COURSE: LECTURE NO.

: FACULTY: DEPARTMENT: UNIVERSITY:

CE 201 (STATICS) 24 to 26 DR. SHAMSHAD AHMAD CIVIL ENGINEERING KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS, DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA ENGINEERING MECHANICS-STATICS by R.C. HIBBELER, PRENTICE HALL

TEXT BOOK:

LECTURE NO. 24 to 26
THE METHOD OF JOINTS AND ZERO FORCE MEMBERS

Objectives:

To show how to determine the forces in the members of a truss using the method of joints To show how to members of a truss identify the zero-force

THE METHOD OF JOINTS

The method of joints for the analysis of a truss consists of the following steps:

Determine the support reactions considering the equilibrium of truss as a whole Consider only one joint at a time Draw the free body diagram for the joint into consideration, indicating the magnitudes, directions, and the senses of the known external forces, reactions, and member forces Apply the conditions of equilibrium for the joint into consideration, as: Eq.1 Fx = 0 Eq.2 Fy = 0 Solve the equations of equilibrium (Eq.1 & 2) to determine the forces in the members meeting at the joint into consideration Go on considering the other joints of the truss one by one till the forces in each of the members of the truss are determined

THE METHOD OF JOINTS

Important Points Always assume the sense of the unknown member forces acting on the joints free-body diagram as tension

If after analysis the magnitude of a member force is found to be negative, reverse its sense, i.e. the sense is to be compression. In all cases, the analysis should start at a joint having at least one known force or reaction and at most two unknown forces, for example joint B in the above figure.

ZERO FORCE MEMBERS

The zero-force members of a truss support no loading and are used to increase the stability of the truss during construction and to provide support if the applied load is changed. Identification of the zero-force members of a truss greatly simplifies the analysis of the truss, using the method of joints. Following two general rules may be helpful in identifying the zero-force members:

ZERO FORCE MEMBERS

Rule-I 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. For example:
+ Fy = 0 FDC sin = 0 FDC = 0 + Fx = 0 FDE + 0 = 0 FDE = 0

Initially, 9 members but reduced to only 5 members after removing the zero force members.

Fx = 0; FAB = 0 + Fy = 0; FAF = 0

ZERO FORCE MEMBERS

Rule-II
If three members form a truss joint for which two of the members are collinear, the third member is a zeroforce member provided no external force or support reaction is applied to the joint.
+ Fx=0 FCA sin = 0 + Fy = 0 FCB = FCD
FCA =

For example:

Initially, 7 members but reduced to only 3 members after removing the zero force members.

+ Fx=0 FDA = 0 + Fy = 0 FDC = FDE

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 1

Determine the force in each member of the truss and state if the members are in tension or compression. Set P1 = 500-lb and P2 = 100-lb.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 1

The support reactions can be calculated by applying equilibrium conditions to the above free-body diagram, as follows:

Fx = 0
The free-body diagram of the entire truss is shown below:
Ax Ay A C Cy

Ax 100 = 0 Ax = 100 lb

(1)

Mabout A = 0

14 Cy + 500 6 + 100 8 = 0 Cy = 271.428 lb

(2)

Fy = 0
P2 = 100lb B P1 = 500lb

Ay + Cy 500 = 0 Ay + Cy = 500 Ay = 500 271.428 = 228.572 lb.

(3)

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 1

271.43 FCB sin 45 = 0 FCB =
271.43 sin 45

Fy = 0

= 383.86 lb (T)

Ans.

Fx = 0 FCA FCB cos 45 = 0 The magnitude and sense of the forces FCA = FCB cos 45 = 383.86 cos 45o in each member of the truss may be = 271.43 lb = 271.43 lb (C) Ans. determined by considering free-body Joint A: diagram of the joints, as follows: The FBD of joint A is as follows: Joint C: 8 271.43 100 lb The free-body diagram of joint C is as = tan 1 = 59.03 6 follows:
228.53 lb

sin = 0.8 and cos = 0.6

FCA 45o FCB 271.43 lb F.B.D. of joint C

FAB

100 271.43 + FAB cos = 0 Ans. FAB = 285.71 (T)

Fx = 0

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 2

Determine the force in each member of the truss and state if the members are in tension or compression. Set P = 4 KN.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 2

Applying equilibrium conditions at joint A, Fy = 0 4 FAE sin = 0
4 FAE = 0.447 = 8.948 kN

= 8.948 kN (C)

Ans.

Fx = 0 Analysis of the given truss may be started from joint A without FAB + FAE cos = 0 calculating the support reactions FAB = 0.894 FAE = 0.894 ( 8.948) = 8 kN (T) Ans. because at joint A there are only two Joint B: unknowns. The FBD of joint B is as follows: Joint A: Fx = 0 8 + FBC = 0 The FBD of joint A is as follows: FBC = 8 kN (T) Ans. Fy = 0 8 FBE = 0 FBE = 8 kN FBE = 8 kN (C) Ans.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 2

88.948sin+FEC sinFED sin = 0 8 + 8.948sin = 26.836 kN (2) FECFED= sin

Fy = 0

Eq. (1) + Eq. (2) 2FEC = 17.88 FEC = 8.9458 kN (T) Ans.

Joint E: The FBD of joint E is as follows:

From Eq. (1) FED = 8.948 8.948 = 17.896 kN FED = 17.896 kN ( C ). Ans.

Joint D: The FBD of joint D is as follows: Fy = 0 FDC 17.896 sin = 0 FDC = 8 kN (T) Ans. Fx = 0 Fx = 0 8.948 cos +FEC cos + FED cos = 0 17.896 cos - Dx = 0 FEC + FED = 8.948 (1) Dx = 17.896 0.894 = 16 kN

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 2

The magnitude and sense of the force in each member of the truss is shown below:
Joint C: The FBD of joint C is as follows:
4 kN 8 kN 4 kN 8 kN C

8 kN

B 8 kN

Cx = 16 kN

8.9 48 kN

kN 48 8.9

Cy = 16 kN 8 kN

8 8.948 cos Cx = 0 Cx = 16 kN = 16 kN () Fy = 0 4 8 8.948 sin + Cy = 0 Cy = 16 kN ( )

Fx = 0

17.

896

kN

Dx = 16 kN

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 3

Determine the force in each member of the truss and state if the members are in tension or compression considering only the self-weight of the members @ 4 kg/m. Set P = 0.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 3

PA = (mAB + mAE) = (157 + 175) = 166 N PB = (mAB + mBE + mBC) = (157 + 78 + 157) = 196 N PC = (mBC + mCE + mCD) = (157 + 175 +157) = 245 N PE = (mAE + mBC + mEC + mED) = (175 + 78 + 175 + 175) = 302 N Masses of members are calculated PD = (mED + mCD) = (175 + 157) = 166 N below using the unit weight and the length of the members: FBD of the truss showing loads at joints is given below: mAB = 4 4 = 16kg = 157N mAE = 4 ( 4 + 2 ) = 17.88 kg = 175 N
2 2

166 N

196 N B

245 N C

mBE = 4 2 = 8 kg = 78 N mBC = 4 4 = 16 kg = 157 N mCE = 4 ( 4 + 2 ) = 17.88 kg = 175 N

2 2

Cx

Cy

E 302 N Dx

Loads at joints of the truss are calculated as follows:

D 166 N

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 3

166 N 196 N B 245 N C Cy

Fy = 0 166 FAE sin = 0

Cx

E 302 N Dx

FAE = 371.36 N (C)

D 166 N

166 FAE = 0.449 = 371.36 N

Ans.

Analysis of the given truss may be = (371.36)0.894 = 332 N (T) started from joint A without Joint B: calculating the support reactions The FBD of joint B is as follows: because at joint A there are only two unknowns. Joint A: The free-body diagram of joint A is as follows: Fx = 0 FBC 332 = 0 FBC = 332 N (T) Ans.

Fx = 0 FAB + FAE cos = 0 FAB = FAE cos

Ans.

Fy = 0 196 FBE = 0

FBE = 196 FBE = 196 N (C) Ans.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 3

166 N 196 N B 245 N C Cy A Cx

Eq. (1) + Eq. (2) 2FEC = 1114.09 FEC = 557 N (T)

Ans.

E 302 N Dx

D 166N

From Eq. (1), FED =371557=928N=928N (C) Ans. Joint D: The FBD of joint D is as follows:

Joint E: The FBD of joint E is as follows:

FEC cos+ FED cos + 371 cos = 0 FEC + FED = 371 (1) Fy = 0 196371sin 302+FECsinFED sin = 0
FECFED= 302 + 196 + 371 0.447 =1485.09N 0.447 (2)

Fx = 0

FDC = 581 N ( T )

Fy = 0 FDC 928 sin - 166 = 0

Dx = 928 0.894 = 830 N

Fx = 0 928 cos - Dx = 0

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 3

166 N 196 N B 245 N C Cy A Cx

E 302 N Dx

D 166N

The magnitude and sense of the force in each member of the truss is shown below:
166N 332N 196N B 196N 332N 245N C A Cx = 830N

Joint C: The FBD of joint C is as follows:

371 .36 N

Cy = 1075N
N 5 57

E 302N
928 N

581N

D 166N

Dx = 830 N

Fx = 0 Cx 332 557 cos = 0

Cx = 830 N

Fy = 0 245 581557 sin +Cy = 0

Cy = 1075 N

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 4

Determine the force in each member of the truss and state if the members are in tension or compression. Set P1 = P2 = 4 kN.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 4

Applying equilibrium conditions at joint C,

Fy = 0 FCB sin 4 = 0
FCB = 8 kN (T) Ans.

FCD= 6.93 kN = 6.93 kN (C) Ans. Joint D: Analysis of the given truss may be The free-body diagram of joint D is as started from joint C without follows: calculating the support reactions because at joint C there are only two D unknowns. Joint C: The FBD of joint C is as follows: Fx = 0 FDE 6.93 = 0 FDE= 6.93 kN= 6.93 kN ( C) Ans.

Fx = 0 FCD FCB cos 30 = 0

Fy = 0 FDB 4 = 0

FDB = 4 kN ( T) Ans.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 4

Fy = 0
4+4 FBA FBE = 0.5 = 16

+FBA sin 30 FBE sin 30 4 8 sin 30 = 0 (2)

Solving, Eqs. (1) and (2), FBA = 12 kN (T) and FBC = 4 kN (C)

Ans.

Joint B: The FBD of joint B is as follows:

Support A The FBD of support A, as follows:

Ay Ax 12 = = By Sine Rule, Sin120 Sin150 Sin90

FBA cos30 FBE cos30+ 8 cos30 = 0 (1) FBA + FBE = 8

Fx = 0

From the above equation, Ax and Ay can be determined as: Ax = 10.392 kN and Ay = 6 kN

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 4

The magnitude and sense of the force in each member of the truss is shown below:
Ay=6kN

Support E FBD of support E, as follows:

Ax=10.392kN
12k N

B
4kN

8kN

4kN C

Ex=10.392kN
E 6.93kN D 4kN 6.93kN

Fx = 0 Ex 6.93 4 cos30 = 0
Ex = 10.392 kN Ey = 2 kN

Ey=2kN

4kN

Fy = 0 Ey 4 sin30 = 0

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 5

For the given loading, determine the zero-force members in the Pratt roof truss. Explain your answers using appropriate joint free-body diagrams.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 5

FBC B

FBA

FBK

F.B.D. of Joint B

FLB FLK

Since, there is no external force or reaction at joint B and FBA and FBC are collinear, FBK = 0 (according to Rule II)
FKC FKL FKS

FLA

F.B.D. of Joint L

Since, there is no reaction or external force at joint L and FLA and FLK are Since, there is no external force or collinear, FLB = 0 (according to Rule II) reaction at joint K, and FKL and FKS are collinear, FKC = 0 (according to Rule II)

F.B.D. of Joint K

PROBLEM SOLVING: Example # 5

Therefore, the zero-force members of the given of truss are as follows: LB, BK, KC, HF, FI, IE and EJ Ans.

After removing the zero-force members, the truss diagram is shown below: Similarly, considering joints H, F, I, and E, FHF = 0 FFI = 0 FIE = 0 FEJ = 0

Multiple Choice Problems

1. The zero-force members of the truss as shown in the following figure are

(a) EA and ED (c) CA and CB Ans: (b)

(b) DA and CA (d) BA and BC

Feedback: The members DA and CA are the zero-force members by applying Rule II at joints D and C

Multiple Choice Problems

2. The magnitude and sense of the force in member CE of the truss as shown in the following figure are

(a) 0 (c) 5 kN (C) Ans: (c) Feedback:

(b) 5 kN (T) (d) none of these

= 0 (at joint C)

5 + FCE = 0 FCE = 5 kN = 5 kN (C)