BMEE201L: Engineering Mechanics
Lecture 15: Module III
Trusses
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Trusses
Truss: is a structure composed of slender members
(two-force members) joined together at their end points
to support stationary or moving load.
Each member of a truss is usually of uniform cross
section along its length.
Calculation are usually based on following assumption:
The loads and reactions act only at the joint.
Weight of the individual members can be neglected.
Members are either under tension or compression.
Joints: are usually formed by bolting or welding the members to a common plate, called a
gusset plate, or simply passing a large bolt through each member.
Joints are modeled by smooth pin connections.
Member
(Wooden Strut)
Joint-Welded
(Gusset Plate)
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Analysis of Trusses
Truss Analysis
Internal equilibrium
External equilibrium
To find the force in each member
To find the reaction forces
Method of joints Method of sections
External Equilibrium: to find the
reaction forces, follow the below steps: B 500 N
1. Draw the FBD for the entire truss
2m
system.
2. Determine the reactions. Using the 45o C
A
equations of (2 D) which states:
Ax
F x 0, F y 0, M o 0 Ay 2m Cy
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Analysis of Trusses
Method of Joints: to find the forces in any member,
choose a joint, to which that member is connected,
and follow the below steps:
1. Draw the FBD for the entire truss system.
2. Determine the reactions. Using the
equations of (2 D) which states:
F x 0, F y 0, M o 0
3. Choose the joint, and draw FBD of a joint
with at least one known force and at most
two unknown forces.
4. Using the equation of (2 D) which states:
F x 0, Fy 0
5. The internal forces are determined.
6. Choose another joint.
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EXAMPLES of Trusses:
Example 1: Determine the support reactions in the joints of
the following truss. Calculate the force in member (BA &
BC.)
Solution
1. Draw FBD of entire truss and solve for support reactions:
2. Draw FBD of a joint with at least one known force and at
most two unknown forces. We choose joint B.
Assume BC is in compression.
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Using the method of joints, determine the force in each member of
the truss shown. State whether each member is in tension or
compression
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Analysis of Trusses
Analysis of trusses (Zero-force members):
Analysis of trusses system is simplified if one can identify those members that support no
loads. We call these zero-force members.
Examples to follow:
1. If two members form a truss joint and there is no
external load or support reaction at that joint then
those members are zero-force members.
Joints D and A in the following figure are the joints
with no external load or support reaction, so:
FAF = FAB = FDE = FDC = 0.
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Analysis of Trusses
Analysis of trusses (Zero-force members):
Examples to follow:
2. If three members form a truss joint and there is no
external load or support reaction at that joint and two
of those members are collinear then the third member
is a zero-force member.
In the following figure, AC and AD are zero-force
members, because Joints D and A in the following figure
are the joints with three members, there is no external load
or support reaction, so:
FCA = FDA = 0
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Determine the force in each member of the Howe roof truss shown. State whether
each member is in tension or compression.
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Because of the symmetry of the truss
and loading, we deduce that
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Using the method of joints, determine the force in each member of the roof truss
shown. State whether each member is in tension or compression.
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Analysis of Trusses Lecture 7
Method of section (Internal equilibrium): to find
the forces in any member, choose a section, to which
that member is appeared as an internal force, and
follow the below steps:
1. Draw the FBD for the entire truss system.
2. Determine the reactions. Using the
equations of (2 D) which states:
F x 0, F y 0, M o 0
3. Choose the section, and draw FBD of that
section, shows how the forces replace the
sectioned members.
4. Using the equation of (2 D) which states:
F x 0, F y 0, M o 0
5. The internal forces are determined.
6. Choose another section or joint.
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Determine the force in members BD and CD of the truss shown.
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Determine the force in members CD and DF of the truss shown
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EXAMPLES of Trusses:
Example 2: In the following Bowstring Truss,
find the force in member (CF).
Solution
draw the FBD and find the support reactions which are
shown below
MA = 0 Fy = 0
RE * 16 – 5 * 8 – 3 * 12 = 0 RE + RA – 5– 3 = 0
RE = 4.75 kN RA = 3.25 kN
G
F 2m
6m
C D E O
4m 4m X
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EXAMPLES of Trusses:
Example 3: In the following truss, find the force in
member (EB).
Solution
Notice that no single cut will provide the answer. Hence,
it is best to consider section (a-a and b-b).
MA = 0
RC * 8 – 1000 * 6 – 1000 * 4 – 3000 * 2 = 0
RC = 2000 N
Fy = 0
RA + RC – 1000 – 1000 – 3000 - 1000 = 0
RA = 4000 N
Taking the moment about joint (B), to find (FED), as
shown in below figure:
MB = 0
1000 * 4 + 3000 * 2 – 4000 * 4 + FED * sin30o * 4 = 0
FED = 3000 N (compression)
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Continue Example 3:
From joint (E) to find (FEB), as shown in below
figure:
Fx = 0
FEF . cos30o– 3000 cos30o = 0
FEF = 3000 N (compression)
Fy = 0
FEF . Sin30o + 3000 . sin30o - 1000 - FEB = 0
FEB = 2000 N (Tension)
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A Howe scissors roof truss is loaded as shown. Determine the force in members DF,
DG, and EG.
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