Structures

Unit III

Review
In the last unit we have discussed
equilibrium of rigid body
equilibrium of system of connected members
free-body diagram of the body showing all forces
external
force and moment equations of equilibrium

Structure
An engineering structure is any connected system of members
built to support or transfer forces and to safely withstand the
loads/forces applied to it.
The structure should able to withstand the external loads and
each member in the structure should be able to safely
withstand the internal forces developed in each of the
member.
The external forces will be acting away from the support and
hence, the internal members carry this load to the support.
Hence, the applied forces and the support reactions are
considered to be the external forces.
The force transmitted by each member in the structure are
considered as internal forces.

Contd
To determine the internal forces of the structure, we must
dismember the element and analyse separate free-body
diagrams of individual members or combinations of members
with any external loads on the members or joints.
Statically determinate structures, do not have more supporting
constraints than are necessary to maintain an equilibrium
configuration i.e. the maximum number of unknown forces are
3, i.e. no of equations.

Truss
A framework composed of members joined at their ends to form a rigid
structure is called a truss.

When the members of the truss lie essentially in a single plane, it is

referred as Plane Truss.

Applications - Bridges

Towers

Roof

Columns

Plane truss elements

Structural members commonly used are I-beams, channels,
angles, bars and special shapes which are fastened together
at their ends by welding, riveted connections, or large bolts or
pins.
The basic element of a plane truss is the triangle. (ABC).
(three bars joined by pins at their ends)
On the other hand, four or more bars pin jointed to form a
polygon of as many sides constitute a non-rigid frame (ABCD)
The same polygon can be made rigid by introducing a B
diagonal element (AC/BD)
A

 Additional members or supports which may not necessary for

maintaining the equilibrium configuration are called
redundant.
To design a truss we must first determine the forces in the
various members and then select appropriate sizes and
structural shapes to withstand the forces.
Each member of a truss is normally a straight link joining the
two points of application of force.
The two forces are applied at the ends of the member and are
necessarily equal, opposite, and collinear for equilibrium.
According to the distribution of force, the members can be
differentiated as tensile and compressive
members

The members are split accordingly and analysed for their

forces after referring to their FBD.

Truss Connections and Supports

METHOD OF JOINTS
This method for finding the forces in the members of a truss
consists of satisfying the conditions of equilibrium for the
forces acting on the connecting pin of each joint.
Which means the equilibrium of concurrent forces, and only
two independent equilibrium equations are involved.
The analysis starts with any joint where at least one known
load exists and where not more than two unknown forces are
present.

Joint C
Joint A

Joint E

Joint D

Joint B

Joint F

Internal and External Redundancy

If a plane truss has more external supports than are necessary
to ensure a stable equilibrium configuration, the truss as a
whole is statically indeterminate.
The extra supports constitute external redundancy.
If a truss has more internal members than are necessary to
prevent collapse when the truss is removed from its supports,
then the extra members constitute internal redundancy and
the truss is again statically indeterminate.
If a truss which is statically determinate externally, equation m
+ 3 = 2j will be satisfied. Where m is no of members, j is no of
joints/junctions.
If m + 3 > 2j, there are more members than independent
equations.
If m + 3 < 2j, there is a deficiency of internal members and
there is a chance of truss to collapse.

1. Analyse the truss shown below

@ Reactions
T = 80kN
Ex = 69.3 kN
Ey = 10kN
@ Members
AB = 34.6 kN (T)
AC = 17.32 kN (C)
BC = 34.6 kN (C)
BD = 34.6 kN (T)
CD = 57.7 kN (T)
CE = 63.5 kN (C)
DE = 11.55 kN (C)

Method of Sections
To find the force in only a few members of a truss, we can
analyze the truss using the method of sections.
Principle: if the truss is in equilibrium then any segment of the
truss is also in equilibrium.
The method of sections can also be used to cut or section the
members of an entire truss.
Since only three independent
equilibrium equations can be
applied to the free-body diagram
of any segment, then we should
try to select a section that, in
general, passes through not
more than three members in
which the forces are unknown.

Procedure for Analysis

The forces in the members of a truss may be determined by the method of
sections using the following procedure.
Free-Body Diagram
Make a decision on how to cut or section the truss through the members
where forces are to be determined.
Before isolating the appropriate section, it may first be necessary to determine
the trusss support reactions. If this is done then the three equilibrium
equations will be available to solve for member forces at the section.
Draw the free-body diagram of that segment of the sectioned truss which has
the least number of forces acting on it.
Use one of the two methods described above for establishing the sense of the
unknown member forces.
Equations of Equilibrium.
Moments should be summed about a point that lies at the intersection of the
lines of action of two unknown forces, so that the third unknown force can be
determined directly from the moment equation.
If two of the unknown forces are parallel, forces may be summed perpendicular
to the direction of these unknowns to determine directly the third unknown
force.

Determine the force in members GE, GC,

and BC of the truss shown. Indicate
whether the members are in tension or
compression.

FBC = 800 N (T)

FGE = 800 N (C)
FGC = 500 N (T)

Ax = 400 N
Ay = 300 N
Dy = 900 N