Structural Analysis of Pin Jointed (Truss) Structures

Method of Joints and Sections

L A K J O D E I H

M
B

N C

P
F G 7.11 kN

12.9 kN 5.34 kN 6.67 kN

Outlines

Method of Joints Zero Force Members Method of Sections

Method of Joints

If a truss is in equilibrium, then each of its joints must also be in equilibrium The method of joints consists of satisfying the equilibrium conditions for the forces exerted on the pin at each joint of the truss

Truss members are all straight two-force members lying in the same plane

The force system acting at each pin is coplanar and concurrent (intersecting) Rotational or moment equilibrium is automatically satisfied at the joint, only need to satisfy Fx = 0, Fy = 0

Establish the sense of the unknown forces

Always assume the unknown member forces acting on the joints free-body diagram to be in tension (pulling on the pin) Assume what is believed to be the correct sense of an unknown member force In both cases a negative value indicates that the sense chosen must be reversed

Procedure for Analysis

Draw the free-body diagram of a joint having at least one known force and at most two unknown forces (may need to first determine external reactions at the truss supports)

Orient the x and y axes such that the forces can be easily resolved into their x and y components Apply Fx = 0 and Fy = 0 and solve for the unknown member forces and verify their correct sense Continue to analyze each of the other joints, choosing ones having at most two unknowns and at least one known force
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Members in compression push on the joint and members in tension pull on the joint Mechanics of Materials and building codes are used to size the members once the forces are known

The Method of Joints

B 500 N 2m A 45o 2m

Ax = 500 N

C Cy = 500 N

Ay = 500 N

Joint B y B 45o FBA 500 N FBC x

+ SF = 0: x 500 - FBCsin45o = 0 FBC = 707.11 N (C) + SFy = 0:

- FBA + FBCcos45o = 0 FBA = 500 N (T)

B 500 N 2m A 45o 2m

Ax = 500 N

C Cy = 500 N

Ay = 500 N

Joint A 500 N + SF = 0: x

500 N 500 N

FAC

500 - FAC = 0 FAC = 500 N (T)

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Zero Force Members

Truss analysis using the method of joints is greatly simplified if one is able to determine those members which support no loading (zero-force members) These zero-force members are used to increase stability of the truss during construction and to provide support if the applied loading is changed
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If only two members form a truss joint and no external load or support reaction is applied to the joint, the members must be zero-force members. If three members form a truss for which two of the members are collinear, the third member is a zero-force member provided no external force or support reaction is applied.
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Zero-force members

Frequently the analysis can be simplified by identifying members that carry no load

two typical cases are found

When only two members form a non-collinear joint and there is no external force or reaction at that joint, then both members must be zero-force
A P B C

TCB D TCD E

If either TCB or TCD 0, then C cannot be in equilibrium, since there is no restoring force towards the C right. Hence both BC and CD are zero-load members here.
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When three members form a truss joint for which two members are collinear and the third is at an angle to these, then this third member must be zero-force

in the absence of an external force or reaction from a support

P

Here, joint B has only one force in the vertical direction. Hence, this force must be zero or B would move (provided there are no external loads/reactions)

D TAB E

B TBC TBD

Also TAB = TBC

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While zero-force members can be removed in this configuration, care should be taken

any change in the loading can lead to the member carrying a load the stability of the truss can be degraded by removing the zero-force member
P A B You may think that we can remove AD and BD to make a triangle This satisfies the statics requirements D

However, this leaves a long CE member to carry a compressive load. This long member is highly susceptible to failure by buckling.
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D Dx Dy

Ey FCB C + SF = 0: F = 0 x CB + FCD FAB q A FAE + SFy = 0: FCD = 0

SFy = 0: FABsinq = 0,

FAB = 0 FAE = 0
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+ SF = 0: F + 0 = 0, x AE

Example 3-4
Using the method of joints, indicate all the members of the truss shown in the figure below that have zero force.

B C
H D

F P

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SOLUTION Ax Ax

B C H

Gx G Joint D + x D F 0 E 0

P
FDC FDE
q

SFy = 0:

FDCsinq = 0, FDE + 0 = 0,

FDC = 0 FDE = 0

+ SF = 0: x

FEC
E 0 Joint E + SF = 0: x

FEF

FEF = 0

P
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Ax Ax Gx

A 0

C H F 0 E

D
0

G y FHA H FHB Joint H

+ SF = 0: y

FHB = 0

FHF
FGA x

Joint G FGF
+ SFy = 0: FGA = 0
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Gx
G

Method of Sections

Based on the principle that if a body is in equilibrium, then any part of the body is also in equilibrium Procedure for analysis

Section or cut the truss through the members where the forces are to be determined Before isolating the appropriate section, it may be necessary to determine the trusss external reactions (then 3 equs. of equilibrium can be used to solve for unknown member forces in the section).
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Draw the free-body diagram of that part of the sectioned truss that has the least number of forces acting on it

Establish the sense of the unknown member forces

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Apply 3 equations of equilibrium trying to avoid equations that need to be solved simultaneously Moments should be summed about a point that lies at the intersection of the lines of action of two unknown forces If two unknown forces are parallel sum forces perpendicular to the direction of these unknowns

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The Method of Sections

B a Dy C D Dx 2m A 100 N G a F E Ex

2m

2m

2m
+ SMG = 0:

FBC C

100(2) - FBC(2) = 0 FBC = 100 N (T) + SFy = 0: -100 + FGCsin45o = 0 FGC = 141.42 N (T) + SMC = 0: 100(4) - FGF(2) = 0 FGF = 200 N (C)
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FGC
A
45o

G
2m

FGF

100 N

Example 3-6
Determine the force in members GF and GD of the truss shown in the figure below. State whether the members are in tension or compression. The reactions at the supports have been calculated. G H A B C 8 kN 3m 3m D 2 kN 3m Ey = 7 kN F 3m E

4.5 m

Ax = 0

Ay = 9 kN 6 kN 3m

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SOLUTION H A B C

a F 4.5 m

3m
E a D 2 kN 3m 3m 8 kN 3m

Ax = 0

Ay = 9 kN 6 kN 3m Section a-a FFG FDG FDC

56.3o 26.6o

Ey = 7 kN

F
26.6o

+ SMD = 0: FFGsin26.6o(3.6) + 7(3) = 0, FFG = -17.83 kN (C) + SMO = 0: - 7(3) + 2(6) + FDGsin56.3o(6) = 0, FDG = 1.80 kN (C)

D 2 kN

Ey = 7 kN 3m

3m

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Example 3-7
Determine the force in members BC and MC of the K-truss shown in the figure below. State whether the members are in tension or compression. The reactions at the supports have been calculated.

L
A M B N C

J O
D E

I
P F

H
3m G 3m

7.11 kN 12.9 kN 5.34 kN 6.67 kN 8 kN 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m

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a SOLUTION A L M B N a C D K J O E I P F G H 3m 3m

7.11 kN 12.9 kN 5.34 kN 6.67 kN 8 kN 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m

Section a-a
L FLK 6m A B 12.9 kN 5.34 kN 4.6 m
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FLM FBM

+ SML = 0: FBC(6) - 12.9(4.6) = 0, FBC = 9.89 kN (T)

FBC

b L K N C D J O E I P F G H 3m

M B

3m

b 7.11 kN 12.9 kN 5.34 kN 6.67 kN 8 kN 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m FKL FKM FCM 9.89 kN N C 33.1o D K J O E I P F G H 3m 3m

6.67 kN 8 kN

7.11 kN 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m

+ SMK = 0:

-FCMcos33.1o(6) - 9.89(6) - 8(4.6) + 7.11(18.4) = 0 FCM = 6.90 kN (T)

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