Universidad Iberoamericana

Alexandra Nieves

19-0476

David Strauss

19-0115

Statics

Final Project

Truss Bridge Design

Professor Fernando Ventura

April 17, 2020

Introduction
 Statics is a whole field of incredible creations and combines the fields of physics and

math. Mechanics is a branch of the physical sciences that is concerned with the state of rest or

motion of bodies that are subjected to the action of forces. In general, this subject can be

subdivided into three branches: rigid-body mechanics, deformable-body mechanics, and fluid

mechanics. Rigid-body mechanics is divided into two areas: statics and dynamics. Statics deals

with the equilibrium of bodies, that is, those that are either at rest or move with a constant

velocity; whereas dynamics is concerned with the accelerated motion of bodies. We can consider

statics as a special case of dynamics, in which the acceleration is zero; however, statics deserves

separate treatment in engineering education since many objects are designed with the intention

that they remain in equilibrium.

A truss is a structure composed of slender members joined together at their endpoints.

The members commonly used in construction consist of wooden struts or metal bars. A truss

bridge is a bridge with its load-bearing structures composed of a series of wooden or metal

triangles, known as trusses. Given that a triangle cannot be distorted by stress, a truss gives a

stable form capable of supporting considerable external loads over a large span. Trusses are

popular for bridge building because they use a relatively small amount of material for the amount

of weight they can support. They commonly are used in covered bridges, railroad bridges, and

military bridges.

For centuries, builders used timber as a construction material for trusses, possibly even

for truss bridges. However, it was not until 1570 that Andrea Palladio published Four Books on

Architecture, the first written documentation concerning wooden truss bridges. Beginning in the

late 1700s, builders extensively erected wooden truss bridges in the United States, and by the

mid-1800s, this country led the world in wooden truss bridge design. Timothy Palmer was one of
the first builders in the United States to promote covering the wooden truss (the load bearing

portion of the bridge) with a barn-like structure. In 1820, Ithiel Town received a patent for the

Town lattice truss, the first true truss that acted independently of any arch action. In 1840

William Howe patented the Howe truss, another truss that enjoyed widespread popularity. This

joint use of metal and wood materials for bridge components, called a "combination truss," was a

significant transitional feature in the eventual development of an all-metal truss. In 1844 Caleb

Pratt, an architect, and his engineer son Thomas designed the Pratt truss, another truss from this

period that had widespread significance. The Pratt truss required more iron than a Howe truss,

and due to the increased cost and less rigid construction, builders did not extensively use it for

wooden trusses.

Class concepts used

 According to R.C. Hibbeler, “Engineering Mechanics Statics”, the thirteenth edition,

when we need to find the force in only a few members of a truss, we can analyze the truss using

the method of sections. It is based on the principle that if the truss is in equilibrium then any

segment of the truss is also in equilibrium. The method of sections can also be used to “cut” or

section the members of an entire truss. If the section passes through the truss and the free-body

diagram of either of its two parts is drawn, we can then apply the equations of equilibrium to that

part to determine the member forces at the “cut section.” To design both the members and the

connections of a truss, it is necessary first to determine the force developed in each member

when the truss is subjected to a given loading.

In order to analyze or design a truss, it is necessary to determine the force in each of its

members. One way to do this is to use the method of joints. This method is based on the fact that

if the entire truss is in equilibrium, then each of its joints is also in equilibrium. Therefore, if the

free-body diagram of each joint is drawn, the force equilibrium equations can then be used to

obtain the member forces acting on each joint. Since the members of a plane truss are straight

two-force members lying in a single plane, each joint is subjected to a force system that is

coplanar and concurrent. As a result, only 􏰂Fx = 0 and 􏰂Fy = 0 need to be satisfied for

equilibrium.

Drawings of Prototypes
Prototype 1

Prototype 2

Final Prototype

Table of Members with forces in Tension or Compression and the Length

Calculations
Finding Global Equilibrium

The external forces acting on our truss bridge are: AY, AX, QY, and 24N acting downward at

joint J.

∑Fx = 0
Ax = 0

∑Fy = 0
Ay + Qy – 24 = 0
Ay + Qy = 24

∑MA = 0
–(0.12)(24) + 0.24(Qy ) = 0
–2.88 + 0.24(Qy ) = 0
0.24(Qy) =2.88
Qy = 12N

Ay + 12 = 24
Ay = 12N
Cutting the Bridge in Half
Resolving Zero-Force Members

Joint A
AB = 0.3√2
12 0.3
AB = 12√2
AB = 16.971 N(C)

∑Fx = ABx – AC = 0
12 - AC = 0
AC = 12 N(T)

ABx = 0.3
12 0.3

ABx = 12

Using this information we can determine that:

CE = 12 N(T)
EG = 12 N(T)
GJ = 12 N(T)
DB = 16.971 N(C)

because they are in the same line of action of the previously

calculated internal forces and there is no other force acting on them.

Joint D
DB = 16.971 N
DBx = 12
DBY = 12

∑FY = 0
-12 + DFY = 0
DFY = 12 N

DF = 0.3√2
12 0.3
DF = 12√2
DF = 16.971 N(T)

∑FX = 0
-12 - 12 + DH = 0
DH = 24 N(C)
DFX = 0.3
12 0.3

DFX = 12

Using this information we can determine that:

FJ = 16.971 N(T)

because it is in the same line of action of the previously calculated internal force and there is no

other force acting on it. .

All Members

AB = 16.971 N(C) QO = 16.971 N(C)

DB = 16.971 N(C) MO = 16.971 N(C)

AC = 12 N(T) QP = 12 N(T)

CE = 12 N(T) PN = 12 N(T)

EG = 12 N(T) NL = 12 N(T)

GJ = 12 N(T) LJ = 12 N(T)

DF = 16.971 N(T) MK = 16.971 N(T)

FJ = 16.971 N(T) KJ = 16.971 N(T)

DH = 24 N(C) MH = 24 N(C)

Explanation
 The first step to solving the truss bridge is global equilibrium. Once global equilibrium is

found we stated to work with the internal forces. Due to the symmetrical nature of our truss

bridge, its forces are congruent in both sides. This allows us to cut the bridge in half and only

work on one side to simplify our calculations. For example, the internal force applied at AB is

congruent with that of member QO.

Then we removed all the zero force members to focus on the actual members that are

doing any work on the bridge. BC, BE, DE, FE, FG, FI, HI, JI are zero force members because

they are collinear to the line of action. This leaves us with a design resembling a warren truss

bridge, and now we started to analyze the joints of the bridge.

We started off by analyzing the joint A because we had already figured out the force Ay

which allowed us to find the internal forces at AB and AC. By viewing the bridge, we

determined that AC = CE = EG = GJ; AB = DB because they are in the same line of action of the

previously calculated internal force and there is no other force acting on it. Then we analyzed

joint D and by finding the sum of forces in y/x and using some trigonometry we determined the

internal forces at DF and DH. We once again examined the bridge and established that DF = FJ

for the same reason of the previous analysis.

Now that we had all the internal forces of half of the bridge, all that was left to do was to

replicate the exact same forces in the other half. Solve.Note: if the number calculated when

finding the forces in each member is negative, then flip the direction to its opposite side. “This

has been accounted for.”

Conclusion
 In conclusion, truss bridges are seen all around the world, and they connect civilization

by allowing society to come together as one. Once we took out our zero force members, we got a

Warren truss bridge, patented by engineer James Warren, since all lengths and sides are

equilateral. During the process of this project, we learned the importance of truss bridges and

how they are made, and that is because of the unique structure. Truss bridges use small amounts

of material, yet it can hold a large amount of weight on them. The fact that something so

“weightless”, to say it in that way, can hold an object heavier than itself is extraordinary.

Bibliography
- Hibbeler, R.C., “Engineering Mechanics Statics”, the thirteenth edition

- History of a Truss Bridge. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.tn.gov/tdot/structures-/historic-bridges/history-of-a-truss-bridge.html

- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2019, September 16). Truss bridge. Retrieved

from https://www.britannica.com/technology/truss-bridge