Reviewer for Finals: Statics

I. Trusses

A. Definition of Trusses

The truss is one of the major types of engineering structures. It provides both a practical and an
economical solution to many engineering situations, especially in the design of bridges and buildings.

B. Analysis of Trusses

a. Method of Joints
A truss that can be constructed from a basic triangular truss by adding to its two new members
at a time and connecting them at a new joint

• Dismember the truss and create a free-body diagram for each member and pin
• The two forces exerted on each member are equal, have the same line of action, and
opposite sense.
• Forces exerted by a member on the pins or joints at its ends are directed along the
member and equal and opposite.
• Conditions of equilibrium on the pins provide 2n equations for 2n unknowns. For a
simple truss, 2n = m + 3, may solve for m member forces and 3 reaction forces at the
supports.
• Conditions for equilibrium for the entire truss provide 3 additional equations which are
not independent of the pin equations

Note: If the force exerted by a member on a pin is directed toward that pin, the member is in
compression; if it is directed away from the pin, the member is in tension.

b. Method of Sections
 • When the force in only one member or the forces in a very few members are desired,
the method of sections works well.
• To determine the force in member BD, pass a section through the truss as shown and
create a free body diagram for the left side.
• With only three members cut by the section, the equations for static equilibrium may
be applied to determine the unknown member forces, including F BD.
• The fact that the rigid body ABC is in equilibrium can be expressed by writing three
equations which can be solved for the three unknown forces. If only the force FBD is
desired, we need write only one equation, provided that the equation does not contain the
other unknowns. Thus the equation ∑ M e =0 yields the value of the magnitude FBD of
the force FBD.

Note: If the force exerted by a member on a pin is directed toward that pin, the member is in
compression; if it is directed away from the pin, the member is in tension.

II. Friction

A. Definition of Friction

 When an object is moving, the friction is proportional and perpendicular to the normal
force (N)
 Friction is independent of the area of contact so long as there is an area of contact.
 The coefficient of static friction is slightly greater than the coefficient of kinetic friction.
 Within rather large limits, kinetic friction is independent of velocity.
 Friction depends upon the nature of the surfaces in contact.

B. Laws of Dry Friction; Coefficient of Friction

(Eq1) Fm = μsN Magnitude of the maximum static friction f

(Eq2) Fk = μkN Magnitude of the kinetic friction force
 • If the force P is increased, the friction force F also increases, continuing to oppose P,
until its magnitude reaches a certain maximum value Fm (c). If P is further increased, the friction
force cannot balance it any more and the block starts sliding. As soon as the block has been set
in motion, the magnitude of F drops from Fm to a lower value Fk. This is because there is less
interpenetration between the irregularities of the surfaces in contact when these surfaces move
with respect to each other. From then on, the block keeps sliding with increasing velocity while
the friction force, denoted by Fk and called the kinetic-friction force, remains approximately
constant.

• Four Situations when a rigid body is in contact with a horizontal surface:

C. Angles of Friction

tan θ s=μ s
Angle of static friction force
(Eq1)
tan θ k =μk
Angle of the kinetic friction force
(Eq2)