Activity 2.1.

6 Step-by-Step Truss System

Introduction
Truss systems are essential components within structural systems ranging from
residential construction to large scale civil engineering projects such as bridges.
Regardless of the system application, trusses are designed to utilize material
strength, reduce costs, and support a determined load. Engineers must be able to
understand how loads act on a truss structure and within the structure to ensure
design feasibility and safety. Activity 2.1.6 will guide you through the step-by-step
process of calculating reaction forces and member forces within a truss system.

Equipment

Straight edge
Calculator
Pencil

Procedure
In this activity you will calculate reaction and member forces for the truss system
illustrated below. To ensure proper calculations and free body diagrams, it is
essential that you follow each step in the procedure.

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 1

Calculate External Reaction Forces

x and y Reaction Force at Pin A and Y Reaction Force at Roller C
1 Draw a free body diagram for the entire truss structure illustrated above.
Make sure to include all known and unknown angles, forces, and distances.
Calculate and determine all angles using trigonometry and geometry.
(1 Box = .5 Units)

Algebra hints:
sin = O/H
cos = A/H
tan = O/A
a2 + b2 = c2

2 Calculate reaction forces at the roller and pin connections.

List static equilibrium equations. Hint: (They all involve summations)

a.

EM=0

b.

EFx=0

EFy=0

List all known and unknown forces acting and reacting on the truss
structure. Label direction of force with an arrow.
i.

Forces in the x direction

50 lbs ->

ii.

Forces in the y direction

100 lbs

iii.
Formula review:

Moment Forces Determined from Pin A

68.19

M = Fd

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 2

c.

Use the moment static equilibrium equation acting upon pin A to solve for
RCy.

EM=0

-3000 1250 + 10Rcy= 0

Equation

Substitution

10Rcy= 7750
RCy =775
Simplification
d.

Solution

Solve for unknown reaction force in the x direction (RAx).

Use the sum of forces in the x direction equilibrium equation.
Rax=0
EFx=0

RAx =0 lbs

Equation
e.

Substitution

Solution

Solve for unknown reaction forces in the y direction.

Use the sum of forces in the y direction equilibrium equation.

EFy=0

-1750 + Rcy + Ray=0

Equation

Substitution

RAy =975 lbs

Solution

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 3

f.

Draw a free body diagram for the entire truss system illustrated on page 1.
Make sure to include your calculated support reactions (1 Box = .5 units).

Calculate Individual Truss Member Forces

3 Calculate member forces AD and AB.
a.

Draw the free body diagram for joint A.

Make sure to include all known and unknown angles and forces (including
x and y vector components). Do not include lengths.

b.

Use SOH CAH TOA to express ADx and ADy in terms of AD.
i.

Calculate ADx
ADx

Equation

Substitution

Solution

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 4

ii.

Calculate ADy
ADy =ADsin45

Equation
c.

Substitution

Solution

List all known and unknown forces.

Label direction of force with an arrow.
i.

Forces in the x direction

RAX
AB
ii.

Forces in the y direction

Ray

d.

ADx

ADy

Use static equilibrium equations to solve for AD and AB.

i.

Solve for AD by calculating y direction static equilibrium.

EFy=0
Ray + Ady = 0
Equation

Substitution

975 + ADsin45 = 0
Simplification
AD =
-1379

Ad = -975/sin45
Simplification
ii.

Solve for AB by calculating x direction static equilibrium.

EFx= 0

ADx + AB=0

Equation

Substitution

AB= 1378.86cos45
Substitution Insert calculated AD value
e.

Solution

-1378.86cos45 + AB=0
Simplification
AB =975 lbs
Solution

Update the joint A free body diagram with calculated forces for AD and
AB.
2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 5

4 Calculate CB and CE.

a.

Draw the free body diagram for joint C.

Make sure to include all known and unknown angles and forces (including
x and y vector components). Do not include lengths.

b.

Use SOH CAH TOA to express CEx and CEy in terms of CE.
i.

Calculate CEx
CEX =CEcos45

Equation
ii.

Substitution

Solution

Calculate CEy
CEy =CEsin45

Equation
c.

Substitution

Solution

List all known and unknown forces.

Label direction of force with an arrow.
i.

Forces in the x direction

BC

ii.

CEx

Forces in the y direction

Rcy

CEy

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 6

d. Use static equilibrium equations to solve for AD and AB.

i.
EFy=0

Solve for CE by calculating y direction static equilibrium.

CEy + 775 =0

Equation

Substitution

CEsin45 = -775
Simplification
CE =-1096.02
Solution

ii.

Solve for CB by calculating x direction static equilibrium.

-CB + 1096.02cos45 = 0
Equation

Substitution

Simplification
CB =775 lbs T

-CB = -1096.02cos45
Substitution Insert calculated CE value
e.

Solution

Update joint C free-body diagram with calculated forces for CE and CB.

5 Calculate EB and ED
a.

Draw the free-body diagram for joint E.

Make sure to include all known and unknown angles and forces (including
x and y vector components). Do not include lengths.

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 7

b.

Use SOH CAH TOA to express EBx and EBy in terms of EB.
i.

Calculate EBy
EBy =EBsin56.3
Equation

ii.

Substitution

Solution

Calculate EBx
EBx =EBcos56.3
Equation

c.

Substitution

Solution

List all known and unknown forces.

Label direction of force with an arrow.
i.

Forces in the x direction

DE
CBx

ii.

Forces in the y direction

-500 lbs

d.

CBy

CEy

Use static equilibrium equations to solve for EB.

i.

Calculate y direction static equilibrium.

-500 + EBy + CEy = 0

Equation

CEx

-500 + 775 EBsin56.3 = 0

Substitution

Simplification
EB =331.71 lbs
T

Substitution

Simplification

Solution

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 8

ii.

Calculate x direction static equilibrium.

CEx DE BEx = 0

Equation

CEcos45 Becos56.3 DE
=0
Simplification

Substitution

-DE = CEcos45- BEcos56.3

Substitution
e.

Simplification

ED =960.27 C
Solution

Update joint E free body diagram with calculated forces for EB and ED.

6 Calculate DB
a.

Draw the free body diagram for joint D.

Make sure to include all known and unknown angles and forces (including
x and y vector components). Do not include lengths.

b.

Use SOH CAH TOA to express DBx and DBy in terms of DB.
i.

Calculate DBy
DBy =DBsin56.3
Equation

ii.

Substitution

Solution

Calculate DBx
DBx =DBcos56.3
Equation

Substitution

Solution

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 9

c.

List all known and unknown forces.

Label direction of force with an arrow.
i.

Forces in the x direction

ii.

Forces in the y direction

d.

Use static equilibrium equations to solve for DB.

i.

Solve for DB by calculating y-direction static equilibrium.

-1000 + ADy + DBy

Equation

Substitution

Simplification
DB =-30lbs

Simplification

Solution

e. Update joint D free body diagram with calculated forces for DB and DE.
Draw Completed Free Body Diagram
7 Draw a completed free body diagram for the entire truss structure using all
calculated reaction and member forces.

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 10