4/18/2011 3 Methods for Truss Analysis

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3 Methods for Truss Analysis

by Civil-Guy on April 28, 2010 in Civil Subjects

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A structure that is composed of a number of bars pin connected at their ends to form a stable framework is called a
truss. It is generally assumed that loads and reactions are applied to the truss only at the joints. A truss would typically
be composed of triangular elements with the bars on the upper chord under compression and those along the lower
chord under tension. Trusses are extensively used for bridges, long span roofs, electric tower, and space structures. The
study of truss analysis shall be used in determination of the compression and tension reactions occurred in it.

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Trusses are statically determinate when the entire bar forces can be determined from the equations of statics alone.
Otherwise the truss is statically indeterminate. A truss may be statically (externally) determinate or indeterminate with
respect to the reactions (more than 3 or 6 reactions in 2D or 3D problems respectively). The support reactions and
related diagrams covered in previous post…

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Members subjected to forces; Tension and Compression.

For the truss analysis, it is assumed that:

Bars are pin-connected.

Joints are frictionless hinges.
Loads are applied at the joints only.
Stress in each member is constant along its length.

The objective of analyzing the trusses is to determine the reactions and member forces. The methods used for carrying
out the truss analysis with the equations of equilibrium and by considering only parts of the structure through analyzing its
free body diagram to solve the unknowns.

Method of Joints
The first to analyze a truss by assuming all members are in tension reaction. A tension member is when a member
experiences pull forces at both ends of the bar and usually denoted as positive (+ve) sign. When a member experiencing
a push force at both ends, then the bar was said to be in compression mode and designated as negative (-ve) sign.

In the joints method, a virtual cut is made around a joint and the cut portion is isolated as a Free Body Diagram (FBD).
Using the equilibrium equations of ∑ Fx = 0 and ∑ Fy = 0, the unknown member forces could be solve. It is assumed
that all members are joined together in the form of an ideal pin, and that all forces are in tension (+ve) of reactions.

An imaginary section may be completely passed around a joint in the truss. The joint has become a free body in
equilibrium under the forces applied to it. The equations ∑ H = 0 and ∑ V = 0 may be applied to the joint to determine
the unknown forces in members meeting there. It is evident that no more than two unknowns can be determined at a
joint with these two equations.

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CCS: Figure 1: A
simple truss model supported by pinned and roller support at its end. Each triangle has the same length, L and it is
equilateral where degree of angle, θ is 60° on every angle. The support reactions, Ra and Rc can be determine by taking
a point of moment either at point A or point C, whereas Ha = 0 (no other horizontal force).

Here are some simple guidelines for this method of truss analysis:

1. Firstly draw the Free Body Diagram (FBD),

2. Solve the reactions of the given structure,
3. Select a joint with a minimum number of unknown (not more than 2) and analyze it with ∑ Fx = 0 and ∑ Fy = 0,
4. Proceed to the rest of the joints and again concentrating on joints that have very minimal of unknowns,
5. Check member forces at unused joints with ∑ Fx = 0 and ∑ Fy = 0,
6. Tabulate the member forces whether it is in tension (+ve) or compression (-ve) reaction.

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CCS: Figure 2:
The figure showing 3 selected joints, at B, C, and E. The forces in each member can be determine from any joint or
point. The best way to start by selecting the easiest joint like joint C where the reaction Rc is already obtained and with
only 2 unknown, forces of FCB and FCD. Both can be evaluate with ∑ Fx = 0 and ∑ Fy = 0 rules. At joint E, there are 3
unknown, forces of FEA , FEB and FED, which may lead to more complex solution compare to 2 unknown values. For
checking purposes, joint B is selected to shown that the equation of ∑ Fx is equal to ∑ Fy which leads to zero value, ∑
Fx = ∑ Fy = 0. Each value of the member’s condition should be indicate clearly as whether it is in tension (+ve) or in
compression (-ve) state.

Trigonometric Functions:
Taking an angle between member x and z…

Cos θ = x / z
Sin θ = y / z
Tan θ = y / x

Method of Sections
The section method is an effective method when the forces in all members of a truss are being able to determine. Often
we need to know the force in just one member with greatest force in it, and the method of section will yield the force in
that particular member without the labor of working out the rest of the forces within the truss analysis.

If only a few member forces of a truss are needed, the quickest way to find these forces is by the method of sections. In
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4/18/2011 3 Methods for Truss Analysis
this method, an imaginary cutting line called a section is drawn through a stable and determinate truss. Thus, a section
subdivides the truss into two separate parts. Since the entire truss is in equilibrium, any part of it must also be in
equilibrium. Either of the two parts of the truss can be considered and the three equations of equilibrium ∑ Fx = 0, ∑ Fy
= 0, and ∑ M = 0 can be applied to solve for member forces.

CCS: Figure 3:
Using the same model of simple truss, the details would be the same as previous figure with 2 different supports profile.
Unlike the joint method, here we only interested in finding the value of forces for member BC, EC, and ED.

Few simple guidelines of section truss analysis:

1. Pass a section through a maximum of 3 members of the truss, 1 of which is the desired member where it is
dividing the truss into 2 completely separate parts,
2. At 1 part of the truss, take moments about the point (at a joint) where the 2 members intersect and solve for the
member force, using ∑ M = 0,
3. Solve the other 2 unknowns by using the equilibrium equation for forces, using ∑ Fx = 0 and ∑ Fy = 0.

Note: The 3 forces cannot be concurrent, or else it cannot be solve.

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CCS: Figure 4: A
virtual cut is introduce through the only required members which is along member BC, EC, and ED. Firstly, the support
reactions of Ra and Rd should be determine. Again a good judgment is require to solve this problem where the easiest
part would be consider either on the left hand side or the right hand side. Taking moment at joint E (virtual pint) on
clockwise for the whole RHS part would be much easier compare to joint C (the LHS part). Then, either joint D or C
can be consider as point of moment, or else using the joint method to find the member forces for FCB, FCE, and FDE.
Note: Each value of the member’s condition should be indicate clearly as whether it is in tension (+ve) or in compression
(-ve) state.

Graphical Method (Maxwell’s Diagram)

The method of joints could be used as the basic for a graphical analysis of trusses. The graphical analysis was
developed by force polygons drawn to scale for each joint, and then the forces in each member were measured from
one of these force polygons.

The number of lines which have to be drawn can be greatly reduced, however, if the various force polygons are
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superimposed. The resulting diagram of truss analysis is known as the Maxwell’s Diagram.

In order to draw the Maxwell diagram directly, here are the simple guidelines:

1. Solve the reactions at the supports by solving the equations of equilibrium for the entire truss,
2. Move clockwise around the outside of the truss; draw the force polygon to scale for the entire truss,
3. Take each joint in turn (one-by-one), then draw a force polygon by treating successively joints acted upon by
only two unknown forces,
4. Measure the magnitude of the force in each member from the diagram,
5. Lastly, note that work proceed from one end of the truss to another, as this use for checking of balance and
connect to other end.

CCS: Figure 5: A simple triangle truss with degree of angle, θ is 60° on every angle (a equilateral) and same member’s
length, L on 2 types of support. Yet again, evaluating the support reaction plays an important role in solving any
structural problems. For this case, the value of Hb is zero as it is not influence by any horizontal forces.

CCS: Figure 6:
The procedure for solving this problem could be quite tricky and requires our imagination…sort of. It starts by labeling
the spaces between the forces and members with an example shown above; reaction Ra and applied force, P labeled as
space 1 and continue moving clockwise around the truss. For each member, take example between space 1 and 5
would be the member AC and so forth. Note: Choose a suitable scale for drawing the Maxwell diagram.

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In conclusion, the truss internal reaction as well as its member forces could be determine by either of this 3 methods
especially in mechanics of structures. Nonetheless, the methods of joints becomes the most preferred method of truss
analysis when it comes to more complex structures…

Dear readers, thank you for visiting and reading the above article. We looking forward for your feedback

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10 comments

{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

kichonge September 30, 2010 at 6:12 pm

good article and problem analysis

Reply

david alfred December 16, 2010 at 8:28 am

Nice Article good illustration

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Reply

saher lashari January 16, 2011 at 8:39 pm

excellent article it helped me a lot so i want to say thanks to the writer

Reply

Cuegee Miaka February 21, 2011 at 9:26 am

Very knowledgeable :)

Reply

kohale ram February 26, 2011 at 7:41 pm

hi

Reply

KHABAT KHAVASHI March 2, 2011 at 3:12 am

THANK

Reply

akash March 5, 2011 at 8:51 pm

Now I can solve the problems and can give the nature of the member.

Reply

RASOOL BAKHSH March 15, 2011 at 1:45 am

really more analyzable Figures which show the writer’s experience.

Reply

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yasir March 19, 2011 at 3:25 pm

it is very understable for me thanks alot of writter.

Reply

lawrence April 12, 2011 at 5:44 am

what’s P means? external forces?

Reply

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