Structural Analysis: Part I

A structure is a collection of
conjoined rigid bodies.

We will be concerned with analyzing

the behavior of two-dimensional
structures
 Types of Structures

Trusses
Frames
Machines
 Types of Structures

Machine
Truss

Frame
a: © Datacraft Co Ltd/Getty Images RF; b: © Fuse/Getty
 Definition of a Truss
• Stationary
• Fully constrained
• Designed to carry loads
• Made up of straight 2-force members
• Joined by pins only at the ends
• Loads act at joints and within plane
Definition of a Truss
Most structures are made of several trusses
joined together to form a space framework.
Each truss carries loads within its own plane
and may be treated as a 2d structure.
Bolted or welded connections are assumed
to be pinned together. Forces acting at the
member ends reduce to a single force and
no couple. Only two-force members are
considered.

When forces tend to pull a 2-force member

apart, it is in tension. When the forces tend to
compress the member, it is in compression.
 Definition of a Truss

Members of a truss are slender and not capable of supporting

large lateral loads. Loads must be applied at the joints.
In the bridge structure above, a floor system consisting of
stringers and floor beams transmit the floor loads shown as
point loads to the joints of the trusses where the floor system is
attached.
Definition of a Truss
 Simple Trusses
A rigid truss will not collapse under
the application of a load. A triangle
consisting of three members and
three joints represents the most
basic example of such a rigid truss.

A simple truss is constructed

by successively adding two
members and one joint to the
basic triangular truss.
 Truss Analysis:
Method of Joints
 Start with a joint that has at least one known force and at most
two unknown forces.
 Draw a free-body diagram of the joint. Apply equilibrium
conditions to the joint to determine the unknown quantities.
 Continue analyzing other joints in a similar manner until the
complete truss is analyzed. (Results from one step can be
applied in subsequent steps.)
 Always assume unknown member-forces at a joint’s FBD are
tensile. Solution of the problem will then yield positive results if
the member is in tension and negative values otherwise. Once
an unknown member force is determined, use its correct
magnitude and sense for all later analyses.
 Truss Analysis:
Method of Joints
Dismember the truss and draw FBDs
for successive joints.
The two forces exerted on each
member are equal, have the same line
of action, and opposite sense.
Forces exerted by a member on the
joints at its ends are directed along the
member and equal and opposite.
Conditions for equilibrium for the entire
truss may be used to solve for the
support reactions.
 Sample Problem 6.1 1

Using the method of joints, determine the

force in each member of the truss.

© 2019 McGraw-Hill Education.

 Sample Problem 6.1 2

We draw the FBD of the whole truss,

and determine the reactions at the
supports E and C. By inspecting the
FBD, we see that taking moments
about C would yield the simplest
equation to solve.
M C 0
2000 lb 24 ft   1000 lb 12 ft   E 6 ft 
E 10, 000 lb 
Next, summing
forces in x and
F x 0 C x C x 0
y we get: Fy 0  2000 lb  1000 lb  10,000 lb  C y
C y 7000 lb 
© 2019 McGraw-Hill Education.
 Sample Problem 6.1 3

We solve the problem by moving

sequentially from joint to joint and
solving the associated FBD for the
unknown forces. Which joint should
you start with?

Joints A has only 2 unknown forces. Draw

its FBD and find the unknown forces.

∑Fy = 0 ∑Fx = 0
-2000 – (4/5)FAD = 0 FAB + (3/5)FAD = 0
FAD = -2000(5/4) FAB + (3/5)(-2500) = 0
FAD = -2500 lb FAB = (3/5)(2500)
FAD = 2500 lb C FAB = 1500 lb T
© 2019 McGraw-Hill Education.
 Sample Problem 6.1 3

Which joint should you move to

next, and why?

Joint D has 2 unknowns (joint B

has 3). Draw the FBD and solve.
∑Fy = 0
-2500(4/5) + (4/5)FDB = 0
(4/5)FDB = 2500(4/5)
FDB = 2500 lb T
∑Fx = 0
2500(3/5) + FDE + (3/5)FDB = 0
2500(3/5) + FDE + (3/5)(2500) = 0
FDE = -3,000 lb
© 2019 McGraw-Hill Education.
FDE = 3,000 lb C
 Sample Problem 6.1 4

There are now only two unknown

member forces at joint B. Assume
both are in tension and draw FBD.

F y 0  1000  4
5 2500   4
5 FBE
FBE  3750 lb
FBE 3750 lb C

F x 0 FBC  1500  3
5 2500   53 3750 
FBC 5250 lb
FBC 5250 lb T

© 2019 McGraw-Hill Education.

 Sample Problem 6.1 4

There is one remaining unknown

member-force in member CE. We
can determine this by analyzing
joint E or joint C. Using joint E, we
get the following:

F x 0  53 FEC  3000  53 3750 

FEC  8750 lb

FEC 8750 lb C

© 2019 McGraw-Hill Education.

 Joints Under
Special Loading Conditions

If only two non-collinear members form a

joint, and there is no external force or
support at the joint, the two members
must be zero-force members.

If only three members form a joint for

which two of the members are collinear,
and there is no external force or support
at the joint, the third member must be a
zero-force member.
 Joints Under
Special Loading Conditions
The forces in opposite members
intersecting in two straight lines
at a joint are equal.

The forces in two opposite collinear

members are equal when an applied load is
aligned with a third member. The force in
the third member is equal to the applied
load.
 Truss Analysis:
Method of Joints

PROBLEM 6.19
Determine the force in each member of the Pratt bridge
truss shown. State whether each member is in tension or
compression.
 Truss Analysis:
Method of Sections
When forces in only a few members
are desired, the method of sections
works well. It avoids the tedium of
analyzing the complete truss. To
find forces in BD, BE, and CE we
can section the truss as shown, and
analyze equilibrium of the section.
 Truss Analysis:
Method of Sections
 Make a decision as to how to cut or section the truss through
members whose forces are to be determined. Draw the FBD
of that part of the sectioned truss that is easiest to analyze
(usually, the one with the least number of forces acting on it).
 Always assume that unknown forces at the cut section are in
tension (i.e. pulling on the member). The numerical solution
of the equilibrium equations will yield positive values for
members in tension and negative values otherwise.
 Apply the equilibrium equations to solve for the unknown
quantities. Try to apply the equilibrium conditions in such a
way as to avoid simultaneous solution of the resulting
equations.
 Truss Analysis:
Method of Sections
PROBLEM 6.43
Determine the force in members
BD and DE of the truss shown.

How should we section the truss?

 Truss Analysis:
Method of Sections
4.5 m For Equilibrium:

∑Fx = 0
135 + 135 – FDE = 0
FDE = 270 kN (T)
2.4 m
∑ME = 0
FBD
FBD (4.5) – 135(2.4) – 135(4.8) = 0
FDE
FBD = [135(2.4) + 135(4.8)]/4.5
FBD = 216 kN (T)
FEG
 Truss Analysis:
Method of Sections
PROBLEM 6.48
A floor truss is loaded as shown. Determine
the force in members FI, HI, and HJ.

How should we section the truss?

 Truss Analysis:
Method of Sections
Note: If a section to be analyzed includes
supports, the reactions at the supports must
be determined before sectioning the truss!
 Truss Analysis:
Method of Sections
Draw FBD of the truss
as a whole, and find the
reactions at the supports
and connections.
Kx ∑F = 0
x
Ay Ky Kx = 0
∑MA = 0
Ky (4.8) – 4(0.8) – 4(1.6) – 3(2.4) – 2(3.2) – 2(4.0) – 1(4.8) = 0
Ky = [4(0.8) + 4(1.6) + 3(2.4) + 2(3.2) + 2(4.0) + 1(4.8)]/4.8
Ky = +7.5 kN Should Ky be designated T or C?
∑Fy = 0
Ay + 7.5 – 2 – 4 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 2 – 1= 0; Hence Ay = +10.5 kN
 Truss Analysis:
Method of Sections
tanθ = (0.4/0.8) Now we can section
0.8 m θ = 26.60 the truss and analyze
FHJ
for equilibrium.
FHI ∑MH = 0
θ
FFI
-FFI (0.4)–2(0.8)–1(1.6)+7.5(1.6) = 0
[–2(0.8)–1(1.6)+7.5(1.6)]/0.4 = FFI
7.5 kN
FFI = 22 kN (T)
∑Fy = 0 ∑Fx = 0
FHI (Sinθ) –2 –1+7.5 = 0 -FHI (Cosθ) - FFI - FHJ = 0
FHI = (2 + 1 – 7.5)/(Sin26.6) -(-10.05)(Cos26.6) – (22) - FHJ = 0
FHI = - 10.05 kN 8.99 – 22 = FHJ = -13.01
FHI = 10.05 kN (C) FHJ = 13.01 kN (C)