.

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 40

Solution:
• Draw a FBD for the complete frame and solve for the support reactions.

   Fy  0  Ay  480  0
Ay  480 N
+ M A 0
  ( 480 )(100)  B (160 )  0
B  300 N

  Fx  0  B  Ax  0


Ax  300 N
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 41

• Draw a FBD for member BCD (since the

problem asked for forces on this body). Choose
the best FBD in the following.

A B
FDE,x

FDE,y FDE

C D
FDE,x

FDE FDE,y

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 42

• Using the best FBD for member BCD, what is

the one equilibrium equation that can directly
find FDE?
+ M C 0   tan 1 150
80  28.07

 ( FDE sin  )( 250 )  ( 300 )(60)  (480)(100)  0

FDE   561 N or FDE  561 N (C)

• Sum of forces in the x and y directions may be used to find the force
components at C.

  Fx  0  Cx  FDE cos  300 N  0  Cx  795 N



   Fy  0  Cy  FDE sin  480 N  0  Cy  216 N

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 43

Analysis of Machines
• Machines are structures designed to transmit and
modify forces. Typically they transform input
forces (P) into output forces (Q).
• Given the magnitude of P, determine the magnitude
of Q.
• Draw a FBD of the complete machine, including the
reaction that the wire exerts.

• The machine is a non-rigid structure and must be

dismembered for analysis. Use one of the components
as a free-body.

• Sum moments about A,

a
M A  0  aP  bQ  0  Q 
b
P
Wire Cutters

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 44

Example 1.18 Piston C moves vertically between two smooth walls. If the
spring has a stiffness k = 80 N/mm, and is un-stretched when   0o, determine
the moment M that must be applied to AB to hold the mechanism in equilibrium
when   30o .
A

200 mm M
θ
B

300 mm
C
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 45

Solution: (i) Dismember and construct the FBDs for each member.

The spring force Fs needs to be

Ay
FBC determined through geometry.
A Ax C
M N A

FBC 200 mm M
B θ
Fs B
FBC B
Fs
300 mm
C
C
FBC

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 46

(ii) Spring Force, Fs By using sine law, we obtain

200 mm 300 mm
Unstretched Stretched 
sin sin
A
A  200 
200 mm   arcsin  sin 30o   19.47o
 300 
200 mm θ
B ABC  180o  30o  19.47o  130.53o
B
α Therefore, by using sine law
300 mm 300 mm
300 mm ( AC ) s

sin30 o
sin ABC
C
C 300 mm
( AC ) s  o
sin 130.53o
sin30
 456.05 mm
∆=?
  500  456.05  43.95 mm
Fs  k  80( 43.95)  3516 N
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 47

(iii) Free-Body Diagram: Piston C

Solve for FBC
19.47◦
FBC    Fy  0  FBC cos19.47o  Fs  0
C
N  FBC  Fs / cos19.47o

Ay
Fs Free-Body Diagram: Member AB
M A
Ax
Solve for M 200 mm
30◦
+ M A  0  FBC [sin(30o  19.47 o )]( 0.2 m)  M  0 B

 M  ( Fs / cos19.47o ) sin 49.47o (0.2 m) 30◦

FBC
19.47◦
M  (3516 / cos19.47o ) sin 49.47o (0.2 m)
 566.9 Nm

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 48

Pistons of a 4-Stroke Engine

1 = Intake, 2 = Compression, 3 = Power, 4 = Exhaust

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 49

READING QUIZ (L4)

1. One of the assumptions used when analyzing a simple truss is that the
members are joined together by __________.
A) Welding B) Bolting C) Riveting
D) Smooth pins E) Super glue

2. When using the method of joints, typically _________ equations of

equilibrium are applied at every joint.
A) Two B) Three
C) Four D) Six

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 50

READING QUIZ (L4)

3. In the method of sections, generally a “cut” passes through no more than _____
members in which the forces are unknown.
A) 1 B) 2
C) 3 D) 4

4. If a simple truss member carries a tensile force of T along its length, then the
internal force in the member is ______ .
A) Tensile with magnitude of T/2
B) Compressive with magnitude of T/2
C) Compressive with magnitude of T
D) Tensile with magnitude of T
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 51

READING QUIZ (L4)

5. Frames and machines are different as compared to trusses since they have
___________.
A) Only two-force members B) Only multiforce members
C) At least one multiforce member D) At least one two-force member

6. Forces common to any two contacting members act with _______ on the other
member.
A) Equal magnitudes but opposite sense
B) Equal magnitudes and the same sense
C) Different magnitudes and the opposite sense
D) Different magnitudes and the same sense

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 52

CONCEPT QUIZ (L4)

1. Truss ABC is changed by decreasing its height from H P

to 0.9 H. Width W and load P are kept the same.
A
Which one of the following statements is true for the
revised truss as compared to the original truss? H
B
C
A) Force in all its members have decreased.
B) Force in all its members have increased. W

C) Force in all its members have remained the same.

  
D) None of the above. P P

H
0.9H  F
 F F’    F’

2 F cos   P 2 F  cos    P
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 53

CONCEPT QUIZ (L4)

F F
F

2. For this truss, determine the number of zero-force members.

A) 0 B) 1 C) 2
D) 3 E) 4

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 54

CONCEPT QUIZ (L4)

3. Can you determine the force in member ED

by making the cut at section a-a? Explain
your answer.
A) No, there are four unknowns.
B) Yes, using  MD = 0 .
C) Yes, using  ME = 0 .
D) Yes, using  MB = 0 .
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 55

CONCEPT QUIZ (L4)

4. If you know FED, how will you determine FEB?
A) By taking section b-b and using  ME = 0
B) By taking section b-b, and using  Fx = 0 and  Fy = 0
C) By taking section a-a and using  MB = 0
D) By taking section a-a and using  MD = 0

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 56

CONCEPT QUIZ (L4)

5. The figures show a frame and its FBDs. If an additional couple moment is applied
at C, how will you change the FBD of member BC at B?
A) No change, still just one force (FAB) at B.
B) Will have two forces, Bx and By, at B.
C) Will have two forces and a moment at B.
D) Will add one moment at B.
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 57

CONCEPT QUIZ (L4)

D

6. The figures show a frame and its FBDs. If an additional force is applied at D,
then how will you change the FBD of member BC at B?
A) No change, still just one force (FAB) at B.
B) Will have two forces, Bx and By, at B.
C) Will have two forces and a moment at B.
D) Will add one moment at B.

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 58

ATTENTION QUIZ (L4)

1. Using this FBD, you find that FBC = – 500 N. FBC
Member BC must be in __________.
A) Tension
B
FBD
B) Compression
C) Cannot be determined By

2. When supporting the same magnitude of force, truss members in compression

are generally made _______ as compared to members in tension.
A) Thicker
B) Thinner
C) The same size
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 59

ATTENTION QUIZ (L4)

3. As shown, a cut is made through members GH,

BG and BC to determine the forces in them.
Which section will you choose for analysis and
why?
A) Right, fewer calculations.
B) Left, fewer calculations.
C) Either right or left, same amount of work.
D) None of the above, too many unknowns.

ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 60

ATTENTION QUIZ (L4)

4. When determining the force in member HG

in the previous question, which one equation
of equilibrium is the best one to use?
A)  MH = 0
B)  MG = 0
C)  MB = 0
D)  MC = 0
ME2112 (Part 1) L4 - 61

ATTENTION QUIZ (L4)

5. When determining reactions at joints A,
B and C, what is the minimum number
of unknowns in solving this problem?
A) 6 B) 5
C) 4 D) 3

6. For the above problem, imagine that you have drawn a FBD of member
BC. What will be the easiest way to write an equation involving
unknowns at B?
A)  MC = 0 B)  MB = 0
C)  MA = 0 D)  Fy = 0