Good day, in this video we will discuss all about structural analysis.

Which includes simple trusses, the methods of joints, zero force members, the methods of section and
lastly frames and machines.
And to start lets define a truss. So, A truss is a structure that consists of members organised into connected
triangles so that the overall assembly behaves as a single object. Trusses are most commonly used
in bridges, roofs and towers. Just like in this picture.
It can be seen that A truss is made up of a web of triangles joined together to enable the even distribution
of weight and the handling of changing tension and compression without bending or shearing. The triangle
is geometrically stable when compared to a four (or more) -sided shape which requires that the
corner joints are fixed to prevent shearing.
Trusses consist of triangular units constructed with straight members. The ends of these members are
connected at joints, known as nodes. They are able to carry significant loads, transferring them to
supporting structures such as load-bearing beams, walls or the ground.
When designing the members and 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 the ends together. With these two assumptions, the members act as
two-force members. They are loaded in either tension or compression. Often compressive members are
made thicker to prevent buckling.
A simple truss is a planar truss that begins with a triangular element and can be expanded by adding two
members and a joint.
For example, consider the pin at joint B of this truss. Three forces act on the pin, namely, the 500-N force
and the forces exerted by members BA and BC. Here, FBA is “pulling” on the pin, which means that
member BA is in tension; whereas FBC is “pushing” on the pin, and consequently member BC is in
compression. The pushing or pulling on segments indicates the effect of the member being either in
compression or tension.
Next, when using the method of joints, always start at a joint having at least one known force and at most
two unknown forces. In this way, application of Σ Fx = 0 and Σ Fy = 0 yields two algebraic equations which
can be solved for the two unknowns.
Always assume the unknown member forces acting on the joint’s free-body diagram to be in tension; i.e.,
the forces “pull” on the pin. If this is done, then numerical solution of the equilibrium equations will yield
positive scalars for members in tension and negative scalars for members in compression. Once an
unknown member force is found, use its correct magnitude and sense (T or C) on subsequent joint free-
body diagrams.
Now, let’s try to follow this procedure in solving this sample problem.
At point A we have a fixed support so here we have two force components which is Ax and Ay, and at point
D we have a roller so here we have a force that is perpendicular to the surface.
After determining all the possible reactions. We will now proceed on calculating the values of the support
reactions.
By inspection, we will notice that we can do a moment at point D to calculate the value of Ay. Doing that, we
have Ay = to -3.3333 which means that the direction of Ay is opposite to our assumed direction.
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 the truss is in equilibrium, then any segment of the
truss is also in equilibrium. For example, consider the two truss members shown on the left. If the forces
within the members are to be determined, then an imaginary section, indicated by the blue line, can be
used to cut each member into two parts and thereby “expose” each internal force as “external” to the free-
body diagrams shown on the right. Clearly, it can be seen that equilibrium requires that the member in
tension (T) be subjected to a “pull,” whereas the member in compression (C) is subjected to a “push.” The
method of sections can also be used to “cut” or section the members of an entire truss. If the section
passes through the truss and the free-body diagram of either of its two parts is drawn, we can then apply
the equations of equilibrium to that part to determine the member forces at the “cut section.” Since only
three independent equilibrium equations (Fx = 0, Fy = 0, MO = 0) can be applied to the free-body diagram
of any segment, then we should try to select a section that, in general, passes through not more than three
members in which the forces are unknown.