SESSION 3 : ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURE REDUNDANT MEMBERS (COUNTER DIAGONALS)

There are two types of pin-connected structure, these are the following:

1. Pin-connected trusses – is a type of structure composed of slender members joined together

at their end points where the internal force in a bar is directed along the axis of the bar.
2. Pin-connected frames – is the other type of structure that consists of beam members that are
connected rigidly or by pins at joints in which these members are subjected to bending action.

A truss is a structure that is made of straight, slender bars that are joined together to form a pattern of
triangles.

The analysis of trusses is based on the following three assumptions:

1. The weights of the members are negligible. Meaning the weighs of its members are
generally much smaller than the loads that it is designed to carry. That’s why the truss is
classified as lightweight structure.
2. All joints are pins. All members are usually riveted or welded to a plate.
3. The applied forces act at the joints. Trusses are designed so that the major applied loads
act at the joints. Otherwise it may fail in bending when subjected to loads applied at location
other than the joints because of the slenderness of the members of the truss.
METHOD OF JOINTS
The equilibrium equations are used to each joint (or pin) of the truss when utilizing the method of joints to
determine the forces in the members. The forces in the FBD of a joint are simultaneous since the members
are two-force bodies. As a result, each joint has two separate equilibrium equations available.
In trusses subjected to moving loads, such as railroad bridges, the diagonal members may undergo a
reversal of stress; that is, a diagonal normally in tension may become subject to a compressive load.
As an example consider the truss shown in Fig. It is required to determine which of the tension diagonals
AD or BC in the third panel is acting under the given loading. This is accomplished by passing the section
a-a through the truss. Considering the part of the truss to the left of section a-a, we see that the upward
effect of R1 must be balanced by a downward component of the force in the diagonals.
In order to have a downward component, the forces in the diagonals act as shown. If BC were acting,
the arrow toward pin C indicates that the member would be in compression and hence buckle. On the
other hand, the arrow away from the pin at A indicates AD to be under tension and AD is the tension
member acting. From the dimension of the truss and by equation a vertical summation of forces to zero,
we find the force in member AD to be:

METHOD OF SECTIONS

The method of sections is a process used to solve for the unknown forces acting on members of a truss.
The method involves splitting the truss down into two sections and analyzing each section as a separate
rigid body.

DEFINITION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE-FORCE MEMBERS

Structures containing three-force members must be analyzed differently. A three-force member is defined
as one which supports three or more forces. The characteristic action in a three-force member is bending,
this means that the internal force in the member is not directed along its axis. The procedure is to isolate
each three-force member by means of free-body diagrams. On these diagrams, the forces at the pins are
resolved into rectangular components. When drawing the free-body diagrams of members which act
mutually upon each other, these components should be shown as equal but oppositely directed on each
free-body diagram. The simultaneous application of the conditions of equilibrium for non-concurrent
forces to each free-body diagram will determine the unknown forces at the pins.

ENGR. BRENZ EDUARD C. ILAGAN

Situation 1: Using the method of joints, calculate the force in each member of the trusses
shown. State whether each member is in tension or compression. (AB = 11.87kN C, AD = 8.392kN T,
BD = 5.66kN C, CD = 4kN T, DE = 4.39kN C, CE = 8.78kN C.)

Situation 2: Determine the force in each member of the roof truss shown. State whether the
members are in tension or compression. (AG = 8kN C, AB = 6.928kN T, GB = 3kN C, GF = 5kN C, BF =
1.73kN T, BC = 3.46kN T)

ENGR. BRENZ EDUARD C. ILAGAN

Situation 3: Using the method of sections, determine the forces in the following members of
the truss in Fig. (a): FI and JC. Indicate tension or compression. (FI = 2.5kN C, JC = 3.61kN C)

Situation 4: Using the figure below, a.) If P = 3000N and Q = 1000N, determine the force in
member CD, b.) JK, and c.) If CD = 6000N and GD = 1000N (both Compression), determine the value of
P. (CD = 5.25kN C, JC = 2.25kN T, P = 5,167.95N)

ENGR. BRENZ EDUARD C. ILAGAN

Situation 5: The top chord of the simple truss shown is an arc of radius 50m. All curved
members are two force members. Determine the force in members AB, BI, and CI. (AB = 226kN T, BI =
100 kN T, CI = 45.78kN T)

Situation 6: A plane truss is loaded as shown, determine the Force in member BC, CE and CF.
(BC = 16.67kN C, CE = 0 kN, BF = 10.68kN T)

ENGR. BRENZ EDUARD C. ILAGAN

Situation 7: Determine the force in members GJ and CO of the roof truss, state whether the
members are in tension or compression. (GJ = 346kN C, CO = 173 kN T)

Situation 8: The structure shown in the figure below is hinged at A and C. Find the horizontal
and vertical components of hinge force at B, C, and A. (Ax=Bx=Cx=175kN, Ay = 200kN, By=Cy=100kN)

ENGR. BRENZ EDUARD C. ILAGAN

 “Your positive action combined with positive thinking results in success.”

Situation 9: The frame shown is hinged to rigid supports at D and E and roller at A. Find the
component of the hinge forces at D and E caused by the given loads. (Dh = 200lb, Dv = 20lb, Eh = 200lb,
Ev = 175lb)

Situation 10: For the frame shown, determine the resultant hinge forces at B, C and E. (RB =
2529.8221N , RC = 800N, RE = 5059.6443N)

ENGR. BRENZ EDUARD C. ILAGAN