‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬

STATICS
(ENGINEERING MECHANICS-I)

LECTURE # 16
Analysis of truss-Method of Joint

By

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi November 1, 2023

 Contents
2

 Objectives of the present lecture

 Simple trusses
 Analysis of Simple trusses
 Methods of Analysis
 Problem
 A real life application
 Further reading

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi November 1, 2023

 Objectives of the Present lecture
3

 To illustrate through an example the method of joints for

the analysis of trusses.

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi November 1, 2023

 Simple Trusses
4
Trusses which are built from a basic triangle are
known as simple trusses.

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Analysis of Simple Trusses
5

Assumptions
 All members are two force members

T T C C

 Weight of the member is small compared with the force it

supports.
 The members are joined together by smooth pins.
 All external forces are applied at the pin connections (e.g.
in bridge trusses the deck is usually laid on cross beams
which are supported at the joints)

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Methods of Analysis
6

Method of Joints Method of Sections

The method of section has the basic

The method of joints utilizes the force
advantage that the force in almost any
equations of equilibrium for each joint.
desired member may be found directly
Analysis normally begins at a joint
from an analysis of a section which has
where at least one force is known and
cut the member.
not more than two forces are unknown
In choosing a section of the truss, in
for plane trusses (or not more than
general, not more than three members
three forces are unknown for space
whose forces are unknown may be cut,
trusses)
since there are only three available
equilibrium equations which are
independent.

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Problem -1
7

Compute the forces in all the members of the truss, shown

here, using the method of joints.

2.4 m
D 2 kN
C

1.8 m

A B

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Support Reactions
8
2.4 m
2 kN
D
C Support Reactions

1.8 m
(+) → Fx = 0  − Ax + 2 = 0  Ax = 2 kN
A  CCW (+)M B = 0  −2 1.8 − Ay  2.4 = 0
B
Ax  Ay = −1.5 kN
(+)  Fy = 0  Ay + B y = 0  B y = 1.5 kN
Ay By

BD = 1.82 + 2.4 2 = 3 m
cos = 2.4 / 3 = 0.8;
sin  = 1.8 / 3 = 0.6

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Calculation of the Member forces
9

D
C
2 kN
Note: For convenience,
assume tension in all the
members.
2 kN A  Remember! A member in
B
compression “pushes” on the
joint and a member in
tension “pulls” on the joint.
1.5 kN 1.5 kN

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Calculation of the Member forces
10

Member Forces BD = 1.82 + 2.4 2 = 3 m

cos = 2.4 / 3 = 0.8;
D
C
2 kN sin  = 1.8 / 3 = 0.6
FAD
Joint A
2 kN A 
B A
2 kN FAB

1.5 kN
1.5 kN 1.5 kN
(+) → Fx = 0  FAB − 2 = 0  FAB = 2 kN(T)
(+)  Fy = 0  FAD − 1.5 = 0  FAD = 1.5 kN(T)

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Calculation of the Member forces
11

D
C
2 kN Member Forces
BD = 1.82 + 2.4 2 = 3 m
cos = 2.4 / 3 = 0.8;
sin  = 1.8 / 3 = 0.6
2 kN A  Joint B
B FBC
FBD


1.5 kN 1.5 kN FBA = 2 kN B

(+) → Fx = 0  − FBD cos − 2 = 0  − FBD  0.8 − 2 = 0 1.5 kN

 FBD = −2.5 kN (C)
(+)  Fy = 0  1.5 + FBD sin  + FBC = 0  1.5 − 2.5  0.6 + FBC = 0
 FBC = 0

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Calculation of the Member forces
12

D
C
2 kN Member Forces
BD = 1.82 + 2.4 2 = 3 m
cos = 2.4 / 3 = 0.8;
sin  = 1.8 / 3 = 0.6
2 kN A  Joint C
B C
FCD 2 kN

1.5 kN 1.5 kN FCB = 0

(+) → Fx = 0  2 − FCD = 0  FCD = 2 kN (T)

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Member forces
13

Member L (m) Forces Nature

(kN)
AB 2.4 2.0 Tension

BC 1.8 0.0 -

CD 2.4 2.0 Tension

DA 1.8 1.5 Tension

BD 3.0 -2.5 Compression

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Problem -2
14

Compute the force in each member of the

loaded cantilever truss by the
method of joints.
H

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi 11/1/2023

 Further Reading
15

Read more about the method of joints from:

R.C. Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, Twelfth Edition in SI

Units, Chapter 6, Structural Analysis, Section 6.2:The Method of Joints,
pp. 266-271.

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi November 1, 2023

 Thank You
16

Questions Please

GE201 : Dr. Abdulrahman AlKhomairi November 1, 2023