Method of Members | Frames

Containing Three-Force Members

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A three-force member is in general a non-axial member that is not simply in tension or
compression. A member of this kind has shear forces perpendicular to the member and
subjected to bending loads. If forces are applied to more than two positions on the
member, it is three-force member. Any beam is a three-force member according to the
above definition.

Frames are pin-connected structures with some or all members are three-force
members. To analyze a frame, we can disconnect the three-force member from the
structure and draw the free-body diagram of the member. This approach is called
themethod of members.

In this method, three equilibrium equations can be written

FH=0FH=0, FV=0FV=0, and MO=0MO=0

Below is a figure that shows the difference between axial and non-axial (three-force)
members.

Problem 001-mm
The structure shown in Fig F-001(MM) is pinned together at points A, B, and C and held
in equilibrium by the cable CD. A load of 12,000 lb is acting at the midpoint of member
AB, and a load of 8000 lb is applied at point C. Determine the reaction at A, the internal
force in member BC, and the tension on cable CD.

Solution 001-mm

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a=16cos30=13.86 ma=16cos30=13.86 m
b=16sin30=8 mb=16sin30=8 m
c=atan37=13.86tan37=10.44 mc=atan37=13.86tan37=10.44 m

Tension on cable CD

MA=0MA=0
(Tsin53)(8+10.44)=8000(13.86)+12000(4)(Tsin53)(8+10.44)=8000(13.86)+12000(4)
T=10788.47 lbT=10788.47 lb

answer

Reaction at A

MD=0MD=0
Ax(8+10.44)=8000(13.86)+12000(4)Ax(8+10.44)=8000(13.86)+12000(4)
Ax=8616.05 lbAx=8616.05 lb

FV=0FV=0
Ay+Tcos53=8000+12000Ay+Tcos53=8000+12000
Ay+10788.47cos53=8000+12000Ay+10788.47cos53=8000+12000
Ay=13507.34 lbAy=13507.34 lb
RA=Ay2+Ax2RA=Ay2+Ax2
RA=8616.052+13507.342RA=8616.052+13507.342
RA=16021.38 lbRA=16021.38 lb
tanAx=AyAx=13507.348616.05tanAx=AyAx=13507.348616.05
Ax=57.47Ax=57.47
Thus, RA = 16 021.38 lb at Ax = 57.47 with the horizontal.
Force on member CD

tan=813.868tan=813.868
=53.78=53.78

MA=0MA=0
(FBCsin)(8)=12000(4)(FBCsin)(8)=12000(4)
(FBCsin53.78)(8)=12000(4)(FBCsin53.78)(8)=12000(4)

answer

FBC=7437.21 lb tensionFBC=7437.21 lb tension

answer

Problem 002-mm
Members AB and BC shown in Fig. F-002(MM) are pinned together at point B, and are
pinned to the floor at points A and C. The structure supports a pulley at point B with
which, a person is hoisting a 2.0 kN load. Member BC has a weight of 1.6 kN, which
may be considered to act at its center, while AB is made of strong-light material and
has negligible weight. Determine the value of the external support reactions at A and C.

Solution 002-mm

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AB is an axial member while BC is a three-force member. Thus,
Ax=RAcos37
Ay=RAsin37

MC=0
Ax(1)+Ay(8)=4.0(4)+1.6(2)
RAcos37+(RAsin37)(8)=19.2
5.6132RA=19.2
RA=3.42 kN
answer
FH=0
Cx=Ax
Cx=RAcos37
Cx=3.42cos37
Cx=2.73 kN

answer

FV=0
Cy+Ay=4.0+1.6
Cy+RAsin37=5.6
Cy+3.42sin37=5.6
Cy=3.54 kN
answer
Problem 003-mm
For the structure shown in Fig. (MM)-P003 below, determine the reactions at A and D
and the internal force in member CF.

Solution 003-mm

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From the FBD of the whole system
MD=0
2Ax=3(60)+6(30)
Ax=180 kN

MA=0
2Dx=3(60)+6(30)

Dx=180 kN
From the FBD of member ABC
Fx=0
35FCF=Ax
35FCF=180
FCF=300 kN

MB=0
3Ay=1.5(45FCF)
3Ay=1.2(300)
Ay=120 kN
From FBD of the whole system
FV=0
Dy=Ay+60+30
Dy=120+60+30
Dy=210 kN
Summary
Ax=180 kN leftward
Ay=120 kN downward
Dx=180 kN rightward
Dy=210 kN upward
FCF=300 kN tension
Problem 004-mm
For the structure shown in Fig. FR-004(MM), members AD, DC, and ABC are assumed to
be solid rigid members; member ED is a cable. For this structure, determine the
reaction at A, the tension on cable ED, and the force in member DC.

Solution 004-mm

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x=5cos37=4 mx=5cos37=4 m
y=5sin37=3 my=5sin37=3 m

MA=0MA=0
6(45T)=2(100)+6(800)6(45T)=2(100)+6(800)
T=1041.67 kNT=1041.67 kN

answer

ME=0ME=0
6AH=2(100)+6(800)6AH=2(100)+6(800)
AH=833.33 kNAH=833.33 kN

answer

FV=0FV=0
AV+35T=100+800AV+35T=100+800
AV+35(1041.67)=900AV+35(1041.67)=900
AV=275 kNAV=275 kN

answer

From FBD of member ABC

MA=0MA=0
6(313FCD)=2(100)+6(800)6(313FCD)=2(100)+6(800)
FCD=1001.54FCD=1001.54

answer

Problem 005-cb
For the cabled structure in Fig. 005(FR-CB), member ABC which is assumed to be rigid
is pinned at A and held in equilibrium by cable CD. For this structure, determine the
reaction at A and the tension in the cable.

Solution 005-cb

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a=12cos60=6 ft
b=12sin60=63 ft
c=8sin60=43 ft
d=btan37=63tan37 ft

MA=0
12Tn=10000c+8000b
12(Tsin67)=10000(43)+8000(63)
T=13798.63 lb
answer
MD=0
AH(a+d)=10000c+8000b
AH(6+63tan37)=10000(43)+8000(63)
AH=11020.08 lb
answer
FV=0
AV+Tsin37=10000+8000
AV+13798.63sin37=10000+8000
AV=9695.78 lb
answer
Problem 006-fr
In the structure shown in Fig. P-006(FR-H), all members are assumed to be solid rigid

members. The system is pinned to the wall at point A and supported by a roller at point
E. Calculate the force on member BD and the reactions at A and E.

Solution 006-fr

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MA=0MA=0
4RE=6(120)4RE=6(120)
RE=180 kNRE=180 kN

FH=0FH=0
AH=REAH=RE

answer

AH=180 kNAH=180 kN

answer

FV=0FV=0
AV=120 kNAV=120 kN

answer

MA=0MA=0
3(213FBD)=6(120)3(213FBD)=6(120)
FBD=432.67 kNFBD=432.67 kN

answer

Problem 007-cb
In the structure shown in Fig. CB-007(FR), members BCE, and CD are assumed to be
solid rigid members. Members AE and DE are cables. For this structure, determine the
reaction at B.

Solution 007-cb

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MB=0MB=0

24(213T)=12000(10sin53)24(213T)=12000(10sin53)
T=7198.80 lbT=7198.80 lb
FH=0FH=0
BH=213TBH=213T
BH=213(7198.81)BH=213(7198.81)
BH=3993.18 lbBH=3993.18 lb

answer

FV=0FV=0
BV=313T+12000BV=313T+12000
BV=17989.77 lbBV=17989.77 lb

answer