Trusses-The Method of Sections

Trusses are
everywhere.
They are used in
bridges,
antenna towers,
cranes.
Even in parts of the
International Space
Station.
And for good reason.
They allow us to create strong structures
while using materials in a very efficient
and cost-effective way.
Load is always applied to the
ends.
Each member is either in tension or
compression.
 Bars oriented in a
triangular way.

Joints cannot move.

USING A FOUR-SIDED SHAPE AS THE BASE FOR
BUILDING A TRUSS WOULD BE A TERRIBLE CHOICE
 An easy way to
stabilize this
configuration is
to add a
diagonal bracing
4 sides parallelogram transformed member to split
into a truss.
it into triangles.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO
BUILD A TRUSS
THE LOADS ARE TRANSMITTED FROM THE HORIZONTAL FLOOR BEAMS TO
THE TWO VERTICAL TRUSSES ON
EACH SIDE OF THE BRIDGE.
Objectives: 1. The purpose of truss
analysis is to
determine the
reactions and
member forces.

2. Used for carrying

out the analysis with
the equations of
equilibrium and by
considering only
parts of the
Figure showing a truss structure through
analyzing its free
body diagram to
solve the unknowns
 Methods
Common Methods are
1. Method of joint
2. Method of Section 
Uses
1. In bridges
2. Roofs
3. Towers etc.

Roof Truss
 Method of
section for
trusses
effectiveness:

Effective method
when forces in all
members of truss
are to be
determined.
Quickest method if
Method sections to calculate force only a few member
on each member of a truss forces of a truss
needed
METHOD:
• In this method Section (imaginary cutting lines) is drawn through a stable and
determinate truss.
• Section subdivides truss in two separate parts.
• Entire truss is in Equilibrium
Method of Section for truss
METHOD:
1. Either of the two parts of truss considered.
2. Apply condition of Equilibrium to determine the member axial
forces.