Truss: Method of

Joints and Sections

Theory of Structure - I
Lecture Outlines
Method of Joints

Zero Force Members

Method of Sections

Department of 2
Method of Joints
Ifa truss is in equilibrium, then each of its
joints must also be in equilibrium

The method of joints consists of satisfying the

equilibrium conditions for the forces exerted
on the pin at each joint of the truss

Department of 3
 Truss
members are all straight two-force
members lying in the same plane
The force system acting at each pin is coplanar
and concurrent (intersecting)
Rotational or moment equilibrium is automatically
satisfied at the joint, only need to satisfy Fx = 0,
Fy = 0

Department of 4
Procedure for Analysis

Draw the free-body diagram of a joint having

at least one known force and at most two
unknown forces (may need to first determine
external reactions at the truss supports)

Department of 5
 Establish the sense of the unknown forces
Always assume the unknown member forces
acting on the joints free-body diagram to be in
tension (pulling on the pin)
Assume what is believed to be the correct sense
of an unknown member force
In both cases a negative value indicates that the
sense chosen must be reversed

Department of 6
 Orient the x and y axes such that the forces
can be easily resolved into their x and y
components
Apply Fx = 0 and Fy = 0 and solve for the

unknown member forces and verify their

correct sense
Continue to analyze each of the other joints,

choosing ones having at most two unknowns

and at least one known force
Department of 7
 Members
in compression push on the joint
and members in tension pull on the joint

Mechanics of Materials and building codes

are used to size the members once the
forces are known

Department of 8
The Method of Joints
B
500 N

2m

A 45o
Ax = 500 N C

Ay = 500 N 2m Cy = 500 N

Joint B + F = 0:
x
y
500 - FBCsin45o = 0
B 500 N x
FBC = 707.11 N (C)
45o FBC
+ Fy = 0:
FBA
- FBA + FBCcos45o = 0
FBA = 500 N (T)
Department of 9
 B
500 N

2m

A 45o
Ax = 500 N C

Ay = 500 N 2m Cy = 500 N

Joint A

500 N + F = 0:
x

500 - FAC = 0
500 N FAC FAC = 500 N (T)

500 N
Department of 10
Zero Force Members
Truss analysis using the method of joints is
greatly simplified if one is able to determine
those members which support no loading
(zero-force members)
These zero-force members are used to
increase stability of the truss during
construction and to provide support if the
applied loading is changed

Department of 11
 If only two members form a truss joint and no
external load or support reaction is applied to
the joint, the members must be zero-force
members.
If three members form a truss for which two
of the members are collinear, the third
member is a zero-force member provided no
external force or support reaction is applied.

Department of 12
 Zero-force members
Frequently the analysis can be simplified by identifying
members that carry no load
two typical cases are found
When only two members form a non-collinear joint and
there is no external force or reaction at that joint, then
both members must be zero-force
P If either TCB or TCD
A B
C 0, then C cannot be
in equilibrium, since
there is no restoring
TCB
C force towards the
D right.
Hence both BC and
TCD CD are zero-load
members here.
E
Department of 13
 When three members form a truss joint for which two
members are collinear and the third is at an angle to
these, then this third member must be zero-force
inthe absence of an external force or reaction from a
support

P
A Here, joint B has only
B one force in the
C
vertical direction.
Hence, this force
must be zero or B
D B would move (provided
there are no external
TAB TBC loads/reactions)
Also TAB = TBC
E TBD
Department of 14
 While zero-force members can be removed in this
configuration, care should be taken
any change in the loading can lead to the member carrying a
load
the stability of the truss can be degraded by removing the
zero-force member
P
You may think that we can
A B remove AD and BD to make a
C triangle
This satisfies the statics
requirements
D However, this leaves a long
CE member to carry a
compressive load. This long
member is highly susceptible
E to failure by buckling.

Department of 15
 B C
P

E D
A Dx

Ey Dy

FCB C + F = 0: F = 0
x CB

+ Fy = 0: FCD = 0
FCD

FAB + Fy = 0: FABsin = 0, FAB = 0

A FAE + F = 0: F + 0 = 0, FAE = 0
x AE

Department of 16
Example 3-4

Using the method of joints, indicate all the members of the truss shown in the
figure below that have zero force.

A B

C
H

D
G F E

Department of 17
 SOLUTION A B
Ax
Ax C
H 0
Gx D
G F E
0 0
P
Joint D
y
FDC
+ Fy = 0: FDCsin = 0, FDC = 0

FDE x
D + F = 0: FDE + 0 = 0, FDE = 0
x

FEC

E Joint E
FEF 0 + F = 0: FEF = 0
x

Department of 18
 A B
Ax
0
Ax C
0
H 0
Gx D
G F E
0 0
y P

FHB Joint H
FHA
+ F = 0: FHB = 0
y
H
FHF

FGA x
Joint G

Gx FGF + Fy = 0: FGA = 0
G

Department of 19
Method of Sections
Based on the principle that if a body is in
equilibrium, then any part of the body is also
in equilibrium
Procedure for analysis
Section or cut the truss through the members
where the forces are to be determined
Before isolating the appropriate section, it may be
necessary to determine the trusss external
reactions (then 3 equs. of equilibrium can be used
to solve for unknown member forces in the
section).
Department of 20
 Draw the free-body diagram of that part of the
sectioned truss that has the least number of
forces acting on it

Establish the sense of the unknown member

forces

Department of 21
 Apply 3 equations of equilibrium trying to avoid
equations that need to be solved simultaneously
Moments should be summed about a point that
lies at the intersection of the lines of action of
two unknown forces
If two unknown forces are parallel sum forces
perpendicular to the direction of these
unknowns

Department of 22
The Method of Sections
a Dy
B C D Dx

2m

A
G F E Ex
a
100 N
2m 2m 2m

+ MG
B FBC
C 100(2) - FBC(2) = 0
FBC = 100 N (T)
FGC
+ Fy = 0:
45o
A FGF -100 + FGCsin45o = 0
G
FGC = 141.42 N (T)
100 N
2m
+ MC
100(4) - FGF(2) = 0
FGF = 200 N (C)
Department of 23
Example 3-6

Determine the force in members GF and GD of the truss shown in the figure
below. State whether the members are in tension or compression. The reactions at
the supports have been calculated.

G
H F
4.5 m
3m
A E
Ax = 0
B C D

Ay = 9 kN 6 kN 8 kN 2 kN Ey = 7 kN
3m 3m 3m 3m

Department of 24
 G a
SOLUTION
H F
4.5 m
3m
A E
Ax = 0
B C a D
Ay = 9 kN 6 kN 8 kN 2 kN Ey = 7 kN
3m 3m 3m 3m

Section a-a
FFG
26.6o
F + MD
FDG
FFGsin26.6o(3.6) + 7(3) = 0,
56.3o FFG = -17.83 kN (C)
FDC 26.6o
O
D E
+ MO
2 kN Ey = 7 kN
3m 3m - 7(3) + 2(6) + FDGsin56.3o(6) = 0,
FDG = 1.80 kN (C)
Department of 25
Example 3-7

Determine the force in members BC and MC of the K-truss shown in the figure
below. State whether the members are in tension or compression. The reactions at
the supports have been calculated.

L K J I H
3m
M N O P
A 3m
0 G
B C D E F

12.9 kN 5.34 kN 6.67 kN 8 kN 7.11 kN

4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m

Department of 26
 a
SOLUTION L K J I H
3m
M N O P
A 3m
0 G
B D E F
a C

12.9 kN 5.34 kN 6.67 kN 8 kN 7.11 kN

4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m

Section a-a

L
FLK
FLM + ML
6m
A FBM
FBC FBC(6) - 12.9(4.6) = 0,
B
FBC = 9.89 kN (T)

12.9 kN 5.34 kN
4.6 m

Department of 27
 b
L K J I H
3m
M N O P
A 3m
0 G
B C D E F
b
5.34 kN 6.67 kN 8 kN 7.11 kN
12.9 kN
4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m

FKL K J I H
FKM 3m
N O P
FCM 3m
9.89 kN G
C D E F
33.1o

6.67 kN 8 kN 7.11 kN
4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m 4.6 m

+ MK -FCMcos33.1o(6) - 9.89(6) - 8(4.6) + 7.11(18.4) = 0

FCM = 6.90 kN (T)
Department of 28
Practice Problems
Book
Structural Analysis by R.C. Hibbeler
Chapter no. 03

Examples and exercise questions related to

Joint Method
Zero Force Members
Section Method

Department of 29
Department of 30