CVE 151

(Structural Theory 1)

Chapter 4:
Analysis of Trusses
Truss
It is defined as a structure that is composed of straight members
connected at their ends by flexible connections to form a rigid
configuration.

Three Assumptions Used in the Analysis of Trusses

1. All members are connected only at their ends by frictionless
hinges in plane trusses and by frictionless ball-and-socket joints in
space trusses.

2. All loads and reactions are applied only at the joints.

3. The centroidal axis of each member coincides with the line

connecting the centers of the adjacent joints. The effect of these
assumptions is that all the members of the truss can be treated as
axial force members.
Static Determinacy, Indeterminacy, and Instability of
Plane Trusses
A truss is considered to be statically determinate if all of its member forces
and reactions can be determined by using the equations of equilibrium.

In mathematical expression,

where: m = number of members

r = number of external reactions
j = number of joints
If the truss is statically indeterminate, then the degree of static
indeterminacy, i, is given by:

Additional Requirement: To be determinate/indeterminate, the truss

must be stable and act as a single rigid body under a general system of
coplanar loads when it is attached to the supports.
Analysis of Plane Truss by Method of Joints
In this method, the axial forces in the members of a statically
determinate truss are determined by considering the equilibrium of its
joints.
This essentially consists of selecting a joint with no more than two
unknown forces acting on it and applying the two equilibrium
equations to determine the unknown forces. We repeat the procedure
until we obtain all desired forces.
This method is most efficient when forces in all or most of the
members of a truss are desired.

Important Note: A tensile member axial force is always indicated on

the joint by an arrow pulling away on the joint, and a compressive
member axial force is always indicated by an arrow pushing toward the
joint.
Method of Joints Procedure (according to the book)
(Cont.)
Identification of Zero-Force Members

Two common types of member arrangements that result in zero-force

members are the following:

1. If only two non-collinear members are connected to a joint that

has no external loads or reactions applied to it, then the force in
both members is zero.

2. If three members, two of which are collinear, are connected to a

joint that has no external loads or reactions applied to it, then the
force in the member that is not collinear is zero.

[1] [2]
Sample Problem 1
Identify all zero-force members in the Fink roof truss subjected to an unbalanced
snow load, as shown in the figure.

0
0

From type [2] member arrangement

0

From type [2] member arrangement

0

From type [2] member arrangement 0

If member KN is 0, then it follows

that member NE is 0 too. From type [2] member arrangement
Sample Problem 1 (cont.)
Identify all zero-force members in the Fink roof truss subjected to an unbalanced
snow load, as shown in the figure.

Final Answer:
 Sample Problem 2
Determine the force in each member of the truss shown in the figure by the
method of joints.
[3] Length of inclined members (in lieu of slope)
Member lx, along x ly, along y length
AD 20 20 20 2
CD 15 20 25
[4] FBD of the truss (we’ll use truss drawing)
[5] Reactions Computation
𝑨𝒙 (All forces going to
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 𝐹(→) = 𝐹(←) the right = all forces
going to the left)
𝑨𝒚 𝑪𝒚 𝐴𝑥 = 𝟐𝟖 𝒌
Solution: (All counter-clockwise
Σ𝑀𝐴 = 0 𝑀𝐴(↺) = 𝑀𝐴(↻)force moments = all
[1] Static Determinacy clockwise force
moments)
m = 5, r = 3, j = 4 m + r = 2j 𝐶𝑦 35 + 28 20 = 42(20)
Statically determinate truss 𝐶𝑦 = 𝟖 𝒌 (All forces going
[2] Zero-force members upward = all forces
By inspection, force of member BD, Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0
𝐹(↑) = 𝐹(↓) going downward)
FBD = 0 (according to type [2] member 𝐴𝑦 + 8 = 42 𝐴𝑦 = 𝟑𝟒 𝒌
arrangement)
 Sample Problem 2 (Cont. of Solution)
“Unwritten rules” [explanations]
Sequence of solution: [a] “Kung may pataas, kailangan may
[1] CDx at C, using [a] pababa” (w/in a joint) [v.v.]
[2] CDy at C, using [c] [b] “Kung may pakanan, kailangan may
[3] CDx and CDy at D, using [d] pakaliwa” (w/in a joint) [v.v.]
[4] BC at C, using [b] 𝑙𝑦
[5] BC at B, using [d] [c]If Fx is solved, 𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹𝑥 [ratio and
𝑙𝑥
[6] AB at B, using [b] proportion for inclined members, & v.v.]
[7] AB at A, using [d] [d] If force (force component) is solved
[8] ADy at A, using [a] 𝟑𝟒 k in one end of the member, then the
[9] ADx at A, using [c] or [e] [d] 𝟔 k force (force component) in the opposite
[d]
[10] ADx and ADy at D, using [d] end should have an equal magnitude
[11] Check at D, using [e] 𝟑𝟒 k 𝟖k but opposite direction.
[d] [d] [e] Σ𝐹𝑥 = 0 and/or Σ𝐹𝑦 = 0
→ 𝐹(→) = 𝐹(←) and/or 𝐹(↑) = 𝐹(↓)
𝟑𝟒 k [a] 𝟎
[c]
𝟖 k [a]
[c]
𝟑𝟒 k 𝟔k
𝟐𝟖 k
𝟔k 𝟔k 𝟔k 𝟔k
[d] [b] [d] [b]

𝟑𝟒 k 𝟖k
Sample Problem 2 (Cont. of Solution)
Final Answer:

Member Fx Fy F Type
AB 6 6k Tension
AD 34 34 34 𝟐 k (or 48.08 k) Compression
BC 6 6k Tension
BD 0
CD 6 8 10 k Compression
(The force F is computed
using 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 2 + 𝐹𝑦 2 )

Important Note:
A member is in compression if the arrow of its force (force components) is pointing
towards the joints. On the other hand, a member is in tension if the arrow of its force
(force components) is pointing away from the joints.
 Sample Problem 3
Determine the force in each member of the Warren truss shown in the figure by the
method of joints.
64 64 64 64

16 40
48 24
12 𝟎 18
36 36 24 12 18 12 30 30
𝟎 48 16 24 40

48 48 48 48 40 40 40 40

𝟑𝟔 k 𝟑𝟎 k

Solution:
[1] m = 13, r = 3, j = 8 → m + r = 2j (Statically determinate)
[2] By inspection, member CG is a zero-force member.
[3] All inclined members has lx = 20 ft and ly = 15 ft.
[4] Reactions:
𝐹(→) = 𝐹(←) 𝐴𝑥 = 𝟎
𝑀𝐴(↺) = 𝑀𝐴(↻) 𝐸𝑦 80 = 24 20 + 30 40 + 12(60) 𝐸𝑦 = 𝟑𝟎 𝒌
𝐹(↑) = 𝐹(↓) 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐸𝑦 = 24 + 30 + 12 𝐴𝑦 = 𝟑𝟔 𝒌
Sample Problem 3 (Cont. of Solution)
Final Answer:

Member Fx Fy F Type
AB 48 48 k Tension
AF 48 36 60 k Compression
BC 48 48 k Tension
BF 24 24 k Tension
CD 40 40 k Tension
CF 16 12 20 k Tension
CG 0
CH 24 18 30 k Tension
DE 40 40 k Tension
DH 12 12 k Tension
EH 40 30 50 k Compression
FG 64 64 k Compression
GH 64 64 k Compression
Sample Problem 4
Determine the force in each member of the truss shown in the figure by the
method of joints. Solution:
[1] m = 7, r = 3, j = 5 → m + r = 2j (Statically determinate)
[2] By inspection, no member is a zero-force member.
[3] All inclined members has lx = 2.5 m and ly = 6 m.
30 25 [4] Reactions:
𝐹(←) = 𝐹(→) 𝐴𝑥 = 50 + 25 = 𝟕𝟓 𝒌𝑵
60
60 𝑀𝐴(↺) = 𝑀𝐴(↻) 𝐵𝑦 5 = 50 6 + 25(12)
30 25 𝐵𝑦 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝒌𝑵
𝐹(↓) = 𝐹(↑) 𝐴𝑦 + 30 = 𝐵𝑦 𝐴𝑦 = 𝟗𝟎 𝒌𝑵
50
30 25 50
60 120
60
120
30
50
25

7𝟓 𝒌𝑵 50 50

9𝟎 𝒌𝑵 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝒌𝑵
Sample Problem 4 (Cont. of Solution)
Final Answer:

Member Fx Fy F Type
AB 50 50 kN Tension
AC 30 30 kN Tension
AD 25 60 65 kN Tension
BD 50 120 130 kN Compression
CD 50 50 kN Compression
CE 30 30 kN Tension
DE 25 60 65 kN Compression
 Sample Problem 5
Determine the force in each member of the three-hinged trussed arch shown in
the figure by the method of joints.

Solution: 15 15 0 0
[1] m = 10, r = 4, j = 7
𝟎
→ m + r = 2j 𝟎 10
10
(Statically determinate)
10
[2] By inspection,
10
members CE and DG
are zero-force
members.

[3] Length of inclined members

Member lx, along x ly, along y length [4] Reactions:

AC, CF 4 4 (In this particular problem, we

4 2
can either solve the reactions
BD. DF 4 3 5 first or solve the member forces
before the reactions. In this
solution, we’ll do the latter)
 Sample Problem 5 (Cont. of Solution) Sequence of Solutions:
[a] We can easily solve
15 15 first those member
0 0
forces on yellow
𝐹𝐶𝐹 20
𝐹𝐷𝐹 15 𝟎 arrows.
𝟎 5 10
10 15 20 [b] We then solve
20
5 15 member forces on CD
5 10 and DF using the
15
20 summation of forces at
10 5 5 𝟐𝟎 𝒌𝑵
the joint F. * Note that
5 𝒌𝑵 5
𝟐𝟓 𝒌𝑵 the red arrows are
initial assumptions.
1𝟓 𝒌𝑵 [c] Next, we solve for
*[b] at joint F other members (AC
𝐹(←) = 𝐹(→) 𝐹𝐷𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹𝐶𝐹𝑥 + 15 and BD) [green
4 4 arrows].
𝐹𝐷𝐹 − 𝐹𝐶𝐹 = 15 (Eq’n 1)
5 4 2 [d] Finally, we can
𝐹(↑) = 𝐹(↓) 𝐹𝐷𝐹𝑦 + 𝐹𝐶𝐹𝑦 = 20 solve for reactions.
3 4
𝐹𝐷𝐹 + 𝐹𝐶𝐹 = 20 (Eq’n 2)
5 4 2
With 2 eq’ns and 2 unknowns:
𝐹𝐷𝐹 = 25 kN 𝐹𝐷𝐹𝑥 = 20 kN 𝐹𝐷𝐹𝑦 = 15 kN (The answers are positive.
Thus, the assumed directions
𝐹𝐶𝐹 = 7.07 kN 𝐹𝐶𝐹𝑥 = 5 kN 𝐹𝐶𝐹𝑦 = 5 kN are correct)
Sample Problem 5 (Cont. of Solution)
Final Answer:

Member Fx Fy F Type
AC 5 5 5 𝟐 kN (or 7.07 kN) Compression
AE 10 10 kN Compression
BD 20 15 25 kN Compression
BG 10 10 kN Compression
CF 5 5 5 𝟐 kN (or 7.07 kN) Compression
CE 0
DF 20 15 25 kN Compression
DG 0
EF 15 15 kN Compression
FG 0
Analysis of Plane Truss by Method of Sections

The method of sections involves cutting the truss into two portions
by passing an imaginary section through the members whose forces
are desired and determining the desired forces by applying the three
equations of equilibrium to the free body of one of the two portions
of the truss.

In general, sections should be chosen that do not pass through more

than three members with unknown forces.

The method of sections usually proves to be more convenient when

forces in only a few specific members of the truss are desired.
Method of Sections Procedure (according to the book)
(Cont.)
 [2-3] Select the portion w/o reactions
Sample Problem 6 (right side). Draw its FBD.

Determine the forces in members CD;

DG, and GH of the truss shown in the
𝐺
figure by the method of sections.

16 𝑓𝑡

[4] Determine the desired forces.

𝑀𝐷 (↺) = 𝑀𝐷 (↻)
Solution: 𝐹𝐺𝐻 12 = 15 (16)
[1] Draw the imaginary line passing 𝐹𝐺𝐻 = 𝟐𝟎 𝒌 Tension
through the members to be analyzed.
𝑀𝐺 (↻) = 𝑀𝐺 (↺)
𝐹𝐶𝐷 12 + 30 16 + 15 32 = 0
𝐹𝐶𝐷 = −80 = 𝟖𝟎 𝒌 Comprssion
(negative answer means compression,
opposite of assumed tension)
𝐹(↑) = 𝐹(↓) 12
𝐹𝐷𝐺𝑦 = 30 + 15 𝐹𝐷𝐺 = 45
20
* The inclined member DG has lx = 16 ft , 𝐹𝐷𝐺 = 𝟕𝟓 𝒌 Tension
ly = 12 ft, and l = 20 ft . (using ratio and proportion of force and length)
 Sample Problem 7
Determine the forces in members CJ and IJ of the truss shown by the method of
sections. [4] Select portion (left portion).

[5] Determine the desired forces.

Solution: 𝑀𝐶 (↻) = 𝑀𝐶 (↺)
[1] Draw the imaginary line. 𝐹𝐼𝐽𝑥 25 + 50(40) = 20 (20)
[2] Length of inclined members. 20
𝐹𝐼𝐽 25 = −1600
lx ly l 5 17
CJ 20 30 10 13 𝐹𝐼𝐽 = −65.97 = 𝟔𝟓. 𝟗𝟕 𝒌 (C)

IJ 20 5 5 17 𝐹(↑) = 𝐹(↓)
𝐹𝐶𝐽𝑦 + 50 = 𝐹𝐼𝐽𝑦 + 20 + 20
[3] Solve for reactions.
30 5
▸ Since there is no horizontal load, horizontal reaction, Ax = 0 𝐹𝐶𝐽 = 65.97 − 10
▸ Since the truss and the loadings are symmetrical, the total 10 13 5 17
reaction should be halved between Ay and Gy. Thus, Ay = Gy = 50 k 𝐹𝐶𝐽 = 𝟕. 𝟐𝟏 𝒌 (T)
Analysis of Other Types of Trusses
[1] The analysis of compound trusses can usually be expedited by
using a combination of the method of joints and the method of
sections.

[2] Some trusses, complex trusses in particular, can not be

solved/analysed using the two methods (method of joints and method
of sections).

[3] For the analysis space trusses, refer to section 4.9 of the textbook
for detailed procedure and explanations.
 “The most effective way of learning the
theories of structures is to solve problems.”
ASSIGNMENT!
Answer the following problems in our textbook.

Chapter 4 (page 147-155): Problems 4.6, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.12, 4.32,
4.34, 4.38, 4.40, and 4.46

Write the solutions neatly and in an organized manner on short bond

papers (Do not encode). Scan them and save them to one PDF file.

Due date: March 28, 2022