Activity 2.1.

6 Step-by-Step Truss System

Introduction
Truss systems are essential components within structural systems ranging from
residential construction to large scale civil engineering projects such as bridges.
Regardless of the system application, trusses are designed to utilize material
strength, reduce costs, and support a determined load. Engineers must be able to
understand how loads act on a truss structure and within the structure to ensure
design feasibility and safety. Activity 2.1.6 will guide you through the step-by-step
process of calculating reaction forces and member forces within a truss system.

Equipment

Straight edge
Calculator
Pencil

Procedure
In this activity you will calculate reaction and member forces for the truss system
illustrated below. To ensure proper calculations and free body diagrams, it is
essential that you follow each step in the procedure.

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Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 1

Calculate External Reaction Forces

x and y Reaction Force at Pin A and Y Reaction Force at Roller C
1 Draw a free body diagram for the entire truss structure illustrated above.
Make sure to include all known and unknown angles, forces, and distances.
Calculate and determine all angles using trigonometry and geometry.
(1 Box = .5 Units)

Algebra hints:
sin = O/H
cos = A/H
tan = O/A
a2 + b2 = c2

2 Calculate reaction forces at the roller and pin connections.

List static equilibrium equations. Hint: (They all involve summations)

a.

FX = 0

b.

FY = 0

MA = 0

List all known and unknown forces acting and reacting on the truss
structure. Label direction of force with an arrow.
i.

Forces in the x direction

AX

ii.

Forces in the y direction

AY

iii.
Formula review:

BY

CY

DY

EY

Moment Forces Determined from Pin A

CY * 10

-1000 * 3

-500 * 7

-250 *5

M = Fd

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Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 2

c.

Use the moment static equilibrium equation acting upon pin A to solve for
RCy.

MA = 0

0 = CY (10) -1000(3) -500(7) -250(5)

Equation

Substitution

0 = CY (10) -7750
7750 = CY (10)

RCy = 775 lb

Simplification
d.

Solution

Solve for unknown reaction force in the x direction (RAx).

Use the sum of forces in the x direction equilibrium equation.
AX = 0
FX = 0

RAx = 0 lb

Equation
e.

Substitution

Solution

Solve for unknown reaction forces in the y direction.

Use the sum of forces in the y direction equilibrium equation.

FY = 0

Equation

0 = AY + 775 -250 -500 -1000

0 = AY + 775 -1750
0 = AY -975
975 = AY
Substitution

RAy = 975 lb

Solution

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Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 3

f.

Draw a free body diagram for the entire truss system illustrated on page 1.
Make sure to include your calculated support reactions (1 Box = .5 units).

Calculate Individual Truss Member Forces

3 Calculate member forces AD and AB.
a.

Draw the free body diagram for joint A.

Make sure to include all known and unknown angles and forces (including
x and y vector components). Do not include lengths.

b.

Use SOH CAH TOA to express ADx and ADy in terms of AD.
i.

Sin = O / H
Equation

Calculate ADx
Sin 45 = FADx / FAD
Substitution

ADx = FAD * Sin 45

Solution

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ii.

Calculate ADy

Cos = A / H

Cos 45 = FADY / FAD

Equation
c.

ADy = FAD * Cos 45

Substitution

Solution

List all known and unknown forces.

Label direction of force with an arrow.
i.

Forces in the x direction

0 lb

( FAD * Sin 45 )
FAB
ii.

Forces in the y direction

975 lb

d.

( FAD * Cos 45 )

Use static equilibrium equations to solve for AD and AB.

i.

Solve for AD by calculating y direction static equilibrium.

FY = 0

FAD * Cos 45 = -975

Equation

975 + ( FAD * Cos 45) = 0

Substitution

Simplification
AD = 1378.56 lb

FAD = (-975) / (Cos 45)

Simplification
ii.

Solution

Solve for AB by calculating x direction static equilibrium.

FX = 0

0 + FAB + (FAD * Sin 45)=0

FAD * Sin 45 = - FAB

Equation

Substitution

-1378.56 * Sin 45 = -FAB

Substitution Insert calculated AD value
e.

Simplification
AB = 975 lb
Solution

Update the joint A free body diagram with calculated forces for AD and
AB.
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Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 5

4 Calculate CB and CE.

a.

Draw the free body diagram for joint C.

Make sure to include all known and unknown angles and forces (including
x and y vector components). Do not include lengths.

b.

Use SOH CAH TOA to express CEx and CEy in terms of CE.
i.

Calculate CEx
Sin 45 = FCEX / FCE

Sin = O / H

CEX = FCE * Sin 45

Equation
ii.

Substitution

Solution

Calculate CEy
Cos 45 = FCEY / FCE

Cos = A / H

CEy = FCE * Cos 45

Equation
c.

Substitution

Solution

List all known and unknown forces.

Label direction of force with an arrow.
i.

Forces in the x direction

FCE * Sin 45
FCB

ii.

Forces in the y direction

FCE * Cos 45
775 lb

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Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 6

d. Use static equilibrium equations to solve for AD and AB.

i.
FY = 0

Solve for CE by calculating y direction static equilibrium.

775 + (FCE * Cos 45) = 0

Equation

Substitution

FCE * Cos 45 = -775

Simplification
CE = 1096.02 lb
Solution

ii.
FX = 0

Solve for CB by calculating x direction static equilibrium.

FCB + (FCE * Sin 45) = 0

Equation

Substitution

FCB = Sin 45 * 1096.02

Substitution Insert calculated CE value
e.

FCB = FCE * Sin 45

Simplification
CB = 7750 lb
Solution

Update joint C free-body diagram with calculated forces for CE and CB.

5 Calculate EB and ED
a.

Draw the free-body diagram for joint E.

Make sure to include all known and unknown angles and forces (including
x and y vector components). Do not include lengths.

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b.

Use SOH CAH TOA to express EBx and EBy in terms of EB.
i.

Calculate EBy

Sin = O / H

Sin 56 = FEBY / FEB

Equation
ii.

Substitution

Solution

Calculate EBx

Cos = A / H

Cos 56 = FEBX / FEB

Equation
c.

EBy = Sin 56 * FEB

EBx = Cos 56 * FEB

Substitution

Solution

List all known and unknown forces.

Label direction of force with an arrow.
i.

Forces in the x direction

FED

Cos 56 * FEB
775 lb

ii.

Forces in the y direction

-500 lb

d.

Equation

Sin 56 * FEB

Use static equilibrium equations to solve for EB.

i.

FY = 0

775 lb

Calculate y direction static equilibrium.

(Sin 56 * FEB) 500 + 775

275 + (Sin 56 * FEB) = 0

Substitution
-275 = -Sin 56 * FEB
Substitution

Simplification
FEB = -275 / -Sin
56 * FEB
Simplification

EB = -331.325 lb
Solution

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ii.

Calculate x direction static equilibrium.

(Cos 56 * FEB) + FED +775 = 0

FX = 0

(Cos 56 * FEB) + FED = -775

Equation

Substitution

Simplification

FED = -775 -185.27

FED + 185.27 = -775

ED =-960.775 lb

Substitution
e.

Simplification

Solution

Update joint E free body diagram with calculated forces for EB and ED.

6 Calculate DB
a.

Draw the free body diagram for joint D.

Make sure to include all known and unknown angles and forces (including
x and y vector components). Do not include lengths.

b.

Use SOH CAH TOA to express DBx and DBy in terms of DB.
i.

Calculate DBy

Sin = O / H

Sin 56 = FDBY / FDB

Equation
ii.

Substitution

DBy = Sin 56 * FDB

Solution

Calculate DBx

Cos = A / H

Cos 56 = FDBX / FDB

Equation

Substitution

DBx = Cos 56 * FDB

Solution

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c.

List all known and unknown forces.

Label direction of force with an arrow.
i.

Forces in the x direction

-975

Sin 56 * FDB
-FDE

ii.

Forces in the y direction

-975

Cos 56 * FDB
1000

d.

Use static equilibrium equations to solve for DB.

i.

FY = 0
Equation

Solve for DB by calculating y-direction static equilibrium.

-975 +1000 + (Sin 56 * FDB) = 0
Substitution
-25 / Sin 56 = FDB
Simplification

-25 = (Sin 56 * FDB)

Simplification
DB = 30.05 lb
Solution

e. Update joint D free body diagram with calculated forces for DB and DE.
Draw Completed Free Body Diagram
7 Draw a completed free body diagram for the entire truss structure using all
calculated reaction and member forces.

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Principles of Engineering Activity 2.1.6 Step-by-Step Truss System Page 10