CHAPTER THREE- ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY PIN-JOINTED FRAME

STRUCTURES.

Pin jointed structures range from the very simple coplanar trusses to the

exceedingly complex systems consisting of three or more straight or curved

members capable of transmitting loads. With increasing accuracy in structural

analysis it is now possible to cover large spans over roof tops with three

dimensional complexes of pin jointed structures. This has made it possible to cover

large sitting areas in stadiums, shopping malls, auditoriums etc.

For the routine designer and for the purposes of analysis some simplification is

necessary to avoid lengthy and complicated calculations. This is done by placing

the pin jointed structures in two distinct categories as follows:-

i) Statically determinate frameworks in which the magnitude and direction of

forces acting on the members may be determined by direct application of the laws

of static equilibrium

ii) Statically indeterminate frameworks in which the number of unknown quantities

exceeds the number quantities determinable by application of the laws of static

equilibrium. The consideration of these latter frameworks which include portal

frames, rigid jointed frameworks with members in bending and or in torsion is

beyond the scope of this course.

The conditions needed for the statically determinate pin jointed structural analyses

covered in this course are as follows:-

i) The members are straight, inextensible and weightless

ii) The members are connected at their extremities to other joints by means of pin

joints which function as perfect hinges (i.e.) they are free to rotate and can transmit

no moment.

iii) All members, applied forces, and reactions lie in the same plane

iii) The framework is capable of resisting geometrical distortion under any system

of forces applied at the nodes.

The above conditions can not be met by practical frameworks. Most frameworks

analyzed using the above conditions are usually gusseted, nailed without the

prescribed hinges. However the assumptions enable analysis and design of safe pin

jointed frameworks.

Analysis of statically determinate frameworks

A framework which is statically determinate contains the correct number of

members required to keep it stable. This frame is also termed as a perfect frame.

Frameworks having fewer members than required number are unstable and

referred to as sub static. Frameworks with more members than a sufficient number

are hyper static and contain redundant members which can be removed without

producing instability. Figure 2.5 shows the simplest possible framework that would
satisfy the required conditions of analysis. The relationship between the member of

members and the number of joints is given by Equation 2.1.

Statically determinate pin jointed frameworks

If the more than one joint is pinned to a rigid support, the number of members

required to make a perfect frame is given by Equation 2.2. Figure 2.6 demonstrates

the use of Equations 2.1 and 2.2. The figure shows examples of perfect, unstable

and hyper static frameworks.

Perfect, unstable and hyper static frameworks

Methods of analysis

The solution of the forces acting in the members in the frames is usually done

by the application of the three equations of static equilibrium. Two such methods

are considered below

i) Method of resolution

• Obtain the reactions for the entire structure

Consider the forces acting on individual joints starting from not more than two

forces are unknown. Application of the equations of static equilibrium for each

joint yields the unknown forces.

• Proceed from the known forces in members to the joints with unknown forces. In

general proceed to joints with one or two unknown forces.

• In the analysis assume that the forces in the members are in tension. In the event

the analysis yielded a negative value the force is compression

ii) Method of sections

• Obtain the reactions for the entire structure

• Make a theoretical section cutting the entire structure. The members whose forces

are needed should also be cut. A maximum of three unknowns should be cut.

• Each of the sections of the structures is analyzed using the three equations of

static equilibrium to give the value of the unknown forces

• In the analysis assume that the forces in the members are in tension. In the event

the analysis yielded a negative value the force is compression.

Two simple rules in the analysis of pin jointed structures

a) When a joint has 3 members and no external force and two members are in

straight line as shown on Figure

• The forces in the straight members are equal

• The force in the third member is equal to zero

b) When a joint has four members and no external force and two opposite members

are in straight line as shown on Figure

• The forces in the straight members are equal

Examples.

Determine the reactions and the forces in all the members of the pin jointed

structures shown in figure

Example 2

Compute the force in all members of the truss shown in Fig. T-08.

Solution 005-mj

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

ΣMF=0ΣMF=0

11RA=7(50)+3(30)11RA=7(50)+3(30)

RA=40 kNRA=40 kN

ΣMA=0ΣMA=0

11RF=4(50)+8(30)11RF=4(50)+8(30)

RF=40 kNRF=40 kN

At joint A

ΣFV=0ΣFV=0

541√FAB=RA541FAB=RA

541√FAB=40541FAB=40
FAB=51.22 kN compressionFAB=51.22 kN compression

ΣFH=0ΣFH=0

FAC=441√FABFAC=441FAB

FAC=441√(51.22)FAC=441(51.22)

FAC=32 kN tensionFAC=32 kN tension

At joint B

ΣFH=0ΣFH=0

417√FBD=441√FAB417FBD=441FAB

417√FBD=441√(51.22)417FBD=441(51.22)

FBD=32.98 kN compressionFBD=32.98 kN

compression

ΣFV=0ΣFV=0

FBC+541√FAB+117√FBD=50FBC+541FAB+117FBD=50

FBC+541√(51.22)+117√(32.98)=50FBC+541(51.22)+117(32.98)=50

FBC=2 kN compressionFBC=2 kN compression

At joint C

ΣFV=0ΣFV=0

12√FCD=FBC12FCD=FBC

12√FCD=212FCD=2

FCD=2.83 kN tensionFCD=2.83 kN tension

ΣFH=0ΣFH=0

FCE+12√FCD=FACFCE+12FCD=FAC

FCE+12√(2.83)=32FCE+12(2.83)=32

FCE=30 kN tensionFCE=30 kN tension

At joint E

ΣFH=0ΣFH=0

FEF=FCEFEF=FCE

FEF=30 kN tensionFEF=30 kN tension

ΣFV=0ΣFV=0

FDE=0FDE=0
At joint D

ΣFH=0ΣFH=0

35FDF+12√FCD=417√FBD35FDF+12FCD=417FBD

35FDF+12√(2.83)=417√(32.98)35FDF+12(2.83)=417(32.98)

FDF=50 kN compressionFDF=50 kN compression

ΣFV=0ΣFV=0

45FDF=117√FBD+12√FCD+3045FDF=117FBD+12FCD+30

45(50)=117√(32.98)+12√(2.83)+3045(50)=117(32.98)+12(2.83)+30

40=4040=40 check

At joint F

ΣFV=0ΣFV=0

45FDF=RA45FDF=RA

45(50)=4045(50)=40

40=4040=40 check
ΣFH=0ΣFH=0

FEF=35FDFFEF=35FDF

FEF=35(50)FEF=35(50)

30=3030=30 check

Summary

Example 3

The truss pinned to the floor at D, and supported by a roller at point A is loaded as

shown in Fig. T-06. Determine the force in member CG.

Solution 004-mj

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

ΣMD=0ΣMD=0

6RA=4(100)+2(120)6RA=4(100)+2(120)

RA=106.67 kNRA=106.67 kN
At joint F

FFG=0FFG=0

At joint A

ΣFV=0ΣFV=0

313√FAG=RA313FAG=RA

313√FAG=106.67313FAG=106.67
FAG=128.20 kN compressionFAG=128.20 kN compression

ΣFH=0ΣFH=0

FAB=213√FAGFAB=213FAG

FAB=213√(128.20)FAB=213(128.20)

FAB=71.11 kN tensionFAB=71.11 kN tension

At joint B

ΣFH=0ΣFH=0

FBC=FABFBC=FAB

FBC=71.11 kN tensionFBC=71.11 kN tension

ΣFV=0ΣFV=0

FBG=0FBG=0

At joint G

ΣFV=0ΣFV=0

313√FCG+100=313√FAG313FCG+100=313FAG
313√FCG+100=313√(128.20)313FCG+100=313(128.20)

FCG=8.01 kN tensionFCG=8.01 kN tension answer

The Pin jointed frame displayed above can be solved either using the method of

joints or method of sections. In this worked example the method of joints will be

used to identify the forces present in each member of the frame.

Frame dimensions and loading

 Length of X1 = 10.52m

 Length of Y1 = 20.37m

 Point Load (P1) acting vertically at Joint B = 98.4kN

 Point Load (P2) acting horizontally at Joint D = 82.3kN

Determine the support reactions

The reactive forces should be identified and marked onto the free body diagram of

the frame as shown on the diagram above. The reactive forces have been assumed

as positive which means if a negative value is obtained then the assumed direction

is incorrect. The three equations of equilibrium should be applied to determine the

unknown reaction forces located at the supports.

∑H=0⇒ RCX = P2RCX = 82.3 kN∑H=0⇒ RCX = P2RCX = 82.3 kN

∑V=0⇒ RAY + RCY= P1RAY + RCY= 98.4 kN∑V=0⇒ RAY + RCY= P1RAY

+ RCY= 98.4 kN

∑MA=0⇒ (P1×X1) − (RCX×Y1)∑MA=0⇒ (P1×X1) − (RCX×Y1)

− (RCY×2×X1) = 0 − (RCY×2×X1) = 0

∴ RCY =(P1×X1) − (RCX×Y1)(2×X1)∴ RCY =(P1×X1) − (RCX×Y1)(2×X1)

RCY =(98.4×10.52) − (82.3×20.37)(2×10.52) = −30.5 kN RCY =(98.4×10.52) − (

82.3×20.37)(2×10.52) = −30.5 kN

RAY = 98.4 − −30.5 = 128.9 kN RAY = 98.4 − −30.5 = 128.9 kN

Frame Geometry

To carry out the resolution of forces at the individual joints we are required to

know the angles at which the members are positioned related to the joint. This is

calculated from the given data using the rules of trigonometry. The angles that are
required to enable us to solve this tutorial are displayed above and calculated

below.

θ1 = tan−1(Y1X1) = tan−1(20.3710.52) = 62.7 °θ1 = tan−1(Y1X1) = tan−1(20.371

0.52) = 62.7 °

θ2 = 90 −θ1 = 27.3 °θ2 = 90 −θ1 = 27.3 °

Joint A

∑H=0⇒ FAD+ FABcos(θ1) = 0(1)∑H=0⇒ FAD+ FABcos⁡(θ1) = 0(1)

∑V=0⇒ RAY + FAB sin(θ1) = 0(2)∑V=0⇒ RAY + FAB sin(θ1) = 0(2)

From(2)FAB =−RAYsin(θ1) =−128.9sin(62.7) = −145.1 kN From(2)FAB =−RAY

sin(θ1) =−128.9sin(62.7) = −145.1 kN

From(1)FAD = −FAB cos(θ1) = 145.1×cos(62.7) From(1)FAD = −FAB cos(θ1) =

145.1×cos(62.7)

FAD = 66.6 kN FAD = 66.6 kN

Joint B

∑H=0⇒ FAB sin(θ2) + FBC + FBD cos(θ1) = 0(1)∑H=0⇒ FAB sin(θ2) + FBC +

FBD cos(θ1) = 0(1)

∑V=0⇒ FAB cos(θ2) − P1 − FBD sin(θ1) = 0(2)∑V=0⇒ FAB cos(θ2) − P1 − FB

D sin(θ1) = 0(2)

From (2) FBD =FAB cos(θ2) − P1sin(θ1) From (2) FBD =FAB cos(θ2) − P1sin(θ

1)

FBD =(145.1×cos(27.3)) − 98.4sin(62.7) = 34.4 kN FBD =(145.1×cos(27.3)) − 98

.4sin(62.7) = 34.4 kN

From (1) FBC = −FBD cos(θ1) − FAB sin(θ2) From (1) FBC = −FBD cos(θ1) − F

AB sin(θ2)

FBC = −34.4×cos(62.7) − 145.1×sin(27.3) = −82.3 kN FBC = −34.4×cos(62.7) −

145.1×sin(27.3) = −82.3 kN
Joint C

∑H=0⇒ FBC − RCX = 0(1)∑H=0⇒ FBC − RCX = 0(1)

∑V=0⇒ −FCD + RCY = 0(2)∑V=0⇒ −FCD + RCY = 0(2)

From(1) FBC = RCX = −82.3 kN From(1) FBC = RCX = −82.3 kN

From(2) FCD = RCY = −30.5 kN From(2) FCD = RCY = −30.5 kN

Close
The Pin jointed frame displayed above can be solved either using the method of

joints or method of sections. In this worked example the method of sections will be

used to identify the forces present in each member of the frame.

Frame dimensions and loading

 Length of X1 = 12.23m

 Length of Y1 = 20m

 Point Load (P1) acting vertically at Joint G = 45.5kN

Determine the support reactions

The reactive forces should be identified and marked onto the free body diagram of

the frame as shown on the diagram above. The reactive forces have been assumed

as positive which means if a negative value is obtained then the assumed direction

is incorrect. The three equations of equilibrium should be applied to determine the

unknown reaction forces located at the supports.

∑H=0⇒ RAX= 0∑H=0⇒ RAX= 0

∑V=0⇒ RAY + REY= P1 = 45.5 kN∑V=0⇒ RAY + REY= P1 = 45.5 kN

∑MA = 0⇒ (P1×X1) − (REY×(3×X1)) = 0∑MA = 0⇒ (P1×X1) − (REY×(3×X1))

=0

∴ REY =(P1×X1)(3×X1) =45.5×12.233×12.23 = 15.2 kN∴ REY =(P1×X1)(3×X1)

=45.5×12.233×12.23 = 15.2 kN

RAY = 45.5 − 15.2 = 30.3 kN RAY = 45.5 − 15.2 = 30.3 kN

Frame Geometry

To carry out the resolution of forces at the individual joints we are required to

know the angles at which the members are positioned related to the joint. This is

calculated from the given data using the rules of trigonometry. The angles that are

required to enable us to solve this tutorial are displayed above and calculated

below.

θ1 = tan−1(Y1(X1/2)) = tan−1(206.115) = 73 °θ1 = tan−1(Y1(X1/2)) = tan−1(206.

115) = 73 °

θ2 = 180 −(2×θ1) = 34 °θ2 = 180 −(2×θ1) = 34 °

Method of Sections

Section Cut 1

∑H=0⇒ FAG + FAB cos(θ1) = 0(1)∑H=0⇒ FAG + FAB cos(θ1) = 0(1)

∑V=0⇒ RAY + FAB sin(θ1) = 0(2)∑V=0⇒ RAY + FAB sin(θ1) = 0(2)

From(2)FAB =−RAYsin(θ1) =−30.3sin(73)=−31.7 kN From(2)FAB =−RAYsin(θ

1) =−30.3sin(73)=−31.7 kN

From (1)FAG = −FAB cos(θ1) = 31.7×cos(73) From (1)FAG = −FAB cos(θ1) = 3

1.7×cos(73)

FAG = 9.3 kN FAG = 9.3 kN

Section Cut 2

∑V=0⇒ RAY − FBG sin(θ1) = 0∑V=0⇒ RAY − FBG sin(θ1) = 0

FBG =RAYsin(θ1) =30.3sin(73) = 31.7 kN FBG =RAYsin(θ1) =30.3sin(73) = 31.

7 kN

∑H=0⇒ FAG + FBG cos(θ1) + FBC = 0∑H=0⇒ FAG + FBG cos(θ1) + FBC = 0

FBC = − FAG − FBG cos(θ1) FBC = − FAG − FBG cos(θ1)

FBC = − 9.3 − 31.7×cos(73) = −18.6 kN FBC = − 9.3 − 31.7×cos(73) = −18.6 kN

Section Cut 3

∑V=0⇒ RAY − P1 + FGC sin(θ1) = 0∑V=0⇒ RAY − P1 + FGC sin(θ1) = 0

FGC =− RAY + P1sin(θ1) =− 30.3 + 45.5sin(73) = 15.9 kN FGC =− RAY + P1sin

(θ1) =− 30.3 + 45.5sin(73) = 15.9 kN

∑H=0⇒ FBC + FGC cos(θ1) + FGF = 0∑H=0⇒ FBC + FGC cos(θ1) + FGF = 0

FGF = − FBC − FGC cos(θ1) FGF = − FBC − FGC cos(θ1)

FGF = − −18.6 − 15.9×cos(73) = 14 kN FGF = − −18.6 − 15.9×cos(73) = 14 kN

Section Cut 4

∑H=0⇒ − FEF − FED cos(θ1) = 0(1)∑H=0⇒ − FEF − FED cos(θ1) = 0(1)

∑V=0⇒ REY + FED sin(θ1) = 0(2)∑V=0⇒ REY + FED sin(θ1) = 0(2)

From(2)FED =− REYsin(θ1) =−15.2sin(73)=−15.9 kN From(2)FED =− REYsin(θ

1) =−15.2sin(73)=−15.9 kN

From (1)FEF = − FED cos(θ1) = − −15.9×cos(73) From (1)FEF = − FED cos(θ1)

= − −15.9×cos(73)

FEF = 4.6 kN FEF = 4.6 kN

Section Cut 5

∑V=0⇒ REY − FDF sin(θ1) = 0∑V=0⇒ REY − FDF sin(θ1) = 0

FDF =RAYsin(θ1) =15.2sin(73) = 15.9 kN FDF =RAYsin(θ1) =15.2sin(73) = 15.

9 kN

∑H=0⇒ FDC + FDF cos(θ1) + FEF = 0∑H=0⇒ FDC + FDF cos(θ1) + FEF = 0

FDC = − FEF − FDF cos(θ1) FDC = − FEF − FDF cos(θ1)

FDC = − 4.6 − 15.9×cos(73) = −9.2 kN FDC = − 4.6 − 15.9×cos(73) = −9.2 kN

Section Cut 6

∑V=0⇒ REY + FFC sin(θ1) = 0∑V=0⇒ REY + FFC sin(θ1) = 0

FFC =− REYsin(θ1) =− 15.2sin(73) = −15.9 kN