Applications in

Engineering Mechanics
Dr. Wayne Whiteman
Director of the Office of Student Services
and Senior Academic Professional
School of Mechanical Engineering

This course addresses the modeling and analysis of static

equilibrium problems with an emphasis on real world engineering
systems and problem solving.

School of Mechanical Engineering

 Module 7 Learning Outcomes

Make use of the Method of Joints (or pins) to

analyze truss structures.

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Example: Find the forces in each member of the truss below using the
Method of Joints.
Method of Joints
Isolates 1 joint.
Concurrent force system (line
of action (LOA) of all forces
pass through one point.
Can solve for 2 unknowns.
Cutting trusses
Cut through members of interest, only once.
Do not cut through joints.
Continue the cut through the truss to isolate a portion of
the truss.
Assume tension in cut members.
Solve for external reactions only if within the cut.
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FBD entire structure

4
FBD Joint B
FCB
4
3 B
FEB

By = 2.42 k

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FBD Joint C
F y 0
FDC C 2k 4 4
FEC FCB 0
5 5
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3 3
FCB = 3.025 k 4 4
FEC 3.025 0
FEC 5 5

FEC 3.025 k 3.025 k (T )

Fx 0
3 3 ANS
FDC FEC 2 FCB 0
5 5
3 3
FDC 3.025 2 3.025 0
5 5
FDC 1.63 k 1.63 k (C )
ANS
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 FBD Joint E
FEC = 3.025 k F y 0
FDE 4 4
4 4 FDE FEC 3 0
3 3 5 5
FAE FEB = 1.815 k 4 4
E FDE 3.025 3 0
5 5
3k
FDE 0.725 k 0.725 k (T )
F x 0
3 3 ANS
FAE FDE FEC FEB 0
5 5
3 3
FAE 0.725 3.025 1.815 0
5 5
FAE 3.195 k 3.195 k (T )
ANS
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FBD Joint D
F y 0
1k 4 4
FDC = 1.63 k 1 FAD FDE 0
D 5 5
FAD F = 0.725 k
4 4 DE 4 4
3
1 FAD 0.725 0
3 5 5

Double Check
FAD 1.975 k 1.975 k (C )
F x 0 ANS
3 3
FAD FDC FDE 0
5 5
3 3
1.975 1.63 0.725 0 0 0 Checks
5 5
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Double Check FBD Joint A
FAD = 1.975 k F y 0
4
A 4 FAD Ay 0
3 5
Ax = 2 k 4
FAE = 3.195 k 1.975 1.58 0
5
Ay = 1.58 k
0 0 Checks
F x 0
3
Ax FAD FAE 0
5
3
2 1.975 3.195 0
5
0 0 Checks
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Worksheet: Find the forces in all members of the truss shown below.

Used with permission from Engineering

Mechanics: Statics, McGill/King, 4th Ed, 2003

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