Truss: Graphical Method
Theory of Structure - I
Lecture Outlines
Bows Notation Maxwell Diagram Interpretation of Maxwell Diagram
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
Bows Notation
ef eh
In this system, the spaces between lines of action of the forces acting on the joints of the truss are given a lowercase letter. Any force is correspondingly designated by the letters of the two spaces separated by its line of action.
a f
i d j
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
Maxwells Diagram
ef eh
b c
Maxwell diagram is the second step while calculating the forces in truss members by Graphical Method, after Bows notation. Force polygon is drawn first at some suitable scale.
g a f
i d j
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
b c a g a f e j h i d b e c
After completing the force polygon of applied forces and reactions, we will locate the intermediate points f, g, h, i, j. The points will be located by drawing the lines in true sense surrounding these points. For example, af and ef are drawn and where they will intersect, they will give the point f.
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FORCE POLYGON
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
Interpreting Maxwell Diagram
d
g a f
j e
We can find the following attributes of the truss member from the Maxwell diagram.
i j h f
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
Magnitude of the force Sense of the force (tension or compression)
b e c
Length of the line af will show the magnitude of the force in member af.
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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b B
To find the sense, draw FBD of joint A and read clock wise.
A
g f
i d j
a e
Direction of af is downward and towards the joint A means the force will be directed towards the joint. Force directing towards the joint is compressive and af will be in compression.
11 Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
e c f d
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Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
Example
For cross checking, take joint B and read clock wise. Now it reads fa. Now fa is directing upward i.e., towards joint B, hence af or fa will be in compression.
For the same truss use the Graphical Method to construct a Maxwell diagram and find the forces in the members
4 bays @ 3m
1kN
2kN
2kN
2kN
1kN
3m
45o
R1=4kN
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R2=4kN
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First find the reactions. Using symmetry R1 = R2 = 8/2 = 4kN
Next select a scale and draw a line representing all the loads and reactions First annotate using Bows Notation (label spaces between members and forces)
4 bays @ 3m
all the loads are vertical - so is the line the line is the line a,b,c,d,e,f (ag, gf) ab = 1, bc = 2,...etc ag = 4, gf = 4 begin with a zone near a reaction, e.g h ah is vertical and gh is horizontal - meet at g (h & g at same point) hg is 0 take next zone - i bi is horizontal and ih is at 45o - draw these lines they meet at i Now ij is vertical and jg is horizontal. This locates j k
a b c
4 3 2
1kN
2kN
2kN
2kN
1kN
b
3m
c j k g l
d m
e n 0 f
jm l n
a h
g ho 0 scale d for forces e f
R1=4kN
R2=4kN
Proceed to k in same way and half the truss is solved
First find the reactions. Using symmetry R1 = R2 = 8/2 = 4kN
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan 15
Measure all lines - this gives the force in each member need to use a special convention to determine tension or compression
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan 16
Department of Civil Engineering University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan
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