MODULE 4

AS3 – THEORY OF STRUCTURES

ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY DETERMINATE TRUSSES

COMMON TYPES OF TRUSSES

A truss is a structure composed of slender

members joined together at their end points.
The joint connections are usually formed by
bolting or welding the ends of the members
to a common plate, called a gusset plate,
or by simply passing a large bolt or pin
through each of the members.

CLASSIFICATION OF COPLANAR TRUSSES

Before beginning the force analysis of a

truss, it is important to classify the truss as
simple, compound, or complex, and then to
be able to specify its determinacy and
stability.

1. Simple Truss – it is constructed by

starting with a basic triangular
element as shown in the figure below
and connecting two members (AD and
BD) to form an additional element.

1. Roof Trusses - Are often used as part

of an industrial building frame. The
roof load is transmitted to the truss at
the joints by means of a series of
purlins.
Other Examples:

2. Bridge Trusses – The load on the

deck is first transmitted to stringers,
then to floor beams, and finally to the
joints of the two supporting side
trusses.
MODULE 4
AS3 – THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY DETERMINATE TRUSSES

b + r = 2j statically
determinate
b + r > 2j statically
indeterminate

Where: b – number of bars of the truss

r – total number of external
support
reactions
2. Compound Truss - formed by j – number of joints
connecting two or more simple trusses
together. Degree of Indeterminacy = ( b + r ) - 2j
Stability

b+r< unstable
2j
b+r≥ unstable if truss
2j support reactions are
concurrent or parallel
or if some of the
components of the
truss form a
collapsible
mechanism

Example 1. Classify each of the trusses in

the figures below as stable, unstable,
statically determinate, or statically
indeterminate.

a.

b.
3. Complex Truss - one that cannot be
classified as being either simple or
compound.

c.

DETERMINACY AND STABILITY

Determinacy
MODULE 4
AS3 – THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY DETERMINATE TRUSSES

METHOD OF JOINTS

If a truss is in equilibrium, then each of its

joints must also be in equilibrium. Hence, the
method of joints consists of satisfying the
equilibrium conditions ∑ F x =0 and ∑ F y =0 for
the forces exerted on the pin at each joint of b.
the truss.

Procedure for Analysis

a. Draw the free-body diagram of a joint

having at least one known force and at
most two unknown forces.
b. The x and y axes should be oriented
such that the forces on the free-body METHOD OF SECTIONS
diagram can be easily resolved into
their x and y components. Apply the If the forces in only a few members of a truss
two force equilibrium equations are to be found, the method of sections
∑ F x =0 and ∑ F y =0 , solve for the two generally provides the most direct means of
unknown member forces, and verify obtaining these forces. The method of
their correct directional sense. sections consists of passing an imaginary
c. Continue to analyze each of the other section through the truss, thus cutting it into
joints, where again it is necessary to two parts. Provided the entire truss is in
choose a joint having at most two equilibrium, each of the two parts must also
unknowns and at least one known be in equilibrium; and as a
force. result, the three equations of equilibrium
a. Once the force in a member is found may be applied to either one of these two
from the analysis of a joint at one of parts to determine the member forces at the
its ends, the result can be used to “cut section.”
analyze the forces acting on the joint
at its other end. Remember, a member Procedure for Analysis
in compression “pushes” on the joint
and a member in tension “pulls” on a. Make a decision as to how to “cut” or
the joint. section the truss through the members
where forces are to be determined.
Example 1. Determine the force in each b. Before isolating the appropriate
member of the truss. State if the members section, it may first be necessary to
are in tension or compression. Assume all determine the truss’s external
members are pin connected. AG = GF = FE reactions, so that the three equilibrium
= ED equations are used only to solve for
Moments should be summed about a point member forces at the cut section.
that lies at the intersection c. Draw the free-body diagram of that
of the lines of action of two unknown forces; part of the sectioned truss which has
in this way, the third the least number of forces on it.
unknown force is determined directly from d. Moments should be summed about a
the equation. point that lies at the intersection of
a. the lines of action of two unknown
forces; in this way, the third unknown
force is determined directly from the
equation.
MODULE 4
AS3 – THEORY OF STRUCTURES
ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY DETERMINATE TRUSSES

e. If two of the unknown forces are

parallel, forces may be summed
perpendicular to the direction of these
unknowns to determine directly the
third unknown force.

Example 1. Determine the force in members

GJ and CO of the roof truss shown in the
figure. State whether the members are in
tension or compression.

Example 2. Determine the force in members

GF. CF. and CD and state whether they are in
tension or compression.