PROBLEM 6.

62

Determine the force in members DG and FH of the truss shown.

(Hint: Use section aa.)

SOLUTION

FBD Truss:

ΣFx = 0: A x = 0

By symmetry: A y = N y = 3.2 kN

FBD Section:

ΣM F = 0: ( 2.4 m ) FDG − ( 3.2 m )( 3.2 kN ) + (1.6 m )(1 kN ) = 0

FDG = 3.60 kN C W

ΣM D = 0: ( 2.4 m ) FFH + (1.6 m )(1 kN ) − ( 3.2 m )( 3.2 kN ) = 0

FFH = 3.60 kN T W
 PROBLEM 6.63

Determine the force in members IL, GJ, and HK of the truss shown.
(Hint: Begin with pins I and J and then use section bb.)

SOLUTION

FBD Truss:
ΣFx = 0: Ax = 0

By symmetry: Ax = 0; Ay = N y = 3.2 kN

Joints: By inspection of joint I: FGI = FIL and FIJ = 1.2 kN C

By inspection of joint J: FGJ ( C ) = FHJ ( T )

 PROBLEM 6.63 CONTINUED

FBD Section:

0
4 
ΣFx = 0; FIL − FHK +  GJ
F − F HJ =0 so FIL − FHK = 0
5 

ΣM J = 0: ( 3.2 m )( 3.2 kN ) − (1.2 m )( FIL + FHK ) − (1.6 m )(1 kN ) = 0 so FIL + FHK = 7.2 kN

Solving: FIL = FHK = 3.6 kN FIL = 3.60 kN C W

FHK = 3.60 kN T W

3
ΣFy = 0: 3.2 kN − 1 kN − 1.2 kN − ( FGJ + FHJ ) = 0
5
5 5
FGJ + FHJ = kN but FGJ = FHJ = kN FGJ = .833 kN C W
3 6
 PROBLEM 6.64

The diagonal members in the center panels of the truss shown are
very slender and can act only in tension; such members are known as
counters. Determine the forces in the counters which are acting under
the given loading.

SOLUTION

ΣFx = 0: Fx = 0
FBD Truss:
ΣM F = 0: ( 5.5 m ) H y + ( 2.75 m )( 24 kN ) − ( 2.75 m )( 24 kN )

− ( 5.5 m )(12 kN ) − ( 8.25 m )(12 kN ) = 0

H y = 30 kN

ΣFy = 0: Fy + 30 kN − 3 ( 24 kN ) − 2 (12 kN ) = 0

Fy = 66 kN

Assume there is no pretension in any counter so that, as the truss is

FBD Section:
loaded, one of each pair becomes taut while the other becomes slack.

Here tension is required in BG to provide downward force, so CF is

slack.
2.4
ΣFy = 0: 66 kN − 24 kN − 24 kN − FBG = 0
3.65
FBG = 27.375 kN FBG = 27.4 kN T W
FCF = 0 W

Here tension is required in GD to provide downward force, so CH is

slack.
FCH = 0 W
2.4
ΣFy = 0: 30 kN − 2 (12 kN ) − FGD = 0
3.65
FGD = 9.125 kN FGD = 9.13 kN T W
 PROBLEM 6.65

The diagonal members in the center panels of the truss shown are
very slender and can act only in tension; such members are known as
counters. Determine the forces in the counters which are acting under
the given loading.

SOLUTION

Assume that there is no pretension in any counter. So that, as the truss is

loaded, one of each crossing pair becomes taut while the other becomes
slack.

FBD Section:
Note: Tension is required in CH to provide upward force; thus GD is
slack
2.4
ΣFy = 0: FCH − 24 kN = 0 FCH = 36.5 kN T W
3.65

FBD Truss: ( )
ΣM G = 0: ( 5.5 m )( 24 kN ) + ( 2.75 m )( 24 kN ) − ( 2.75 m ) Fy

− ( 2.75 m )(12 kN ) − ( 5.5 m )(12 kN ) = 0

Fy = 36 kN

ΣFx = 0: Fx = 0

FBD Section:

Note: Tension is required in FC to provide upward force; so BG is

slack.
2.4
ΣFy = 0: ( 36 − 24 − 24 ) kN + FFC = 0
3.65
FFC = 18.25 kN T W
 PROBLEM 6.66

The diagonal members in the center panel of the truss shown are very
slender and can act only in tension; such members are known as
counters. Determine the force in members BD and CE and in the
counter which is acting when P = 3 kips.

SOLUTION

FBD Truss:
ΣFx = 0: A x = 0

ΣM A = 0: ( 25 ft ) Fy − (17 ft )( 2 kips ) − ( 8 ft )( 3 kips ) = 0

Fy = 2.32 kips

Assume there is no pretension in either counter so that, as the truss is

loaded, one becomes taut while the other becomes slack.

FBD Section: Here tension is required in CD to provide downward force, so

FBE = 0

5.6
ΣFy = 0: 2.32 kips − 2 kips − FCD = 0
10.6

FCD = 0.6057 kip FCD = 606 lb T W

ΣM D = 0: ( 8 ft )( 2.32 kips ) − (5.6 ft)FCE = 0

FCE = 3.314 kips FCE = 3.31 kips T W

9
ΣFx = 0: FBD − ( 0.6057 kip ) − 3.314 kips = 0
10.6

FBD = 3.829 kips FBD = 3.83 kips C W

 PROBLEM 6.67

Solve Prob. 6.66 when P = 1.5 kips.

SOLUTION

FBD Truss:

ΣM A = 0: ( 25 ft ) Fy − (17 ft )( 2 kips ) − ( 8 ft )(1.5 kips ) = 0

Fy = 1.84 kips

Here tension is needed in BE to provide upward force, so FCD = 0

FBD Section: 5.6
ΣFy = 0: FBE + 1.84 kips − 2 kips = 0
10.6
FBE = 0.03029 kip

FBE = 303 lb T W

ΣM E = 0: ( 8 ft )(1.84 kips ) − ( 5.6 ft ) FBD = 0

FBD = 2.629 kips

FBD = 2.63 kips C W
9
ΣFx = 0: 2.629 kips − ( 0.3029 kip ) − FCE = 0
10.6
FCE = 2.371 kips

FCE = 2.37 kips T W

 PROBLEM 6.68

The diagonal members CF and DE of the truss shown are very slender
and can act only in tension; such members are known as counters.
Determine the force in members CE and DF and in the counter which
is acting.

SOLUTION

FBD Section:

DE must be in tension to provide leftward force, so CF is slack.

4
ΣFx = 0: 4 kips − FDE = 0
5

FDE = 5.00 kips T W

ΣM D = 0: ( 8 ft ) FCE − ( 6 ft )( 4 kips ) = 0

FCE = 3.00 kips T W

ΣM E = 0: ( 8 ft ) FDF − (12 ft )( 4 kips ) = 0

FDF = 6.00 kips C W

 PROBLEM 6.69

The diagonal members EH and FG of the truss shown are very slender
and can act only in tension; such members are known as counters.
Determine the force in members EG and FH and in the counter which
is acting.

SOLUTION

It is not obvious which counter is active, so assume FG is (and thus

FBD Section: EH is slack)
 6 
ΣM F = 0: ( 8 ft )  FGE  − (12 ft )( 4 kips ) = 0
 6.824 
FGE = 6.824 kips T

 6 
ΣM G = 0: (14.5 ft )  FFH  − (18 ft )( 4 kips ) = 0
 6.824 
FFH = 5.647 kips C

 6  6
ΣFy = 0:   ( 5.647 kips − 6.824 kips ) − FFG = 0
 6.824  12.75
This gives FFG < 0 which is impossible, so the assumption is wrong,
FG is slack, and EH is in tension.
 6 
Then ΣM E = 0: ( 8 ft )  FFH  − (12 ft )( 4 kips ) = 0
 6.824 
FFH = 6.824 kips

FFH = 6.83 kips C W

 6 
ΣM H = 0: (14.5 ft )  FGE  − (18 ft )( 4 kips ) = 0
 6.824 
FGE = 5.647 kips

FGE = 5.65 kips T W

6 6
ΣFy = 0: ( 6.824 kips − 5.647 kips ) − FEH = 0
6.824 12.75
FEH = 2.198 kips

FEH = 2.20 kips T W

 PROBLEM 6.70

Classify each of the structures shown as completely, partially, or

improperly constrained; if completely constrained, further classify it as
determinate or indeterminate. (All members can act both in tension
and in compression.)

SOLUTION

Simple truss with r = 4, m = 16, n = 10

Structure (a): So m + r = 20 = 2n so completely constrained and determinate W

Compound truss with r = 3, m = 16, n = 10

Structure (b): So m + r = 19 < 2n = 20 so partially constrained W

Non-simple truss with r = 4, m = 12, n = 8

Structure (c): So m + r = 16 = 2n but must examine further, note that reaction
forces
A x and H x are aligned, so no equilibrium equation will resolve them.

∴ Statically indeterminate W

For ΣFy = 0: H y = 0, but then ΣM A ≠ 0 in FBD Truss,

Also
consider
∴ Improperly constrained W