Chapter

4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Analysis of Structures
4-4 Method of Sections

In the method of sections, a cutting plane is passed through the entire

truss, separating it into two parts. A part of the truss is isolated on an FBD (Free-
Body Diagram) so that it exposes the forces to be computed. If the FBD for the
isolated portion contains three unknowns, all of them usually be computed from
the available equilibrium equations. However, if the number of unknowns exceeds
three, one or more of the unknowns must be found by analyzing a different part of
the truss.

Figure 4.4.1 (Section through a truss)

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Figure 4.4.2 (Each segment of the truss is held in equilibrium by forces

equal to the stresses in the cut members)
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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

The static equations for non-concurrent system is used to compute the unknown
forces using the method of sections.

𝛴𝐹𝑣 = 0
Equation of Static Equilibrium for
𝛴𝐹𝐻 = 0
𝛴𝑀 = 0 Non-Concurrent Force System

Steps in the Method of Sections

1. Determine reactions (if needed)

2. Pass a cutting plane on members of interests
3. Draw free-body diagrams (FBD’s of truss)
4. Solve members using equations of equilibrium conditions

Illustrative Problem No. 1) Use the method of sections to determine the forces in
members DE, AB and AE of the truss described in the figure and indicate whether
the member is in tension or compression.

Solution:

Find the reactions of the truss by static equation

From 𝛴𝑀𝐷 = 0 0

0
𝛴𝑀𝐷 = 𝐴𝑥 (2.5) − 40(3) − 40(6)
𝑨𝒙 = 𝟏𝟒𝟒 𝒌𝑵 (𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕)
From 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0 0

0
𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 𝐷𝑥 (2.5) − 40(3) − 40(3)
𝑫𝒙 = 𝟏𝟒𝟒 𝒌𝑵 (𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕)
From 𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0
0
↑ 𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 𝐷𝑦 − 20 − 40 − 40
𝑫𝒚 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝒖𝒑𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅)

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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Pass a cutting plane separating the truss into two parts and expose the forces cut
by the plane
Cutting Plane a-a

To solve for member DE

From 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0 (left truss)
0
↻𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 𝐷𝐸𝑥 (2.5) − 𝐷𝑥 (2.5)
3
0= (𝐷𝐸)(2.5) − 144(2.5) 𝑫𝑬 = 𝟏𝟓𝟔 𝒌𝑵 (𝑻)
3.25

To solve for member AB

From 𝛴𝑀𝐸 = 0 (right truss)
0
↻𝛴𝑀𝐸 = 𝐴𝐵(1.25) + 40(3) 𝐴𝐵 = −96 𝑘𝑁
𝑨𝑩 = 𝟗𝟔 𝒌𝑵 (𝑪)
To solve for member AE
From 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0 (right truss)
0
←𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 𝐴𝐸𝑥 + 𝐷𝐸𝑥 + 𝐴𝐵
3 3
0= 𝐴𝐸 + (156) + (−96) 𝐴𝐸 = − 52 𝑘𝑁
3.25 3.25

𝑨𝑬 = 𝟓𝟐 𝒌𝑵 (𝑪)

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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Check equilibrium
From 𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0 (on either of the truss, say from left truss)
0
↑𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 𝐴𝐸𝑦 + 𝐷𝑦 − 𝐷𝐸𝑦 − 20
1.25 1.25
0= (−52) + 100 − (156) − 20
3.25 3.25

0 = −20 + 100 − 60 − 20
𝟎 = 𝟎 (𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌)

Illustrative Problem No.2) The Warren truss loaded as shown in the figure is
supported by a roller at C and a hinge at G. By method of sections, compute the
force in the members BC, DF, CE and DE.

𝑮𝒙

𝑪𝒚 𝑮𝒚
Figure 2
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Solution:

Find the reactions of the truss by static equation

From 𝛴𝑀𝐺 = 0 0

0
↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐺 = 𝐶𝑦 (12) + 60(6) − 40(18) − 80(9) − 100(6)
𝑪𝒚 = 𝟏𝟒𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝒖𝒑𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅)
From 𝛴𝑀𝐶 = 0 0

0
𝛴𝑀𝐶 = 𝐺𝑦 (12) + 40(6) − 100(6) − 80(3) − 60(6)
𝑮𝒚 = 𝟖𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝒖𝒑𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅)
From 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0
0
← 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 𝐺𝑥 − 60
𝑮𝒙 = 𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕)

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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

To solve for member BC (a-a)

Left part of truss
a-a
𝑩𝑫

√5
2
𝑩𝑪
1

𝑨𝑪

From 𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0
0
2
↓ 𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 𝐵𝐶𝑦 + 40 = 𝐵𝐶 + 40
√5

𝐵𝐶 = −44.72 𝑘𝑁 𝑩𝑪 = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟕𝟐 𝒌𝑵 (𝑪)

To solve for member DF (b-b)_ Right part of truss

b-b
𝑫𝑭

√5
2
𝑫𝑬
1

𝑪𝑬

From 𝛴𝑀𝐸 = 0 0

0
𝛴𝑀𝐸 = 𝐷𝐹 (6) + 𝐺𝑦 (6) = 𝐷𝐹 (6) + 80(6)
𝐷𝐹 = −80 𝑘𝑁 𝑫𝑭 = 𝟖𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝑪)

To solve for member CE (b-b) Left part of truss

From 𝛴𝑀𝐷 = 0 0 𝑫𝑭
0
𝛴𝑀𝐸 = 𝐶𝐸 (6) + 40(9) − 𝐶𝑦 (3)
0 = 𝐶𝐸(6) + 40(9) − 140 (3) 𝑫𝑬

𝑪𝑬 = 𝟏𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝑻) 𝑪𝑬

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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

To solve for member DE (b-b)

From 𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 0
0
↓ 𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 𝐷𝐸𝑦 + 40 + 80 − 𝐶𝑦
2
0= 𝐷𝐸 + 40 + 80 − 140 𝑫𝑬 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟑𝟔 𝒌𝑵 (𝑻)
√5

Check for equilibrium (b-b)

From 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0
0
← 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 𝐷𝐹 − 𝐷𝐸𝑥 − 𝐶𝐸 − 60
1
0 = 80 − (22.36) − 10 − 60
√5

𝟎 = 𝟎 (𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌)

Illustrative Problem No. 3) Determine the force in the bar CD of the truss shown
in the truss shown in the figure.

𝑪𝒙 0
𝑪𝒚 𝑭𝒚
Figure 3
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Solution:

Find the reactions of the truss by static equation

From 𝛴𝑀𝐹 = 0 0

0
↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐹 = 𝐶𝑦 (9) + 120(3) − 120(9) − 60(12)
𝑪𝒚 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝒖𝒑𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅)
From 𝛴𝑀𝐶 = 0 0

0
𝛴𝑀𝐶 = 𝐹𝑦 (9) + 60(3) − 120(9) − 120(12)
𝑭𝒚 = 𝟐𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝒖𝒑𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅)

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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies
To solve for member CD (a-a)
Right part of the truss
a-a b-b

𝑩𝑬

𝑩𝑫

𝑪𝑫

𝑪𝑭

Note: Since the number of unknowns exceeds three, one of the unknowns must
be found by analyzing a different part of the truss. Solve first for CF member using
the cutting plane b-b (right part of truss)

From 𝛴𝑀𝐸 = 0 0

0
↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐸 = 𝐶𝐹(6) + 120(3)
CF= −60 𝑘𝑁
𝑪𝑭 = 𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝑪)

To solve for member CD

From 𝛴𝑀𝐵 = 0 0

0
𝛴𝑀𝐹 = 𝐶𝐷𝑥 (6) − 𝐶𝐹 (6) + 60(3)
3
0 = 5 𝐶𝐷(6) − 60(6) + 60(3)

𝑪𝑫 = 𝟓𝟎 𝒌𝑵 (𝑻)

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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Illustrative Problem No. 4) For the truss shown, determine the force in member
BF by the method of section.
𝑫𝒙

𝑫𝒚

𝑨𝒚
Figure 4
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Solution:

Find the reactions of the truss by static equation

From 𝛴𝑀𝐷 = 0 0

0
↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐷 = 𝐴𝑦 (6) − 2.4(3) − 1.2(4)
𝑨𝒚 = 𝟐 𝒌𝑵 (𝒖𝒑𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅)
From 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0
0
← 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 𝐷𝑥 − 1.2
𝑫𝒙 = 𝟏. 𝟐 𝒌𝑵 (𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕)

From 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0 0

0
𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 𝐷𝑦 (6) + 𝐷𝑥 (8) − 2.4(3) − 1.2(6) − 1.2(4)
0 = 𝐷𝑦 (6) + 1.2(8) − 2.4(3) − 1.2(6) − 1.2(4)
𝑫𝒚 = 𝟏. 𝟔 𝒌𝑵 (𝒖𝒑𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅)

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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

To solve for member BF (a-a)

Left part of truss

a-a

Note: Since the number of unknowns exceeds three, one of the unknowns must
be found by analyzing a different part of the truss. Solve first for BE member using
the joint at E (right part of truss).

From 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0
0
← 𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 𝐵𝐸 − 1.2
𝑩𝑬 = 𝟏. 𝟐 𝒌𝑵 (𝑻)

From 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0 (cutting plane a-a, left part of truss)

0

0
↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 𝐵𝐹𝑥 (4) + 𝐵𝐹𝑦 (3) + 𝐵𝐸 (4) + 2.4(3)
3 4
0= 𝐵𝐹 (4) + 5 𝐵𝐹 (3) + 1.2(4) + 2.4(3)
5

𝐵𝐹 = −2.5 𝑘𝑁
𝑩𝑭 = 𝟐. 𝟓 𝒌𝑵 (𝑪)

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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyDr43PrRH8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28QESCzSDN4

Do-it-Yourself

Practice Activity

Solve for the forces on members DF, DG and EG using the method of
section.

Figure 1
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Read the topic “Force Systems in Space” in preparation for the next
module.

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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies
WORKSHEET No. 13

Name: _____________________________________ Course/Year: ___________

Instructor: __________________________________ Rating: ________________

Instruction: Answer the following problems:

Using the method of sections, calculate the forces on members indicated of the
trusses shown. State whether the member is in tension or compression.

1. AB, ED and AD

Figure 2
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2. AB, EG and CE

Figure 5
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3. BC only

Figure 4
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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

4. FG, BF and BE

Figure 5
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5. GE only (Hint: First use section a-a to find for the force DG. Take the lower
part of truss and use Moment at point F)

Figure 6
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6. BC, CG and FG

Figure 6
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Chapter
4 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Engr. Edna P. Montañez | Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges