Method of Joints

◮ The method of joints is one of the simplest methods for

determining the force acting on the individual members of a
truss because it only involves two force equilibrium equations.
Method of Joints

◮ The method of joints is one of the simplest methods for

determining the force acting on the individual members of a
truss because it only involves two force equilibrium equations.
◮ Since only two equations are involved, only two unknowns can
be solved for at a time. Therefore, you need to solve the
joints in a certain order. That is, you need to work from the
sides towards the center of the truss.
Method of Joints

◮ The method of joints is one of the simplest methods for

determining the force acting on the individual members of a
truss because it only involves two force equilibrium equations.
◮ Since only two equations are involved, only two unknowns can
be solved for at a time. Therefore, you need to solve the
joints in a certain order. That is, you need to work from the
sides towards the center of the truss.
◮ Since you need to work in a certain order, the Method of
Sections (which will be covered later) can be more useful if
you just want to know the forces acting on a particular
member close to the center of the truss.
Method of Joints

Let’s start with joint A. We begin by drawing all the forces that
act on the bolt at joint A.
15N

FAB

120N b FAC
A
Method of Joints

Let’s start with joint A. We begin by drawing all the forces that
act on the bolt at joint A.
15N

FAB

120N b FAC
A
Note that FAB points towards the joint. This is because FAB and
the 15 N force are the only vertical forces. Therefore FAB must
point downwards to balance the 15 N force pointing up.
Method of Joints

Let’s start with joint A. We begin by drawing all the forces that
act on the bolt at joint A.
15N

FAB

120N b FAC
A
Note that FAB points towards the joint. This is because FAB and
the 15 N force are the only vertical forces. Therefore FAB must
point downwards to balance the 15 N force pointing up.
This helps us determine the direction of FAC . FAC must point
away from the joint since that is the only way to balance the forces
in the horizontal direction.
Method of Joints - Direction of Forces
◮ Determining the direction of the unknown forces is a good
idea. You can still solve the problem if you choose the
directions incorrect, but you will get negative values for the
force. Therefore, it is best to figure this out when possible. In
a few cases, it is not possible so you have to guess.
Method of Joints - Direction of Forces
◮ Determining the direction of the unknown forces is a good
idea. You can still solve the problem if you choose the
directions incorrect, but you will get negative values for the
force. Therefore, it is best to figure this out when possible. In
a few cases, it is not possible so you have to guess.
◮ To get the directions for the unknown forces correct, you need
to proceed in the correct order. Look back at the unknown
forces, FAB and FAC . They both have horizontal components,
but only FAB has a vertical component.
Method of Joints - Direction of Forces
◮ Determining the direction of the unknown forces is a good
idea. You can still solve the problem if you choose the
directions incorrect, but you will get negative values for the
force. Therefore, it is best to figure this out when possible. In
a few cases, it is not possible so you have to guess.
◮ To get the directions for the unknown forces correct, you need
to proceed in the correct order. Look back at the unknown
forces, FAB and FAC . They both have horizontal components,
but only FAB has a vertical component.
◮ Since only one of the unknowns, FAB has a vertical
component, figure out the direction of FAB first. To do this,
balance out the forces in the vertical direction. Since the only
other force in the vertical direction is the 15 N force pointing
up, FAB must point down, or towards the joint.
Method of Joints - Direction of Forces
◮ Determining the direction of the unknown forces is a good
idea. You can still solve the problem if you choose the
directions incorrect, but you will get negative values for the
force. Therefore, it is best to figure this out when possible. In
a few cases, it is not possible so you have to guess.
◮ To get the directions for the unknown forces correct, you need
to proceed in the correct order. Look back at the unknown
forces, FAB and FAC . They both have horizontal components,
but only FAB has a vertical component.
◮ Since only one of the unknowns, FAB has a vertical
component, figure out the direction of FAB first. To do this,
balance out the forces in the vertical direction. Since the only
other force in the vertical direction is the 15 N force pointing
up, FAB must point down, or towards the joint.
◮ Once you know the direction of FAB , you can see that both
the 120 N force and FAB point to the left, so FAC must point
to the right, or away from the joint.
Interpreting the directions of forces in truss members

◮ When a force points toward the joint, the member is said to

be in compression. If the force points away from the joint,
the member is said to be in tension.
Interpreting the directions of forces in truss members

◮ When a force points toward the joint, the member is said to

be in compression. If the force points away from the joint,
the member is said to be in tension.
◮ It is often important to know whether a truss member is in
tension or in compression because some building materials
have different strengths in compression versus tension.
Method of Joints - Solving for forces at joint A
Start by considering the horizontal and vertical forces. In the
horizontal direction, you have two unknowns, FAB and FAC . In the
vertical direction, you only have one unknown, FAB . Therefore,
start with balancing the forces in the vertical direction.

15N

FAB

120N b FAC
A
Method of Joints - Solving for forces at joint A
Start by considering the horizontal and vertical forces. In the
horizontal direction, you have two unknowns, FAB and FAC . In the
vertical direction, you only have one unknown, FAB . Therefore,
start with balancing the forces in the vertical direction. To break
FAB into components, consider the right triangle that is described
by the dimensions.
√
15N 32 + 42 = 5

FAB 5 vert. comp. → 53

3 hor. comp. → 4
120N b
5
FAC
A 4
Method of Joints - Solving for forces at joint A
Start by considering the horizontal and vertical forces. In the
horizontal direction, you have two unknowns, FAB and FAC . In the
vertical direction, you only have one unknown, FAB . Therefore,
start with balancing the forces in the vertical direction. To break
FAB into components, consider the right triangle that is described
by the dimensions.
√
15N 32 + 42 = 5

FAB 5 vert. comp. → 53

3 hor. comp. → 4
120N b
5
FAC
A X 4
+ 3
↑ Fy = +15N − FAB = 0
5
Method of Joints - Solving for forces at joint A
Start by considering the horizontal and vertical forces. In the
horizontal direction, you have two unknowns, FAB and FAC . In the
vertical direction, you only have one unknown, FAB . Therefore,
start with balancing the forces in the vertical direction. To break
FAB into components, consider the right triangle that is described
by the dimensions.
√
15N 32 + 42 = 5

FAB 5 vert. comp. → 53

3 hor. comp. → 4
120N b
5
FAC
A X 4
+ 3
↑ Fy = +15N − FAB = 0
5
5
FAB = (15N) = 25N (compression)
3
Method of Joints - Solving for forces at joint A
Now we can solve for FAC by summing forces in the horizontal
direction.
√
15N 32 + 42 = 5
FAB = 25N
5 vert. comp. → 53
3 hor. comp. → 4
120N b
5
FAC
A 4
Method of Joints - Solving for forces at joint A
Now we can solve for FAC by summing forces in the horizontal
direction.
√
15N 32 + 42 = 5
FAB = 25N
5 vert. comp. → 53
3 hor. comp. → 4
120N b
5
FAC
A 4
X 4
→+ Fx = −120N − FAB + FAC = 0
5
Method of Joints - Solving for forces at joint A
Now we can solve for FAC by summing forces in the horizontal
direction.
√
15N 32 + 42 = 5
FAB = 25N
5 vert. comp. → 53
3 hor. comp. → 4
120N b
5
FAC
A 4
X 4
→+ Fx = −120N − FAB + FAC = 0
5
4
FAC = 120 + (25N) = 140N (tensionsion)
5
Method of Joints - joint B
Now we can proceed to joint B. Since FAB has been determined,
joint B has only two unknowns, FBC and FBD .

120 N Bb
FBD
N
25
FAB
FBC
Method of Joints - joint B
Now we can proceed to joint B. Since FAB has been determined,
joint B has only two unknowns, FBC and FBD .

120 N Bb
FBD
N
25
FAB
FBC

Here it is straightforward to figure out the directions of the

unknowns. Since FBC is the only unknown force with a vertical
component, it must point down (away from the joint) to balance
the vertical component of FAB .
Method of Joints - joint B
Now we can proceed to joint B. Since FAB has been determined,
joint B has only two unknowns, FBC and FBD .

120 N Bb
FBD
N
25
FAB
FBC

Here it is straightforward to figure out the directions of the

unknowns. Since FBC is the only unknown force with a vertical
component, it must point down (away from the joint) to balance
the vertical component of FAB .
Similarly, FBD must point left, towards the joint, to balance the
120 N force and the horizontal component of FAB .
Method of Joints - joint B

120 N Bb
FBD
N 5
25 3
FAB
FBC 4
Method of Joints - joint B

120 N Bb
FBD
N 5
25 3
FAB
FBC 4
X 3
↑+ Fy = + FAB − FBC = 0
5
Method of Joints - joint B

120 N Bb
FBD
N 5
25 3
FAB
FBC 4
X 3
↑+ Fy = + FAB − FBC = 0
5
3
FBC = (25N) = 15N (tension)
5
Method of Joints - joint B

120 N Bb
FBD
N 5
25 3
FAB
FBC 4
X 3
↑+ Fy = + FAB − FBC = 0
5
3
FBC = (25N) = 15N (tension)
5
X 4
→+ Fx = +120N + FAB − FBD = 0
5
Method of Joints - joint B

120 N Bb
FBD
N 5
25 3
FAB
FBC 4
X 3
↑+ Fy = + FAB − FBC = 0
5
3
FBC = (25N) = 15N (tension)
5
X 4
→+ Fx = +120N + FAB − FBD = 0
5
4
FBD = +120N + (25N) = 140N (compression)
5
Method of Joints - joint C
Now that we have solved joints A and B, we can proceed to joint
C. Since FAC and FBC have been determined, joint C has only two
unknowns, FCD and FCE .

FBC

FCD
15 N

140 N b
FAC FCE
C
Method of Joints - joint C
Now that we have solved joints A and B, we can proceed to joint
C. Since FAC and FBC have been determined, joint C has only two
unknowns, FCD and FCE .

FBC

FCD
15 N

140 N b
FAC FCE
C
Since FCD is the only unknown force with a vertical component,
balancing forces in the vertical direction shows that FCD must
point down, and toward the joint.
Method of Joints - joint C
Now that we have solved joints A and B, we can proceed to joint
C. Since FAC and FBC have been determined, joint C has only two
unknowns, FCD and FCE .

FBC

FCD
15 N

140 N b
FAC FCE
C
Since FCD is the only unknown force with a vertical component,
balancing forces in the vertical direction shows that FCD must
point down, and toward the joint.
Once we know that FCD points to the left, FCE must point right,
away from the joint, to balance the forces in the horizontal
direction.
Method of Joints - joint C

FBC

FCD

15 N
5 3
140 N b
FAC FCE
C 4
Balancing forces, we get:
Method of Joints - joint C

FBC

FCD

15 N
5 3
140 N b
FAC FCE
C 4
Balancing forces, we get:
X 3
↑+ Fy = +FBC − FCD = 0
5
Method of Joints - joint C

FBC

FCD

15 N
5 3
140 N b
FAC FCE
C 4
Balancing forces, we get:
X 3
↑+ Fy = +FBC − FCD = 0
5
5
FCD = (15N) = 25N (compression)
3
Method of Joints - joint C

FBC

FCD

15 N
5 3
140 N b
FAC FCE
C 4
Balancing forces, we get:
X 3
↑+ Fy = +FBC − FCD = 0
5
5
FCD = (15N) = 25N (compression)
3
X 4
→+ Fx = −FAC − FCD + FCE = 0
5
Method of Joints - joint C

FBC

FCD

15 N
5 3
140 N b
FAC FCE
C 4
Balancing forces, we get:
X 3
↑+ Fy = +FBC − FCD = 0
5
5
FCD = (15N) = 25N (compression)
3
X 4
→+ Fx = −FAC − FCD + FCE = 0
5
4
FCE = 140N + (25N) = 160N (tension)
5
Method of Joints - joint H
Now that we have gotten close to the center, we should move to
the opposite side of the truss, namely joint H.

135 N
FFH

FGH b

H
Method of Joints - joint H
Now that we have gotten close to the center, we should move to
the opposite side of the truss, namely joint H.

135 N
FFH

FGH b

H
Since FFH is the only unknown force that has a vertical
component, balancing the vertical forces means that FFH must
point down, towards the joint.
Method of Joints - joint H
Now that we have gotten close to the center, we should move to
the opposite side of the truss, namely joint H.

135 N
FFH

FGH b

H
Since FFH is the only unknown force that has a vertical
component, balancing the vertical forces means that FFH must
point down, towards the joint.
Once the direction of FFH has been determined, balancing forces in
the horizontal direction means that FGH must point to the left,
away from the joint.
Method of Joints - joint H
135 N
5 FFH
3

FGH b

4 H
Balancing forces gives:
Method of Joints - joint H
135 N
5 FFH
3

FGH b

4 H
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = +135N − FFH = 0
5
Method of Joints - joint H
135 N
5 FFH
3

FGH b

4 H
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = +135N − FFH = 0
5

5
FFH = (135N) = 225N (compression)
3
Method of Joints - joint H
135 N
5 FFH
3

FGH b

4 H
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = +135N − FFH = 0
5

5
FFH = (135N) = 225N (compression)
3

X 4
→+ Fx = FFH − FGH = 0
5
Method of Joints - joint H
135 N
5 FFH
3

FGH b

4 H
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = +135N − FFH = 0
5

5
FFH = (135N) = 225N (compression)
3

X 4
→+ Fx = FFH − FGH = 0
5
4
FGH = (225N) = 180N (tension)
5
Method of Joints - joint F 150 N
Now we can move in to joint F.

b
F
FDF 22
5
N
FFH
FFG
Method of Joints - joint F 150 N
Now we can move in to joint F.

b
F
FDF 22
5
N
FFH
FFG

Since FDF is the only unknown force with a horizontal component,

balancing forces in the horizontal direction means that FDF must
point to the right, towards the joint.
Method of Joints - joint F 150 N
Now we can move in to joint F.

b
F
FDF 22
5
N
FFH
FFG

Since FDF is the only unknown force with a horizontal component,

balancing forces in the horizontal direction means that FDF must
point to the right, towards the joint.
FFG is the only unknown force that has a vertical component. To
balance the vertical forces means requires some calculation. The
vertical component of FFH is 53 (225N) or 135N. Since 135N is
smaller than the 150N external force, FFG must point up, towards
the joint.
Method of Joints - joint F 150 N
Now we can move in to joint F.

b
F
FDF 22
5
N
FFH
FFG

Since FDF is the only unknown force with a horizontal component,

balancing forces in the horizontal direction means that FDF must
point to the right, towards the joint.
FFG is the only unknown force that has a vertical component. To
balance the vertical forces means requires some calculation. The
vertical component of FFH is 53 (225N) or 135N. Since 135N is
smaller than the 150N external force, FFG must point up, towards
the joint.
 150 N
Method of Joints - joint F

b
F
FDF 22
5 5
3 N
FFH
4 FFG
Balancing forces gives:
 150 N
Method of Joints - joint F

b
F
FDF 22
5 5
3 N
FFH
4 FFG
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = −150N + (225N) + FFG = 0
5
 150 N
Method of Joints - joint F

b
F
FDF 22
5 5
3 N
FFH
4 FFG
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = −150N + (225N) + FFG = 0
5
3
FFG = 150N − (225N) = 15N (compression)
5
 150 N
Method of Joints - joint F

b
F
FDF 22
5 5
3 N
FFH
4 FFG
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = −150N + (225N) + FFG = 0
5
3
FFG = 150N − (225N) = 15N (compression)
5
X 4
→+ Fx = +FDF − FFH = 0
5
 150 N
Method of Joints - joint F

b
F
FDF 22
5 5
3 N
FFH
4 FFG
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = −150N + (225N) + FFG = 0
5
3
FFG = 150N − (225N) = 15N (compression)
5
X 4
→+ Fx = +FDF − FFH = 0
5
4
FDF = (225N) = 180N (compression)
5
Method of Joints - joint G
Now we can move in to joint G.
FFG
FDG

15 N
FEG b FGH
G 180 N
Method of Joints - joint G
Now we can move in to joint G.
FFG
FDG

15 N
FEG b FGH
G 180 N
Since FDG is the only unknown force with a vertical component,
balancing forces in the vertical direction means that FDG must
point up, away from the joint.
Method of Joints - joint G
Now we can move in to joint G.
FFG
FDG

15 N
FEG b FGH
G 180 N
Since FDG is the only unknown force with a vertical component,
balancing forces in the vertical direction means that FDG must
point up, away from the joint.
Solving for the direction of FEG is a little tricky. Balancing forces
in the horizontal direction requires balancing FGH , the horizontal
component of FDG and FEG . Although FDG is unknown at this
point, FDG only has to balance out the 15 N force in the vertical
direction. Therefore the horizontal component of FDG is unlikely to
be larger than FGH . So, FEG should point to the left, away from
the joint.
Method of Joints - joint G
FFG
FDG

15 N
5
3

FEG b FGH
4 G 180 N
Balancing forces gives:
Method of Joints - joint G
FFG
FDG

15 N
5
3

FEG b FGH
4 G 180 N
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = + FDG − FFG = 0
5
Method of Joints - joint G
FFG
FDG

15 N
5
3

FEG b FGH
4 G 180 N
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = + FDG − FFG = 0
5

5
FDG = (15N) = 25N (tension)
3
Method of Joints - joint G
FFG
FDG

15 N
5
3

FEG b FGH
4 G 180 N
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = + FDG − FFG = 0
5

5
FDG = (15N) = 25N (tension)
3

X 4
→+ Fx = −FEG − FDG + FGH = 0
5
Method of Joints - joint G
FFG
FDG

15 N
5
3

FEG b FGH
4 G 180 N
Balancing forces gives:
X 3
↑+ Fy = + FDG − FFG = 0
5

5
FDG = (15N) = 25N (tension)
3

X 4
→+ Fx = −FEG − FDG + FGH = 0
5

4
FEG = 180N − (25N) = 160N (tension)
5
Method of Joints - joint E
Now that we have done the joints from the sides, let’s move to the
center with joint E.

FDE

160 N b
160 N
FCE FEG
Method of Joints - joint E
Now that we have done the joints from the sides, let’s move to the
center with joint E.

FDE

160 N b
160 N
FCE FEG

Although FDE is shown pointing up, there really is no vertical force

to balance FDE .
Method of Joints - joint E
Now that we have done the joints from the sides, let’s move to the
center with joint E.

FDE

160 N b
160 N
FCE FEG

Although FDE is shown pointing up, there really is no vertical force

to balance FDE .
X
↑+ Fy = +FDE + 0 = 0
Method of Joints - joint E
Now that we have done the joints from the sides, let’s move to the
center with joint E.

FDE

160 N b
160 N
FCE FEG

Although FDE is shown pointing up, there really is no vertical force

to balance FDE .
X
↑+ Fy = +FDE + 0 = 0

FDE = 0 i.e. FDE is a zero-force member.

Method of Joints - joint D
◮ We have actually solved for the forces in all the members at
this point, so there is no need to solve for anything at joint D.
Method of Joints - joint D
◮ We have actually solved for the forces in all the members at
this point, so there is no need to solve for anything at joint D.
◮ Member FDE is a zero-force member. In reality, member DE
actually would have some small force acting on it to maintain
the shape of the truss. But, the magnitude of this force would
be small compared to truss members that are not zero-force
members.
Method of Joints - joint D
◮ We have actually solved for the forces in all the members at
this point, so there is no need to solve for anything at joint D.
◮ Member FDE is a zero-force member. In reality, member DE
actually would have some small force acting on it to maintain
the shape of the truss. But, the magnitude of this force would
be small compared to truss members that are not zero-force
members.
◮ If you wanted to check your work, you could verify that the
forces acting at D do balance.