CHAPTER 6

Space Trusses
 INTRODUCTION
A space truss consists of members joined
together at their ends to form a stable three-
dimensional structures
A stable simple space truss can be built from
the basic tetrahedral, formed by connecting
six members with four joints
INTRODUCTION
 OBJECTIVES
To determine the stability and determinacy of
space trusses
To determine member forces of space trusses
using tension coefficient analysis
 TYPE OF SPACE TRUSSES
1. Simple Space Truss
This truss is constructed from a tetrahedron. The truss
can be enlarged by adding three members.
 TYPE OF SPACE TRUSSES
2. Compound Space Truss
This truss is constructed by combining two or more
simple truss.
 TYPE OF SPACE TRUSSES

3. Complex Space Truss

Complex truss is a truss that cannot be classified as
simple truss or compound truss.
 DETERMINACY & STABILITY
Due to three dimensions, there will be three
equations of equilibrium for each joint.
(Fx = 0; Fy = 0; Fz = 0)
The external stability of the space truss requires
that the support reactions keep the truss in force
and moment equilibrium.
Generally, the least number of required reactions
for stable and externally determinate is SIX
If r < 6 Unstable
If r > 6 Externally Indeterminate
 DETERMINACY & STABILITY
For internal determinacy, if m = number of
members; j = number of joints; r = number of
supports; therefore:
If m = 3j + r Stable and Internally
Determinate
If m < 3j + r Unstable
If m > 3j + r Internally Indeterminate
Internal stability can sometimes be checked by
careful inspection of the member
arrangement.
 DETERMINACY & STABILITY

Internally
m + r = 3j Determinate Truss
m + r > 3j Indeterminate Truss
m + r < 3j Unstable Truss

Externally
r<6 Unstable Truss
r=6 Determinate if Truss is Stable
r>6 Indeterminate Truss
TYPES OF SUPPORT
 EXAMPLE 1

m = 3, j = 4, r = 9
Ball &
Socket
m + r = 12
3j = 12
m + r = 3j

Determinate Truss
 EXAMPLE 2

m = 15, j = 10, r = 15

m + r = 30
3j = 30
Ball & m + r = 3j
Socket

Determinate Truss
 EXAMPLE 3

m = 13, j = 8, r = 12

m + r = 25
3j = 24
m + r = 25 3j = 24
Ball &
Socket Indeterminate Truss
in the First Degree
 ASSUMPTIONS FOR DESIGN
The members are joined together by smooth pins
(no friction cannot resist moment)
All loadings and reactions are applied centrally at the
joints
The centroid for each members are straight and
concurrent at a joint

Therefore, each truss member acts as an axial force

member:
If the force tends to elongate Tensile (T)
If the force tends to shorten Compressive (C)
 ZERO FORCE MEMBERS
THEOREM 1:
If all members and external force except one member at
a joint, (say, joint B) lie in the same plane, then, the force
in member A is zero.

Member A

B z
P
x
y

The force in member A is zero

 ZERO FORCE MEMBERS
THEOREM 2:
If all members at a joint has zero force except for two
members, (say member A and B), and both members (A
and B) do not lie in a straight line, then the force in
member A and B are zero.
Member B
FBy
Member A
FBx
FAy
FAx 0
Both members A and B has zero force
because both members do not lie in a 0 0
straight line.
 ZERO FORCE MEMBERS
If members A and B lie in a straight line, then, the forces
in these members MIGHT NOT be zero. In fact, referring
to the example below:

FAx = -FBx Member B

Member A
FAy = -FBy
FBx
FAy FBy
FAx
0
0 0
 ZERO FORCE MEMBERS
THEOREM 3:
If three members at a joint do not lie in the same plane
and there is no external force at that joint, then the force
in the three members is zero.

Member A
Member B

Three members connected at a

joint has zero force. A plane can
consists of two members, say Member C
member A and B. Thus, no force
can balance the component of
member C that is normal to the
plane.
 EXAMPLE 4
Identify the members of the space
truss that has zero force.

Theorem 1: Joint L
F1= 0 and F2 = 0

Theorem 3: Joint K
F3 = F4 = F5 = 0 and F1= 0

Theorem 3: Joint M
F6 = F7 = F8 = 0 and F2= 0

Theorem 3: Joint J
F9 = F10 = F11= 0 and F5 = F6= 0
 EXAMPLE 5

Theorem 1: Joint F
Members FE, FC, FD lie in a
plane, except member FG. Thus,
member FG has zero force.
Theorem 3: Joint F
Members FE, FC, FD have zero
force.
Theorem 3: Joint E
Members ED, EA, EH have zero
force.
 ANALYSIS METHOD: TENSION
COEFFICIENT
To determine
member forces
Based on 3D particle
equilibrium

Lx = L cos : Ly = L cos ; Lz = L cos

Fx = F cos : Fy = F cos ; Fz = F cos

Therefore: = = =

 ANALYSIS METHOD: TENSION
COEFFICIENT
Tension Coefficient: t = F/L
Fx = tLx ; Fy = tLy ; Fz = tLz
If t positive (tension), if t negative (compression)
The actual force and length are given from:

= 2 + 2 + 2 = 2 + 2 + 2

For 3D equilibrium:
Fx = 0 ; Fy = 0 ; Fz = 0
tLx = 0 ; tLy = 0 ; tLz = 0
 ANALYSIS METHOD: TENSION
COEFFICIENT
y

L, F

Lz , Fz
x
Ly , Fy

A Lx , Fx
z

The component of length, L, and force, F in the x, y, z direction

 ANALYSIS METHOD: TENSION
COEFFICIENT
y
B

Fy
=

A
= =
F
X
O
Fx D
x =
Fz
Where t = F/L
E C
z t = tension coefficient
 ANALYSIS METHOD: TENSION
COEFFICIENT
y
B

Fy
A
=
Y F
= =
O
Fx D
x
Fz =
E C
z
 ANALYSIS METHOD: TENSION
COEFFICIENT
y
B

Fy
A =
F
= =
O
Fx D
x
Z =
Fz

E C
z
 EXAMPLE 6
The space truss shown in z
the figure has roller and y
socket support at joint A, B,
C and D x
40 kN
i) Determine the member 40 kN
force for all members E 10 kN
G
at joint F and G 20 kN 40 kN
2m
ii) Determine the reaction F
B
at support C
A
C
2m
4m
1m
D
 EXAMPLE 6 Solution
1. Start at Joint G
Member Lx (m) Ly (m) Lz (m) L (m) t (kN/m) F (kN)
GC 0 0 -2 2 -20 -40
GE -4 -2 0 4.47 2.5 11.18
GF 0 -2 0 2 -2.5 -5
Force (kN) 10 0 -40

Fx = 0: -4tGE + 10 = 0 tGE= 2.5 kN/m

Fz = 0: -2tGC 40 = 0 tGC = -20 kN/m
Fy = 0: -2tGE 2tGF = 0
-2(2.5) 2tGF = 0 tGF = -2.5 kN/m
 EXAMPLE 6 Solution
2. Move to Joint F
Member Lx (m) Ly (m) Lz (m) L (m) t (kN/m) F (kN)
FC 0 2 -2 2.83 -5 -14.14
FD 0 -1 -2 2.24 -15 -33.6
FE -4 0 0 4 0 0
FG 0 2 0 -2.5
Force (kN) 0 0 -40
Fx = 0: -4tFE = 0 tFE = 0 kN/m
Fy = 0: 2tFC tFD + 2tFG = 0 2tFC tFD 5 = 0 ....... (i)
Fz = 0: -2tFC 2tFD 40 = 0 .......(ii)
(i) + (ii): -3tFD -45 = 0 tFD = -15 kN/m
From (i): -2tFC (-15) 5 = 0 tFC = -5 kN/m
 EXAMPLE 6 Solution
3. Calculate the Reaction at Joint C
Member Lx (m) Ly (m) Lz (m) L (m) t (kN/m) F (kN)
CF 0 -2 2 -5
CG 0 0 2 -20
Force (kN) RCx RCy RCz

Fx = 0: RCx = 0 kN
Fy = 0: -2tCF + RCy = 0
-2(-5) + RCy = 0 RCy = -10 kN ( )
Fz = 0: 2tCF + 2tCG + RCz = 0
2(-5) + 2(50) + RCz = 0 RCz = 50 kN ( )
 Slotted roller
EXAMPLE 7
constraint in a
Short link
cylinder
z C

B Determine the force in

each member of the
space truss shown.

4m D

Ez = 4 kN
A
x

Ball & 4m E 2m
socket
2m
y
 EXAMPLE 7 Solution
1. Start with joints where there are only 3 unknowns
force/reaction.
Joint B 5 unknowns
Joint C 5 unknowns
Joint A 7 unknowns
Joint E 4 unknowns

Joint D
Theorem 3: Three members at a joint and no external force. Thus ,
all members have zero forces.
tDC = tDA = tDE = 0
 EXAMPLE 7 Solution
Joint E
Member Lx (m) Ly (m) Lz (m) L (m) t (kN/m) F (kN)
EC -2 -4 4 4.47 0 0
EB 2 -4 4 6 1 6
ED -2 -4 0 4.47 0 0
EA 2 -4 0 4.47 -1 -4.47
Force (kN) 0 0 -4
Fz = 0: 4tEB + 4tEC 4 = 0 .......(i)
Fx = 0: -2tEC + 2tEB 2tED + 2tEA = 0 ....... (ii) where tED = 0
Fy = 0: -4tEC 4tEB 4tED 4tEA = 0 .......(iii) where tED = 0
Solve Eq. (i), (ii) & (iii): tEC = 0 kN/m, tEA = -1 kN/m and tEB = 1 kN/m
 EXAMPLE 7 Solution
Joint C
Joint C has three (3) RCy
unknowns, as tCE = tCD = 0 z C

B
Therefore, by Theorem 3:
tCB = tCA = RCy = 0

A Ez = 4 kN
x
y
E
 EXAMPLE 7 Solution
Joint C
Member Lx (m) Ly (m) Lz (m) L (m) t (kN/m) F (kN)
CE 2 4 -4 6 0 0
CA 4 0 -4 5.66 0 0
CD 0 0 -4 4 0 0
CB 4 0 0 4 0 0
Force (kN) 0 -RCy 0

Fz = 0: 4tCA = 0 tCA = 0 kN/m

Fx = 0: 4tCA + 4tCB = 0 tCB = 0 kN/m
Fy = 0: -RCy = 0
 EXAMPLE 7 Solution
Joint B
Joint B has three (3)
z C
unknowns.
RBy
B

RBx

A
Ez = 4 kN
x
y
E
 EXAMPLE 7 Solution
Joint B
Member Lx (m) Ly (m) Lz (m) L (m) t (kN/m) F (kN)
BC -4 0 0 4 0 0
BA 0 0 -4 4 -1 -4
BE -2 -4 -4 6 1 6
Force (kN) RBx -RBy 0

Fx = 0: -4tBC 2tBE + RBx = 0 RBx = 2 kN

Fy = 0: -4tBE RBy = 0 RBy = -4 kN
Fz = 0: -4tBA 4tBE = 0 tBA = -1 kN/m
 EXAMPLE 7 Solution
Joint A

z C

D
RAy

RAx A
Ez = 4 kN
x
y
RAz
E
 EXAMPLE 7 Solution
Joint A
Member Lx (m) Ly (m) Lz (m) L (m) t (kN/m) F (kN)
AB 0 0 4 4 -1 -4
AC -4 0 4 5.66 0 0
AD -4 0 0 4 0 0
AE -2 4 0 4.47 -1 -4.47
Force (kN) -RAx RAy RAz

Fx = 0: -4tAC 4tAD 2tAE RAx = 0 RAx = -2 kN

Fy = 0: 4tAE + RAy = 0 RAy = -4 kN
Fz = 0: 4tAB + 4tAC + RAz = 0 RAz = 4 kN
 EXAMPLE 7 Solution
Method 2
RCy
Reactions at A, B and C can z C
also be obtained from RBy
Method 2 B

RBx

D
RAy

RAx A
Ez = 4 kN
x
y
RAz
E
 EXAMPLE 7 Solution
Method 2
My = 0 Fx = 0
-4(2) + RBx (4) = 0 2 RAx = 0
RBx = 2 kN RAx = 2 kN
Mz = 0 Fy = 0
RCy = 0 kN RAy 4 = 0
Mx = 0 RAy = 4 kN
RBy (4) 4(4) = 0 Fz = 0
RBy = 4 kN RAz 4 = 0
RAz = 4 kN
 CLASS EXERCISE
The space truss shown in the Figure consists of six members and is
supported by a short link at A, two short links at B, and a ball and
socket at D. Analyse the force in each of the members for the given
loading.
y

2m 2m

3m D
B O
z
7m C
x

1800 N