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STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

2 ANALYSIS OF TRUSS

1. INTRODUCTION

A truss is an assembly of beams or other elements that creates a rigid structure. In engineering,
a truss is a structure that consists of two force members only, where the members are
organized so that the whole assembly should behave as a single object.
1.1. Assumptions Used in Truss Analysis
(i) Members of the truss will be subjected to axial force only.
(ii) Members are initially straight and load is acting only on joints
(iii) All joints can be assumed as frictionless hinges.
(iv) All the members of truss are assumed in the same plane called the middle plane of
truss.
Sign Convention for Trusses:
Arrows moving away from joints – Tension (Positive)
Arrows moving towards the joints – Compression (Negative)

2. ANALYSIS OF STATICALLY DETERMINATE AND STABLE TRUSSES

There are two methods of analysis for statically determinate and stable trusses.
(i) Method of Section
(ii) Method of Joints
2.1. Methods of section
The advantage of this method is that, force in an intermediate member can be found
directly without finding force in any other members. Equilibrium of sections of truss is
considered in method of section. The procedure of this method comprises of following
steps.
(i) Determine the value of support reaction.
(ii) Cut the member under consideration by a section (1)-(1) and consider equilibrium of
either left hand side of (1)-(1) or R.H.S. of (1)-(1) and use ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0 and ΣM = 0
to find unknown forces in members.
(iii) Cut the member such that entire truss is divided into two separate parts.
(iv) Preferably, don’t cut more than 3 members (because, in method of section, we have
3 equilibrium equation which are ΣFx = 0, ΣFy = 0 ΣM = 0 with 3 equilibrium equation we
can easily find 3 unknown values.
(v) Cut the member such that all the cut members do not meet at one joint. If they meet

at one joint, ΣM = 0 becomes useless equation and it becomes method of joints problem.

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Example: Determine force in the member CG.

Sol.

Step 1: Reaction at the supports

Since loading is symmetric,

𝑅𝐴 = 𝑅𝐵 = 𝑊

Step 2: Cut the members FG, CG and CD by passing a section XX’ as shown in the figure.

Step 3: Consider FBD of left side of truss.

Apply ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0

Which gives

𝐹𝐶𝐺 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛 45 + 𝑊 − 𝑊 = 0

⇒ 𝐹𝐶𝐺 = 0
Example: Find force in member BC.

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Solution:

VA + VB = 10 kN
⇒ By symmetry → VA = 5 kN
VD = 5 kN
By, ΣM = 0 at E
⇒ –VD × 3 – FBC × 3 = 0
⇒ –5 × 3 – FBC × 3 = 0
⇒ FBC = –5 kN
Here, negative sign implies that are assumed direction for F BC is wrong. So, arrow must
be towards the joint. So,
FBC = 5 kN (compression).
2.2. Methods of Joints
The free body diagram of any joint is a concurrent force system in which the summation
of moment will be no help. Recall that only two equilibrium equations can be written as
ΣFx = 0 and ΣFy = 0. This means that to solve completely for the forces acting on a joint,
we must select a joint with not more than two unknown forces involved. This can be
started by selecting a joint acted on by only two members. We can assume any unknown
member to be either tension or compression. If negative value is obtained, this means
that the force is opposite in action to that of assumed direction. One the forces in on joint
are determined their effect on adjacent joints are known. We then continue solving on
successive joints until all members have been found.
Example: Find forces in all members of the truss shown below

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Solution.
Step 1: Reactions at the support
Taking Moment about A

∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 𝑅𝐵 × 𝐿 + 𝑊 × 𝐿 = 0 ⇒ 𝑅𝐵 = −𝑊

So,
𝑅𝐴 = 𝑊(↑), 𝑅𝐵 = 𝑊(↓) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐻𝐴 = 𝑊(←)

Step 2: Considering Joint Equilibrium

Joint B:

∑Fx =0 ⇒ 𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 0
∑Fy =0 ⇒ 𝐹𝐵𝐷 = 𝑊 (Tension)
Joint D:

∑Fy =0
⇒ 𝐹𝐵𝐷 + 𝐹𝐷𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠 45 = 0
𝐹𝐷𝐴
⇒𝑊+ =0
√2

𝐹𝐷𝐴 = −𝑊√2 = 𝑊√2 (Compression)

And,
∑Fx =0
⇒ 𝐹𝐶𝐷 + 𝐹𝐷𝐴 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑠 45 = 0

𝑊√2
⇒ 𝐹𝐶𝐷 − =0
√2
𝐹𝐷𝐴 = 𝑊 (Tension)
Joint C:

Since there is no vertical force at joint C. So, FCA =0.

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3. ZERO FORCE MEMBERS

Zero force members in a truss are members which do not have any force in them. There are
two rules that may be used to find zero force members in a truss. They are as follows.
Case 1: At a two member joint which are not parallel and there are no other external loads or
reaction at the joint then both members are zero force members.
Case 2: At a three member joint, if two of those members are parallel and there are no other
external loads (or reaction) at the joint then the member that is not parallel is a zero force
member.
Example of case 1:

AC = 0
AB = 0
FAC = FAC sinθ
ΣFy = 0
⇒ FAC sinθ = 0
⇒ FAC = 0
ΣFx = 0
FAC = FAC = cosθ = 0
–FAC = FAB = 0
⇒ FAB = –FAC
Example of case 2:

BD = 0

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FBD = FBD sinθ

ΣFy = 0

⇒ FBD sinθ = 0

∴ FBD = 0

Example: The number of zero force members in the truss shown below is

Solution:

At Joint D no external force is acting so,

FED = 0 and FCD = 0

Considering Equilibrium of Joint E, force in the member FE will be zero.

At joint H,

Force in the member BH will be zero as AH and HF are colinear and no external force is acting

on H.

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4. PROBLEMS

Problem 1: Determine forces in all members of truss shown in the figure below

Problem 2: Calculate Force in the member CF of the structure shown in the figure below.

Ans. 0.589 kN (Compression)

Problem 3: Find force in the member EB of the truss shown in the figure below.

Ans. 2 KN (Tension)

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Problem 4: Analyse the truss shown in the figure given below

Problem 5: Find the zero-force member in the truss shown below.

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