ENGR 213 A: Statics

Fall 2010
Homework Set # 12
DUE: Wednesday 11/24/2010

6.14, 6.51, 6.63, 6.99, 6.110

6.14 Determine the force in each member of the roof truss shown. State whether each member is in
tension or compression.

RAx
RAy RE

SOLUTION

Reaction Forces. Consider the entire truss as a free body. Because of symmetry of loading,

RAx = 0 kN
R Ay  R E  (Total load)/2  3.6 kN

In the following calculation, we arbitrary assume that all members are in tension. A negative value
indicates that our assumption is wrong and the member is indeed in compression.

Special Members. Member DF is a zero force member and EF is aligned with the load, thus
FDF = 0◄
FEF = 1.2 kN◄

Free Body: Joint A. We start with joint A, as it is subjected to two unknown forces from AB and AC.
1.2 kN 12 5
 Fy  0 : (3.6  1.2 kN)  FAB ( )  0
5 F 13
13 AB FAB = 6.24 kN◄
A 12
FAC  Fx  0 : FAB ( )  FAC  0
13
3.6 kN
 FAC = 5.76 kN◄

Free Body: Joint B. The joint is subjected to four forces with two unknown forces from BD and BC.

2.4 kN 6 12 12
FBD  Fx  0 : FBC  FBD  (6.24 kN)( )  0
61 13 13
5 5 5
B  Fy  0 :  FBC  FBD  (6.24 kN)( )  2.4 kN  0
12 61 13 13
61
5 5 FBC = 2.50 kN◄
13 FBD = 4.16 kN◄
6 F
FBA = 6.24 kN BC

Free Body: Joint C. The joint is subjected to four member forces with two unknown member forces
from CD and CE. We arbitrary assume that both members are in tension, since we do not know the sense
of these forces before we solve for them.

FCD 5 5
 Fy  0 : FCD ( )  ( 2.5 kN)( )0
34 61
FCB=2.5 kN 6 FCD = 1.866 kN◄
34 5
5
61 C 3 6 3
 Fx  0 : (2.5 kN)( )  5.76 kN  FCE  FCD ( )0
61 34
FCA=5.76 kN FCE
FCE = 2.88 kN◄

Free Body: Joint E. The joint is subjected to four forces with one
unknown member force from DE. We arbitrary assume that the force
is acting away from the joint, i.e., member BC is in tension, since we do not know the sense of these
forces before we solve for them.
FEF = 1.2 kN
FED 5
6  Fy  0 : FED  1.2 kN  3.6 kN  0
61
5 FED = 3.75 kN◄
61
E
6
F = 2.88 kN
EC  Fx  0 :  FED  2.88 kN  0 (Check)
61

RE = 3.6 kN

Free Body: Joint D. Optionally, we can check joint D, since all forces on this joint are known.

2.4 kN

D
12
61
5 5
FBD = 4.16 kN 13
6 FED = 3.75 kN
34 5
3
FDC = 1.866 kN
 12 3 6
 Fx  0 :  FBD  FDC  FED 0
13 34 61
12 3 6
 ( 4.16 kN)  (1.866 kN)  ( 3.75 kN) 0 (Check)
13 34 61
5 5 5
 Fy  0 :  FBD  FDC  FED  2.4 kN  0
13 34 61
5 5 5
 (4.16 kN)  (1.866 kN)  (3.75 kN)  2.4 kN  0
13 34 61
(Check)

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION

In the following calculation, we try, at every joint, to determine the sense of the force from each
member.

Free Body: Joint A. We start with joint A, since it is subjected to only two unknown member forces
from AB and AC, pulling from AC and pushing from AB.
1.2 kN 12 5
 Fy  0 : (3.6  1.2 kN)  FAB ( )0
5 F 13
13 AB FAB = 6.24 kN C◄
A 12
FAC  Fx  0 :  FAB ( )  FAC  0
13
3.6 kN FAC = 5.76 kN T◄

Free Body: Joint B. The joint is subjected to four forces with two unknown forces from BD and BC.
We arbitrary assume that both members are in tension, since we do not know the sense of these forces
before we solve. A positive value indicates that our assumption is correct and the member is in tension.
A negative value indicates that our assumption is wrong and the member is indeed in compression.
6 12 12
2.4 kN  Fx  0 : FBC  FBD  (6.24 kN)( )  0
61 13 13
FBD
5 5 5
 Fy  0 :  FBC  FBD  (6.24 kN)( )  2.4 kN  0
61 13 13
B
12 FBC = 2.50 kN FBC = 2.50 kN C◄
61
5 5 FBD = 4.16 kN FBD = 4.16 kN C◄
13
6 F
FBA = 6.24 kN BC

Free Body: Joint C. The joint is subjected to four member forces with two unknown member forces
from CD and CE. We arbitrary assume that both members are in tension, since we do not know the sense
of these forces before we solve for them.

FCD 5 5
 Fy  0 : FCD ( )  ( 2.5 kN)( )0
34 61
FCB=2.5 kN 6
34 5
5 FCD = 1.866 kN FCD = 1.866 kN T◄
61 C 3
6 3
FCA=5.76 kN FCE  Fx  0 : (2.5 kN)( )  5.76 kN  FCE  FCD ( )0
61 34
 FCE = 2.88 kN FCE = 2.88 kN T◄

Free Body: Joint E. The joint is subjected to four forces with one unknown member force from DE.
We arbitrary assume that the force is acting away from the joint, i.e., member BC is in tension, since we
do not know the sense of these forces before we solve for them.

FEF = 1.2 kN 5
 Fy  0 : FED  1.2 kN  3.6 kN  0
FED 61
6 FED = 3.75 kN FED = 3.75 kN C◄
5
61 6
E  Fx  0 :  FED  2.88 kN  0 (Check)
61
FEC = 2.88 kN

RE = 3.6 kN

Free Body: Joint D. Optionally, we can check joint D, since all forces on this joint are known.

2.4 kN

D
12
61
5 5
13
FBD = 4.16 kN 6 FED = 3.75 kN
34 5
3
FDC = 1.866 kN
12 3 6
 Fx  0 : (4.16 kN)  (1.866 kN)  (3.75 kN) 0
13 34 61
(Check)
5 5 5
 Fy  0 : (4.16 kN)  (1.866 kN)  (3.75 kN)  2.4 kN  0
13 34 61
(Check)
6.51 A Howe scissors roof truss is loaded as shown. Determine the force in members DF, DG, and EG.

RAx

RAy RL
SOLUTION

Reaction Forces. Consider the entire truss as a free body to determine the unknown reactions.

Because of symmetry of loading,

RAx = 0 kips
R Ay  R L  (Total load)/2  (0.8  1.6  1.6  1.6  1.6  1.6  0.8)  4.8 kips

Member Forces. Pass a section through members DF, DG, and EG and take the left-hand section as a
free body. The directions of the forces are determined from geometry.

16 FDG
7 16
FDF 305 5
281
FDG
7 ft
FEG 4 ft 265
3
16
4.8 kips FEG
Directions of FDG and FEG

16 5
 M A  0 :  (1.6 kips)(8 ft)  (1.6 kips)(16 ft)  FDG ( )(7 ft)  FDG ( )(16 ft)  0
281 281

FDG = 3.35 kips◄

 16
 M D  0 : (0.8  4.8 kips)(16 ft)  (1.6 kips)(8 ft)  FEG ( )( 4 ft)  0
265
FEG = 13.02 lb◄
16 16 16
 Fx  0 : FDF ( )  FDG ( )  FEG ( )0
305 281 265
FDF = 10.48 lb◄
6.63 Determine the force in members EH and GI of the truss shown. (Hint: Use section aa.)

SOLUTION

Reaction Forces. Consider the entire truss as a free body to determine the unknown reactions.

RAx

RAy RP

 M A  0 :  (12 kips)(45 ft)  (12 kips)(60 ft)  (12 kips)(75 ft)  R P (90 ft)  0
RP = 24 kips
 Fx  0 : R Ax  0 RAx = 0 kips
 Fy  0 : R Ay  12 kips  12 kips  12 kips  R P  0 RAy = 12 kips

Member Forces. Pass the section aa through members EH, EF, FG and GI and take the left-hand
section as a free body.

FEH
FEF
FGF
FGI

12 kips

 M G  0 :  (12 kips)(30 ft)  FEH (16 ft)  0

FEH = 22.5 lb◄

 Fx  0 : FEH  FGI  0
FGI = 22.5 lb◄
6.99 For the frame and loading shown, determine the components of the forces acting on member CFE
at C and F.

RA

RDx

RDy

SOLUTION

Free Body: Entire Frame. There are three unknown reactions from the supports.

 M D  0 : (40 lb)(13 in)  R A (10 in)  0 RA

= 52 lb
 Fx  0 : RA  RDx  0 RDx = 52 lb
 Fy  0 : R Dy  40 lb  0 RDx = 40 lb

Free Body: Member ABF. Since magnitudes and line of actions of the forces exerted from member
BCD and EFC to the pins at B and C are unknown, each of the force on the joint
RA = 52 lb B and C will be represented by two unknown force components as shown.
A
 M B  0 : RFx (4 in)  (52 lb)(6 in)  0
RBy RFx = 78 lb
B RBx

F RFx
RFy

Free Body: Member ECF.

From the law of action and reaction, we have

RCy RFx = 78 lb◄
C RCx  M C  0 : (40 lb)(9 in)  (78 lb)(4 in)  RFy (4 in)  0
RFx = 78 lb RFy = 12 lb◄
 Fx  0 :  78 lb  RCx  0
RCx = 78 lb◄
 Fy  0 :  40 lb  RFy  RCy  0
RFy RCy = 28 lb◄
Directions of all forces are shown in the free body diagram.
6.110For the frame and loading shown, determine (a) the reaction at C, (b) the force in member AD.

FAD

FBE

5
3
4

RCx RFx RCx

RCy RFy RCy

FBD of ABC
FBD of the entire frame
SOLUTION

Free Body: Entire Frame. There are four unknown reactions from the supports.

 M C  0 :  (100 lb)(45 in)  R Fy (20 in)  0

RFy = 225 lb◄
 M A  0 :  (100 lb)(45 in)  RCy (20 in)  0
RCy = 225 lb◄

 Fx  0 : RCx  RFx  0 (1)

Members. The equilibrium equations of the entire frame are not sufficient to determine RCx and RFx.
The free body diagram of each member is needed.

Free Body: Member AC.

4 4
 M C  0 :  FBE ( )(30 in)  100 lb(45 in)  FAD ( )(45 in)  0
5 5
 Fy  0 :  FBE (3 / 5)  FAD (3 / 5)  RCy  0
 Fx  0 : 100 lb  FBE ( 4 / 5)  FAD (4 / 5)  RCx  0
or
2 FBE  3FAD  375
FBE  FAD  375
4 FBE  4 FAD  5 RCx  500
FBE = 750 lb◄
FAD = 375 lb◄
RCx = 200 lb◄
From Eq. (1), we have
RFx = 200 lb◄