What you should know
Before you start with this unit, you should be able to do the
following:
• Determine the moment of a force about any given point.
• Calculate the unknown internal angles and/or lengths of the
sides of any triangle, given at least three dimensions of the
triangle.
• Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant of two
forces.
• Determine the horizontal and vertical components of a given
vector.
• Construct to scale, a diagram with the aid of drawing
instruments.
• Solve a set of simultaneous equations.
Expected Outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to do the
following:
• Identify a statically determinate beam and a two-dimensional pin-
jointed structure.
• Apply the conditions of static equilibrium to obtain the force
and/or moment at the support(s) of any statically determinate
structure subjected to various types of loads.
• Draw the free-body diagram of a statically determinate structure.
• Explain the importance of the method of sections.
• Apply the method of sections to determine the internal forces in a
two-dimensional, statically determinate pin-jointed structure.
What are trusses?
A truss is a structure made of two force members all pin-connected
to each other.
Simple plane trusses
Example of a simple plane truss used as a roof truss.
Simple plane trusses
More examples: Application of simple plane in a complex 3D
structure for a bridge.
SIMPLE TRUSSES
Tension force
F F
Compression force
F F
A member in tension is called a tie and a member in compression a
strut.
F F
Tie
F F
Strut
MOMENT OF A FORCE
X
F
A
The moment MA of force F about a point A is equal to the force
multiplied by the shortest distance between the point A and the line
of action. Of the force.
MA = F x (N.m)
STATIC EQUILIBRIUM
If the forces acting on a body are in equilibrium then:
1. sum of all the forces in any direction must be zero ( F = 0).
2. The sum of all the moments of the forces about any point must be
zero( M= 0).
SIMPLE PLANE TRUSSES.
A simple plane truss is a two-dimensional assemblage of
members, each member being joined at its ends to the
foundation or to other members by frictionaless pin joints.
Stable
Unstable
Redundant
The following equation is used to determine the state of a structure
not attached to a foundation.
m=2j–3
Where
m = Number of members
j = Number of joints
If the structure is attached to a foundation:
2j = m + r
Where
J = Number of joints
m = Number of members
r = Number of reaction components in the x and y directions.
Assumptions
The following assumptions are usually made in the analysis of the
trusses:
1. Buckling of members will not occur.
2. The forces in the members due to the mass of the structure are
small compared to the applied loads and may be ignored.
3. All the members are connected by frictionless pin-joints. In
practice the members are bolted, riveted or welded together, thus
making the structure more rigid.
4. All external forces, including the reactions at the supports, are
applied at the joints and the structure is statically determinated.
METHOD OF SECTIONS
This is an analytical method for solving simple plane trusses.
1. Sketch a free-body diagram of the structure.
2. Determine the reactions at the supports, using the two
conditions for static equilibrium, if they are required or necessary
for further calculations.
3. Draw a section line through the structure, cutting those
members in which the forces are required. A maximum of three
members should be cut by a section.
4. Select a point to take moments about, so that two of the three
unknown go through the point. (you can take moments any where
on the structure)
5. Assume a tension force towards the section as positive. If the
answer is negative it means that it is a compressive force and the
direction must be changed on the sketch.
6. All the external forces to one side of the section and the forces
in the members that you cut must be taken into consideration.
EXAMPLE
Determine the magnitude and nature of the forces in members BC,
CE and DE
B 30 30
D
45
E
50 kN
A 45 F
2
m
X C
B 30 30
D
45
E
2m X
50 kN
A 45 F
2m
1. Make section X-X through the members that you want to
calculate
2. Considder to the right of X-X.
3. Take moments about point C.
Mc = 0 X C
2 50 + FDE 2 tan 30 (1.1547) = 0 3 3
B D
045 E 0
FDE = -86,6 kN 2 X
m 50
= 86,6 kN Compression force A 4 F kN
25 m
Take moments about E
E=0
2 50 = FBC 2 sin 30 (1)
FBC = 100 kN Tensile force
X C
Take moments about D
B 3 3 D
D=0 045 E 0
2 X
m 50
FCE 2 + 100 4 sin30 = 0 A 4 F kN
5
2m
FCE = - 100 kN
= 100 kN Compression force
