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05 Truss - Graphical Method

The document discusses the graphical method for analyzing truss structures. It describes Bow's notation method for labeling the forces in a truss. It then explains Maxwell's diagram, which involves drawing a force polygon to locate the points of action of each force. Forces are then determined by measuring the length of lines connecting these points on the diagram. The direction of the forces indicates whether members are in tension or compression. An example is provided to demonstrate how to use these steps to construct and interpret a Maxwell diagram to find the forces in all members of a sample truss.

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Ghaffar Laghari
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3K views

05 Truss - Graphical Method

The document discusses the graphical method for analyzing truss structures. It describes Bow's notation method for labeling the forces in a truss. It then explains Maxwell's diagram, which involves drawing a force polygon to locate the points of action of each force. Forces are then determined by measuring the length of lines connecting these points on the diagram. The direction of the forces indicates whether members are in tension or compression. An example is provided to demonstrate how to use these steps to construct and interpret a Maxwell diagram to find the forces in all members of a sample truss.

Uploaded by

Ghaffar Laghari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Truss: Graphical

Method
Theory of Structure - I

Lecture Outlines
Bows

Notation

Maxwell

Diagram

Interpretation

Department of

of Maxwell Diagram

Bows Notation
In

this system, the spaces between lines of


action of the forces acting on the joints of the
truss are given a lowercase letter.

Any

force is correspondingly designated by


the letters of the two spaces separated by its
line of action.

Department of

eh

ef

g
a

i
j

Department of

eh

ef

g
a

i
j

Department of

Maxwells Diagram
Maxwell

diagram is the second step while


calculating the forces in truss members by
Graphical Method, after Bows notation.

Force

polygon is drawn first at some suitable

scale.

Department of

g
a

i
j

e
c

FORCE
POLYGON

Department of

After

completing the force polygon of applied


forces and reactions, we will locate the
intermediate points f, g, h, i, j.

The

points will be located by drawing the


lines in true sense surrounding these points.

For

example, af and ef are drawn and where


they will intersect, they will give the point f.

Department of

g
a

j
e

i
j

b
h

Department of

Interpreting Maxwell Diagram


We

can find the following attributes of the


truss member from the Maxwell diagram.

Magnitude of the force


Sense of the force (tension or compression)

Length

of the line af will show the magnitude


of the force in member af.

Department of

10

To

find the sense, draw FBD of joint A and


read clock wise.

Direction

of af is downward and towards the


joint A means the force will be directed
towards the joint.

Force

directing towards the joint is


compressive and af will be in compression.

Department of

11

b
B
a

e
a

b
e
f

Department of

12

For

cross checking, take joint B and read


clock wise.

Now

it reads fa. Now fa is directing upward


i.e., towards joint B, hence af or fa will be in
compression.

Department of

13

Example
For the same truss use the Graphical Method
to construct a Maxwell diagram and find the
forces in the members
4bays@3m

1kN

3m

2kN

2kN

2kN

1kN

45o

R1=4kN

R2=4kN

First find the reactions. Using symmetry R1 = R2 = 8/2 = 4kN

Department of

14

First annotate using Bows Notation


(label spaces between members and forces)
4bays@3m

2kN

1kN

b
3m

a h

2kN

c
j

2kN

1kN

e
n

g
R1=4kN

R2=4kN

First find the reactions. Using symmetry R1 = R2 = 8/2 = 4kN

Department of

15

Next select a scale and draw a line representing


all the loads and reactions
alltheloadsareverticalsoistheline
thelineisthelinea,b,c,d,e,f(ag,gf)
ab=1,bc=2,...etcag=4,gf=4
beginwithazonenearareaction,e.gh
ahisverticalandghishorizontalmeetatg
(h&gatsamepoint)hgis0

Proceedtokinsamewayandhalfthetrussissolved

3
2

takenextzonei
l
biishorizontalandihisat45odrawtheselines
theymeetati
Nowijisverticalandjgishorizontal.Thislocatesj

jm

g ho 0
scale
d
for
forces
e
f

Measurealllinesthisgivestheforceineachmember
needtouseaspecialconventiontodeterminetensionorcompression

Department of

16

Department of

17

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