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 12 Learning Outcomes

Apply the Method of Joints (or pins) and the

Method of Sections to analyze space (3D) truss
structures.

2
 For the space truss shown below, there is an applied force
FCz at point D as shown. Point C is a pin reaction.
FA x , FAy , and FBx represent the only non-zero
reaction components at points
A and B.
FCy Find the reactions at A, B, and C.
FCx Using the method of sections, with a section cut by a
plane parallel to the x-z plane, find the force in
members AD and CD.
Find the forces in members AB, BC, ad BD using the
method of joints.
Find the force in member AC by inspection
FBx=-75
FAy=33.3

FAx=0
3
 FCz

Using the method of sections, with a section cut by a plane parallel to the x-z FCy
plane, find the force in members AD and CD. FCx
FBC FBx=-75
FDC
.B FBx=-75
FBA
FDA
.D FAy=33.3

FAx=0
F = 100 i-100 k

Now express FDA as a

vector. DA 4 j
eDA j
DA 4
What do you do next?

FDA FDA j
4
 FCz

Using the method of sections, with a section cut by a plane parallel to the x-z FCy
plane, find the force in members AD and CD. FCx
FDA FDA j
FBC FBx=-75
FDC 3 4 12
FDC FDC i FDC j FDC k
.B 13 13 13
FBA MB 0 FBx=-75

FDA
.D FAy=33.3

FAx=0
F = 100 i-100 k

5
 FCz

Using the method of sections, with a section cut by a plane parallel to the x-z FCy
plane, find the force in members AD and CD. FCx

FDC
FBC FBx=-75 M B 0

.B 12 36
3FDA k 300 j FDC k FDC j 0
13 13 FBx=-75
FBA
FDA
.D FAy=33.3

FAx=0
F = 100 i-100 k
k components
12
3FDA FDC 0
13
12
3FDA (108.3) 0
13
FDA 33.3 lb (C )
ANS
6