Analysis of Trusses and Frames – Part 1

Dr. Prasun Jana

Assistant Professor
Aerospace Engineering
IIT Kharagpur

ME11003: Basic Engineering Mechanics

Reference:
Engineering Mechanics: Statics by J. L. Meriam and L. G. Kraige
Vector Mechanics for Engineers - Statics and Dynamics by F.P. Beer, E. R. Johnston Jr., et al.
Outline

Part 1  Introduction
 Definition of Trusses and Frames

Part 2
 Analysis of Trusses using Method of Joints
 Example problems

Part 3
 Analysis of Trusses using Method of Sections
 Example problems

Part 4
 Analysis of Frames and Machines
 Example problems

2
Introduction

Definition of Trusses:
A framework composed of members joined at their
ends to form a rigid structure is called a truss.

Examples: Bridges, roof support etc.

Sydney Harbour Bridge San Francisco Airport Terminal Howrah Bridge 3

Introduction

Trusses vs Frames vs Machines:

# Trusses: Contains two-force members only. The structure is
stationary and fully constrained.

Trusses are designed to support loads. Truss

# Frames: At least contain one multi-force member. The

structure is stationary and fully constrained.

Frames are also designed to support loads.

Frame

# Machines: Contains at least one multi-force member. Also,

the structure contains some moving part.

Machines are designed to transmit and modify forces.

Machine 4
Introduction

Idealized truss structures:

Although the members are actually joined together by means of welded, bolted or riveted
joints, it is assumed that the members are pinned together.

Truss members are usually straight and slender, and can support little lateral load. All loads,
therefore, are applied to the various joints, not to the members themselves.

Each member is treated as a two-force member, and the entire truss can be considered as a
group of pins and two-force members.

Idealized truss Two-force members

5
Introduction

Plane Truss: Space Truss:

Members of the truss Two-force members
lie in a single plane. are joined to form a
3-D configuration.

Simple Truss: The basic element of a plane truss is a triangle. A simple truss is a
planar truss which starts with a triangle and can be expanded by two members
and a joint.

Triangular frame Non rigid frame Simple trusses 6

Introduction
Internal and external redundancy:
In a simple truss the total number of members is
m = 2j -3,
where j is the total number of joints. Every time two new members Statically determinate
are added, the number of joints is increased by one.

If m +3 > 2j , more internal members than are necessary to prevent

collapse when the truss is removed from the support. The truss is
statically indeterminate internally. The extra member is called a
redundant member. Statically indeterminate

If a truss has more external supports than are necessary to ensure

stable equilibrium configuration, the truss is statically indeterminate
externally. The extra support constitutes external redundancy.

With support, to check redundancy, we should use m +r = 2j, where m=5, j=4, r=3.
r= no. of reaction components at support. 7
Introduction
Internal and external redundancy- examples:

m = 19, r = 3, j = 11
m + r =2j = 22 m = 15, r = 4, j = 9
Truss is statically determinate m + r = 19 >2j
Truss is statically indeterminate

m = 9, r = 3, j = 6
m + r = 12 = 2j
Truss is statically determinate

8
Introduction
Common trusses: