Trusses

A truss is a structure composed of members and joints that functions as a single object to
counter any forces applied to it. Members are labeled by the joints at each of their ends. For
example, if a triangular truss has three connected joints labeled A, B, and C, it would have the
members AB, BC, and AC. Finding the amount of force each member experiences requires a
two-step process. First, any unknown reaction forces supplied by the truss’s supports must be
solved by treating the truss as a rigid body with no internal members or features. Once all
external forces are known, the internal members and joints can be examined using one of the
two methods discussed in this handout: the method of joints or the method of sections. This
handout will cover the details of the two different methods as well as how to set up and solve
different problems with them.
You can navigate to specific sections of this handout by clicking the links below.
Tension and Compression: pg. 1
Solving for Reactive Forces: pg. 2
Solving Trusses: Method of Joints: pg. 4
Solving Trusses: Methods of Sections: pg. 6
Practice Problems: Joints and Sections: pg. 8

Tension and Compression

In any truss, members can experience one of two types of forces: tension or compression.
Correctly identifying the type of force a member experiences is a crucial part of a solution,
which is done by attaching a word or a sign to each force. Tension occurs when the member is
pulled from both ends while compression occurs when it is pushed inward from each end, as
illustrated in the figure to the right. If a member experiences neither a tensile or compressive
force, then it is called a “zero-force member.” When solving a problem, tension is always
written as a positive value, and compression is always written as a negative value.

Provided by Trusses
The Academic Center for Excellence 1 September 2018
Solving for Reaction Forces
Consider the truss in the figure below, it will be used for all explanations throughout the
handout. First, start by examining the forces on the entire structure. The two supports in this
problem are a fixed pin on the left side and a roller on the right. Therefore, the unknown forces
at joint A are Ax and AY, while the only unknown force at joint D is DY because rollers do not
produce a reactionary force in the x direction.

Provided by Trusses
The Academic Center for Excellence 2 September 2018
Remember that a support describes what type of reaction forces occur at a specific point.
While there are a number of different types of supports, the symbols that represent them are
mostly the same across engineering textbooks.

The unknown reaction forces can be found as follows:

Σ𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = 𝑨𝑨𝒙𝒙 = 𝟎𝟎
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = −𝐴𝐴𝑦𝑦 + 𝐷𝐷𝑦𝑦 − 3𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 − 6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 0
𝐴𝐴𝑦𝑦 = 𝐷𝐷𝑦𝑦 − 9𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
The sum of the moments
Σ𝑀𝑀𝐴𝐴 = −(2 m)(3 kN) − (4 m)(6 kN) + (6 m)𝐷𝐷𝑦𝑦 = 0 were calculated here
because there were
(6 𝑚𝑚) 𝐷𝐷𝑦𝑦 = (6 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 ⋅ 𝑚𝑚) + (24 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 ⋅ 𝑚𝑚)
three unknown forces
(6 𝑚𝑚) 𝐷𝐷𝑦𝑦 = (30 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 ⋅ 𝑚𝑚)
𝑫𝑫𝒚𝒚 = 𝟓𝟓 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌
𝐴𝐴𝑦𝑦 = 𝐷𝐷𝑦𝑦 − 9𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
Substitute 𝐷𝐷𝑦𝑦 into the equation
𝐴𝐴𝑦𝑦 = 5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 − 9𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
previously identified from Σ𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦
𝑨𝑨𝒚𝒚 = −𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒
𝑫𝑫𝒚𝒚 = 𝟓𝟓 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 | 𝑨𝑨𝒚𝒚 = −𝟒𝟒 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 | 𝑨𝑨𝒙𝒙 = 𝟎𝟎 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌

Recall that the equations of equilibrium were established, assuming that 𝐴𝐴𝑦𝑦 was directed
downward. However, a negative result from the calculations means that this assumption was
incorrect. Therefore, the force must be directed in the opposite direction (in this case,
upwards), and it will be a positive value in future calculations. Now that the reaction forces
have been identified, the internal forces can be analyzed using the method of joints or the
method of sections.

Provided by Trusses
The Academic Center for Excellence 3 September 2018
Solving Trusses: Method of Joints

The method of joints evaluates the amount of force for every single member in the structure. In
this method, free-body diagrams are drawn for each joint in the truss. For more on free-body
diagrams see the Academic Center for Excellence’s Free-Body Diagrams handout.
Each joint is in static equilibrium, so the forces are summed up in the x and y directions.
Sometimes the moment about a joint must also be calculated in order to solve for all the
unknown forces. Using the moment is a helpful tool when there are more than two unknown
forces acting on the truss, but it may also be used when there are less.

Joint A:
1
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = 𝑇𝑇𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 + 𝑇𝑇𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 0
√2
1
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = 𝑇𝑇𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 + 4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 0
√2

After setting up the equations of equilibrium, find the unknown forces along the members by
solving the system.

𝑻𝑻𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 = −𝟒𝟒√𝟐𝟐 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 (𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪)

𝑻𝑻𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 = 𝟒𝟒 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 (𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻)

Joint B:
1
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = −𝑇𝑇𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 + 𝑇𝑇𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 + 𝑇𝑇𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 0
√10
𝑻𝑻𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 was already found in
3 the previous free-body
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = 𝑇𝑇𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 − 3𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 0
√10 diagram for Joint A
𝑻𝑻𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩 = 𝟑𝟑 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 (𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻)
𝑻𝑻𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩 = √𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 (𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻)

Provided by Trusses
The Academic Center for Excellence 4 September 2018
Joint C:
1
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = −𝑇𝑇𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 + 𝑇𝑇𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 − 𝑇𝑇𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 0
√10
3
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = 𝑇𝑇𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 − 6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 0
√10
𝑻𝑻𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪 = 𝟐𝟐√𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 (𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻)
𝑻𝑻𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪 = 𝟓𝟓 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 (𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻)
Joint D:
1
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = − 𝑇𝑇𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 − 𝑇𝑇𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 0
√2
1
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = 𝑇𝑇𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 + 5𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 0
√2
𝑻𝑻𝑫𝑫𝑫𝑫 = −𝟓𝟓√𝟐𝟐 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 (𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪)

Now all of the unknown forces have been solved. Notice that point E
was not needed to solve for any forces. Because of this, it can be used
as a means of checking the answers. By setting the equations of
equilibrium for joint E and using values from the previous calculations,
the answers will be confirmed as long as the equations cancel out to zero.
1 1 1 1
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = �4√2 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘� − �√10 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘� + �2√10 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘� − �5√2� = 0
√2 √10 √10 √2
4−1+2−5=0
𝟎𝟎 = 𝟎𝟎

1 3 3 1
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = �4√2 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘� − �√10 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘� − �2√10 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘� + �5√2� = 0
√2 √10 √10 √2
4−3−6+5=0
𝟎𝟎 = 𝟎𝟎

Provided by Trusses
The Academic Center for Excellence 5 September 2018
Solving Trusses: Method of Sections

The method of sections is commonly used when the forces on only a few members need to be
found. To do so, the truss is cut so that the member(s) can be more efficiently analyzed. When
working with this method, a “cut” is an imaginary line drawn through the structure that isolates
a section of the truss with the goal of simplifying the problem. It is important to remember that
the cut may not intersect more than three members, or the problem becomes unsolvable. The
cut members are converted into forces, which are then described in a free-body diagram that
can be evaluated by using the equations of equilibrium.

Example
Suppose a problem asks for the force supplied by member CE in the following diagram. Begin
with the whole structure, and make a cut that intersects the desired member, remembering to
not cross more than three members. Based on those requirements, this example makes a cut at
members BC, CE, and DE. The right portion of the cut will be used to solve the problem because
it has fewer unknown forces at its joints than the other side.

Provided by Trusses
The Academic Center for Excellence 6 September 2018
Next, convert the members that were cut into forces, take the summations of forces with the
remaining reaction forces, and apply the equations of equilibrium. This will result in the
following free-body diagram and summations. Remember that all reaction forces are already
solved for in the first section. Also, note that the new structure is analyzed as a free-body, so
internal forces, such as FCD, are not considered. Please refer to our Free-Body Diagrams
handout for more information on working with free body diagrams.

1 1
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑥𝑥 = −𝑇𝑇𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 − 𝑇𝑇𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 − 𝑇𝑇𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 = 0
√10 √2
3 1
Σ𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 = 𝐷𝐷𝑦𝑦 + 𝑇𝑇𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 +
𝑇𝑇𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 − 6𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 0
√10 √2
3
Σ𝑀𝑀𝐷𝐷 = (6 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘)(2 𝑚𝑚) − (𝑇𝑇𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 )(2 𝑚𝑚) = 0
√10

Of the three equations, Σ𝑀𝑀𝐷𝐷 is the most useful due to it only containing one variable (𝑇𝑇𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 ).

6m
Σ𝑀𝑀𝐷𝐷 = 12 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 𝑇𝑇𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶
√10
𝑻𝑻𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪 = 𝟐𝟐√10 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 tension

This example demonstrates the efficiency of the method of sections when not all forces must
be found because the problem was completed by using only one equation, whereas finding the
same force using the method of joints would have taken far more equations and time to solve.

Practice problems for both methods can be found on the following pages, along with the
answers to the problems at the end of this handout.

Provided by Trusses
The Academic Center for Excellence 7 September 2018
Practice Problems: Joints and Sections
Problem 1:

Find the forces in every member of the truss pictured above. State whether each member is in
tension or compression (see page 10 for solution).

Provided by Trusses
The Academic Center for Excellence 8 September 2018
Problem 2:

For the truss pictured above, find forces BC, CF, and FE. State whether each member is in
tension or compression (see page 10 for solution).

Provided by Trusses
The Academic Center for Excellence 9 September 2018
 Solutions:
1) AD = 318.2 lb compression
AB = 225 lb tension
BC = 225 lb tension
BD = 0 lb
CD = 318.2 lb tension

2) FE = 800 lb tension
CF = 1980 lb tension
BC = 2200 lb compression

Provided by Trusses
The Academic Center for Excellence 10 September 2018