Applications in

Engineering Mechanics
Dr. Wayne Whiteman
Director of the Office of Student Services
and Senior Academic Professional
School of Mechanical Engineering

This course addresses the modeling and analysis of static

equilibrium problems with an emphasis on real world engineering
systems and problem solving.

School of Mechanical Engineering

 Module 11 Learning Outcomes
Apply the Method of Joints (or pins) and the
Method of Sections to analyze space (3D) truss
structures.

2
 For the space truss shown below, there is an applied force
at point D as shown. Point C is a pin reaction.
F A , F A , and F B represent the only non-zero
x y x reaction components at points
A and B.
Find the reactions at A, B, and C.
Using the method of sections, with a section cut by a
plane parallel to the x-z plane, find the force in
members AD and CD.
Find the forces in members AB, BC, ad BD using the
method of joints.
Find the force in member AC by inspection

What should we do first?

3
 Find the reactions at A, B, and C.

Draw the FBD of the entire structure.

What do you do next?

4
 FCz Find the reactions at A, B, and C.
+ M C
0

FCy
FCx

5
 Find the reactions at A, B, and C.
FCz + M C
0

3 F A k 12 F A i 12 F A j 300 j 400 k 400 i 1200 j 4 F B k 12 F B j 0

y y x x x

FCy
FCx

6
 FCz 3 F A k 12 F A i 12 F A j 300 j 400 k 1200 j 4 F B k 12 F B j 0
y y x x x

j components

12 F A 300 1200 12 F B 0
FCy x x

FCx F A F B 75 (*)
x x

k components
3 F A 400 4 F B 0
y x

3 ( 33 . 3 ) 400 4 F B 0
x

F B 75 F B 75 i lb @ B
x x

ANS
sub F B in (*)
x

FA 0
x
ANS
7
 FCz Find the reactions at A, B, and C.
+ Fx 0

FCy
FCx

FBx=-75
FAy=33.3

FAx=0
8
 Find the reactions at A, B, and C.
FCz
Fy 0
FC F A 0
y y

FCy
F C 33 . 3 0 FC 33 . 3
FCx y y

Fz 0
F C 100 0 F C 100
z

z

F C 25 i 33 . 3 j 100 k lb @ C
ANS
FBx=-75
FAy=33.3

FAx=0
9