2020-05-19

 Module 4-1 –
Introduction &
Plane Trusses
 Module 4-2 –
Method of Joints
 Module 4-3 –
Method of Sections
 Module 4-4 –
Frames and
Machines &
Distributed Forces

Luke MacDonald, MASc., P.Eng.

[email protected]

 A truss is a
structure
comprised of
slender members
Introduction & connected at joints
 A plane truss has all
Plane Trusses members lying on
a 2-D plane

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 The load path describes the Bridge Trusses

passage of an applied force
through the structure to the
ground where it may be supported
Bridge
Truss

Roof Trusses

Roof
Truss

 Truss members are always aligned such that

 A simple truss is comprised of pin
the lines of action are concurrent at joints
 Because of this, we can idealize truss joints as connected members which form
behaving as though they were smooth pins non-collapsible shapes (triangles!!)
Real  Loads must occur only at joints
Joints  Under these conditions, all
elements of a simple truss behave
as 2 force members

Idealized
Pin Joint

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 Since truss members

Tension
are 2-force members,
they can only support
axial internal forces Method of Joints
 Members may be in:
 Tension
 Compression
 2 Methods exist for
calculating internal
truss forces:
 Method of Joints
 Method of Sections
Compression

 The method of joints is a technique to  Truss members in tension pull on

calculate internal truss forces by noting that
each truss joint is a concurrent force system
joints to which are connected
in equilibrium: Σ𝑭 = 0  Truss members in compression push
 Both internal and external forces are on joints to which they are
balanced at every joint connected
Joint A

Joint D
External Forces

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1. Calculate external reactions

 Assume entire truss is rigid body and +
apply 2-D general equilibrium equations
2. Select a truss joint with 2 (or less)
unknown forces and draw a FBD Method of Sections
 Assume unknown forces are in tension,
a negative result indicates the member
is in compression
3. Apply equilibrium equations for a
concurrent force system + solve for
member forces
4. Repeat steps 2 + 3 until all
member forces are determined

 The method of sections is a technique to 1. Calculate external reactions (if required)

calculate internal truss forces by considering  Assume entire truss is rigid body and + apply
the equilibrium of a partial truss segment 2-D general equilibrium equations
 The truss segment is held in equilibrium 2. Cut truss into two segments. The cut:
 MUST pass through members (not joints)
both internal and external forces
 SHOULD pass through max 3 unknown
members
 SHOULD pass through member(s) of
interest
 MAY be straight or curved
3. Draw FBD for either half of truss segment
 Include ALL external forces on truss
segment
 Include internal forces from cut members
only
4. Apply equilibrium equations for 2-D
general and solve for unknown member
forces!

Left Hand Side Right Hand Side

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Example 1  A space truss is a truss whose

members do not lie on a flat plane; a
Example 2 “3-D” truss
 Simple space trusses are comprised of
simple non-collapsible tetrahedrons

Example 3
Example 4

 Calculate the forces in each member

of the space truss. Indicate whether
members are in tension or
compression
METHOD OF METHOD OF
JOINTS SECTIONS
 Solve for external  Solve for external
forces forces
 Select a joint with  Cut truss into 2
up to 3 unknowns segments cutting
 Use 3-D through no more
concurrent force than 6 members
equilibrium  Use general 3-D
equations to solve equilibrium
equations to solve

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 Frames and machines covers the analysis of

pin connected structures comprised of
multi-force members
 Frames: Static pin connected structures
 Machines: Dynamic pin connected
Frames and comprised of multiple moving parts

Machines & Frame

Structure
External
Forces
Distributed Forces

External +
Internal Pin
Forces

 2-Force members support only axial Compound

internal forces Beam
 Multi-force members support
multiple internal forces:
 Axial Bridge Frame
 Bending
 Shear
 Torsion (3-D) External Forces

Internal Forces

Building
LHS RHS Frame

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Excavator
 Distributed forces are applied over
Arm
a specified length or area, rather
Vice-grips
than at a single point
 The resultant of a distributed force
may be used without affecting the
external forces
Platform Scale
POINT OF
MAGNITUDE
APPLICATION
 “Area” of the  At the centroid
load (geometric
 Units: kN center) of the
distributed load

Nail Clippers

UNIFORMLY
DISTRIBUTED LOAD 1. Calculate external reactions (if
possible/applicable)
 Assume entire frame is rigid body and + apply 2-D
general equilibrium equations
2. Dissemble frame into its constituent
members and draw each separately:
 Members may only be detached at pin locations
 Pulleys may also be separated
 Identify 2-force members to simplify
TRIANGULARLY 3. Draw FBD for each member of the frame
DISTRIBUTED LOAD
 Include ALL external forces
 Include forces from internal pins
 Pin forces between connected members must
act equal and opposite
4. Apply 2-D general equilibrium equations for
each member of the frame and solve for
unknown internal pin and external reaction
forces!