Two-Force and Three-Force

Member Example
Steven Vukazich
San Jose State University
The structure shown is pin supported at points A and D.
Members ABC and CD are connected by an internal hinge at
point C. For the loading shown, find the reaction forces at
the pin supports at at points A and D. The weight of the
members is negligible.

A
30 mm

D
30 mm
B

30 kN 40 mm
80 mm 100 mm
 FBD of Entire Structure

4 Unknowns
Ay 3 Equations of Equilibrium
Ax

A
30 mm
D
Dx
Dy 30 mm
B

30 kN 40 mm
80 mm 100 mm
 FBDs of ABC and CD
CD is a
two-force 6 Unknowns
member 6 Equations of
Dx D Equilibrium
30 mm
Ay Dy
Cx
C

Ax A
Cy
Equal and
opposite
60 mm 40 mm forces at C

B Cx

30 kN Cy
80 mm 100 mm
FBDs of ABC and CD recognizing that CD is a two-force member

FCD

D
30 mm
Ay
Equal and
C
Ax A FCD opposite
5 forces at C
40 mm 3
60 mm 4
FCD
B

30 kN
80 mm 100 mm
 FBD of ABC

3 Unknowns
3 Equations of Equilibrium
Ay
3
Ax A 𝐹"# sin 𝜃 = 𝐹"#
5
5
3
4 4
60 mm 𝐹"# cos 𝜃 = 𝐹"# 𝜃
5

30 kN
80 mm 100 mm
 Ay Equilibrium of ABC
3
Ax A 𝐹"# sin 𝜃 = 𝐹"#
5
5
3
4 4
60 mm 𝐹"# cos 𝜃 = 𝐹"# 𝜃
5

30 kN
80 mm 100 mm

+ . 𝑀0 = 0

FCD = -40 kN
 Ay Equilibrium of ABC

Ax A

3
60 mm 𝐹"#
5
4
𝐹"#
B 5

30 kN
80 mm 100 mm

+ . 𝐹4 = 0

Ay = 6 kN
 Ay Equilibrium of ABC

Ax A

3
60 mm 𝐹"#
5
4
𝐹"#
B 5

30 kN
80 mm 100 mm

+
. 𝐹5 = 0

Ax = 32 kN
 Show results on a FBDs of ABC and CD

40 kN
D
30 mm
6 kN
32 kN
A C
40 kN
40 mm 5
3
60 mm 4
40 kN
B

30 kN
80 mm 100 mm
 ABC is a Three-Force Member
For Equilibrium, the
three forces acting
on a Three-Force
Member intersect at
32.56 kN 6
one point or are
32
A parallel.

3
60 mm 4
40 kN
B

30 kN
80 mm 100 mm