Static Equilibrium, Truss

Structures
09/06/2023, Lecture 4
By
Dr. Poornima Patil
University of Jamestown
Practice Problem
Introduction and Analysis of
Trusses

Teaching Presentation
by
Poornima Patil
 https://files.structurae.net/files/photos/2327/dsc_0004.jpg

Tell me an example of a truss you have

seen.
 Define and identify the truss
structure.

After this
Apply method of joints to determine
class you the member forces.
will learn to

Identify the zero force members.

What is truss structure?
• A truss is a series of straight
long struts/bars that form
triangles or other stable,
rigid shapes.
• The simplest form of a truss

is one single triangle.

https://engcourses-uofa.ca/books/statics/structural-analysis/analysis-of-trusses/

Member
Joint/node (Pinned)
https://engcourses-uofa.ca/books/statics/structural-analysis/analysis-of-trusses/#trusses1
Difference between a planar truss
and a space truss?
Plane Truss (2D)
truss with all its members lying in one plane

Space Truss (3D)

truss with all its members lying in
multiple plane

https://revision.co.zw/uses-of-trusses/
Many
Different
Truss
Types
Analysis of Trusses
To analyze the truss structure, we make assumptions
• All loads act at the joints.
• All joints act as frictionless pin connections.
Every member of a truss is a 2-force member. Trusses are of negligible
weight (compared to the loads they carry)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn_iozUo9m4&t=836s&ab_channel=TheEfficientEngineer
https://www.conteches.com/knowledge-center/pdh-articles/specifying-a-vehicular-prefabricated-steel-truss-bridge
https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/tam210/fa2017/Lectures/gj15lect_pre.pdf
Truss internal / member Forces

https://youtu.be/VFdiF4235Js
Determinacy and Stability of Trusses
• m + r < 2j (Unstable)
• m + r = 2j (Stable, Determinate)
• m + r > 2j (Stable, Indeterminate)

Where,
m = # of members.
r = # of support reactions.
j = # of joints.
In Class Example
In Class Example
Zero Force Members
• These members carry no load
Two Conditions
• Two members meet at a joint with no external load and support
reactions at joint
• Three members connected at a joint, two collinear and one not, no
external load and support reactions at joint, the noncollinear member
is zero force member
Identify Zero force members
Identify Zero force members
In Class Example
Determine the number of zero force members in the truss.

a) Four
b) One
c) Two
d) Three
THE METHOD OF JOINTS
Steps for Analysis – Method of Joints
1. Identify zero force members and eliminate them
2. draw a FBD of the entire truss and determine the support reactions (if
required)
3. Explode the truss at each joint and draw FBD of the joint of interest
• Select a joint with 1 or 2 unknown forces and draw FBD.
• Assume all unknown member forces as tension (pulling on the joint).
4. Apply the scalar equations of equilibrium,  FX = 0 and  FY = 0, to
determine the unknown(s).
• If answer is positive, then the member is in tension.
• If the answer is negative, then the member is in compression.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 at each joint in succession until all the required
forces are determined.
Determine the member forces in the following truss
1. draw a FBD of the entire truss and determine the support reactions (if required)
Joint B

Joint A