Statics 3

TWO-FORCE MEMBERS

Background
Two-force members are specially loaded and supported members that transfer forces only along the line connecting the members end points. Such members form the basic building blocks of trusses and other common structural assemblages.

Learning Objective
In this worksheet we will do some exploration with various basic configurations, and take an inside and outside look at how such members work. The objective is to gain a richer understanding of what makes two-force members tick, and gain some additional ideas about identifying two-force members.

Configuration
The simple structure shown below will provide a suitable venue for two-force member experimentation.

A simple truss

StaticsVisualizer File
Statics 3a: simple truss-like structures.

Things to Do
1. Open the file Statics 3a with StaticsVisualizer. Use the point load tool to apply a load at the upper right joint, and adjust the load so it looks about like the load shown in the figure above. See if you can predict what the reactions at the two supports should look like. Choose Show Support Reactions from the Options: Joint & Support Display menu (shortcut = option-R/alt-R). Note the orientation and magnitude of the reactions, and then use the Select (arrow) tool or the Point load tool to experiment with the magnitude and direction of the applied load by dragging it around. With each of the two members acting as a two-force member, the configuration acts as a force decomposer, with the horizontal component of force going to one support, and the vertical component going to the other. To see some further aspects of two-force members in action, use the Select tool to select the pin joint connecting the two members, and experiment with new locations for this joint by dragging it around.
The reaction force only lines up with each members direction when the angle between the members is 90. true false

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Configuration
Two-force members do not have to be straight. Consider the structure in StaticsVisualizer file 3b.

StaticsVisualizer File
Statics 3b: Another simple truss.

4.

Note that one of the members has a bend. Apply a load at the pin joint when the members meet, turn on the reaction display, and manipulate the force while watching the reactions.
The reaction forces behave just as before. true false

5.

Your intuition undoubtedly tells you something must be different about the straight and bent cases, and indeed there is a difference in what goes on internally in the members. To see this, choose the X-ray glasses tool ( ), and click and drag an ellipse around the central portion of the horizontal member:

Using the X-ray glasses tool to create a freebody diagram

Software note

The X-ray glasses tool allows you to isolate any portion of a structure as a freebody: internal reaction forces are shown automatically. Click and drag to create an arbitrary elliptical isolation region, and hold down the control key while dragging to relocate the region without changing its shape. Click without dragging in an empty portion of the screen to restore the complete structure. As shown in the figure above, and as should be displayed on your screen, the horizontal members internal forces simply correspond to an axial load in the member. 6. Now use the X-ray glasses tool to isolate the middle portion of the member with the internal bend. Hold down the control key while dragging to move your isolation ellipse around. Note that there is an internal moment in the bent member, as well as an internal force. Note that you can still manipulate the loading and geometry of the structure even while isolating a portion of it. Close the Statics 3b window (dont save changes), and bring the Statics 3a window to the front. Now we will see some ways in which a member will not be a two-force member. Use the point load tool to apply a load near the middle of the horizontal member by clicking on the member and dragging vertically.

7.

An internally-loaded member

8.

Observe the reactions for this case. Which reactions align with the member axes, and which do not? Manipulate the joint load and the truss geometry as we did above, and observe the behavior. See if you agree with the following observation:

Observation

Members loaded between their ends will not generally act as two-force members. 9. Delete the load on the horizontal member by selecting it and typing the delete/backspace key. Now we will change the support condition of the horizontal member. To accomplish this, choose the fixed support tool ( ), and click on the pin support at the left end of the horizontal member. The pin support will be replaced by a fixed support, i.e., a support that does not allow rotation of the members end. Manipulate the load applied at the upper right joint so that it is relatively large in magnitude and nearly vertical. Observe the reaction at the horizontal members left end.
Does the reaction remain aligned with the horizontal members axis for allloadings? yes no.

Observation

Members connected at their ends with anything other than pins will not generally act as two-force members.
Which case would you say causes the bigger deviation from twoforce behavior: internal loading or fixed end supports?

Summary

Two force members can be identified as members connected via pins and containing no internal loads. Such members transfer load solely along the line connecting their end points.

Things to Do
1. Imagine a crane lifting a large box. Are there any two force members in this system? Where and why?

2.

Two-force members are generally part of more complex structures. Can you think of a reason why they are more useful as part of a larger system than along? Hold a string between your fingers. Is it a two-force member? Why? Now hold the string on one end and let it hang. Is it a twoforce member now? Explain your thinking.

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