Pin Joint Frame Structure

W
W W

• Pin join frame structures can be solved by using

the equilibrium method (method of joints)
• Basic element for a frame is a triangle
• Statically determinate structures – have enough
equations to solve for the unknown
• Statically indeterminate structures – do not
have enough equations to solve the unknown
forces
1
 Example

The jib crane shown in the figure

carries a mass M tonnes at point C.
If the maximum permissible load in
the tie is 25 kN, find the safe value
of load M.

60o Tie

Jib
30o M

2
 Solution
Free body diagram

30o
T +ve
30o 30o

J Mg = 9.81M

ΣFx = 0 and Σfy = 0

Resolving vertically and horizontally:

-Tcos 30o + Jcos 60o = 0 (1)
-Tsin 30o + Jsin 60o -9.81M = 0 (2)

Maximum value of T = 25 kN
From (1): J = Tcos 30o / cos 60o
J = 25000 x cos 30o / cos 60o = 43301N

Then, using (2): -25000sin 30o + 43301sin 60o = 9.81M

25000 = 9.81M
M = 2551 kg = 2.55 tonnes
3
 Computer Method
Consider the equations:
-Tcos 30o + Jcos 60o = 0 (1)
-Tsin 60o + Jsin 60o – 9.81M = 0 (2)
Where T = 25 kN

Rearrange equations:
Jcos 60o = 25000 x cos 30o(1)
Jsin 60o – 9.81M = 25000 x sin 30o (2)

Change into matrix:

cos 60o 0 x J = 25000 x cos 30o
sin 60o -9.81 M 25000 x sin 30o

The equation is in the form:

Ax = b
A computer program can be used to solve this equation

4
There are many methods of
solution:
1. Matrix inverseion:
Ax = b
∴ x = A-1b
This method is available in popular
packages such as Matlab, Mathcad
or Excel
2. The LU method
3. The QR method
4. The SVD method

5
EXCEL Example

6
 Example
F4 (2)

ϴ
F2
F3
(3)
(1) F1

W
F2 F2

F1 F1

W
If W = 50 kN and ϴ = 60o, find the forces F1, F2,
F3 and F4.

Joint (1), from symmetry;

ΣFy: 2F2sin ϴ - W = 0
∴ F2 = W / 2sin ϴ = 28.87 kN

ΣFx: F2cos ϴ - F2cos ϴ + F1 – F1 = 0

7
Joint (2);
ΣFy: F3sin ϴ - F2sin ϴ = 0
F4 ∴ F3 = F2 = 28.87 kN

F2 F3 ΣFx: F4 - F2cos ϴ - F3cos ϴ = 0

∴ F4 = 2F2cos ϴ = 28.87 kN

Joint (3);

F3 ΣFy: R - F3sin ϴ = 0
∴ R = F3sin ϴ = 25 kN
F1
ΣFx: F3cos ϴ - F1 = 0
R ∴ F1 = F3cos ϴ = 14.44 kN

8
 Computer Method

Summarise the equations;

2F2sin ϴ - w = 0
F3sin ϴ - F2sin ϴ = 0 W
F4 – F2cos ϴ - F3cos ϴ = 0
R – F3sin ϴ = 0
F3cos ϴ - F1 = 0 where ϴ = 60o

Rearrange into matrix form;

0 2sin ϴ 0 0 0 F1 w
0 -sin ϴ sin ϴ 0 0 F2 0
0 -cos ϴ -cos ϴ 1 0 F3 = 0 or Ax = b
0 0 -sin ϴ 0 1 F4 0
-1 0 cos ϴ 0 0 R 0

9
EXCEL Example

10
 Exercises
Framework structures

(1)

(a) FAB= 2940N, FBF= 0, FFE= -3533N

(b) FAB= 2565N, FBF= 0, FFE= -3082N

(2)

RB= 42.8kN, RA= -22.8kN, FBC= -42.8kN, F AB= 0kN, FAC= -16.1kN, F DE= 48.3kN, FDC= -22.8kN