EGR 280

Mechanics
4 – Analysis of Structures
Trusses
ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES

• No new theory!
• Only new names and techniques.
TRUSS

Graphics and problem statements © 2004 R.C. Hibbeler.

Published by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ.

• Major engineering structure class

• Composed entirely of straight, two-force members pinned at their endpoints
• Loading takes place only at the joints, never between
• Simple trusses are composed of basic triangular shapes
Analysis of trusses by the Method of Joints, used to find the force in each and
every member of the truss.

Example: Determine the force in each member of the truss shown below:

Graphics and problem statements © 2004

R.C. Hibbeler. Published by Pearson Education, Inc.,
Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Procedure:
• Draw a FBD of the entire truss and determine the support reactions
• Draw a FBD of each joint and write equations for the unknown member forces.
• Solve the joint equations, report if each member is in tension or compression
Step 1: Determine the reaction forces on the entire truss:

400 N Cy C
B
Cx

∑Fx = Cx + 600 N = 0
∑Fy = Ay + Cy – 400 N = 0 A D
∑MC = (400 N)(3 m) – Ay (6 m)
Ay 600 N
+ (600 N)(4 m) = 0

Cx = 600 N ←
Cy = 200 N ↓
Ay = 600 N ↑
Step 2: Draw a FBD of each joint, assume all members in tension, write and
solve the joint equilibrium equations
FAB
∑Fx = FAD + (3/5)FAB = 0
A
∑FyF= 600 N + (4/5)FAB = 0
AD

600 N
400 N
∑Fx B= FBC + (3/5)F
F BD - (3/5)FAB = 0
BC
∑Fy = -400 N - (4/5)FAB - (4/5)FBD = 0
FAB FBD
200 N
FBC
∑F = -FBC – 600 N = 0
C 600 xN
∑Fy = -200 N - FCD = 0
FCD FBD FCD

∑Fx = -FAD - (3/5)FBD + 600 N = 0

∑FFyAD= FCD D+ (4/5)F
600 N = 0
BD
Solution:

• FAB = 750 N (C)

• FAD = 450 N (T)
• FBC = 600 N (C)
• FBD = 250 N (T)
• FCD = 200 N (C)

Graphics and problem statements © 2004

R.C. Hibbeler. Published by Pearson Education, Inc.,
Upper Saddle River, NJ.
Analysis of trusses by the Method of Sections, used to find the force in only a
few members of the truss.

Example: Determine the forces in members GE, GC and BC of the truss

shown

Graphics and problem statements © 2004

R.C. Hibbeler. Published by Pearson Education, Inc.,
Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Procedure:
• After finding the overall reactions, “cut”, or section, the truss through the
members where the forces are to be found
• Draw the FBD of that part of the truss which has the fewest unknowns
• Write equilibrium equations to solve for the unknown forces

EXERCISE: Find the reactions Ax and Ay

 G
FGE

FCG
A
FBC
400 N B
300 N

∑Fx = FGE + (4/5)FCG + FBC – 400 N = 0

∑Fy = 300 N – (3/5)FCG = 0
∑MG = FBC(3 m) – (400 N)(3 m) – (300 N)(4 m) = 0

FGE = 800 N (C)

FGC = 500 N (T)
FBC = 800 N (T)