METHOD OF SECTIONS:

The method of joints is most suitable when the forces in all the members of truss are
required. However, when the forces in few members alone are required, then this method
becomes time consuming one and hence other method known as “method of sections”
can be followed.
For example, consider the truss shown in figure:

If the force in the members FH, GI is required the method of joints becomes a tedious
process if we start from A or L. On the other hand, if we consider a portion of truss by
passing a section through the members of truss whose forces are required, then using the
three equations of equilibrium for any one portion, the forces in the members can be
determined. But it should be noted that section must not intersect more than three
members. The section divides the truss into two separate parts. The normal procedure for
the method of section is as follows:

STEPS IN METHOD OF SECTIONS:

Step 1: Identify the section 1-1 which passes through the members whose forces are
required and note that the section is not passing through more than three members. For
example, to find force in members FH and GI consider the section 1-1 as shown.

Using equations of equilibrium, find the reactions (VA, HA and VL)

Step 2: Using this section 1-1, separate the truss into two parts. The free body diagram of
both the parts is drawn.
One of the two parts of the truss obtained after the intersected members have been cut
may be used as free body

Step 3: Select the portion of free body where the member of forces are minimum. Hence
the right part of free body is selected as it involves five forces only (PHF, PIF, PIG, VL and
F4). But the left part involves eight forces (VA, HA,F1, F2, F3, PFH, PFI,PGI). Assume all the
member forces are tensile.

Right part of free diagram

Step 4: Use the equations of equilibrium ∑Fx = 0 : ∑Fy = 0 and ∑M = 0 and find forces
in members HF, FI, and CI. If positive values are obtained, the members are in tension. If
the force in member becomes negative, the nature of force assumed is not correct. Hence
it is modified to be compression. These steps are illustrated in numerical examples.

Example 1: Find the force in members HJ, CE, GH, DE for the truss shown in figure
using method of section.