Students: _________________, __________________, _________________.

Per: 4 th
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. It is essential to follow each step within the procedure to ensure
proper calculations and free body diagrams.

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)

2015 – KMS – CGH – CTE – Engineering - Activity 2.1.6 Step By Step Truss System – Page 1
 Hints:

sin θ = O/H
cos θ = A/H
tan θ = O/A

2. Calculate reaction forces at the roller and pin connections.

a. List static equilibrium equations Hint: .

b. 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

ii. Forces in the y-direction

iii. Moment Forces – Determined from Pin A

Formula review:
M = Fd

2015 – KMS – CGH – CTE – Engineering - Activity 2.1.6 Step By Step Truss System – Page 2
 c. Solve for RCy by using the moment static equilibrium equation acting upon
pin A.

Equation Substitution

RCy=

Simplification Solution

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

Use the sum of forces in the x-direction equilibrium equation.

RAx=

Equation Substitution Solution

e. Solve for unknown reaction forces in the y-direction.

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

Equation Substitution

RAy= .
Solution

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

2015 – KMS – CGH – CTE – Engineering - Activity 2.1.6 Step By Step Truss System – Page 3
Calculate Individual Truss Member Forces
3. Calculate 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

ii. Calculate ADy

ADy =

Equation Substitution Solution

c. List all know and unknown forces.

Label direction of force with an arrow.
i. Forces in the x-direction

ii. Forces in the y-direction

2015 – KMS – CGH – CTE – Engineering - Activity 2.1.6 Step By Step Truss System – Page 4
 d. Use static equilibrium equations to solve for AD and AB.
i. Solve for AD by calculating y-direction static equilibrium.

Equation Substitution Simplification

AD =

Simplification Solution

ii. Solve for AB by calculating x-direction static equilibrium.

Equation Substitution Simplification

AB =

Substitution – Insert calculated FAD value Solution

e. Update the joint A free body diagram with calculated forces for AD and
AB.

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.

2015 – KMS – CGH – CTE – Engineering - Activity 2.1.6 Step By Step Truss System – Page 5
 b. Use SOH CAH TOA to express CEx and CEy in terms of CE.
i. Calculate CEx

CEX =

Equation Substitution Solution

ii. Calculate CEy

CEy =

Equation Substitution Solution

c. List all know 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 AD and AB.

i. Solve for CE by calculating y-direction static equilibrium.

Equation Substitution Simplification

CE =

Solution

2015 – KMS – CGH – CTE – Engineering - Activity 2.1.6 Step By Step Truss System – Page 6
 ii. Solve for CB by calculating x-direction static equilibrium.

Equation Substitution Simplification

CB =

Substitution – Insert calculated CE value Solution

e. 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.

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

EBy =

Equation Substitution Solution

ii. Calculate EBx

EBx =

Equation Substitution Solution

2015 – KMS – CGH – CTE – Engineering - Activity 2.1.6 Step By Step Truss System – Page 7
 c. List all know 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 EB.

i. Calculate y-direction static equilibrium.

Equation Substitution Simplification

EB =

Substitution Simplification Solution

ii. Calculate x-direction static equilibrium.

Equation Substitution Simplification

ED =

Substitution Simplification Solution

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

2015 – KMS – CGH – CTE – Engineering - Activity 2.1.6 Step By Step Truss System – Page 8
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 =

Equation Substitution Solution

ii. Calculate DBx

DBx =

Equation Substitution Solution

c. List all know 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.

2015 – KMS – CGH – CTE – Engineering - Activity 2.1.6 Step By Step Truss System – Page 9
 i. Solve for DB by calculating y-direction static equilibrium.

Equation Substitution Simplification

DB =

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 entire truss structure using all calculated
reaction and member forces.

2015 – KMS – CGH – CTE – Engineering - Activity 2.1.6 Step By Step Truss System – Page 10