Analysis of Simple Trusses

• Prof. Amba Shetty

 Definition of a Truss
A truss is a structure that consists of members organised into
connected triangles so that the overall assembly behaves as a
single object. Trusses are most commonly used in bridges, roofs
and towers.
Uses of Truss

Achieve long spans.

Minimise the weight of a structure.
Reduced deflection.
Support heavy loads.
 Types of Trusses

6-3
Practical Applications
Practical Applications
Stability and Determinacy of Trusses
Stability and Determinacy of Trusses
Identify Determinate or Indeterminate
Identify Determinate or Indeterminate
Internal Stresses in the Members
Methods of Analysis of Truss

Method of Joints
Method of Sections
Assumptions for Analysis of Truss
Method of Joints
 The Method of Joints
STEPS FOR ANALYSIS
1. If the support reactions are not given, draw a FBD of the entire
truss and determine all the support reactions using the
equations of equilibrium.
2. Draw the free-body diagram of a joint with one or two unknowns.
Assume that all unknown member forces act in tension (pulling
the pin) unless you can determine by inspection that the forces
are compression loads.
3. Apply the scalar equations of equilibrium,  FX = 0 and
FY = 0, to determine the unknown(s). If the answer is
positive, then the assumed direction (tension) is correct, otherwise
it is in the opposite direction (compression).
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at each joint in succession until all the
required forces are determined.
Method of Sections
Method of Sections - Steps

•Section or “cut” the truss through the members where the forces are to be determined
•Before isolating the appropriate section, it may be necessary to determine the truss’s external
reactions (then 3 equations equations of equilibrium can be used to solve for unknown member forces
in the section)
•Draw the free-body diagram of that part of the sectioned truss that has the least number of forces
acting on it
•Establish the sense of the unknown member forces
•Apply 3 equations of equilibrium trying to avoid equations that need to be solved simultaneously
•Moments should be summed about a point that lies at the intersection of the lines of action of two
unknown forces
•If two unknown forces are parallel – sum forces perpendicular to the direction of these unknowns
Method Of Sections
 Joints Under Special Loading Conditions
• Forces in opposite members intersecting in
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.

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Zero-force members
•Truss analysis using the method of joints is greatly simplified if one is able to
determine those members which support no loading (zero-force members)

•These zero-force members are used to increase stability of the truss during
construction and to provide support if the applied loading is changed

•If only two members form a truss joint and no external load or support reaction is
applied to the joint, the members must be zero-force members

•If three members form a truss for which two of the members are collinear, the third
member is a zero-force member provided no external force or support reaction is
applied.
Method of Joints Method of Sections
 Problems : Method of joints
(i) Find the force acting in all members of the truss shown in
Figure T-01.
2. The structure in Fig. T-02 is a truss which is pinned to the floor at point A, and supported by a roller at
point D. Determine the force to all members of the truss
3. Find the force in each member of the truss shown in Fig. T-04.
Prob.4
Prob.5
Prob.6
Prob.7

Summary
AB = 2000 N tension
AC = 1732.05 N compression
BC = 866.02 N compression
BD = 2500 N tension
CD = 2020.72 N tension
CE = 3175.42 N compression
Prob.8
 Problems on Method of Sections

1. From the truss in Fig. T-01, determine the force in members BC, CE, and EF.
The truss in Fig. below is pinned to the wall at
point F, and supported by a roller at point C.
Calculate the force (tension or compression) in
members BC, BE, and DE.
2. For the truss shown in Fig. T-05,
find the internal fore in member BE.
3. The structure shown in Figure T-07 is pinned
to the floor at A and H. Determine the
magnitude of all the support forces acting on the
structure and find the force in member BF.