UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MINDANAO

Statics of Rigid Bodies

ES 211
 Topic Outline
• Analysis of Structures & Truss
Methods of Joints
Zero Force Members
Methods of Section

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 Intended Learning Outcomes
• To show how to determine the forces in
the members of a truss using the method
of joints and the method of sections.

ES 211 – Statics of Rigid Bodies 3

Supports for Rigid Bodies Subjected
to Two-Dimensional Force Systems

ES 211 – Statics of Rigid Bodies 4

Supports for Rigid Bodies Subjected
to Two-Dimensional Force Systems

ES 211 – Statics of Rigid Bodies 5

Supports for Rigid Bodies Subjected
to Two-Dimensional Force Systems

ES 211 – Statics of Rigid Bodies 6

Supports for Rigid Bodies Subjected
to Two-Dimensional Force Systems

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 Simple Truss
A truss is a structure composed of slender members joined together at
their end points. The members commonly used in construction consist
of wooden struts or metal bars. In particular, planar trusses lie in a
single plane and are often used to support roofs and bridges. The truss
shown in Fig. a is an example of a typical roof-supporting truss. In
this figure, the roof load is transmitted to the truss at the joints by
means of a series of purlins. Since this loading acts in the same plane
as the truss, Fig. b, the analysis of the forces developed in the truss
members will be two-dimensional.

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Simple Truss

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 Bridge Truss
In the case of a bridge, such as shown in Fig. 2a, the load on the
deck is first transmitted to stringers, then to floor beams, and
finally to the joints of the two supporting side trusses. Like the
roof truss, the bridge truss loading is also coplanar, Fig. 2b.
When bridge or roof trusses extend over large distances, a
rocker or roller is commonly used for supporting one end, for
example, joint A in Figs. 1a and 2a. This type of support allows
freedom for expansion or contraction of the members due to a
change in temperature or application of loads.

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 Assumptions for Design
To design both the members and the connections of a truss, it is
necessary first to determine the force developed in each member
when the truss is subjected to a given loading. To do this we will
make two important assumptions:

• All loadings are applied at the joints. In most situations, such as

for bridge and roof trusses, this assumption is true. Frequently
the weight of the members is neglected because the force
supported by each member is usually much larger than its
weight. However, if the weight is to be included in the analysis,
it is generally satisfactory to apply it as a vertical force, with half
of its magnitude applied at each end of the member.

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 Assumptions for Design
• The members are joined together by smooth pins. The joint
connections are usually formed by bolting or welding the ends
of the members to a common plate, called a gusset plate, as
shown in Fig. a, or by simply passing a large bolt or pin through
each of the members, Fig. b. We can assume these connections
act as pins provided the center lines of the joining members are
concurrent, as in Fig. 3.

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 Assumptions for Design

Because of these two assumptions, each truss

member will act as a two force member, and
therefore the force acting at each end of the
member will be directed along the axis of the
member. If the force tends to elongate the
member, it is a tensile force (T), Fig. a;
whereas if it tends to shorten the member, it
is a compressive force (C), Fig. b. In the actual
design of a truss it is important to state
whether the nature of the force is tensile or
compressive.

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 Methods of Joints

This method is based on the fact that if the entire truss is in

equilibrium, then each of its joints is also in equilibrium.
Therefore, if the free-body diagram of each joint is drawn,
the force equilibrium equations can then be used to obtain
the member forces acting on each joint. Since the members
of a plane truss are straight two-force members lying in a
single plane, each joint is subjected to a force system that is
coplanar and concurrent. As a result, only σ Fx = 0 and σ F𝑦
= 0 need to be satisfied for equilibrium.

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 Simple Truss Example Problem
• Determine the force in each member of the truss shown in
Figure and indicate whether the members are in tension or
compression.
• SOLUTION
Since we should have no more than two
unknown forces at the joint and at least
one known force acting there, we will
begin our analysis at joint B.
Joint B

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 Solution
Joint C Since the force in member BC
has been calculated, we can
proceed to analyze joint C to
determine the force in member
CA and the support reaction at
the rocker.

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 Solution

Joint A we can determine the

components of the support
reactions at joint A using the
results of FCA and FBA.

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Summarized Result of Analysis
Note:
free-body diagram of each joint
(or pin) shows the effects of all
the connected members and
external forces applied to the
joint, whereas the free-body
diagram of each member shows
only the effects of the end
joints on the member.

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 Simple Truss Example Problem
• Determine the forces acting in all the members of
the truss shown in Fig.

• Solution
By inspection, there are more than
two unknowns at each joint.
Consequently, the support reactions
on the truss must first be
determined. Show that they have
been correctly calculated on the
free-body diagram in Fig. b. We can
now begin the analysis at joint C.

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Solution

Joint C

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 Solution
Joint C

Direct solution for

one of the unknown
forces may be
obtained by applying
a force summation
along an axis that is
perpendicular to the
direction of the other
unknown force.

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Simple Truss

NOTE: The force in the last

member, BA, can be
obtained from joint B or
joint A. As an exercise,
draw the free-body
diagram of joint B, sum the
forces in the horizontal
direction, and show that
FBA = 0.776 kN (C).

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 Zero Force Members

Truss analysis using the method of joints is greatly

simplified if we can first identify those members
which support no loading. These zero-force members
are used to increase the stability of the truss during
construction and to provide added support if the
loading is changed. The zero-force members of a truss
can generally be found by inspection of each of the
joints.

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 Zero Force Members Example
For example, consider the truss shown in Fig. a. If a free-body
diagram of the pin at joint A is drawn, Fig. b, it is seen that
members AB and AF are zero-force members. (We could not have
come to this conclusion if we had considered the free-body
diagrams of joints F or B simply because there are five unknowns
at each of these joints.) In a similar manner, consider the free-
body diagram of joint D, Fig. c. Here again it is seen that DC and
DE are zero-force members. From these observations, we can
conclude that if only two non-collinear members form a truss
joint and no external load or support reaction is applied to the
joint, the two members must be zero-force members. The load
on the truss in Fig. a is therefore supported by only five members
as shown in Fig. d.
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Zero Force Members Example

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 Zero Force Members Example
Now consider the truss shown in Fig. a. The free-body
diagram of the pin at joint D is shown in Fig. b. By orienting
the y axis along members DC and DE and the x axis along
member DA, it is seen that DA is a zero-force member. Note
that this is also the case for member CA, Fig. c. In general
then, if three members form a truss joint for which two of
the members are collinear, the third member is a zero-
force member provided no external force or support
reaction has a component that acts along this member.
The truss shown in Fig. d is therefore suitable for
supporting the load P.

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Zero Force Members Example

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 Zero Force Members
Zero-force members support no load; however, they
are necessary for stability, and are available when
additional loadings are applied to the joints of the
truss. These members can usually be identified by
inspection. They occur at joints where only two
members are connected and no external load acts
along either member. Also, at joints having two
collinear members, a third member will be a zero-force
member if no external force components act along this
member.

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 Zero Force Members example
Using the method of joints, determine all the zero-force
members of the Fink roof truss shown in Fig. Assume all
joints are pin connected.

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Solution
Joint G

Joint B

Joint D

Joint F

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 Method of Section
It is based on the principle that if the truss is in
equilibrium then any segment of the truss is also in
equilibrium. For example, consider the two truss
members shown on the left in Fig. If the forces within
the members are to be determined, then an
imaginary section, indicated by the blue line, can be
used to cut each member into two parts and thereby
“expose” each internal force as “external” to the free-
body diagrams shown on the right. Clearly, it can be
seen that equilibrium requires that the member in
tension (T) be subjected to a “pull,” whereas the
member in compression (C) is subjected to a “push.”

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 Method of Section
The method of sections can also be used to “cut” or
section the members of an entire truss. If the section
passes through the truss and the free-body diagram of
either of its two parts is drawn, we can then apply the
equations of equilibrium to that part to determine the
member forces at the “cut section.” Since only three
independent equilibrium equations (σ Fx = 0, σ F𝑦 = 0,
σ Mo= 0) can be applied to the free-body diagram of any
segment, then we should try to select a section that, in
general, passes through not more than three members in
which the forces are unknown.

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 Method of Section
For example, consider the truss in Fig. a. If the forces in
members BC, GC, and GF are to be determined, then section aa
would be appropriate. The free-body diagrams of the two
segments are shown in Figs. b and c

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 Method of Section

As in the method of joints, there are two ways in which we can

determine the correct sense of an unknown member force:

• The correct sense of an unknown member force can in many

cases be determined “by inspection.”
• Always assume that the unknown member forces at the cut
section are tensile forces, i.e., “pulling” on the member. By
doing this, the numerical solution of the equilibrium
equations will yield positive scalars for members in tension
and negative scalars for members in compression.

ES 211 – Statics of Rigid Bodies 34

 Example Problem
Determine the force in members GE, GC, and BC of the truss
shown in Fig. a. Indicate whether the members are in tension or
compression.

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 Solution
Section aa in Fig. a has been chosen since it cuts through the three members
whose forces are to be determined. In order to use the method of sections,
however, it is first necessary to determine the external reactions at A or D.

ES 211 – Statics of Rigid Bodies 36

 Solution
For the analysis the free-body diagram of the left portion of
the sectioned truss will be used, since it involves the least
number of forces, Fig. c.

by summing moments about point C we obtain

a direct solution for FGE.

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Solution
Since FBC and FGE have no vertical
components, summing forces in the y direction
directly yields FGC.

ES 211 – Statics of Rigid Bodies 38

 Example Problem
Determine the force in member CF of the truss shown in Fig.
a. Indicate whether the member is in tension or compression.
Assume each member is pin connected.

ES 211 – Statics of Rigid Bodies 39

 Solution

We will apply the moment equation about

point O in order to eliminate the two
unknowns FFG and FCD.

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 References
• Asin, R. Engineering Mechanics Reviewer. Manila
Philippines
• Bedford, A., & Fowler W. (2002). Engineering Mechanics
Statics & Dynamics 3rd Edition. Pearson Education
Asia Pte Ltd
• Besavilla V. (1986). Solutions to Problems in Engineering
Mechanics. Cebu City
• Bhattacharjya, R.K. Engineering Mechanics. Indian
Institute of Technology Guwahati
• Doughtie V. L., & James, W.H. Elements of Mechanism.
Tokyo Japan

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 References
• Hibbeler R. C. Statics, Fourteenth Edition. Pearson
Education, Inc.
• Housner, G., & Hudson D. Applied Mechanics Dynamics.
Division of Engineering California Institute of
Technology
• Kim, K. Mechanics: Statics & Dynamics
• Pratap, R. & Ruina, A. (2001). Introduction to Statics and
Dynamics
• Sutar, M. K. Lecture Notes on Engineering Mechanics

ES 211 – Statics of Rigid Bodies 42