Chap.

6
Structural Analysis
 Chapter Outline
„ Simple Trusses
„ The Method of Joints
„ Zero-Force Members
„ The Method of Sections
„ Space Trusses
„ Frames and Machines
APPLICATIONS

Trusses are commonly used to support a

roof

For a given truss geometry and load,

how can we determine the forces in
the truss members and select their
sizes?
A more challenging question is that
for a given load, how can we design
the trusses’ geometry to minimize
cost?

6-3
APPLICATIONS (continued)

Trusses are also used in a variety

of structures like cranes and the
frames of aircraft or space stations.

How can we design a light weight

structure that will meet load, safety,
and cost specifications?

6-4
 DEFINING A SIMPLE TRUSS (Section 6.1)

A truss is a structure composed of slender members joined

together at their end points.
If a truss, along with the imposed load, lies in a single plane
(as shown at the top right), then it is called a planar truss.
A simple truss is a planar truss which
begins with a a triangular element and can
be expanded by adding two members and a
joint. For these trusses, the number of
members (M) and the number of joints (J)
are related by the equation
M = 2 J – 3.
6-5
 ANALYSIS and DESIGN ASSUMPTIONS
When designing both the member and the joints of a truss, first
it is necessary to determine the forces in each truss member.
This is called the force analysis of a truss. When doing this,
two assumptions are made:
1. All loads are applied at the joints. The weight of the truss
members is often neglected as the weight is usually small
as compared to the forces supported by the members.
2. The members are joined together by smooth pins. This
assumption is satisfied in most practical cases where the
joints are formed by bolting or welding.

6-6
With these two assumptions, the members
act as two-force members. They are
loaded in either tension or compression.
Often compressive members are made
thicker to prevent buckling.

6-7
 THE METHOD OF JOINTS (Section 6.2)

In this method of solving for the forces in truss members,

the equilibrium of a joint (pin) is considered. All forces
acting at the joint are shown in a FBD. This includes all
external forces (including support reactions) as well as the
forces acting in the members. Equations of equilibrium (∑
FX= 0 and ∑ FY = 0) are used to solve for the unknown
forces acting at the joints.
6-8
 STEPS FOR ANALYSIS
1. If the support reactions are not given, draw a FBD of
the entire truss and determine all the support reactions
using the equations of equilibrium.
2. Draw the free-body diagram of a joint with one or two
unknowns. Assume that all unknown member forces
act in tension (pulling the pin) unless you can determine
by inspection that the forces are compression loads.
3. Apply the scalar equations of equilibrium, ∑ FX = 0
and ∑ FY = 0, to determine the unknown(s). If the
answer is positive, then the assumed direction (tension)
is correct, otherwise it is in the opposite direction
(compression).
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at each joint in succession until all
the required forces are determined.
6-9
6-10
6-11
ZERO-FORCE MEMBERS (Section 6.3)

If a joint has only two non-colinear

members and there is no external
load or support reaction at that
joint, then those two members are
zero-force members.
In this example members DE, CD,
AF, and AB are zero force
members.

6-12
Zero-force members can be
removed (as shown in the
figure) when analyzing the
truss.

6-13
 Zero-Force Members
for : D

for : A

6-14
Zero-Force Members

6-15
Zero-Force Members

6-16
6-17
6-18
p.277, Problem 6-12
Determine the force in each member of the truss and state if the
members are in tension or compression. Set P1= 1200 N, P2 = 500 N.

6-19
6-20
6-21
p.279, Problem 6-27
Determine the force in each member of the double scissors truss
in terms of the load P and state if the members are in tension or
compression.

6-22
6-23
6-24
6-25
6-26
6-27
THE METHOD OF SECTIONS

Long trusses are often used to

construct bridges.

The method of joints requires

that many joints be analyzed
before we can determine the
forces in the middle part of the
truss.
Is there another method to
determine these forces
directly?

6-28
 THE METHOD OF SECTIONS

In the method of sections, a truss is divided into two parts

by taking an imaginary “cut” (shown here as a-a) through
the truss.
Since truss members are subjected to only tensile or
compressive forces along their length, the internal forces at
the cut member will also be either tensile or compressive
with the same magnitude. This result is based on the
equilibrium principle and Newton’s third law.
6-29
 STEPS FOR ANALYSIS

1. Decide how you need to “cut” the truss. This is based on:
a) where you need to determine forces, and, b) where the
total number of unknowns does not exceed three (in
general).

6-30
2. Decide which side of the cut truss will be easier to
work with (minimize the number of reactions you have
to find).

3. If required, determine the necessary support reactions

by drawing the FBD of the entire truss and applying the
EofE.

6-31
 PROCEDURE (continued)

4. Draw the FBD of the selected part of the cut truss.

6-32
 PROCEDURE (continued)

5. Apply the equations of equilibrium (EofE) to the selected

cut section of the truss to solve for the unknown member
forces. Please note that in most cases it is possible to
write one equation to solve for one unknown directly.
☆ sections 一次不能超過3支member

6-33
6-34
6-35
6-36
6-37
p.287, Problem 6-36
Determine the force in members BC, CG, and GF of the Warren
truss. Indicate if the members are in tension or compression.

6-38
6-39
p.289, Problem 6-52
Determine the force in members KJ, NJ, ND, and CD of the K
truss. Indicate if the members are in tension or compression. Hint:
Use sections aa and bb.

6-40
6-41
6-42
PROBLEM Counters
The diagonal members in the center panels of the truss shown are
very slender and can act only in tension; such members are
known as counters. Determine the forces in the counters which
are acting under the given loading.

6-43
6-44
6-45
Space Trusses

„ Simple Truss : m = 3j – 6,
use tetrahedron as the basic element

6-2-1
p.292, Problem 6-57
Determine the force in each member of the space truss and state
if the members are in tension or compression. The truss is
supported by a ball-and-socket at A, B and E. Set F = {-200 i +
400 j} N.
(1, 2, 2)

(0, 3.5, 0)

(6, 3.5, 0)

6-2-2
6-2-3
6-2-4
 FRAMES AND MACHINES: DEFINITIONS

Frames and machines are two common types of

structures that have at least one multi-force member.
(Recall that trusses have nothing but two-force members).
Frames are generally stationary and support external
loads.
Machines contain moving parts and are designed to alter
the effect of forces.
6-2-5
 6.6 Frames and Machines
Example 6.11
For the frame, draw the free-body diagrams of (a)
the entire frame including the pulleys and cords, (b)
the frame without the pulleys and cords, and (c)
each of the pulley.

6-2-6
 6.6 Frames and Machines
Solution
Part (a)
„ Consider the entire frame, interactions at
the points where the pulleys and cords
are connected to the frame
become pairs of internal
forces which cancel
each other and not
shown on the FBD
6-2-7
 6.6 Frames and Machines
Solution
Part (b) and (c)
„ When cords and pulleys are removed,
their effect on the frame must be
shown

6-2-8
 6.6 Frames and Machines
Example 6.12
Draw the free-body
diagrams of the bucket and
the vertical boom of the back
hoe. The bucket and its
content has a weight W.
Neglect the weight of the
members.

6-2-9
6.6 Frames and Machines
Solution
„ Idealized model of the assembly
„ Members AB, BC, BE and HI are two
force members

6-2-10
6.6 Frames and Machines
Example 6.14
Determine the horizontal and vertical
components of the force which the pin C
exerts on member CB
of the frame.

6-2-11
6.6 Frames and Machines
Solution
„ Identify member AB as two force member
„ FBD of the members AB and BC

6-2-12
 6.6 Frames and Machines
Solution
∑ M C = 0;
2000 N (2m) − FAB sin 60o (4m) = 0
FAB = 1154.7 N
+ → ∑ Fx = 0;
1154.7 cos 60o − C x = 0
C x = 577 N
+ ↑ ∑ Fy = 0;
1154.7 sin 60o N − 2000 N − C y = 0
C y = 1000 N
6-2-13
 6.6 Frames and Machines
Example 6.15
The compound beam is pin connected at B.
Determine the reactions at its support.
Neglect its weight and thickness.

6-2-14
6.6 Frames and Machines
Solution
„ FBD of the entire frame
„ Dismember the beam into two segments
since there are 4 unknowns but 3 equations
of equilibrium

6-2-15
6.6 Frames and Machines
Solution
Segment BC
+ → ∑ Fx = 0;
Bx = 0
∑ M B = 0;
− 8 kN (1m ) + C y ( 2 m ) = 0
+ ↑ ∑ F y = 0;
B y − 8 kN + C y = 0

6-2-16
 6.6 Frames and Machines
Solution
Member AB
+ → ∑ Fx = 0;

Ax − (10kN )⎛⎜ ⎞⎟ + Bx = 0
3
⎝5⎠
∑ M A = 0;

M A − (10kN )⎛⎜ ⎞⎟(2m) − B y (4m) = 0

4
⎝5⎠
+ ↑ ∑ Fy = 0;

Ay − (10kN )⎛⎜ ⎞⎟ − B y = 0
4
⎝5⎠

Ax = 6kN ; Ay = 12kN ; M A = 32kN .m; Bx = 0; B y = 4kN ; C y = 4kN

6-2-17
 6.6 Frames and Machines
Example 6.17
The smooth disk is pinned at D and has a weight of
20N. Neglect the weights of others member,
determine the horizontal and vertical components
of the reaction at pins B and D

6-2-18
 6.6 Frames and Machines
Solution
„ FBD of the entire frame
„ FBD of the members

6-2-19
6.6 Frames and Machines

Solution
Entire Frame
∑M A = 0 ; − 20 N ( 3 cm ) + C x ( 3 . 5 cm ) = 0
C x = 17 . 1 N
+ → ∑ F x = 0 ; A x − 17 . 1 N = 0
A x = 17 . 1 N
+ ↑ ∑ F y = 0 ; A y − 20 N = 0
A y = 20 N

6-2-20
6.6 Frames and Machines

Solution
Member AB
+ → ∑ Fx = 0;17.1N − Bx = 0
Bx = 17.1N
∑ M B = 0;−20 N (6cm) + N D (3cm) = 0
N D = 40 N
+ ↑ ∑ Fy = 0;20 N − 40 N + B y = 0
B y = 20 N

6-2-21
6.6 Frames and Machines

Solution
Disk
+ → ∑ Fx = 0;
Dx = 0
+ ↑ ∑ F y = 0;
40 N − 20 N − D y = 0
D y = 20 N

6-2-22
p.311, 6-68.
Determine the force required to hold the 150-kg crate in
equilibrium.

6-2-23
6-2-24
p.314, 6-83.
Determine the horizontal and vertical components of reaction that
pins A and C exert on the two-member arch.
6-2-26
6-2-27
p.316, Problem 6-89
By squeezing on the hand brake of the bicycle, the rider subjects the brake
cable to a tension of 50 lb. If the caliper mechanism is pin-connected to the
bicycle frame at B, determine the normal force each brake pad exerts on the
rim of the wheel. Is this the force that stops the wheel from turning?

6-2-28
6-2-29
p.316, Problem 6-96
If the wooden block exerts a force of on the toggle clamp, determine the
force P applied to the handle.

6-2-30
6-2-31
6-2-32
6-2-33
p.321, Problem 6-120
Determine the couple moment M that must be applied to member DC for equilibrium
of the quick-return mechanism. Express the result in terms of the angles φ and θ,
dimension L, and the applied vertical force P. The block at C is confined to slide within
the slot of member AB.

6-2-34
6-2-35
P. 327, 6-132
Determine the horizontal and vertical components of reaction
that the pins A and B exert on the two-member frame.Set F = 0.

6-2-36
6-2-37