Statics – ST14

Truss Analysis: Zero-Force Members

Solution for Exercise Problems

1. Identify the zero-force members in the truss shown below.

Place the coordinate system at the joint E and show the forces acting at the joint.

Since the sum of the forces in the x-direction at joint E must be zero, the force in member DE is zero.
Similarly, the force in member CE is zero since the sum of the forces in the y-direction must be zero.
Therefore, DE and CE are zero-force members. Removing the members from the truss results in the
following simplified structure.

Next, consider joint A.

There is only one force acting in the y-direction at that joint, the y-component of the force in member
AD. Therefore, AD is a zero-force member. Consequently, AB must also be a zero-force member as the
sum of the forces in the x-direction must remain zero for the static equilibrium to be maintained. The
simplified truss is shown below.

Next, let’s consider joint B. As shown below, there are three forces acting at the joint: two member
forces and one support reaction.

Since the sum of the forces in the x-direction must be zero, BC is a zero-force member. This is the case
since the force in BC is the only force in the x-direction. Removing BC from the truss results in the
following structure.

No additional zero-force members can be identified using the qualitative approach. The above truss can
be analyzed in order to determine the remaining member forces as well as support reactions.

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2. Identify the zero-force members in the truss shown below.

As shown below, there are two support reactions at A and one reaction force at E. Given the applied
loads, no member of the truss can be identified as a zero-force member using the qualitative approach.

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3. Identify the zero-force members in the truss shown below.

Place the coordinate system at the joint F and show the forces acting at the joint.

Since the force in member BF is the only one acting in the y-direction, BF must be a zero-force member.
The simplified truss is shown below.

Next, consider joint G.

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The y-component of the force in member BG is the only force in the y-direction. Therefore, BG is a zero-
force member. Removing it from the truss results in the following simplified structure.

Next, let’s consider joint B. As shown below, since the force in member BJ is the only one in the y-
direction, BJ must be a zero-force member.

Removing BJ from the structure, the following simplified truss results.

Applying the same reasoning to members DI, DH and DK, we can prove that all three are zero-force
members. After removing them from the truss, the following simplified structure remains.

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4. Identify the zero-force members in the truss shown below.

Start at joint B. The three forces acting at the joint are shown below.

Since the y-component of the force in member BF is the only force in the y-direction, BF must be a zero-
force member. Let’s remove it from the truss.

Next, consider joint D.

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Since the force in DG is the sole force acting in the y-direction, DG must be a zero-force member. Let’s
remove it from the structure.

Now, examine joint E. As shown below, two member forces and one support reaction force are acting at
the joint.

Since the force in member CE is the only force with a y-component, CE must be a zero-force member.
Removing it from the structure results in the following truss.

No other member can be deduced to have a zero force in this simplified truss.

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