Method of Sections

◮ The Method of Sections involves analytically cutting the truss

into sections and solving for static equilibrium for each section.
Method of Sections
◮ The Method of Sections involves analytically cutting the truss
into sections and solving for static equilibrium for each section.
◮ The sections are obtained by cutting through some of the
members of the truss to expose the force inside the members.
Method of Sections
◮ The Method of Sections involves analytically cutting the truss
into sections and solving for static equilibrium for each section.
◮ The sections are obtained by cutting through some of the
members of the truss to expose the force inside the members.
◮ In the Method of Joints, we are dealing with static equilibrium
at a point. This limits the static equilibrium equations to just
the two force equations. A section has finite size and this
means you can also use moment equations to solve the
problem. This allows solving for up to three unknown forces
at a time.
Method of Sections
◮ The Method of Sections involves analytically cutting the truss
into sections and solving for static equilibrium for each section.
◮ The sections are obtained by cutting through some of the
members of the truss to expose the force inside the members.
◮ In the Method of Joints, we are dealing with static equilibrium
at a point. This limits the static equilibrium equations to just
the two force equations. A section has finite size and this
means you can also use moment equations to solve the
problem. This allows solving for up to three unknown forces
at a time.
◮ Since the Method of Sections allows solving for up to three
unknown forces at a time, you should choose sections that
involve cutting through no more than three members at a
time.
Method of Sections
◮ The Method of Sections involves analytically cutting the truss
into sections and solving for static equilibrium for each section.
◮ The sections are obtained by cutting through some of the
members of the truss to expose the force inside the members.
◮ In the Method of Joints, we are dealing with static equilibrium
at a point. This limits the static equilibrium equations to just
the two force equations. A section has finite size and this
means you can also use moment equations to solve the
problem. This allows solving for up to three unknown forces
at a time.
◮ Since the Method of Sections allows solving for up to three
unknown forces at a time, you should choose sections that
involve cutting through no more than three members at a
time.
◮ When a member force points toward the joint it is attached
to, the member is in compression. If that force points away
from the joint it is attached to, the member is in tension.
Method of Sections
Refer back to the end of the ”truss-initial-analysis.pdf” file to see
what has been solved so far for the truss. This is what has been
solved for so far:
150N
120N B D F

15N 135N 3m
120N
A C E G H

4m 4m 4m 4m
Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
Let’s create a section by cutting through members AC, BC and
BD. Recall that we want to cut through at most three members.
150N
120N B D F

15N 135N 3m
120N
A C E G H

4m 4m 4m 4m
Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
Let’s create a section by cutting through members AC, BC and
BD. Recall that we want to cut through at most three members.

120N B D F

15N
120N
A C E G H

Let’s slide the rest of the truss out of the way.

Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
Let’s create a section by cutting through members AC, BC and
BD. Recall that we want to cut through at most three members.

120N B D F

15N
120N
A C E G H

Let’s slide the rest of the truss out of the way.

Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
Let’s create a section by cutting through members AC, BC and
BD. Recall that we want to cut through at most three members.

120N B D F

15N
120N
A C E G H

Let’s slide the rest of the truss out of the way.

Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
Let’s create a section by cutting through members AC, BC and
BD. Recall that we want to cut through at most three members.

120N B D F

15N
120N
A C E G H

Let’s slide the rest of the truss out of the way.

Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
Let’s create a section by cutting through members AC, BC and
BD. Recall that we want to cut through at most three members.

120N B D F

15N
120N
A C E G H

Let’s slide the rest of the truss out of the way.

Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
Let’s create a section by cutting through members AC, BC and
BD. Recall that we want to cut through at most three members.

120N B D
b

15N
120N b

A C
Let’s redraw this section enlarged.
Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
120 N B Db

3m
15 N
120 N b

A 4m C 4m
Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
120 N B Db

3m
15 N
FBC
120 N b

A 4m C 4m

Since FBC is the only force that has a vertical component, it must
point down to balance the 15 N force (Ay ).
Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
120 N B Db

3m
15 N
FBC
120 N FAC b

A 4m C 4m

Since FBC is the only force that has a vertical component, it must
point down to balance the 15 N force (Ay ).
Taking moments about point B has both forces at A giving
clockwise moments. Therefore, FAC must point to the right to
provide a counter-clockwise moment.
Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
120 N B Db
FBD

3m
15 N
FBC
120 N FAC b

A 4m C 4m

Since FBC is the only force that has a vertical component, it must
point down to balance the 15 N force (Ay ).
Taking moments about point B has both forces at A giving
clockwise moments. Therefore, FAC must point to the right to
provide a counter-clockwise moment.
Taking moments about point C has the 15 N force acting at A and
the 120 N acting at B giving clockwise moments. Therefore, FBD
must point to the left to provide a counter-clockwise moment.
Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
Solving in the order of the previous page:
X
↑+ Fy = +15N − FBC = 0
FBC = 15N (tension)
Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
Solving in the order of the previous page:
X
↑+ Fy = +15N − FBC = 0
FBC = 15N (tension)
X
+ MB = −(120N)(3m) − (15N)(4m) + FAC (3m) = 0
(360 + 60)Nm
FAC = = 140N (tension)
3m
Method of Sections - Cutting through AC, BC and BD
Solving in the order of the previous page:
X
↑+ Fy = +15N − FBC = 0
FBC = 15N (tension)
X
+ MB = −(120N)(3m) − (15N)(4m) + FAC (3m) = 0
(360 + 60)Nm
FAC = = 140N (tension)
3m
X
+ MC = −(15N)(4m) − (120N)(3m) + FBD (3m) = 0
(60 + 360)Nm
FBD = = 140N (compression)
3m
Method of Sections - Important Points
◮ When drawing your sections, include the points that the cut
members would have connected to if not cut. In the section
just looked at, this would be points C and D.
Method of Sections - Important Points
◮ When drawing your sections, include the points that the cut
members would have connected to if not cut. In the section
just looked at, this would be points C and D.
◮ Each member that is cut represents an unknown force. Look
to see if there is a direction (horizontal or vertical) that has
only one unknown. If this true, you should balance forces in
that direction. In the section just looked at, this would be the
forces in the vertical direction since only FBC has a vertical
component.
Method of Sections - Important Points
◮ When drawing your sections, include the points that the cut
members would have connected to if not cut. In the section
just looked at, this would be points C and D.
◮ Each member that is cut represents an unknown force. Look
to see if there is a direction (horizontal or vertical) that has
only one unknown. If this true, you should balance forces in
that direction. In the section just looked at, this would be the
forces in the vertical direction since only FBC has a vertical
component.
◮ If possible, take moments about points that two of the three
unknown forces have lines of forces that pass through that
point. This will result in just one unknown in that moment
equation. In the section just looked at, taking moments about
point B eliminates the unknowns FBC and FBD . Similarly,
taking moments about point C eliminates the unknowns FBC
and FAC from the equation.
Method of Sections - Cutting through BD, CD and CE
120 N B Db

3m
15 N
120 N b

A 4m C 4m E
Method of Sections - Cutting through BD, CD and CE
120 N B Db
FBD

3m
15 N
120 N b

A 4m C 4m E

Since we know (from the previous section) the direction of FBD we

draw that in first. We could also reason this direction by taking
moments about point C.
Method of Sections - Cutting through BD, CD and CE
120 N B Db
FBD

FCD 3m
15 N
120 N b

A 4m C 4m E

Since we know (from the previous section) the direction of FBD we

draw that in first. We could also reason this direction by taking
moments about point C.
Since FCD is the only force that has a vertical component, it must
point down to balance the 15 N force (Ay ).
Method of Sections - Cutting through BD, CD and CE
120 N B Db
FBD

FCD 3m
15 N
120 N FCE b

A 4m C 4m E

Since we know (from the previous section) the direction of FBD we

draw that in first. We could also reason this direction by taking
moments about point C.
Since FCD is the only force that has a vertical component, it must
point down to balance the 15 N force (Ay ).
Taking moments about point D has the 120 N force and 15 N
force acting at A giving clockwise moments. Therefore FCE must
point to the right to give a counter-clockwise moment to balance
this out.
Method of Sections - Cutting through BD, CD and CE
Solving in the order of the previous page:
X 3
↑+ Fy = +15N − FCD = 0
5
5
FCD = (15N) = 25N (compression)
3
Method of Sections - Cutting through BD, CD and CE
Solving in the order of the previous page:
X 3
↑+ Fy = +15N − FCD = 0
5
5
FCD = (15N) = 25N (compression)
3
X
+ MD = −(120N)(3m) − (15N)(8m) + FCE (3m) = 0
(360 + 120)Nm
FCE = = 160N (tension)
3m
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, DG and EG
150 N
Db F

135 N 3m

E 4m G 4m H
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, DG and EG
150 N
Db F

FDG
135 N 3m

E 4m G 4m H

Since FDG is the only unknown with a vertical component, it must

point up since the 150 N force at F is bigger the 135 N force at H.
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, DG and EG
150 N
Db FDF F

FDG
135 N 3m

E 4m G 4m H

Since FDG is the only unknown with a vertical component, it must

point up since the 150 N force at F is bigger the 135 N force at H.
Taking moments about point G has the 135 N force at H giving a
counter-clockwise moment. Therefore FDF must point to the right
to give a clockwise moment about point G to balance this out.
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, DG and EG
150 N
Db FDF F

FDG
135 N 3m

b
FEG
E 4m G 4m H

Since FDG is the only unknown with a vertical component, it must

point up since the 150 N force at F is bigger the 135 N force at H.
Taking moments about point G has the 135 N force at H giving a
counter-clockwise moment. Therefore FDF must point to the right
to give a clockwise moment about point G to balance this out.
Taking moments about point D has the 150 N force acting
clockwise and the 135 N force acting counter-clockwise. The 135
N force has twice the moment arm so FEG must point left to give
a clockwise moment to balance this out.
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, DG and EG
Solving in the order of the previous page:
X 3
↑+ Fy = −150N + 135N + FDG = 0
5
5 5
FDG = (150N − 135N) = (15N) = 25N (tension)
3 3
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, DG and EG
Solving in the order of the previous page:
X 3
↑+ Fy = −150N + 135N + FDG = 0
5
5 5
FDG = (150N − 135N) = (15N) = 25N (tension)
3 3
X
+ MG = +(135N)(4m) − FDF (3m) = 0
540Nm
FDF = = 180N (compression)
3m
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, DG and EG
Solving in the order of the previous page:
X 3
↑+ Fy = −150N + 135N + FDG = 0
5
5 5
FDG = (150N − 135N) = (15N) = 25N (tension)
3 3
X
+ MG = +(135N)(4m) − FDF (3m) = 0
540Nm
FDF = = 180N (compression)
3m
X
+ MD = −(150N)(4m) + (135N)(8m) − FEG (3m) = 0
(−600 + 1080)Nm 480Nm
FEG = = = 160N (tension)
3m 3m
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, FG and GH
150 N
Db F

135 N 3m

b b

E 4m G 4m H
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, FG and GH
150 N
Db FDF F

135 N 3m

b b

E 4m G 4m H

From the previous section, we know FDF points right. Taking

moments about G would also give this result.
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, FG and GH
150 N
Db FDF F

135 N 3m
FFG
b b

E 4m G 4m H

From the previous section, we know FDF points right. Taking

moments about G would also give this result.
Since FFG is the only unknown with a vertical component, it must
point up since the 150 N force at F is bigger than the 135 N force
at H.
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, FG and GH
150 N
Db FDF F

135 N 3m
FFG
b b
FGH
E 4m G 4m H

From the previous section, we know FDF points right. Taking

moments about G would also give this result.
Since FFG is the only unknown with a vertical component, it must
point up since the 150 N force at F is bigger than the 135 N force
at H.
Taking moments about point F has the 135 N force acting
counter-clockwise. The means that FGH must point left to give a
clockwise moment to balance this out.
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, FG and GH
Solving in the order of the previous page:
X
↑+ Fy = −150N + 135N + FFG = 0
FFG = 150N − 135N = 15N (compression)
Method of Sections - Cutting through DF, FG and GH
Solving in the order of the previous page:
X
↑+ Fy = −150N + 135N + FFG = 0
FFG = 150N − 135N = 15N (compression)
X
+ MF = +(135N)(4m) − FGH (3m) = 0
540Nm
FGH = = 180N (tension)
3m
Method of Sections - Remaining members
◮ For the rest of the members, AB, DE and FH, the only
sections that would cut through them amount to applying the
Method of Joints.
Method of Sections - Remaining members
◮ For the rest of the members, AB, DE and FH, the only
sections that would cut through them amount to applying the
Method of Joints.
◮ To solve for the force in member AB, you would cut through
AB and AC. This is equivalent to applying the method of
joints at joint A.
Method of Sections - Remaining members
◮ For the rest of the members, AB, DE and FH, the only
sections that would cut through them amount to applying the
Method of Joints.
◮ To solve for the force in member AB, you would cut through
AB and AC. This is equivalent to applying the method of
joints at joint A.
◮ To solve for the force in member FH, you would cut through
FH and GH. This is equivalent to applying the method of
joints at joint H.
Method of Sections - Remaining members
◮ For the rest of the members, AB, DE and FH, the only
sections that would cut through them amount to applying the
Method of Joints.
◮ To solve for the force in member AB, you would cut through
AB and AC. This is equivalent to applying the method of
joints at joint A.
◮ To solve for the force in member FH, you would cut through
FH and GH. This is equivalent to applying the method of
joints at joint H.
◮ To solve for the force in member DE, you would cut through
CE, DE and EG. This is equivalent to applying the method of
joints at joint E.