Truss: Graphical

Method
Theory of Structure - I
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Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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Lecture Outlines
Bows Notation
Maxwell Diagram
Interpretation of Maxwell Diagram
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University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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Bows Notation
In this system, the spaces between lines of
action of the forces acting on the joints of the
truss are given a lowercase letter.

Any force is correspondingly designated by
the letters of the two spaces separated by its
line of action.
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University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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a
b
f
g
c
d
i
j
h
e
ef
eh
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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a
b
f
g
c
d
i
j
h
e
ef
eh
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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Maxwells Diagram
Maxwell diagram is the second step while
calculating the forces in truss members by
Graphical Method, after Bows notation.

Force polygon is drawn first at some suitable
scale.
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University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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a
b
f
g
c
d
i
j
h
e
a
b
c
d
e
FORCE
POLYGON
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University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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After completing the force polygon of applied
forces and reactions, we will locate the
intermediate points f, g, h, i, j.

The points will be located by drawing the
lines in true sense surrounding these points.

For example, af and ef are drawn and where
they will intersect, they will give the point f.
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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a
b
f
g
c
d
i
j
h
e
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
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University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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Interpreting Maxwell Diagram
We can find the following attributes of the
truss member from the Maxwell diagram.
Magnitude of the force
Sense of the force (tension or compression)

Length of the line af will show the magnitude
of the force in member af.
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University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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To find the sense, draw FBD of joint A and
read clock wise.

Direction of af is downward and towards the
joint A means the force will be directed
towards the joint.

Force directing towards the joint is
compressive and af will be in compression.
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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a
b
f
g
c
d
i
j
h
e
a
b
c
d
e
f
A
B
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Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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For cross checking, take joint B and read
clock wise.

Now it reads fa. Now fa is directing upward
i.e., towards joint B, hence af or fa will be in
compression.
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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Example
For the same truss use the Graphical Method
to construct a Maxwell diagram and find the
forces in the members
First find the reactions. Using symmetry R1 = R2 = 8/2 = 4kN
1kN 2kN 2kN 2kN 1kN
45
o

R1=4kN R2=4kN
4 bays @ 3m
3m
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University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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First annotate using Bows Notation
(label spaces between members and forces)
First find the reactions. Using symmetry R1 = R2 = 8/2 = 4kN
1kN 2kN 2kN 2kN 1kN
a
b c e d
f
R1=4kN R2=4kN
4 bays @ 3m
3m
g
h
i
j
k l
m
n
0
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University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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Next select a scale and draw a line representing
all the loads and reactions
0
1
2
3
4
scale
for
forces
c
d
f
a
b
g
all the loads are vertical - so is the line
the line is the line a,b,c,d,e,f (ag, gf)
ab = 1, bc = 2,...etc ag = 4, gf = 4
e
begin with a zone near a reaction, e.g h
ah is vertical and gh is horizontal - meet at g
(h & g at same point) hg is 0
h
take next zone - i
bi is horizontal and ih is at 45
o
- draw these lines
they meet at i
i
Now ij is vertical and jg is horizontal. This locates j
j
Proceed to k in same way and half the truss is solved
k
n
l
m
o
Measure all lines - this gives the force in each member
need to use a special convention to determine tension or compression
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University of Engineering and
Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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