STRUCTURES
Determination of the support / joint reactions constitutes only the first step of the analysis
in engineering structures. From now on we will focus on the determination of the forces
internal to a structure, that is, forces of action and reaction between the connected
members.
Joint reactions always occur in pairs that are equal in magnitude and opposite in
direction. If not isolated from the rest of the structure or the environment by
means of a free body diagram, joint forces are not included in the diagram since
In order to determine the joint reactions, the structures must be separated into at
least two or more parts. At these separation points the joint reactions become
external forces and thus, are included in the equations of equilibrium.
For bridges and similar structures, plane trusses are commonly utilized in pairs
with one truss assembly placed on each side of the structure. The combined
weight of the roadway and vehicles is transferred to either side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZLc8odACUw
I-Beam (I-Kiri)
A
Gusset Plate (Bayrak)
Angled Beam
(Kebent L profil)
Bar (ubuk))
Simple Trusses
The basic element of a plane truss is the triangle. Three bars joined by pins at their
ends constitute a rigid frame. In planar trusses all bars and external forces acting
on the system lie in a single plane.
P
External Force
G
E
A
B
Support Reactions
Member
(ubuk)
Support Reaction
A truss can be extended by additing extra tirangles to the system. Such trusses
comprising only of trianges are called simple trusses basit kafes. In a simple truss it
is possible to check the rigidity of the truss and whether the joint forces can be
determined or not by using the following equation:
m : number of members
m=2j-3
j : number of joints
Assumptions
1. In a truss system it is assumed that all bars are two forces members. The weights of
members are neglected compared to the forces they are supporting. Therefore members
work either in tension or compression.
(eki)
(Bas)
4. Since bars used in trusses are long, slender elements they can
support very little transverse loads or bending moments.
SOLUTION METHODS
1) METHOD OF JOINTS (Dm Yntemi)
This method for finding the forces in the members of a truss consists of satisfying the
conditions of equilibrium for the forces acting on the connecting pin of each joint. The
method therefore deals with the equilibrium of concurrent forces, and only two
independent equilibrium equations are involved (SFx=0, SFy=0).
1. Determine the force in each member of the loaded truss. Make use of the symmetry of the
truss and of the loading.
When analyzing plane trusses by the method of joints, we need only two of the three
equilibrium equations because the procedures involve concurrent forces at each joint. We can
take advantage of the third or moment equation of equilibrium by selecting an entire section
of the truss for the free body in equilibrium under the action of nonconcurrent system of
forces.
The Method of Sections is often employed when forces in limited number of members are
asked for and is based on the two dimensional equilibrium of rigid bodies (SFx=0, SFy=0,
SM=0). This method has the basic advantage that the force in almost any desired member
may be found directly from an analysis of a section which has cut that member. Thus, it is not
necessary to proceed with the calculation from joint to joint until the member in question has
been reached. In choosing a section of the truss, in general, not more than three members
whose forces are unknown should be cut, since there are only three available independent
equilibrium relations.
Once a truss is cut into two parts, one of the parts is taken into consideration and all the
internal forces now become external from where the cut was passed. The forces are
initially assumed as working in tension, so, they are shown directed away from the
FBD. After employing the equations of equilibrium, if the result yields a positive value
(+), it means that the member actually works in tension (T) (eki), if the result yields a
negative value (-), it means that the member works in compression (C) (bas).
Before starting to solve with method, if necessary the support reactions can be
determined from the FBD of the whole truss and also zero-force members can be
identified. It is very important to recognize that, only the forces acting on the part are
considered, the forces acting on the other part, which is not considered, should not be
included. The moment center can be any point on or out of the part in consideration.
TRUSSES
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. The crane in the figure consists of a planar truss. Determine the forces in members DE,
DG and HG when the crane supports a 16 kN load, indicate whether the members work in
tension (T) or compression (C).
4m
4m
4m
D
4m
r=400 mm
4m
16 kN
4m
FCJ
Cut
FBC
FFJ
FG
3. Determine the forces in members CD, CJ and DJ, state whether they work
in tension (T) or compression (C).
I. Cut
3m
T
FJI
FDJ
FCD
Ax
Ay
T
FKJ
FCJ
FCD
Ax
Ay
II. Cut
4. The truss shown consists of 45 triangles. The cross members in the two
center panels that do not touch each other are slender bars which are incapable
of carrying compressive loads. Identify the two tension members in these panels
and determine the forces they support. Also determine the force in member MN.
I. Cut
Ax
II. Cut
Ay
By
Ux
Uy
Vy
I. Cut
Uy=15 kN
Vy=20 kN
II. Cut
I. Cut
Gx
Ay
Gy
I. Cut
II. Cut
FDE
III. Cut
FEK
FEK
FME
FMB
FNF
FFQ
FFG
FLB
FAF
8. In the truss system shown determine the forces in members EK, LF, FK and CN,
state whether they work in tension (T) or compression (C). Crossed members do not
touch each other and are slender bars that can only support tensile loads.
4 kN
10 kN
6 kN
H
G
2m
D
J
2m
N
K
2m
A
3m
20 kN
P
3m
4m
4m
4m
4m
4 kN
By
10 kN
6 kN
10 kN
10 kN
G
2m
10 kN
Bx
10 kN
2m
20 kN
N
K
2m
Ax
A
3m
10 kN
P
3m
4m
4m
4m
4m
1st cut
4 kN
By
2m
10 kN
6 kN
2m
10 kN
10 kN
G
10 kN
FEK
N
L
2m
Ax
FFL
Bx
A
3m
FEF
FKL K
10 kN
20 kN
10 kN
P
3m
4m
4m
4m
4m
2nd cut
4 kN
By
2m
10 kN
6 kN
FEF
L
A
3m
10 kN
20 kN
FJK
2m
10 kN
FFK
2m
10 kN
10 kN
G
FFL
Bx
Ax
10 kN
P
3m
4m
4m
4m
4m
4 kN
By
3rd cut
6 kN
10 kN
10 kN
10 kN
G
2m
C FCD
Bx
10 kN
10 kN
FDN
2m
20 kN
FMN
2m
Ax
A
3m
P FPM
3m
10 kN
M
4m
4m
4m
4m
4 kN
By
2m
6 kN
10 kN
10 kN
4th cut
B
C FCD
2m
FCN
FPN
2m
A
3m
P FPM
3m
G
D
10 kN
Bx
Ax
10 kN
10 kN
20 kN
N
K
10 kN
M
4m
4m
4m
4m
Ax
Ay
Iy
SFx 0
Ax 6 kN
SM A 0
SFy 0
Ay I y - 10 0
I y 6 kN
I.cut
SM C 0
FON -9.014 kN
I.cut
FON
FOC
FBC
4
4 6
(Compression)
2 FON
6
4 6
2
(3) 0
Joint M
4 kN
FMN
FML
SFx 0
- FMN
SFy 0
-4 - 2 FMN
42 62
4
FML
4 6
2
6
42 62
FMN FML
II.cut
SM D 0
4
6
4 FNL (4) 0
Ay (9) - 2(6) 6(2) FMN
3 FMN
2
2
2
2
-3.605 4 6
-3.605 4 6
4 kN
FNL -4.5 kN
SFy 0
(C )
Ay - 2 FMN
4
4 6
2
FDL
4
0
5
II.cut
FMN
FNL
FDL
FDE
20 kN
II.cut
I.cut
20 kN20 kN
20 kN
20 kN
20 kN
20 kN
20 kN
II.cut
I.cut
FCD FCD
FHG
FHG
FGI
FBA
FHI
20 kN20 kN
FGJ
20 kN
20 kN
20 kN
20 kN
20 kN
I.cut
SMG=0
FCD=54.14 kN (T)
II.cut
SMA=0
FHG=-81.21 kN (C)
SFx=0
FGI=18.29 kN (T)
I.cut
2 kN
2 kN
2 kN
5 kN
3
G
1 kN
4m
O
M
4m
A
I
L
2 kN
3m
2 kN
2 kN
3m
3m
3m
2 kN
2 kN
2 kN
3 kN
4 kN
From the
equilibrium of
whole truss
1 kN
4m
I. Cut
N
Top Part
M
B
FMN
FBN
FHO
FMO
FHI
A
I
L
Ay
2 kN
3m
2 kN
2 kN
3m
3m
are determined
FBA
Ax
Ax, Ay and Iy
3m
Iy
4m
I. Cut
SMH=0
FAB is determined
2 kN
2 kN
3 kN
2 kN
FEF
4 kN
1 kN
FMF
II. Cut
Top Part
4m
II. Cut
N
O
FMN
FBN
SMM=0
FMO
FBA
4m
A
I
L
2 kN
3m
2 kN
2 kN
3m
3m
3m
2 kN
2 kN
3 kN
2 kN
FEF
4 kN
1 kN
FMF
N
FMO
4m
III. Cut
SMN=0
4m
FNK
A
I
L
2 kN
3m
2 kN
2 kN
FLK
3m
III. Cut
Left Side
3m
3m
10 2
kN
1m
H
10 2 kN
10 2 kN
1m
1m
25 2 kN
20 2
B
2m
kN
1m
1m
2m
2m
10 2
kN
III. Cut
I. Cut
1m
10 2 kN
10 2 kN
1m
N
M
J
1m
D
II. Cut
25 2 kN
20 2
Ax
2m
1m
Ay
2m
1m
By
kN
2m