LECTURE NOTES IN

THEORY OF
STRUCTURES
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS FOR TRUSSES

•Instructor:
Engr. Alvin N. Deliro
Intended Learning Outcomes:
1. To show how to determine the forces in the members of
a truss using the method of joints and the method of
sections.
2. To analyze the forces acting on the members of frames
and machines composed of pin - connected members.
TRUSS
- It 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.
TRUSS
SIMPLE TRUSSES:
1. To prevent collapse, the framework of a truss
must be rigid.
2. The simplest framework that is rigid or stable is
a triangle.
 EXAMPLEOF ROOF TRUSSES:

Can be used to support short spans These trusses are used for roofs of moderate span, about 60’
that require overhead clearance (18m) to 100’ (30m)

These trusses are used if larger spans are required to support the roof, These trusses
maybe built with a cambered bottom cord.
 EXAMPLEOF ROOF TRUSSES:

This truss are often used where column spacing is

This truss may be used for flat roofs or nearly
not objectionable and uniform lighting is important.
flat roof. Howe and Pratt maybe modified for
flat roofs.

Sometimes used for garages and small airplane Although relatively expensive this truss can be used
hangars such as a textile mill for high rises and long spans such as field houses,
gymnasiums
EXAMPLEOF ROOF TRUSSES:

Normally used for spans up to 200 ft (61m) in length. The most

common form is the Warren truss with verticals.

For large spans, a truss with polygonal upper chord, such as the Parker truss is
used. Warren truss with verticals can be fabricated in this manner for spans
up to 300 ft (91m),
EXAMPLEOF ROOF TRUSSES:

For heavy deck system, subdivided trusses such as the

Baltimore and subdivided Warren have been developed.

The K-truss can also be used in place of a sudivided

trusses
 ASSUMPTION INTHE FORCEANALYSIS OF
TRUSSES:
1. Several assumptions are made in the force analysis
of trusses
2. All members are two-force members.
3. The weight of any member is neglected.
4. Members are joined together by smooth pins.
5. All external forces are applied at the joints
ASSUMPTIONS FOR DESIGN OF TRUSSES:
1. All loadings are applied at the joints.
- This assumption is particularly applied for bridges and
roof trusses

2. The members are joined together by smooth pins.

- For steel trusses, their joints of the members are bolted
or welded into the gusset plate.
ASSUMPTIONINTHEFORCEANALYSISOFTRUSSES:
Because of these assumptions, each truss member
acts as an axial force member, and therefore the
forces acting at the ends of the members must be
directed along the axis of the member.
1. If the force tends to elongate
the member, it is a tensile
force (T)
2. If the force tends to shorten
the member, it is a
compressive force (C)
 ANALYSIS OF TRUSSES
A.METHODOFJOINTS:
1. This method consists of satisfying the conditions of
equilibrium for the forces acting on the connecting
pin of each joint
2. This method therefore deals with the equilibrium of
concurrent forces and only two independent
equilibrium equations are involved.
METHOD OF JOINTS - PROBLEMS
PROBLEM NO.1:
Determine the axial forces in members AB and AC of the
truss shown below.

References: Statics by Bedford Fowler 5E

 METHOD OF JOINTS - PROBLEMS
SOLUTION PROBLEM NO.1
Determine the axial forces in members AB and AC of the
truss.
Ay

Ax

References: Statics by Bedford Fowler 5E

Free- Body Diagram

 METHOD OF JOINTS - PROBLEMS
SOLUTION PROBLEM NO.1
Determine the axial forces in members AB and AC of the
truss.
Ay = 2 KN
Ax = 3.33 KN
Ax = 3.33 KN Ay = 2 KN

TAC
α =59°
TAB

α = arctan(5/3)
B = 3.33kN

References: Statics by Bedford Fowler 5E B = 3.33kN

TAC = 3.89 KN
TAB = 0 KN
METHOD OF JOINTS - PROBLEMS
PROBLEM NO.2:
The loads of a bridge structure is supported by pin supports
where the structure is to be attached as shown in Fig. 1.
Assigned to design the structure, an Engineering student
proposes the structure shown in Fig. 2. What are the axial
forces in the members?

References: Statics by Bedford Fowler 5E

 METHOD OF JOINTS - PROBLEMS
SOLUTION PROBLEM NO.2
The loads of a bridge structure is supported by pin supports
where the structure is to be attached as shown in Fig. 1.
Assigned to design the structure, an Engineering student
proposes the structure shown in Fig. 2. What are the axial
forces in the members?

TBC

15°
α

TAB
References: Statics by Bedford Fowler 5E Free- Body Diagram
METHOD OF JOINTS - PROBLEMS
SOLUTION PROBLEM NO.2
The loads of a bridge structure is supported by pin supports
where the structure is to be attached as shown in Fig. 1.
Assigned to design the structure, an Engineering student
proposes the structure shown in Fig. 2. What are the axial
forces in the members?

TBC

15°
α

TAB
Free- Body Diagram
METHOD OF JOINTS - PROBLEMS
PRACTICE:
Determine the force in each member of the Truss shown in
the figure and indicate whether the members are in
tension or compression.
SN Newton

2m
45 0
2m
B.METHODOF SECTIONS:
1. In method of joints, we took advantage of only two
of the three equilibrium equations, since the
procedures involve concurrent forces at each joint.
2. We take advantage of the third or moment
equation of equilibrium by selecting an entire
section of the truss for the free body in equilibrium
under the action of a non-concurrent system of
forces.
3. This METHOD OF SECTIONS has the basic
advantage that the force in almost any desired
member may be found directly from an analysis of
a section which has cut that member.
METHODOF SECTIONS:
a b
F E

A D
B C
a b

FEF L F EF

FEB FEB FCE

FBC FCD

R1 R2 R1 R2
L L
METHOD OF SECTIONS - PROBLEMS
PROBLEM NO.1:
Determine the axial forces in members CD, CJ, and IJ.
Determine the force of the members CF and CG.
METHOD OF SECTIONS - PROBLEMS
SOLUTION PROBLEM NO.1 :
Determine the axial forces in members CD, CJ, and IJ.
Determine the force of the members CF and CG.

Free- Body Diagram

 METHOD OF SECTIONS - PROBLEMS
SOLUTION PROBLEM NO.1 :
Determine the axial forces in members CD, CJ, and IJ.
Determine the force of the members CF and CG.

TCD = 300 KN (T); TCJ = 141 KN (T);

TIJ = -400 KN (C)

METHOD OF SECTIONS - PROBLEMS
Assignment No.2 :
Determine the internal forces for members BC, CF and CG.
2 kN
2m B 2m D
A C 2
m

G
SN kN
3m

E
FRAMES AND MACHINES
- Frames are used to support loads, whereas
machines contain moving parts and are designed to
transmit and alter the effect of forces.
FRAMES AND MACHINES- PROBLEMS
PROBLEM NO.1:
Draw the free-body diagram of each part of the smooth
piston and link mechanism used to crush recycled cans as
shown in the figure.
FRAMES AND MACHINES- PROBLEMS
SOLUTION PROBLEM NO.1 :
Draw the free-body diagram of each part of the smooth
piston and link mechanism used to crush recycled cans as
shown in the figure.
FRAMES AND MACHINES- PROBLEMS
SOLUTION PROBLEM NO.1 :
Draw the free-body diagram of each part of the smooth
piston and link mechanism used to crush recycled cans as
shown in the figure.