Analysis of Statically Determinate

Trusses
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

Common Types of Trusses

Classification of Coplanar Trusses
The Method of Joints
Zero-Force Members
The Method of Sections
Compound Trusses
Complex Trusses
Space Trusses

Common Types of Trusses

roof

Roof Trusses

purlins
top cord
knee brace
bottom
cord gusset plate

bay, 5-6 m typical

span, 18 - 30 m, typical

gusset plate

Howe truss
18 - 30 m

Pratt truss
18 - 30 m

Howe truss
flat roof

Warren truss
flat roof

saw-tooth truss
skylight

Fink truss
> 30 m

three-hinged arch
hangar, gymnasium

 Bridge Trusses
top cord

sway
bracing
top lateral
bracing

portal
bracing
stringers
portal
end post

deck
panel

bottom cord

floor beam

trough Pratt truss

Warren truss

deck Pratt truss

parker truss
(pratt truss with curved chord)

Howe truss

baltimore truss

K truss

Assumptions for Design

1. All members are connected at both ends by smooth frictionless pins.
2. All loads are applied at joints (member weight is negligible).
Notes: Centroids of all joint members coincide at the joint.
All members are straight.
All load conditions satisfy Hookes law.

Classification of Coplanar Trusses

Simple Trusses
C

new members
d (new joint)

 Compound Trusses

simple truss

simple truss

simple truss

Type 1

simple truss

Type 2

secondary
simple truss

secondary
simple truss

secondary
simple truss

secondary
simple truss
main simple truss
Type 3

 Complex Trusses

Determinacy

b + r = 2j
b + r > 2j

statically determinate
statically indeterminate

In particular, the degree of indeterminacy is specified by the difference in the

numbers (b + r) - 2j.

 Stability
b + r < 2j
b + r > 2j

unstable
unstable if truss support reactions are concurrent or parallel
or if some of the components of the truss form a collapsible
mechanism

External Unstable

Unstable-parallel reactions

Unstable-concurrent reactions

10

Internal Unstable
F
C
O

8 + 3 = 11 < 2(6)

AD, BE, and CF are concurrent at point O

11

Example 3-1
Classify each of the trusses in the figure below as stable, unstable, statically
determinate, or statically indeterminate. The trusses are subjected to arbitrary
external loadings that are assumed to be known and can act anywhere on the
trusses.

12

SOLUTION

Externally stable, since the reactions are not concurrent or parallel. Since b = 19,
r = 3, j = 11, then b + r = 2j or 22 = 22. Therefore, the truss is statically determinate.
By inspection the truss is internally stable.

Externally stable. Since b = 15, r = 4, j = 9, then b + r > 2j or 19 > 18. The truss
is statically indeterminate to the first degree. By inspection the truss is internally
stable.

13

Externally stable. Since b = 9, r = 3, j = 6, then b + r = 2j or 12 = 12. The truss is

statically determinate. By inspection the truss is internally stable.

Externally stable. Since b = 12, r = 3, j = 8, then b + r < 2j or 15 < 16. The truss
is internally unstable.

14

The Method of Joints

500 N

2m

Ax = 500 N

45o

Ay = 500 N

500 N
45o

FBA

Cy = 500 N

+ F = 0:
x

Joint B
y
B

2m

FBC

500 - FBCsin45o = 0
FBC = 707 N (C)
+

Fy = 0:

- FBA + FBCcos45o = 0
FBA = 500 N (T)

15

500 N

2m

Ax = 500 N

45o

Ay = 500 N

2m

C
Cy = 500 N

Joint A
+ F = 0:
x

500 N

500 N

FAC

500 - FAC = 0
FAC = 500 N (T)

500 N

16

Zero-Force Members
0

C
0

0
0

Ey
C

FCB

Dx

Dy

+ F = 0: F = 0
x
CB
Fy = 0: FCD = 0

+
FCD
FAB
A

FAE

Fy = 0: FABsin = 0,

FAB = 0

+ F = 0: F + 0 = 0,
x
AE

FAE = 0

17

Example 3-4
Using the method of joints, indicate all the members of the truss shown in the
figure below that have zero force.

B
C
H

18

SOLUTION

Ax

Ax

C
H

Gx

FDC
FDE

Joint D

Fy = 0:

+ F = 0:
x

0
D
0

P
FDCsin = 0,

FDC = 0

FDE + 0 = 0,

FDE = 0

FEC
E

FEF

Joint E
+ F = 0:
x

FEF = 0

19

Ax

B
0

Ax

Gx

D
0

y
Joint H

FHB

FHA

+ F = 0:
y

FHB = 0

FHF
x

FGA
Gx

Joint G
FGF

Fy = 0:

FGA = 0

20

Example 3-5
Determine all the member forces
Identify zero-force members
5@3m = 15 m
1 kN
K

5m
A

B
2 kN

C
2 kN

G
E

2 kN

21

5@3m = 15 m

SOLUTION
Use method of joints
Kx

1 kN
K

0
Ky

5m

Ax A
Ay

2 kN

2 kN

4 18 2(11)
r + b = 2j,

+ MA = 0:

G
E

2 kN

Determinate
Stable

K x (5) 2(3) 2(6) 2(9) 1(12) = 0

Kx = 7.6 kN,
+ F = 0:
x
+

Fy = 0:

7.6 + Ax = 0,

Ax = 7.6 kN,

Ay 2 2 2 1 = 0,

Ay = 7 kN,

22

5@3m = 15 m
1 kN
7.6 kN K

0
5m
A
7.6 kN
Use method of joint

B
2 kN

C
2 kN

G
E

0
0

2 kN

7 kN

Joint F
+

y
FFG

FFE

F y = 0:

FFE sin = 0

FFE = 0

x
+ F = 0:
x

FFG = 0

23

5@3m = 15 m
1 kN
7.6 kN K

0
5m
A
7.6 kN

B
2 kN

C
2 kN

2 kN

7 kN
Joint E
+
y

FEG cos = 0

FEG = 0

FEG

FED

F y = 0:

+ F = 0:
x

-FED = 0

24

5@3m = 15 m
1 kN
7.6 kN K

0
5m
A
7.6 kN

B
2 kN

C
2 kN

D
2 kN

F
2
3

= tan 1 ( ) = 33.69 o

7 kN
Joint G
+

+ F = 0:
x

FHG + 1.803 cos 33.69 = 0

FHG = 1.5 kN (T)

0

FDG

FDG sin 33.69 o 1 = 0

FDG = 1.803 kN (C)

1 kN
FHG 33.69

F y = 0:

25

5@3m = 15 m
1 kN
7.6 kN K

H
0

0
5m
A
7.6 kN

B
2 kN

C
2 kN

0
0

2 kN

7 kN
Joint H
+
y
FHI

1.5 kN

F y = 0:

+ F = 0:
x

FHD = 0

FHI + 1.5 = 0

FHI = 1.5 kN (T)

FHD

26

Use method of sections

3m

3m

1 kN

33.69o

FHI
I
FDI

FDC

3m

G
E

F
18.44o

2 kN
+ MD = 0:

FHI (2) 1(3) = 0

FHI = 1.5 kN (T)

+ MF = 0:

FDI sin 33.69(9) + 1(3) + 2(6) = 0

FDI = 3 kN (T)
+ MI = 0:

Check : +

F y = 0:

FDC sin 18.44(9) 1(6) 2(3) = 0

FDC = -4.25 kN (C)

3
-4.25
FDI sin 33.69 FDC sin 18.44 2 1 = 0

O.K.

27

The Method of Sections

a

Dy

Dx

2m
A
100 N

2m

2m

FBC

A
100 N

G
2m

Ex

2m
+ MG = 0:
100(2) - FBC(2) = 0
FBC = 100 N (T)

FGC
45o

FGF

Fy = 0:
-100 + FGCsin45o = 0
FGC = 141.42 N (T)
+ MC = 0:
100(4) - FGF(2) = 0
FGF = 200 N (C)

28

Example 3-6
Determine member force CD, ID, and IH

5@3m = 15 m
1 kN
K

5m
A

B
2 kN

C
2 kN

G
E

2 kN

29

SOLUTION

3m

3m

Use method of sections

1 kN

33.69o

FHI
I
FDI

FDC

3m

+1.50E+00

G
E

F
18.44o

2 kN
+ MD = 0:

FHI (2) 1(3) = 0

-4.22E+00
3.00E+00

FHI = 1.5 kN (T)

+ MF = 0:

FDI sin 33.69(9) + 1(3) + 2(6) = 0

FDI = 3 kN (T)
+ MI = 0:

Check : +

F y = 0:

FDC sin 18.44(9) 1(6) 2(3) = 0

FDC = -4.25 kN (C)

3
-4.25
FDI sin 33.69 FDC sin 18.44 2 1 = 0

O.K.

30

Example 3-7
Determine the force in members GF and GD of the truss shown in the figure
below. State whether the members are in tension or compression. The reactions at
the supports have been calculated.
G
H

Ax = 0

E
B

Ay = 9 kN 6 kN
3m

8 kN

2 kN

3m

3m

3m

4.5 m

Ey = 7 kN

3m

31

SOLUTION

Ax = 0

E
B

Ay = 9 kN 6 kN
3m

4.5 m

a D

8 kN
3m

3m

2 kN
3m

Ey = 7 kN

3m

Section a-a
FFG

26.6o

FDG
FDC

+ MD = 0:

56.3o

26.6o

2 kN
3m

Ey = 7 kN
3m

FFG sin26.6o(3.6) + 7(3) = 0,

FFG = -17.83 kN (C)
+ MO = 0:
- 7(3) + 2(6) + FDG sin56.3o(6) = 0,
FDG = 1.80 kN (C)

32

Example 3-8
Determine the force in members BC and MC of the K-truss shown in the figure
below. State whether the members are in tension or compression. The reactions at
the supports have been calculated.
L

13 kN

K
N

6 kN
5m

5m

H
P

6 kN
5m

8 kN
5m

3m
3m

7 kN
5m

5m

33

SOLUTION
A

M
a

6 kN
5m

13 kN

5m

H
P

6 kN
5m

8 kN
5m

3m
3m

7 kN
5m

5m

Section a-a
L
6m

FLM
FBM

A
B

13 kN

FLK
FBC

+ ML = 0:
FBC(6) - 13(5) = 0,
FBC = 10 kN (T)

6 kN
5m

34

L b

K
N

5m
FKL
FKM
FCM
10 kN

b
5m

6 kN
5m
+ MK = 0:

7 kN

5m
I

5m

5m

H
P

O
E

8 kN
5m

3m
3m

8 kN

5m

N
31o

6 kN

I
O

6 kN

13 kN

3m
3m

7 kN
5m

5m

-FCMcos31o(6) - 10(6) - 8(5) + 7(20) = 0

FCM = 7.77 kN (T)

35

Compound Trusses
Procedure for Analysis
Step 1. Identify the simple trusses
Step 2. Obtain external loading
Step 3. Solve for simple trusses separately

36

Example 3-9
Indicate how to analyze the compound truss shown in the figure below. The
reactions at the supports have been calculated.
4m
H

G
J

I
Ay = 0

2m
F

A
B

4 kN
2 kN
Ay = 5 kN
2m
2m
2m

2m
E

D
4 kN

Ey = 5 kN
2m

37

SOLUTION

I
Ay = 0

4m
2m
F

2m

A
B

4 kN
2 kN
Ay = 5 kN
2m
2m
2m

D
4 kN

Ey = 5 kN
2m

FHG

+ MC = 0:

4 sin60o m
FJC

A
B

FBC

4 kN
Ay = 5 kN
2m
2m

-5(4) + 4(2) + FHG(4sin60o) = 0

FHG = 3.46 kN (C)

38

4m
H

G
J

I
Ay = 0

2m
F

A
C

4 kN
2 kN
Ay = 5 kN
2m
2m
2m

2m

4 kN

Ey = 5 kN
2m

3.46 kN
+ MA = 0:

4 sin60o m

FCK

60o

A
B

4 kN
2 kN
Ay = 5 kN
2m
2m

FCD

3.46(4sin60o) + FCKsin60o(4) - 4(2) - 2(4) = 0

FCK = 1.16 kN (T)
+ F = 0:
x
-3.46 + 1.16cos60o + FCD = 0
FCK = 2.88 kN (T)

39

4m
H

G
J

I
Ay = 0

A
C

3.46 kN

60o

Ey = 5 kN
2m

Joint A : Determine FAB and FAI

FCK = 1.16

4 kN

Using the method of joints.

2m
E

4 kN
2 kN
Ay = 5 kN
2m
2m
2m

4 sin60o m

2m

4 kN
2 kN
Ay = 5 kN
2m
2m

2.88 kN

Joint H : Determine FHI and FHJ

Joint I : Determine FIJ and FIB
Joint B : Determine FBC and FBJ
Joint J : Determine FJC

40

Example 3-10
Indicate how to analyze the compound truss shown in the fugure below. The
reactions at the supports have been calculated.

2m

Ax = 0 kN

45o

Ay = 15 kN
2m

4m

G
45o

B
15 kN
2m

45o

E
2m

2m

15 kN

Fy = 15 kN

2m

41

SOLUTION

2m

45o

Ax = 0 kN

Ay = 15 kN
2m

4m

G
45o

B
15 kN
2m

45o

E
2m

15 kN

2m

Fy = 15 kN

2m

+ MB = 0:
C
45o

4m

2m

45o

A
Ay = 15 kN
2m

45o

B
15 kN
2m

FCE
FBH
FDG
2 sin 45o m

-15(2) - FDG(2 sin45o) - FCEcos45o(4)

- FCEsin45o(2) = 0 -----(1)
+ Fy = 0:
15 - 15 + FBHsin45o - FCEsin45o = 0
FBH = FCE-----(2)
+ F = 0:
x
FBHcos45o + FDG + FCEcos45o = 0

From eq.(1)-(3): FBH = FCE = -13.38 kN (C)

FDG = 18.92 kN (T)

-----(3)

42

Ay = 15 kN
2m

45o

B
15 kN
2m

C
45o

FCE
FBH
FDG

D
45o

A
Ay = 15 kN
2m

45o

B
15 kN
2m

4m

45o

Ax = 0 kN

2m

2m

4m

45o

E
2m

2m

15 kN

Fy = 15 kN

2m

From eq.(1)-(3): FBH = FCE = -13.38 kN (C)

FDG = 18.92 kN (T)
Analysis of each connected simple truss
can now be performed using the method of
joints.
Joint A : Determine FAB and FAD
Joint D : Determine FDC and FDB
Joint C : Determine FCB

43

Example 3-11
Indicate how to analyze the symmetrical compound truss shown in the figure
below. The reactions at the supports have been calculated.
E
3 kN

5o

3 kN

5o

Ax = 0 kN

45o

5o

5o

45o

Ay = 4.62 kN

Fy = 4.62 kN

5 kN
6m

6m

44

E
3 kN

5o

3 kN

5o

Ax = 0 kN

45o

C
Fy = 4.62 kN

5 kN

FAE

6m
FEC
E
1.5 kN

3 kN

1.5 kN

F
G

D
H
C

A
FAE

45o

B
6m

3 kN

5o

Ay = 4.62 kN

5o

1.5 kN

1.5 kN

FEC

45

E
3 kN

5o

3 kN

5o

Ax = 0 kN

45o

5o

5o

45o

Ay = 4.62 kN

45o

Fy = 4.62 kN

5 kN
6m

1.5 kN

6m
FAE

1.5 kN

1.5 kN
45o

45o

45o

A
1.5 kN
A
4.62 kN

1.5 kN
45o

45o

B
5 kN

C
4.62 kN

Fy = 0:

FAB

4.62 kN

4.62 - 1.5sin45o - FAEsin45o = 0

FAE = 5.03 kN (C)

+ F = 0:
x

1.5cos45o - 5.03cos45o + FAB = 0

FAB = 2.50 kN (T)
46

Complex Trusses
F

P
3 9 2(6)
r + b = 2j,

D
FAD

Determinate
Stable

C
B

+
C
B

fEC

FEC

Xx

FEC + x fEC = 0
FEC
= FAD
x=
fEC
Fi = Fi + x fi

C
B

47

Example 3-12
Determine the force in each member of the complex truss shown in the figure
below. Assume joints B, F, and D are on the same horizontal line. State whether
the members are in tension or compression.

20 kN

1m
0.25 m

45o

45o

1m
A

E
2.5 m

48

SOLUTION

20 kN

1m
0.25 m

45o

45o

1m
A

Fi = F'i + x fi

2.5 m

B
A

45o

20 kN
F

45o

F'BD+ x fBD = 0
F'BD
x=
fBD

D
E

45o

1 kN

45o

D
E

49

First determine reactions and next use the method of joint, start at join C, F, E, D, and B.
C
4
1
.
14

1m
0.25 m
B
1 m +10
20 kN A

20 kN
-1
4.1
4

45o

45o

-10

D
-18

0
0

4
21.5

+ x
0

2.5 m
18 kN

7
0
7
0.
45o

B
-0.3

7
.7 0

(20x2.25)/2.5 = 18 kN
C
7
0
.
7

0.25 m
1m

B
7
A

20 kN
18 kN

45o

7
0
.
7

16.15

-5.39

2.5 m

7.
07

-0.539

FBD + xf BD = 0

0.
70
7

D
-0.3
E
0

10 + x(1) = 0
x = 10

20 kN
-2
1.2
10
1
F
o
45

45o

9
-0.53

1m

-0
.70
7
1 kN

D
-21
E
18 kN

50

Space Trusses
Determinacy and Stability
P

b + r < 3j

unstable truss

b + r = 3j

statically determinate-check stability

b + r > 3j

statically determinate-check stability

51

z
y

Fy

short link

x
z

y
x

roller

slotted roller
y constrained
in a cylinder

ball-and -socket

Fx
x

Fz
z

Fz

Fy

Fx
x

Fz

52

 x, y, z, Force Components.
z

l = x2 + y 2 + z 2

Fz
F

Fy

Fx z

x
Fx = F ( )
l

x
y

y
Fy = F ( )
l
2

z
Fz = F ( )
l

F = Fx + Fy + Fz

Zero-Force Members
z

Case 1

Case 2

FD

FC

FD

A
B

y
B

A
FA = 0

FB

Fz = 0 ,

y
FA

FD = 0

FC = 0

FB

Fz = 0 ,

FB = 0

Fy = 0 ,

FD = 0

53

Example 3-13
Determine the force in each member of the space truss shown in the figure below.
The truss is supported by a ball-and-socket joint at A, a slotted roller joint at B,
and a cable at C.
C

z
B

D
2.67 kN
2.44 m

1.22 m

1.22 m
2.44 m

54

SOLUTION

Cy

By

Bx

2.67 kN

2.44 m Ay
Ax

E
Az

1.22 m
y

2.44 m
x
The truss is statically determinate since b + r = 3j or 9 + 6 = 3(5)
My = 0:

-2.67(1.22) + Bx(2.44) = 0

Mz = 0:

Cy = 0 kN

Mx = 0:

By(2.44) - 2.67(2.44) = 0

By = 2.67 kN

Fx = 0:

-Ax + 1.34 = 0

Ax = 1.34 kN

Fy = 0:

Ay - 2.67 = 0

Ay = 2.67 kN

Fz = 0:

Az - 2.67 = 0

Az = 2.67 kN

Bx = 1.34 kN

55

C
z

0
By

0
3.66

Bx

2.44 m Ay

FDC

D
0

E
y

z
0

Joint C.

C
y

0
x

FCE

y
FDE

1.22 m

Az

2.44 m

2.67 kN
0

2.73 m

Ax

Joint D.
FZ= 0:

FDC = 0

FY = 0:

FDE = 0

Fx = 0:

FDA = 0

Fy = 0:

FCE = 0

Fz = 0:

FCA = 0

Fx = 0:

FCB = 0

56

C
z

0
By

3.66

Bx

2.44 m

2.44 m Ay
Ax

2.73 m
Az

2.67 kN

D
0

2.67 kN

1.34 kN

FBA

FBC
FBE

E
1.22 m
y

Joint B.
Fy = 0:

- 2.67 + FBE(2.44/3.66) = 0

FBE = 4 kN (T)

Fx = 0:

1.34 - FBC -4(1.22/3.66) = 0

FBC = 0

Fz = 0:

FBA - 4(2.44/3.66) = 0

FBA = 2.67 kN (C)

57

0
By

3.66

Bx

2.44 m

2.73 m
Az

FAC

2.44 m Ay
Ax

D
0

2.67 kN

2.67 kN
2.67 kN
A
1.34 kN

E
1.22 m

FAD
45o
2

FAE
y

2.67 kN

Joint A.
Fz = 0:
Fy = 0:
Fz = 0:

2.67 - 2.67 - FACsin45o = 0

2
) + 2.67 = 0
- FAE(
5
1
- 1.34 + FAD + 2.99( 5 ) = 0

FAC = 0, OK
FAE = 2.99 kN (C)
FAD = 0, OK

58