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SM Des 11 Az PDF
SM Des 11 Az PDF
SM Des 11 Az PDF
11. Trusses
Introduction
Definitions
truss a pin-jointed structure made of straight bars, loaded by point forces at hinges only
truss bar an element of a truss: a straight bar with the hinges at its ends, all loads are applied at the joints;
there is neither the point moment load nor continuous loading
strut a truss member in compression
tie a truss member in tension
Design economy
To demonstrate the design economy lets consider the Eiffel Tower which stands 324 meters tall. If the
whole metal structure were melted down, it would fill the 125-meter square base to the depth of ... 6 cm
only.
Cross-section forces set
Contrary to the frames, where each bar has the cross-section forces given by three different functions, all
trusses bars have only one constant axial force.
This can be proved easily considering a truss bar free-body balance, in Fig. 11.1.
V2
R
H2
H1
R
V1
N1
N1
N1 = 15 kN
N1 = 15 kN (compression)
X 0
N1 , N 2
Y 0
P
N2
O1
N1
O1 0
O2 0
Y 0
N2
N3
N1 , N 2 , N 3
O2
X
X
superposition
6 3
superposition
N e ( P)
N e (1)
cos = 6 = 213
3
2
2
3
= (
,
), = (
,
)
13 13
13 13
6
6
12
24
= (
) = 213 =
13 13
13
13
= 0 = 8013 = 12.02 kN
40 2 +
2413
Examples
Example of zero force members identification
The numbers in Fig. 11.8 indicate the sequence of nodes where the ZFMT would be applied. The zero
force bars are indicated by zero signs.
4
3
2
1
Fig. 11.8 Zero force bars identification
Example of the joint method
The method is suitable for small structures with the limited amount of the members.
400 kN
5m
2m
2m
5m
2m
5m
4m
2m
N1
N2
2
22 52
N1 538.5 kN
20 kN
3m
3m
3m
3m
40 kN
40 kN
3m
20 kN
A
3m
3m
3m
3m
M A 0 40 3 40 6 20 9 N
2
6 0 N 127.3 kN
2
20 kN
B
90 kN
3m
M B 0 N1
2
3 90 3 40 3 0 N1 70.71 kN
2
Answer: the axial force in the indicated bar is equal to 70.71 kN (compression).
Example of Hennebergs method
Determine the axial force in the indicated bar.
40 kN
70 kN
1
2
40
70
VA
RB
HA
40 3 70 3
40 1 70 3
82.5 kN, R B
42.5 kN, H A 70 kN
4
4
We remove the bar and replace its action by self-equilibrated forces X. To ensure mechanical stability of
the structure we add a substitute bar, assuming its axial force to be zero. An equivalent static scheme with
the analysis of free-body mechanical stability is drawn in Fig. 11.17 where consecutive shields have been
drawn.
40
70
70
82.5
42.5
40
N4
N5
70
N2
N3
Y 0 N 2 N 3 , X 0
N1B
-28.28
49.5
42.5
MC 0
2
2
2
N5 2
N 3 4 N1B 2 0 N1B 28.28
49.5 2 42.5 7.5 kN
2
2
2
N4
N11
-0.7071
N2
N5
0.7071
N3
C
Fig. 11.20 Solution for unit load
2
2
N2
N 3 1 0
2 N 3 1 N 3 0.7071 kN
2
2
2
2
1
N4
N5 0 N5
0.7071 kN
Y 0 N 4 N 5 , X 0 1
2
2
2
Y 0 N 2 N 3, X 0
MC 0
2
2
2
N5 2
N 3 4 N11 2 0 N11
0.7071 0.5 kN
2
2
2
We have, eventually:
N1
N 1B
N 11
7.5
15 kN
0.5
2
2
2
2
70 2
2
2
=0
2
2
2
2
40 70 = 2 = 15 kN
= 0 40 2
Workshop theme
Determine the forces in the indicated truss member:
1,4
1,8
0,6
P
P/2
b
b/2
b
a/2 a/2
(14 m)
b = . m
a
0.625
b
P = . kN (50250 kN)
Review problems
Determine the axial force in the indicated element (c.f. Fig. 11.21).
Addendum
1
excerpt from: Introduction to statics and dynamics, by Andy Ruina and Rudra Pratap, Oxford Univ. Press (Preprint), 2008, p.
249 and 251
and, more recently, space vehicles and spacecrafts like Lunar Module and Mars Pathfinder (A.Z.)