Method of Sections

short-cut of the method of joints

Determines the internal force of a specific
member without having to go through each
and every joint
Structure has to be cut in a way that
only 3 members are divided and become
unknowns
Since there are only 3 available equilibrium
equations to solve for the 3 unknowns
IOMU 1
Example
Determine the internal forces at members BD, CD,
and CE.
15 kN 15 kN 15 kN 15 kN

D F H
B

5m

C E G I
A J

10 kN 10 kN 10 kN 10 kN

5 @ 4m

IOMU 2