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A pin-jointed frame or truss is a triangulated structure made up direction and can be analysed by making use of the equations
ENGINEERING MECHANICS
of slender members, which are pin connected at the ends and of equilibrium.
carry axial forces only. Examples of such structures are roof
trusses, bridge trusses, transmission line towers etc. Both the
ends of the members are connected by nailing, bolting,
welding, riveting etc.
Plane Frame
All members lie in a single plane - roof trusses .
Space Frame
Members do not lie in a single plane -transmission line towers.
Perfect, Deficient and Redundant Frames
A pin jointed frame which has got just sufficient number of
members to resist the loads without undergoing appreciable
deformation in shape is called a perfect frame. Triangular frame
is the simplest perfect frame and it has three joints and three
members (Fig 4.1). Perfect frames with four and five joints are
shown in Fig. 4.2 and 4.3 respectively.
The members of a truss are subjected to either tensile or formed. There will be 3 reactions in general determinate truss.
compressive forces; a typical truss ABCDE loaded at joint E is The force in each member is unknown. Hence, if there are m
shown in Fig 4.7(a). The member BC is subjected to number of members, the total number of unknown will be m
compressive force C as shown in Fig. 4.7(b). Effect of this force + 3. A problem can be analysed if there are as many equations
on the joint B (or C) is equal and opposite to the force C as as there are unknowns. Hence, a frame analysis problem is
shown in Fig. 4.7(b). determined if eqn. 4.1 is satisfied (2j = m + 3). This is same as
that, for a perfect frame. Hence, a perfect frame is determinate.
If m > 2j-3, then the number of unknowns is more than
number of equations, then it is an indeterminate frame. In a
frame if, m < 2j-3, then the number of equations is more than
the number of unknowns, hence a set of solutions can satisfy
such equations i.e. there would be more than one solution,
which shows instability of the structure. Hence a deficient frame
is not stable.
Let us work out to determine the forces in all the members of
the truss shown 4.8 (a) and indicate the magnitude and nature
of forces on the background of the truss. Length of each
member is 2 m.
The member AE is subjected to tensile force T. Its effect on the Fig. 4.8(a)
joints A and E are as shown in Fig 4.7 (b) In the analysis of Now, we cannot find a joint with only two unknown forces
frame we mark the forces on the joints, instead of the forces in without finding reactions.
the members as shown in fig. 4.7 (c). Note that compressive Consider the equilibrium of the entire frame.
force in a member is represented in a Fig by two arrows going
away from each other and a tensile force by two arrows coming RD x4 − 40 x1 − 60 x2 − 51x3 = 0
towards each other. This is because the markings on the
members represent the internal reactive forces developed which ∴ RD = 77.5kN
are opposite in direction to the applied forces.
∑H =0
∴H A = 0
∴ Reaction at A is vertical only, ∑ V = 0
R A + 77.5 = 40 + 60 + 50
∴ R A = 72.5kN
Joint A
Analysis of Forces in Members of Frames
Method of Joints ∑ V = 0
At each joint the forces in the members meeting and the loads F AB sin 60 ° = R A = 72 . 5
F = 83 . 7158 kN ( comp )
acting, if any, constitute a system of concurrent forces. Hence, AB
select a joint where there are only two unknown forces. Many
F AE = 83 . 7158 cos 60 ° = 0
times, before starting with the joints we find out the reaction at
F AB = 41 . 8579 kN ( Tension )
the supports by considering the equilibrium of the entire frame.
By using these two equations of equilibrium at that joint the
two unknown forces are found then, the next joint is selected Fig. 4.8(b)
for analysis where there are only two un known forces. Thus,
the analysis proceeds from joint to joint to find the forces in all
the members.
ENGINEERING MECHANICS
17.32 kN; FCD = + 20 kN; FCE = - 15 kN; FDE = - 30 kN)
∑ V = 0
F DC sin 60 ° = R D = 77 . 5
∴ F DC = 89 . 4893 kN ( Comp )
∑H =0
F DE − 87 .4893 cos 60 ° = 0
∴ F DE = 44 .7446 kN (Tension )
Fig. 4.8(b)
Joint B
Fig. 4.10
∑ V = 0
F BE sin 60 ° − F AB sin 60 o + 40 = 0 (Ans: FAB = 60 kN; FAC = 51.96 kN; FBC = - 20 kN; FBD = - 40
72 . 5 − 40 kN; FCD = = + 40 kN; symmetry)
∴ F BE = o
= 37 . 5278 kN ( Tension )
sin 60
∑H =0
F BC − F AB − cos 60 o − F BE cos 60 o = 0
∴ F BC = (83 .7158 + 37 . 5274 ) × 0 .5
F BC = 60 . 6218 kN (Comp )
Fig. 4.8(b)
Joint C Fig. 4.11
(Ans: FAC = - 4.5 13 kN; FAB = + 13.5 kN; FBC = + 6 kN;
∑V =0 FBD = +13.5 kN; FCD = - 0.5 kN; FCE = - 4kN; FDE = +8 kN)
FCE sin 60 ° + − FD C sin 60 o = 0 Notes
77.5 − 50
∴ FCE = = 31.7543 kN(Tension)
sin 60o
Fig. 4.8(b)
Now the forces in all the members are known. A check can be
performed by analysing joint E, which will give the same result
as calculated earlier. The results are shown on the diagram of
the truss in Fig. 4.8(f).
Problems
Determine the forces in all the members of the frames shown
in Fig. 4.9 to 4.11. Indicate the nature of forces also. (Tension as
+ve and compression as –ve).
Fig. 4.9
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