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Department of Civil Engineering, King Saud University

GE 201 – STATICS -Selected Examples 3-1 (Trusses)

Q. 1 For the truss and loading shown in the Figure, If the magnitude of the reaction at the roller B is 3 kN,
determine the magnitude of each of the three forces F that can be supported by the truss

2m 2m 2m
D A

2m
45 0 B

Solution F F F
The forces F can be obtained by applying M A = 0 (as the unknowns Ax and Ay can be eliminated by taking the
moments about point A), that is:
CCW (+)M A = 0  F  6 + F  4 + F  2 − 3 cos 45   2 = 0  F = 0.354 kN
Ay
 F = 354 N Ans.
2m 2m 2m
D A
Ax
2m
45 0 B

F B = 3kN
F F F
Q. 2-A For the truss and loading shown in the figure:
a) Calculate the support reactions at pin A and roller F.
b) Identify the all zero-force members.
c) Calculate the forces in members AB and AG by using method of joints
d) Calculate the forces in members CB, CF and EF by using method of sections

A 2.3 m

300 2.3 m
B
G 2.3 m
300 C

300 300 D
F
E

12 kN 7 kN

Q2-A Solution
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a) Reactions:
+ Ay
→ Fx = 0  Ax = 0 Ans.
A 2.3
CCW ( + )M A = 0 Ax
 F y  2.3 cos 30 − 12  4.6 cos 30 − 7  6.9 cos 30 = 0 30 B
2.3
 F y = 45 kN  Ans. 30
G 2.3
30 C
+
 Fy = 0  − Ay + 45 − 12 − 7 = 0  Ay = 26 kN  Ans.
F 30 30 D
O E
2.3 cos300 2.3 cos300 2.3 cos300
7 kN
Fy 12 kN
b) Zero force members: BG and BF 26 kN
c) Forces in the members AB and AG using method of joints:
+ A
 F y = 0  − FAG cos30 − FAB cos60 − 26 = 0  FAG = − (0.58FAB + 30)
+ F AB
→ Fx = 0  FAB sin60 + FAG sin 30 = 0  FAB sin60 − (0.58FAB + 30)sin 30 = 0 300
( )
FAB sin60 − 0.58sin 30 − 15 = 0  FAB = 26 kN (T)
 
Ans.
300
F AG
 FAG = − (0.58  26 + 30) = −45 kN  FAG = −45 kN (C) Ans.

d) Forces in the members CB, CF and EF using method of sections:

Cut the truss into two parts through the section shown above, and consider the right part of the truss.
EC = 2.3 sin 30 = 1.15 m
CCW (+)M D = 0  FCF cos 30  1.15 + FCF sin 30  2.3 cos 30 + 12  2.3 cos 30
 FCF = −12 kN (C) Ans.

+
 F y = 0  F CB sin 30 − ( −12) sin 30 − 12 − 7 = 0  FCB = 26 kN (T) Ans.
+
→ Fx = 0  − FEF − 26cos30 − ( −12) cos30 = 0  FEF = −12.1 kN (C) Ans.

F CB
300 2.3 m
C
300
F CF
300 D
F EF E
2.3 cos300

12 kN 7 kN

Q. 2-B For the truss and loading shown in the figure:

a) Calculate the forces in members DC and DE, and EF
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b) Calculate the forces in members CB, CF.

A 2.3 m

300 2.3 m
B
G 2.3 m
300 C

300 D
300 F
E

12 kN 7 kN
FDC
Q2-B Solution 300
FDE
a) It is clear Start with Joint D:
+
 F = 0  FDC sin 30 − 7 = 0  FDC = 7 / 0.5 = 14kN (T ) Joint D 7 kN
Y
+
→ Fx = 0  − FDE − 14cos30 = 0  FDE = −12.1 kN (C) Ans.
FEC
At Joint E
+ FED=-12.1 kN (C)
→ Fx = 0  -FEF + FED=0.0  -FEF + (-12.1)=0.0 FEF
 FEF=-12.1 (C) 12 kN
Joint E
b) It is clear using section method is direct way as the two members CB and CF will be included in
the section
CCW ( + )M D = 0 FC
 FCF sin 30 x 2 x 2.3 cos 30 + 12  2.3 cos30 = 0 30 2.3
C
 FCF = −12 kN (C) Ans. 30
FCF cos300 FC
30 D
F F EF E
FCF sin300

2.3 cos300
2.3 cos300
12 kN 7

Q. 3- For the truss and loading shown in the figure:

10kN
Calculate the forces in members DH, HC, DG, GB, and CB
C H 15k
D
Q3 Solution 2m
F FDE
Always try to omit the zero force members G
2m
Class Work 10kN A
B
2mE 2m 2m 2m
C H 15k
D
2m
F
G
2m
A
B
2mE 2m 2m 2m