Structure Analysis 1

Lecture 5

Trusses

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1
Definition of a Truss
 A truss consists of straight members connected at joints. No member is
continuous through a joint
- Most structures are made of several trusses joined together to form a space
framework. Each truss carries those loads which act in its plane and may be treated
as a two-dimensional structure.

- Bolted or welded connections are assumed to be pinned together. Forces acting

at the member ends reduce to a single force and no couple. Only two-force
members are considered.

- When forces tend to pull the member apart, it is in tension. When the forces
tend to compress the member, it is in compression.

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1
Definition of a Truss

Members of a truss are slender and not capable of supporting large lateral loads.
Loads must be applied at the joints.

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

Trusses in Building

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 Structure Analysis 1
Trusses Types for Building

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

Truss Bridge

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1
Truss Bridge Types

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 Structure Analysis 1

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1
Classification of coplanar Truss
1. Simple Truss

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 Structure Analysis 1
2. Compound Truss

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 Structure Analysis 1
3. Complex Truss

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 Structure Analysis 1

For plane truss

If b+r = 2j statically determinate

If b+r > 2j statically indeterminate

Where
b = number of bars
r = number of external support reaction
j = number of joints

Determinacy

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

For plane truss

If b+r < 2j unstable
The truss can be statically determinate or
indeterminate (b+r >=2j) but unstable in the following
cases:
External Stability: truss is externally unstable if all of its
reactions are concurrent or parallel

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1
Internal stability:

Internally stable Internally unstable

b + r = 2 j -------Statically determinate
b + r > 2 j -------Statically Indeterminate
b + r < 2 j -------Unstable

Internally unstable
Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh
 Structure Analysis 1
Classify each of the truss as stable , unstable, statically determinate or
indeterminate.

b = 19 ,r=3 , j = 11 b = 15 ,r=4 ,j=9

b + r = 19 + 3 = 22 b + r = 15 +4 = 19

2 j = 2 (11) = 22 2 j = 2 (9) = 18

Statically determinate & Stable. Statically Indeterminate & Stable.

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

b=9 ,r=3 ,j=6

b = 12 ,r=3 ,j=8
b + r = 9 + 3 = 12
b + r = 12 + 3 = 15
2 j = 2 (6) = 12
2 j = 2 (8) = 16
Statically determinate & Stable.
Unstable

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1
The Method
STEPS FOR ANALYSIS
of Joints
1. If the support reactions are not given, draw a FBD of the
entire truss and determine all the support reactions using
the equations of equilibrium.
2. Draw the free-body diagram of a joint with one or two
unknowns. Assume that all unknown member forces act in
tension (pulling the pin) unless you can determine by
inspection that the forces are compression loads.
3. Apply the scalar equations of equilibrium,  FX = 0 and
FY = 0, to determine the unknown(s). If the answer is
positive, then the assumed direction (tension) is correct,
otherwise it is in the opposite direction (compression).
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at each joint in succession until all the
required forces are determined.
Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh
 Structure Analysis 1
The Method of Joints

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1
Sample Problem 1
SOLUTION:
• Based on a free-body diagram of the entire
truss, solve the 3 equilibrium equations for
the reactions at E and C.

• Joint A is subjected to only two unknown

member forces. Determine these from the
joint equilibrium requirements.

• In succession, determine unknown member

Using the method of joints, determine
the force in each member of the truss.
forces at joints D, B, and E from joint
equilibrium requirements.
• All member forces and support reactions are
known at joint C. However, the joint
equilibrium requirements may be applied to
check the results.

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

SOLUTION:
• Based on a free-body diagram of the entire truss, solve
the 3 equilibrium equations for the reactions at E and C.

 MC  0
 2000 lb24 ft   1000 lb12 ft   E 6 ft 
E  10,000 lb 

 Fx  0  C x Cx  0

 Fy  0  2000 lb - 1000 lb  10,000 lb  C y

C y  7000 lb 

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

• Joint A is subjected to only two unknown member

forces. Determine these from the joint
equilibrium requirements.

2000 lb FAB FAD FAB  1500 lb T

 
4 3 5 FAD  2500 lb C

• There are now only two unknown member forces

at joint D.

FDB  FDA FDB  2500 lb T


FDE  2 53 FDA FDE  3000 lb C

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

• There are now only two unknown member forces

at joint B. Assume both are in tension.

 Fy  0  1000  54 2500  54 FBE

FBE  3750 lb FBE  3750 lb C

 Fx  0  FBC  1500  53 2500  53 3750

FBC  5250 lb FBC  5250 lb T

• There is one unknown member force at joint E.

Assume the member is in tension.

 Fx  0  53 FEC  3000  53 3750

FEC  8750 lb FEC  8750 lb C

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

• All member forces and support reactions are known at

joint C. However, the joint equilibrium requirements
may be applied to check the results.

 Fx   5250  53 8750  0 checks 

 Fy  7000  54 8750  0 checks 

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

Sample Problem 2
Solve the following truss

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

F y  0;
4  FAG sin 30  0  FAG  8KN C
F x  0;
FAB  8 cos 30  0  FAB  6.93KN T

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

F y  0;
 FGB  3 cos 30  0  FGB  2.6 KN C
F x  0;
8  3 sin 30  FGF  0  FGF  6.50 KN C

F y  0;
FBF sin 60  2.6 sin 60  0  FGB  2.6 KN T
F x  0;
FBC  2.6 cos 60  2.6 cos 60  6.93  0
 FBC  4.33KN T

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1
Zero Force Member
1- If a joint has only two non-collinear members and there is no
external load or support reaction at that joint, then those two
members are zero-force members

non-collinear

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1
Zero Force Member
2- If three members form a truss joint for which two of the
members are collinear and there is no external load or reaction at
that joint, then the third non-collinear member is a zero force
member.

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

Find Zero force member of the following truss

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh

 Structure Analysis 1

Lecture 5 Dr. Ali Tayeh