1

Group members: Aravinth, Deepak Kumar Date: 11/20/2012

MAE 376
Project 1
To analyze the given structure we first derived the equilibrium equation at each joint for N=1 & N=2. From
the equations we concluded that for N>1 the truss will be undetermined. To solve a undetermined truss
we had to use an additional compatibility equation to get an equal number of equation for the total
number of unknowns. The new arranged these equation in a matrix form in the order of Ax = B. where A is
the square matrix which contains the coefficients of the unknowns, x is the vector that contains the
unknown forces and B is the vector that contains the results of the equations we derived.
a) P
Truss determinacy formula
2J = M + R determinant
2J < M + R indeterminate
P 2J > M + R unstable
N: Number of truss members
J: Number of joints
For N = 1
2 (4) = 5 + 3
8=8
(determinate)
For N = 2
2(6) = 10 + 3
12 13
(therefore indeterminate)
For N=3
2(8)=15+3
1618
(therefor indeterminate )
b) For solving a system when N = 2 or greater we have to use equilibrium equation and the
compatibility equations.

For N = 2
Equilibrium equation at every joint
Node 1
F
x
: A
x
+f
3
+0.707f
4
=0
F
y
: 0.707*f
4
(Wx + Wh) = 0
Node 2
F
x
: Bx+f1+0.707*f5 = 0
F
y
: By-0.707*f5 -(Wx + Wh) = 0
Node 3
F
x
: -f1-0.707*f4+f6 +0.707*f10 = 0
F
y
: -f2-0.707*f4-0.707*f10-(2Wx + 3Wh)= 0
Node 4
F
x
: -f3-0.707*f5+0.707*f9+f8 = 0
F
y
: f2+0.707*f5+0.707*f9-(2Wx+Wh) = 0
Node 5
F
x
: -f8-0.707*f10+Pcos=0
F
y
: F9+0.707*f10-(2Wh+Wx)+P sin=0
Node 6
F
x
: -f6-0.707*f9+Pcos=0
2

F
y
: -f7-0.707*f9-(2Wh+Wx)+P sin=0
Known: P,N,H,
Unknown: f1,f2,f3,f4,f5,f6,f7,f8,f9,f10 ( no. of unknowns= 13)
Number of equilibrium equations is 12 so the additional equation comes from the compatibility
Equation to solve the statically undetermined truss
(3+ )f10 = 4+2 P sin - P cos
c)