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Structural Analysis: Engr. John Marco I. Matira

This document discusses structural analysis techniques for trusses, frames, and machines. It covers the following key points: 1. The method of joints can be used to analyze trusses by taking the equilibrium of each joint. This yields equations that can be solved for unknown member forces. 2. Zero-force members can be identified by considering joints where no external loads are applied. 3. The method of sections uses equilibrium of truss segments cut by a section to find forces in few members. 4. Frames and machines contain multi-force members and supports. Equilibrium of each member yields the member and reaction forces.

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72 views

Structural Analysis: Engr. John Marco I. Matira

This document discusses structural analysis techniques for trusses, frames, and machines. It covers the following key points: 1. The method of joints can be used to analyze trusses by taking the equilibrium of each joint. This yields equations that can be solved for unknown member forces. 2. Zero-force members can be identified by considering joints where no external loads are applied. 3. The method of sections uses equilibrium of truss segments cut by a section to find forces in few members. 4. Frames and machines contain multi-force members and supports. Equilibrium of each member yields the member and reaction forces.

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STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

Engr. John Marco I. Matira


STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

1. Simple Trusses
2. The Method of Joints
3. Zero- Force Members
3. The Method of Sections
4. Frames and Machines
Simple Trusses
A truss is a structure composed of slender members joined together at their end
points. The members commonly used in construction consist of wooden struts
or metal bars. In particular, planar trusses lie in a single plane and are often used
to support roofs and bridges. The truss shown below is an example of a typical
roof-supporting truss.
Simple Trusses
ASSUMPTIONS FOR DESIGN. To design both the members
and the connections of a truss, it is necessary first to determine the
force developed in each member when the truss is subjected to a
given loading.

• All loadings are applied at the joints.


In most situations, such as for bridge and roof trusses, this
assumption is true. Frequently the weight of the members is
neglected because the force supported by each member is usually
much larger than its weight.
Simple Trusses

• The members are joined together by


smooth pins. The joint connections are
usually formed by bolting or welding the
ends of the members to a common plate,
called a gusset plate. We can assume these
connections act as pins provided the center
lines of the joining members are
concurrent.
Simple Trusses

If the force tends to elongate the


member, it is a tensile force (T);
whereas if it tends to shorten the
member, it is a compressive force (C)
Simple Trusses
Simple Truss. If three members are pin connected at their ends, they form
a triangular truss that will be rigid. Attaching two more members and
connecting these members to a new joint D forms a larger truss. If a truss
can be constructed by expanding the basic triangular truss in this way, it is
called a simple truss.
The Method of Joints
This method is based on the fact that if the
entire truss is in equilibrium, then each of
its joints is also in equilibrium. Therefore,
if the free-body diagram of each joint is
drawn, the force equilibrium equations can
then be used to obtain the member forces
acting on each joint. Since the members of a
plane truss are straight two-force members
lying in a single plane, each joint is subjected
to a force system that is coplanar and
concurrent. As a result, only ∑ Fx = 0 and ∑
Fy = 0 need to be satisfied for equilibrium. Three forces act on the pin, namely,
the 500-N force and the forces
exerted by members BA and BC.
The Method of Joints
• When using the method of joints, always start at a joint having at least
one known force and at most two unknown forces. In this way,
application of ∑ Fx = 0 and ∑ Fy = 0 yields two algebraic equations
which can be solved for the two unknowns.
• Always assume the unknown member forces acting on the joint’s free-
body diagram to be in tension; i.e., the forces “pull” on the pin. If this is
done, then numerical solution of the equilibrium equations will yield
positive scalars for members in tension and negative scalars for
members in compression. Once an unknown member force is found, use
its correct magnitude and sense (T or C) on subsequent joint free-body
diagrams.
Sample Problem
The structure below is a truss which is pinned to the floor at point A, and
supported by a roller at point D. Determine the force to all members of the
truss.
SOLUTION
Determine first the support reactions
acting on the truss. No joint can be
analyzed until the support reactions
are determined.
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
Zero-Force Members
Truss analysis using the method of joints is
greatly simplified if we can first identify those
members which support no loading. These zero-
force members are used to increase the stability of
the truss during construction and to provide added
support if the loading is changed.
If a free-body diagram of the pin at joint A is
drawn, it is seen that members AB and AF are zero-
force members. Here again it is seen that DC and
DE are zero-force members. From these
observations, we can conclude that if only two non-
collinear members form a truss joint and no
external load or support reaction is applied to the
joint, the two members must be zero-force
members.
Zero-Force Members

The free-body diagram of the pin at joint


D is shown. By orienting the y axis along
members DC and DE and the x axis along
member DA, it is seen that DA is a zero-force
member. Note that this is also the case for
member CA. In general then, if three
members form a truss joint for which two of
the members are collinear, the third member
is a zero-force member provided no external
force or support reaction has a component
that acts along this member.
Sample Problem
Determine all the zero-force members. Assume all joints are pin connected.
SOLUTION

Therefore, FBG, FGC, FCF and FFD are


zero force members.
The Method of Sections
When we need to find the force in only a few members of
a truss, we can analyze the truss using the method of
sections. It is based on the principle that if the truss is in
equilibrium then any segment of the truss is also in
equilibrium. The method of sections can also be used to
“cut” or section the members of an entire truss. If the
section passes through the truss and the free-body diagram
of either of its two parts is drawn, we can then apply the
equations of equilibrium to that part to determine the
member forces at the “cut section.” Since only three
independent equilibrium equations (∑Fx = 0, ∑ Fy = 0,
∑ MO = 0) can be applied to the free-body diagram of any
segment, then we should try to select a section that, in
general, passes through not more than three members in
which the forces are unknown.
The Method of Sections

• Always assume that the unknown member forces at the cut section are
tensile forces, i.e., “pulling” on the member.
• Before isolating the appropriate section, it may first be necessary to
determine the truss’s support reactions. If this is done then the three
equilibrium equations will be available to solve for member forces at
the section.
• Draw the free-body diagram of that segment of the sectioned truss
which has the least number of forces acting on it.
Sample Problem
Determine the force in members GE, GC, and BC of the truss shown in Fig.
Indicate whether the members are in tension or compression.
SOLUTION
Frames and Machines

Frames and machines are two types of structures which are often composed
of pin-connected multi-force members. Frames are used to support loads,
whereas machines contain moving parts and are designed to transmit and alter
the effect of forces. Provided a frame or machine contains no more supports or
members than are necessary to prevent its collapse, the forces acting at the joints
and supports can be determined by applying the equations of equilibrium to each
of its members. Once these forces are obtained, it is then possible to design the
size of the members, connections, and supports using the theory of mechanics of
materials and an appropriate engineering design code.
Frames and Machines
Free-Body Diagrams.
The following important points must be observed:
• Isolate each part by drawing its outlined shape. Then show all the forces and/or couple
moments that act on the part.
• Identify all the two-force members in the structure and represent their free-body diagrams
as having two equal but opposite collinear forces acting at their points of application.
• Forces common to any two contacting members act with equal magnitudes but opposite
sense on the respective members. If the two members are treated as a “system” of
connected members, then these forces are “internal” and are not shown on the free-body
diagram of the system; however, if the free-body diagram of each member is drawn, the
forces are “external” and must be shown as equal in magnitude and opposite in direction on
each of the two free-body diagrams.
Sample Problem
Determine the horizontal and vertical components of force which the pin at C
exerts on member BC of the frame.
SOLUTION
Practice Problem
The frame supports the 50-kg cylinder. Determine the horizontal and vertical
components of reaction at A and the force at C.
SOLUTION

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