ROMBLON STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

MODULE 2
Analysis of Statically
Determinate Trusses

STRUCTURAL THEORY
Course Description: A professional course common
to all civil engineering students designated to
provide fundamental concepts, principles, and
theories in the theory of structures and structural
analysis for internal actions in structure and its
deformations under load

ENGR. APRILLE ANN M. SIM

 MODULE 2 posted for every quiz.

Analysis of Statically Answer and Submit Plates/Problem

Sets

Determinate Trusses
Overview Analysis of Statically
This module will give procedures for analyzing Determinate Trusses
statically determinate trusses using the method of
joints and the method of sections. First, however, the A truss is a structure composed of slender
determinacy and stability of a truss will be discussed. members joined together at their end points. The
Then the analysis of three forms of planar trusses will members commonly used in construction consist
be considered: simple, compound, and complex. of wooden struts, ,metal bars, angles, channels.
Finally, at the end of this module we will consider the
analysis of a space truss. Common Types of Trusses
Learning Outcomes: A. Roof Truss
They are often
APPLY the methods of structural analysis for external used as part of
and internal actions of Statically Determinate Trusses an industrial
due to static and moving loads. building frame
Roof load is
Learning Objectives transmitted to
the truss at the
Student Upon completion of this module,
joints by means of a series of purlins
Learning you will be able to:
To keep the frame rigid & thereby
Objectives for  Know the meaning of truss and
capable of resisting horizontal wind forces,
this Module identify the common types and
knee braces are sometimes used at the
classifications of trusses.
supporting column
 Determine the state of
a. Scissors
determinacy and stability of
b. Howe
trusses.
c. Pratt
 Apply the method of joints,
d. Fan
sections and members in truss
e. Fink
analysis.
f. Warren
Learning Activities g. Sawtooth
Activities for Attendance during schedule thru h. Bowstring
this module feedbacks, confirmation, and i. Three hinged arch
acknowledgement to any activities
and announcement posted online
via messenger or Google classroom

Participation during discussion of

topics thru messenger or Google
classroom

Study the examples given for every

topic and raise questions and
clarifications during the class
schedule thru messenger of Google
Classroom.

Participate in the QUIZ Game

before the start of the class
Graded Assessment
Evidence to  Answer and submit the
proceed Assignments online thru google
classroom following the
instruction given
 Take online QUIZ (but not real
time) and submit on time and
follow the given instruction
B. Bridge truss
The main structural elements of a typical
bridge truss are shown in figure. Here it is
seen that a load on the deck is first
transmitted to stringers, then to floor
beams, and finally to the joints of the two
supporting side trusses.

Assumption for Design

1. The members are joined together by
smooth pins
2. All loadings are applied at the joints

The top and bottom cords of these side Classification of Coplanar Forces
trusses are connected by top and bottom a. Simple Truss
lateral bracing, which serves to resist the The simplest framework that is rigid and stable is a
lateral forces caused by wind and the triangle. A simple truss is constructed by starting
sidesway caused by moving vehicles on with basic triangular element and connecting two
the bridge. members to form an additional element.
Additional stability is provided by the
portal and sway bracing. As in the case of
many long-span trusses, a roller is provided
at one end of a bridge truss to allow for
thermal expansion.
a. Pratt
b. Howe
c. Warren
d. Parker
e. Baltimore b. Compound Truss
f. K-truss A compound truss is formed by connecting two or
more simple trusses together.
Type 1
o The trusses may be connected by
a common joint & bar
Type 2
o The trusses may be joined by 3 bars
Type 3
o The trusses may be joined where
bars of a large simple truss, called
the main truss, have been
substituted by simple truss, called
secondary trusses
 b = 19, r = 3, j = 11
b + r =2j = 22
Truss is statically determinate
by inspection, the truss is internally stable
For (b),
Externally stable
b = 15, r = 4, j = 9
b + r = 19 >2j
Truss is statically indeterminate
By inspection, the truss is internally stable
For (c),
Externally stable
b = 9, r = 3, j = 6
b + r = 12 = 2j
Truss is statically determinate
By inspection, the truss is internally stable
For (d),
Externally stable
b = 12, r = 3, j = 8
c. Complex Truss
b + r = 15 < 2j
A complex truss is one that
The truss is internally unstable
cannot be classified as being
either simple or compound.
Determination of the member forces
The Method of Joints
The Method of Sections (Ritter Method)
The Graphical Method (Cremona Method)

The Method of Joints

It consists of satisfying the equilibrium
Determinacy conditions for the forces exerted on the
pin at each joint of the truss.
Applications of equations yields 2
Where b = number of bars of the truss algebraic equations that can be solved
r = total number of external support for the 2 unknowns
reactions Always assume the unknown member
j = number of joints forces acting on the joint‟s free body
The degree of determinacy is specified the diagram to be in tension
difference in the numbers (b+r)-2j. Numerical solution of the equilibrium eqns
Stability will yield positive scalars for members in
tension & negative for those in
compression
The correct sense of direction of an
unknown member force can in many
cases be determined by inspection
A positive answer indicates that the sense
Examples is correct, whereas a negative answer
Classify each of the trusses as stable, unstable, indicates that the sense shown on the
statically determinate or statically indeterminate. free-body diagram must be reversed
Pushing on the pin - compression
Pulling on the pin - tension

For (a),
Externally stable
Reactions are not concurrent or parallel
 Truss analysis using method of joints is greatly
Simple Trusses simplified if one is able to first determine those
Examples members that support no loading.
Determine the force in each member of the roof These zero-force members may be necessary
truss as shown. State whether the members are in for the stability of the truss during construction
tension or compression. The reactions at the & to provide support if the applied loading is
supports are given changed
The zero-force members of a truss can
generally be determined by inspection of the
joints & they occur in 2 cases.

Only the forces in half the members have to be

determined as the truss is symmetric with respect
to both loading & geometry,

The Method of Sections (The Ritter Method)

If the forces in only a few members of a truss
are to be found, the method of sections
generally provide the most direct means of
Members Force Members
obtaining these forces
AB or BA 6.93 kN (T) CD or DC
The method is created the German scientist
AG or GA 8 kN (C) DE or ED
August Ritter (1826 - 1908).
BF or FB 2.60 kN (T) CF or FC
This method consists of passing an imaginary
BC or CB 4.33 kN (T)
section through the truss, thus cutting it into 2
BG or GB 2.60 kN (C) EC or CE parts
GF or FG 6.50 kN (C) EF or FE Provided the entire truss is in equilibrium, each
of the 2 parts must also be in equilibrium
Zero-Force Members The 3 eqns of equilibrium may be applied to
either one of these 2 parts to determine the
member forces at the “cut section”
 A decision must be made as to how to “cut”
the truss
In general, the section should pass through not
more than 3 members in which the forces are
unknown

Illustration
If the force in GC is to be determined, section a-a
will be appropriate. Also, the member forces
acting on one part of the truss are equal but
opposite. The 3 unknown member forces, FBC,
FGC & FGF can be obtained by applying the 3 The Graphical Method (Cremona Method)
equilibrium equations This method deals mainly with the graphical
representation of equilibrium for each joint. The
basic advantage that makes the method
attractive, is its ability to unify all the force
polygons, resulting from graphical equilibrium of
each joint, into one only force polygon, known
as Cremona’s diagram. The method was
created by the Italian mathematician Luigi
Cremona.
Although graphical, this method leads to a
Example 1
quick determination of the member forces and
Determine the force in members CF and GC of
is useful specifically in the cases where the
the roof truss. State whether the members are in
external loads and/or the truss members form
tension or compression. The reactions at the
random angles.
supports have been calculated
Consider the case of graphical analyzing the
equilibrium of a point, acted upon 3 forces, one
of which is completely known while the other 2
are known in direction only (for example, a lamp
hanged by two wires). The procedure:
o Draw the vector of the completely known
force, in the proper direction, scale,
magnitude and sense.
o From one end of the vector, draw a line
parallel to the direction of one of the 2
forces, while from the other end draw a
second line parallel to the other direction.
o The vector and the point of section of the
The free-body diagram of member CF can be two lines define a triangle.
obtained by considering the section a-a, o Now, following the path of the vector by
laying out the 2 unknown forces tip to tail,
thus closing the force triangle, we find
both the magnitudes and the senses of
the other 2 forces.
Of course the completely known force can be
considered as the resultant of other known
forces, through a force polygon. From this
procedure we realize that the basic
characteristic which appears to be common in
the method of joints and Cremona‟s diagram
The free-body diagram of member GC can be lies in the main strategic.
obtained by considering the section b-b, For analyzing the equilibrium of a joint, in the
first method available were 2 equations only,
whereas in the second, the two ends of the
known-force-vector only.
Keeping in mind this similarity for the new
method, we can also start and continue with
the equilibrium of a joint, where at least one
known load exists, while not more than two
unknown forces are present.
 Compared to the analytical method of joints,
the graphical method of Cremona‟s diagram is
less precise. However, the „loss of precision‟ is
unimportant and theoretical. Nevertheless, the
speed and the elegance of the method are
the main characteristics that make it popular
and attractive by many designers.
Example
Determine graphically the force in each of the
eleven members of the following truss by the
method of Cremona‟s diagram.

Compound trusses

Procedure for Analysis

Type 1. Determine the external reactions on the
truss, and then, using the method of sections, cut
the truss through the bar connecting the two
simple trusses so that this bar force may be
obtained when one of the sectioned parts is
isolated as a free body. Once this force is
obtained, proceed to analyze the simple trusses
After drawing the free body diagram we follow using the method of joints.
the next steps: Type 2. Determine the external reactions on the
1) Covering the whole area of the free body truss. Use the method of sections and cut each of
diagram, we name, say with numbers in circles the three bars that connect the two simple trusses
1, 2, 3… both the triangles formed by the together. From a free-body diagram of one of the
members and by the external loads so that sectioned parts, determine each of the three bar
each member or load separates two areas. forces. Proceed to analyze each simple truss using
the method of joints.
Type 3. Although many of these types of trusses
can be analyzed using the method of sections
combined with the method of joints, we will
instead use a more general method. Remove the
secondary trusses and replace them by dashed
members so as to construct the main truss. The
loads that the secondary trusses exert on the main
truss are also placed on the main truss at the joints
2) Using an appropriate scale (for example 1kN = where the secondary trusses are connected to
1cm) we next draw the force polygon of the the main truss. Determine the forces in the dashed
external loadings. Each region is represented by members of the main truss using the method of
a point at the force polygon. The intersection of joints or the method of sections. These forces are
the parallel lines drawn from one region (point) then applied to the joints of the secondary trusses
to the adjacent region gives the point and then, using the method of joints, the bar
corresponding to the adjacent region. forces in the secondary trusses can be obtained.
3) Next, we define a clockwise sequence of forces
around a joint. This means that if we start Example 1
drawing the force triangle for equilibrium of joint Indicate how to analyze the compound truss
B, from, say, the calculated reaction force of 3 shown in figure, reactions at the supports have
kN, the next force considered will be that of been calculated.
member S11 and not of S8.
 Example 3
Indicate how to analyze the compound truss
shown in figure. The reactions at the supports
have been calculated.

Example 2
Compound roof trusses
are used in a garden
center, as shown in the
photo. They have the
dimensions and
loading shown in
figure. Indicate how to
analyze this truss.

Complex Trusses
A more direct method for analyzing complex truss
referred to us the method of substitute members.
Procedures for Analysis
 Reduction to Stable Simple Truss. Determine the
reactions at the supports and begin by
imagining how to analyze the truss by the
method of joints, i.e., progressing from joint to
joint and solving for each member force. If a
joint is reached, where there are three
unknowns, remove one of the members at the
joint and replace it by an imaginary member
elsewhere in the truss. By doing this; reconstruct
the truss to be a stable simple truss.
 External Loading on Simple Truss. Load the
simple truss with the actual loading P, then
determine the force S in each member i. In Fig.
3-32b, provided the reactions have been
determined, one could start at joint A to
determine the forces in AB and AF, then joint F to
 determine the forces in FE and FC, then joint D determine the forces in DA and DB; then finally
to determine the forces in DE and DC (both of joint B to determine the force in BA. Considering
which are zero), then joint E to determine EB and tension as positive and compression as negative,
EC, and finally joint B to determine the force in these forces are recorded in column 2 of Table 1.
BC.
 Remove External Loading from Simple Truss. Remove External Loading from Simple Truss.
Consider the simple truss without the external The unit load acting on the truss is shown in Figure
load P. Place equal but opposite collinear unit c. These equal but opposite forces create no
loads on the truss at the two joints from which external reactions on the truss. The joint analysis
the member was removed. If these forces follows the same sequence as discussed
develop a force s, in the ith truss member, then previously, namely, joints C, F, E,D, and B. The
by proportion an unknown force x in the results of the force analysis are recorded in
removed member would exert a force xs; in the column 3 of Table 1.
ith member.
 Superposition. If the
effects of the above two
loadings are combined,
the force in the ith
member of the truss will
be

Example 1
Determine the force
in each member of
the complex truss
shown in figure.
Assume joints B,F,and
D, are on the same
horizontal line. State
whether the member
are in tension or
compression.

Reduction to Stable Simple Truss.

Space Truss
By inspection, each
A space truss consists of members
joint has three
joined together at their ends to form
unknown member
a stable three dimensional structure.
forces. A joint analysis
can be performed by
Determinacy and Stability.
hand if, for example,
Realizing that in three dimensions there are three
member CF is removed
equations of equilibrium available for each joint
and member DB
then for a space truss with j number of joints, 3j
substituted, Figure b.
equations are available. If the truss has b number
The resulting truss is
of bars and r number of reactions, then like the
stable and will not
case of a planar truss
collapse.

External Loading on Simple Truss.

As shown in Figure b, the support reactions on the
truss have been determined. Using the method of
joints, we can first analyze The external stability of the space truss requires
joint C to find the forces that the support reactions keep the truss in force
in members CB and CD; and moment equilibrium about any and all axes.
then joint F, where it is This can sometimes be checked by inspection,
seen that FA and FE are although if the truss is unstable a solution of the
zero-force members; then equilibrium equations will give inconsistent results.
joint E to determine the Internal stability can sometimes be checked by
forces in members EB and careful inspection of the member arrangement.
ED; then joint D to Provided each joint is held fixed by its supports or
connecting members, so that it cannot move with
respect to the other joints, the truss can be
classified as internally stable. Also, if we do a force
analysis of the truss and obtain inconsistent results,
then the truss configuration will be unstable or
have a “critical form.”

Assumptions for Design

The members of a space truss may be treated as
axial-force members provided the external
loading is applied at the joints and the joints
consist of ball-and-socket connections. This
assumption is justified provided the joined
members at a connection intersect at a common
point and the weight of the members can be
neglected. In cases where the weight of a
member is to be included in the analysis. it is
generally satisfactory to apply it as a vertical
force, half of its magnitude applied to each end
of the member.

For the force analysis the supports of a space truss

are generally modeled as a short link, plane roller
joint, slotted roller joint, or a ball-and-socket joint.
Each of these supports and their reactive force
components are shown in Table.

Procedure for Analysis

Either the method of sections or the method of
joints can be used to determine the forces
developed in the members of a space truss.

Method of Sections
If only a few member forces are to be
determined, the method of sections may be used.
When an imaginary section is passed through a
truss and the truss is separated into two parts, the
force system acting on either one of the parts
must satisfy the six scalar equilibrium equations. By
proper choice of the section and axes for
summing forces and moments, many of the
unknown member forces in a space truss can be
computed directly, using a single equilibrium
equation. In this regard, recall that the moment of
a force about an axis is zero provided the force is
parallel to the axis or its line of action passes
through a point on the axis.

Method of Joints
Generally, if the forces in all the members of the
truss must be determined, the method of joints is
most suitable for the analysis. When using the
method of joints, it is necessary to solve the three
scalar equilibrium equations I F, = 0, IF,. = 0, IF; = 0
at each joint. Since it is relatively easy to draw. the
free-body diagrams and apply the equations of
equilibrium, the method of joints is very consistent
in its application.

Example 1
Determine the force in each member of the
space truss shown. The truss is supported by a ball
and socket joint at A, a slotted roller at joint B, and
a cable at C.

References
Printed  National Structural Code of
Sources the Philippines, 5th ed.
Association of Structural
Engineers of the Philippines,
Manila 2001 by Association
of Structural Engineers of
the Philippines
 Structural Analysis, 4th Ed,
Prentice Hall 1999., N.J. By:
Hibbler, R.C.
 Structural Analysis, By:
Besavilla
Structural Analysis, By:
Gillesania