Forces in Truss Member

Truss- a framework, typically consisting of rafters, posts, and struts, supporting a roof, bridge, or other
structure.
Assumptions for Design. To design both the members and the connections of a truss, it is first necessary
to determine the force developed in each member when the truss is subjected to a given loading. In this
regard, two important assumptions will be made in order to idealize the truss.

1. The members are joined together by smooth pins.

2. All loadings are applied at the joints.

Because of these two assumptions, each truss member acts as an axial force member, and
therefore the forces acting at the ends of the member must be directed along the axis of the
member. If the force tends to elongate the member, it is a tensile force (T), Fig. 3–6a; whereas if
the force tends to shorten the member, it is a compressive force (C), Fig. 3–6b. In the actual design
of a truss it is important to state whether the force is tensile or compressive.
 Two methods in determining the forces in truss members
1. Joint method
2. Method of section

Example no. 1 (Joint Method)

Determine the force in each member of the truss. State whether the members are in tension or
compression. Set 𝑃 = 8 𝑘𝑁

∑ 𝑀𝐸 = 0 𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒

𝐴𝑦 (4) − 𝑃 (4) = 0

𝐴𝑦 = 𝑃 = 8𝑘𝑁 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑

@ joint A

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 Assume upward force is positive

−𝐴𝑦 + 𝐴𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛60 = 0
8
𝐹𝐴𝐵 = = 9.24 𝑘𝑁 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑠𝑖𝑛60
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 Assume force directed to right is positive

𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠60 − 𝐴𝐸 = 0
(9.24)𝑐𝑜𝑠60 − 𝐴𝐸 = 0

𝐴𝐸 = 4.62 𝑘𝑁 Compression
@ joint B

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 Assume upward force is positive

−𝐴𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛60 + 𝐵𝐸𝑠𝑖𝑛60 = 0
𝐴𝐵 = 𝐵𝐸 = 9.24 𝑘𝑁 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 Assume force directed to right is positive

−𝐴𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠60 − 𝐵𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑠60 + 𝐵𝐶 = 0
−9.24𝑐𝑜𝑠60 − 9.24𝑐𝑜𝑠60 + 𝐵𝐶 = 0

𝐵𝐶 = 9.24 𝑘𝑁 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

@ joint D

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 Assume upward force is positive

𝐶𝐷𝑠𝑖𝑛60 − 𝑃 = 0

𝐶𝐷 = 9.24 𝑘𝑁 𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 Assume force directed to right is positive

−𝐶𝐷𝑐𝑜𝑠60 + 𝐷𝐸 = 0

−9.24𝑐𝑜𝑠60 + 𝐷𝐸 = 0

𝐷𝐸 = 4.62 𝑘𝑁 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝.

@ joint C

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 Assume upward force is positive

−𝐶𝐷𝑠𝑖𝑛60 + 𝐶𝐸𝑠𝑖𝑛60 = 0

−9.24𝑠𝑖𝑛60 + 𝐶𝐸𝑠𝑖𝑛60 = 0

𝐶𝐸 = 9.24 𝑘𝑁 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

Example no. 2: Joint Method

Determine the force in member GB and CE of the truss. State if the members are in tension or
compression. Assume all members are pin connected.

𝐴𝑦 𝐷𝑦
FBD @ joint G

∑ 𝐹𝑦′ = 0

−8𝑐𝑜𝑠∅ + 𝐵𝐺 = 0

𝐵𝐺 = 8𝑐𝑜𝑠∅
tan∅ = 0.5

. ∅ = 26.565 𝑑𝑒𝑔.

𝐵𝐺 = 8 𝑐𝑜𝑠26.565 = 7.16 𝑘𝑁 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

By inspection,

BG = CE = 7.16 kN Compression
Assignment no. 1 Deadline: 11/16/2021

If the maximum force that any member can support is 8 kN in tension and 6 kN in compression, determine
the maximum force P that can be supported at joint D. 20 points