Adapted from:

Vector Mechanics for Engineers : Statics

By Ferdinand Beer and Russel Johnston
Introduction
• For the equilibrium of structures made of several
connected parts, the internal forces as well the external
forces are considered.

• In the interaction between connected parts, Newton’s 3rd

Law states that the forces of action and reaction
between bodies in contact have the same magnitude,
same line of action, and opposite sense.

• Three categories of engineering structures are considered:

a) Frames: contain at least one one multi-force
member, i.e., member acted upon by 3 or more
forces.
b) Trusses: formed from two-force members, i.e.,
straight members with end point connections
c) Machines: structures containing moving parts
designed to transmit and modify forces.
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 Consider parts of the column
100N
100N 100N

B
Load
FBD reaction From 2 to 1
From 1 to 2

A
Ay= 100N

Ay= 100N
External Forces
Internal Forces (to the column AB)
2-3
Definition of a Truss
• A truss consists of straight members connected at
joints. No member is continuous through a joint.

• Most structures are made of several trusses joined

together to form a space framework. Each truss
carries those loads which act in its plane and may
be treated as a two-dimensional 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 the member apart, it is in

tension. When the forces tend to compress the
member, it is in compression.

6-4
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.

6-5
6-6
Simple Trusses
• A rigid truss will not collapse under
the application of a load.

• A simple truss is constructed by

successively adding two members and
one connection to the basic triangular
truss.

• In a simple truss, m = 2n - 3 where

m is the total number of members
and n is the number of joints.

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 METHOD OF JOINTS
To determine the Internal Force of each member of the truss
the Method of Joints is more convenient to use

2-8
• Dismember the truss and create a freebody
diagram for each member and pin.

• 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 pins or

joints at its ends are directed along the member
and equal and opposite.

• Conditions of equilibrium on the pins provide

2n equations for 2n unknowns. For a simple
truss, 2n = m + 3. May solve for m member
forces and 3 reaction forces at the supports.

• Conditions for equilibrium for the entire truss

provide 3 additional equations which are not
independent of the pin equations.
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Joints Under Special Loading
• Forces in opposite members intersecting in
Conditions two straight lines at a joint are equal.
• The forces in two opposite members are
equal when a load is aligned with a third
member. The third member force is equal
to the load (including zero load).
• The forces in two members connected at a
joint are equal if the members are aligned
and zero otherwise.
• Recognition of joints under special loading
conditions simplifies a truss analysis.

6 - 10
Space Trusses
• An elementary space truss consists of 6 members
connected at 4 joints to form a tetrahedron.

• A simple space truss is formed and can be

extended when 3 new members and 1 joint are
added at the same time.

• In a simple space truss, m = 3n - 6 where m is the

number of members and n is the number of joints.

• Conditions of equilibrium for the joints provide 3n

equations. For a simple truss, 3n = m + 6 and the
equations can be solved for m member forces and
6 support reactions.

• Equilibrium for the entire truss provides 6

additional equations which are not independent of
the joint equations.
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Example SOLUTION:
• Based on a free-body diagram of the
entire truss, solve the 3 equilibrium
equations for the reactions at E and C.

• Joint A is subjected to only two unknown

member forces. Determine these from the
joint equilibrium requirements.

• In succession, determine unknown

member forces at joints D, B, and E from
joint equilibrium requirements.
Using the method of joints, determine
the force in each member of the truss. • All member forces and support reactions
are known at joint C. However, the joint
equilibrium requirements may be applied
to check the results.

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SOLUTION:
• Based on a free-body diagram of the entire truss,
solve the 3 equilibrium equations for the reactions
at E and C.
 MC  0
 2000 lb24 ft   1000 lb12 ft   E 6 ft 
E  10,000 lb 

 Fx  0  C x Cx  0

 Fy  0  2000 lb - 1000 lb  10,000 lb  C y

C y  7000 lb 

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• Joint A is subjected to only two unknown
member forces. Determine these from the
joint equilibrium requirements.

2000 lb FAB FAD FAB  1500 lb T

 
4 3 5 FAD  2500 lb C

• There are now only two unknown member

forces at joint D.

2500 lb FDE FDB

 
5 6 5

FDB  FDA FDB  2500 lb T

FDE   65 FDA FDE  3000 lb C

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• There are now only two unknown member
forces at joint B. Assume both are in tension.
 Fy  0  1000  54 2500  54 FBE
FBE  3750 lb FBE  3750 lb C

 Fx  0  FBC  1500  53 2500  53 3750

FBC  5250 lb FBC  5250 lb T

• There is one unknown member force at joint

E. Assume the member is in tension.
 Fx  0  53 FEC  3000  53 3750
FEC  8750 lb FEC  8750 lb C

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• All member forces and support reactions are
known at joint C. However, the joint equilibrium
requirements may be applied to check the results.

 Fx   5250  53 8750  0 checks

 Fy  7000  54 8750  0 checks

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SEATWORK:
Determine the forces in each member of
the truss using the METHOD OF JOINTS

2 - 17
SEATWORK:
Determine the forces in each member of
the truss using the METHOD OF JOINTS

2 - 18
 METHOD OF SECTION
To determine the Internal Force of specific member of the truss
the Method of Section is more convenient to use

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Analysis of Trusses by the Method
of Sections • When the force in only one member or the
forces in a very few members are desired, the
method of sections works well.

• To determine the force in member BD, pass a

section through the truss as shown and create
a free body diagram for the left side.

• With only three members cut by the section,

the equations for static equilibrium may be
applied to determine the unknown member
forces, including FBD.

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Example SOLUTION:
• Take the entire truss as a free body.
Apply the conditions for static equilib-
rium to solve for the reactions at A and L.
• Pass a section through members FH,
GH, and GI and take the right-hand
section as a free body.
• Apply the conditions for static
equilibrium to determine the desired
member forces.
Determine the force in members FH,
GH, and GI.

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 SOLUTION:
• Take the entire truss as a free body.
Apply the conditions for static equilib-
rium to solve for the reactions at A and L.

M A  0  5 m 6 kN   10 m 6 kN   15 m 6 kN 

 20 m 1 kN   25 m 1 kN   30 m L
L  7.5 kN 
F y  0  20 kN  L  A
A  12.5 kN 

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• Pass a section through members FH, GH, and GI
and take the right-hand section as a free body.

• Apply the conditions for static equilibrium to

determine the desired member forces.
MH  0
7.50 kN 10 m   1 kN 5 m   FGI 5.33 m   0
FGI  13.13 kN
FGI  13.13 kN T

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 FG 8 m
tan     0.5333   28.07
GL 15 m
 MG  0
7.5 kN 15 m   1 kN 10 m   1 kN 5 m 
  FFH cos 8 m   0
FFH  13.82 kN
FFH  13.82 kN C

GI 5m
tan   2  0.9375   43.15
HI
3
8 m 
ML  0
1 kN 10 m   1 kN 5 m   FGH cos  10 m   0
FGH  1.371 kN
FGH  1.371 kN C
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