Chapter 3

Analysis of Pin-jointed frames

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 3.1 Introduction
• Structural mechanics is generally concerned with analyzing the effects of applied
loads on a structure.

• The applied loads are external to the material of a structure and result in internal
reacting forces, together with deformations and displacements.

• Principles of statics which involves the concept of equilibrium of forces is essential

in analysis.
• Structure: a device that is made up of several connected parts and whose function is to support
load
– Ideally structures are designed to be in equilibrium at rest

• External forces: Forces applied to a structure

– These external forces have to be transmitted, through the different members that make
up the structure, to the supports

• Internal Forces: process of transmitting the external forces within the members.
– may be viewed as actions and reactions between the molecules of the structural
members (Newton's Third Law) 2
 Various structures

A FRAME IS A STRUCTURE MADE

Functional elements, such as the OF SEVERAL BARS/ RODS WELDED /
holding force of this plier, can be RIVETTED TOGETHER
determined from concepts in this
section.

Design of support structures

requires knowing the loads, or
forces, that each member of the
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structure will experience.
•
3.1 Introduction
When a structure is in equilibrium, every part of the structure is also in
equilibrium.
• When a free body diagram of the entire structure is drawn, only the external
forces (applied forces and support reactions) will act on the structure.
• If a free body diagram of a part of the structure is drawn, the external forces
acting on that part and the internal forces, which represent the effect of the
removed part on the part being drawn, will be shown on the free body
diagram.
• From statics principles, a structure is in equilibrium if the resultant of external
forces and moments are zero.
• Mathematically, this is expressed as; ,

sufficient conditions for equilibrium of a body, , , , , ,

• This can be expressed in the following equations which are necessary and

• where , and represent the components of force vectors in the x, y and z

directions respectively. …and , and are the components of moment vectors
caused by the external forces acting in the x, y and z directions respectively.

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 3.1.1 Overview of statics
• Forces and moments are vector quantities and may be resolved into components.
• Consider firstly a 2-D case,

The force F can be resolved into two

components along the x and y directions as,

Figure 3.1: For a three dimensional case, the force and

moment can be resolved as,

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Figure 3.2:
 3.1.1 Overview of statics
Any system of forces can be replaced by a resultant through an a couple
about any chosen point.

Where;

Figure 3.3: system of forces

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 3.1.2 Categories of Structures
• Three categories of engineering structures are
considered:
a)Trusses: formed from two-force members, i.e.,
straight members with end point connections
b)Frames: contain at least one multi-force member,
i.e., member acted upon by 3 or more forces.
c)Machines: structures containing moving parts
designed to transmit and modify forces.

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 3.1.2.1 Truss

• A truss consists of straight members connected at joints. No member is

continuous through a joint.
• Bolted or welded connections are assumed to be pinned together. Forces acting at
the member ends reduce to a single force and no couple. Only two-force members
are considered.
• When forces tend to pull the member apart, it is in tension. When the forces tend
to compress the member, it is in compression.

Members of a truss are slender and

not capable of supporting large
lateral loads. Loads must be
applied at the joints.

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 3.1.2.1 Truss
• Can also be defined as a combination of square and triangle members
• Plane Truss: A truss with all the members and applied loads in the plane

• The basic element of a truss is the triangle as this constitutes a rigid, non-collapsible frame.

• Simple Truss: A truss that can be built from the basic triangular element is called a simple
truss.

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3.1.2.1 Truss- cross-sectional shapes
• The members of a truss can have a variety of cross-sectional
shapes, some of which are illustrated in Figure 3.5,

Figure 3.5: Common cross-sectional shapes for structural members

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 3.1.2.1 Types of trusses:
• Student required to identify and draw the following types of
trusses:

• Pratt Truss
• Fink Truss
• Howe Truss
• Baltimore Truss
• Warren Truss
• K-Truss

• Differentiate between a roof and bridge truss.

Truss analysis involves the determination of the magnitude of the
forces in the members and whether the member is in tension or
compression. 11
 3.1.2.2 FRAME AND ANALYSIS OF FRAME
• A frame is a structure made of several bars/
rods welded / rivetted together
• The bars are angle irons/ channels of “I” or “T”
x-sections. These are called members
• On application of load on to the structure, the
members remain loaded with tensile/
compressive load
• Members under tension are called “tie”
• Members under compression are called “strut”
• The structure formed by the combination of
members (tie/ strut) is called “truss”
• Extensively used in roof, bridge, sheds etc.
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 3.1.3 Definitions of various parts of Truss/Frame
1. Tie: A slender member which prevents two parts
of a structure from moving apart and it is under
tensile force.
2. Strut: A slender member which prevents two parts
of a structure from moving towards each other and is
under compressive force.
3. Column: A vertical member which supports some
of the mass of the structure.
4. Cable: Flexible string under tension which
connects two bodies. It can not supply resistance to
bending action.
5. Beam: A member supported horizontally and
carries transverse loading. A common special case is
termed as a cantilever where one end is fixed and
provides all the necessary support.
6. Beam-column: Combines the separate functions of
a beam and a column.
7. Shaft: A member which transmits torque and
twist. 13
 3.1.3 Structural components

Figure 3.4: Structural components 14

 3.1.3 Types of support for structural components
• The applied loading on a framework, beam or column is transmitted to the supports
will provide the required reacting forces to maintain overall equilibrium. Common
supports are shown in Figure 3.6,

Pin support can develop a force

reaction with both horizontal and
vertical components but is cannot
develop a moment reaction. Roller
support develops a force reaction
normal to the contact force.

Figure 3.6: Common supports for structural components 15

 3.2 Pin-jointed frames (PJF)
• Trusses and Frames can generally be referred to as PJF. • Practical Applications of PJF
• A PJF can be categorized as; • Roofs in Buildings
1. statically determinate • Bridges
2. statically indeterminate • Cranes
• Transmission Masts / Towers
3. Under-stiff:

• 1. Statically determinate (Just-stiff): If the number of equations available from state of

equilibrium is equal to the number of unknown forces including support reactions.
• 2. Statically indeterminate (Over-stiff): If the number of equations available from state of
equilibrium is less than the number of unknown forces including support reactions. In this
case, there exist one or more members which should be removed to make the frame just-
stiff.
• 3. Under-stiff: If there are more equilibrium equations than the number of unknown forces
including support reactions. The system is not a structure but a mechanism, and is not of
practical interest in the preceding analysis. In this case, there exist one or more members
which should be added to make the frame just-stiff.

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 3.2.1 DETERMINACY AND INDETERMINACY

• What do we understand by determinate and indeterminate structures?

Determinate: Forces and Moments are determined by statical equations of
equilibrium

• Indeterminate structures: Less equations are available than the number of

unknown forces that constrain the body in space. Extra conditions of deformation
compatibility have to be introduced to solve the problem. These conditions will
give the extra number of equations required to solve the problem, which will
indicate the degree of indeterminacy
• Determinacy and indeterminacy - Stable and unstable structures
• Unstable: When more equations are available than the number of forces that
constrain the body in space, then the structure is unstable

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3.2.1 ASSESSING THE DEGREE OF INDETERMINACY
• The above conditions can be expressed mathematically as follows; Let
• j be the number of joints including support points in a frame.
• m be the number of members on the frame and;
• r be the number of support reactions on the frame.
• Then for, All stable structures
• Under-stiff frame: m + r < 2j (imperfect Frame) should have ONE unique
• Just-stiff frame: m + r = 2j (perfect frame) solution!
• Over-stiff frame: m + r > 2j All forces can be
determined uniquely!

• PERFECT FRAME • IMPERFECT FRAME

• STRUCTURE IS MADE OF MEMBERS JUST • STRUCTURE IS MADE OF MEMBERS MORE OR
SUFFICIENT TO KEEP IT IN EQUILIBRIUM, LESS THAN THE MINIMUM NUMBERS
WHEN LOADED WITHOUT ANY CHANGE OF NECESSARY TO KEEP IT IN EQUILIBRIUM, WHEN
SHAPE LOADED
• m + r = 2j where ‘m’ is the number of • m ≠ 2j – r
members and ‘J’ no of joints • m > 2j – r REDUNDANT
• It is efficient and optimized structure • m < 2j – r DEFICIENT
• INEFFICIENT STRUCTURE
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3.2.1 ASSESSING THE DEGREE OF INDETERMINACY
• Examples 3.1
• Determine the class of each of the frames below and state which members
are required to be added or removed to make the structure just-stiff.

Solution:
(a) Number of members; m = 16 and number of
support reactions; r = 3. Therefore, m + r = 16 +
3 = 19.
Number of joints; j = 10, therefore, 2j = 20. The
frame is under-stiff since m + r < 2j.
It can be made statically determinate by adding
one member. 19
 3.2.1 ASSESSING THE DEGREE OF INDETERMINACY
• Solution:
• (b) Number of members; m = 18 and
number of support reactions; r = 3.
Therefore, m + r =18 + 3 = 21. Number
of joints; j = 11, therefore, 2j = 22. The
frame is under-stiff since m + r < 2j.
• It can be made statically determinate
by adding one member.

(c) Number of members; m = 18 and

number of support reactions; r = 3.
Therefore, m + r = 18 + 3 = 21. Number of
joints; j = 10, therefore, 2j = 20. The frame
is over-stiff since m + r < 2j. It can be made
statically determinate by removing one
member from the central hexagon.

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3.2.2 DETERMINATION OF AXIAL FORCES IN A FRAME
• SUMMARY OF ASSUMPTIONS MADE WHEN SOLVING FOR AXIAL FORCES IN
FRAME MEMBERS
1. THE FRAME IS A PERFECT FRAME
2. MEMBERS ARE PIN JOINTED (EVERY MEMBER OF THE TRUSS IS IN PURE
COMPRESSION OR PURE TENSION – SHEAR, BENDING MOMENT, AND
OTHER MORE COMPLEX STRESSES ARE ALL PRACTICALLY ZERO).
3. LOADS ACT ON THE JOINTS ONLY
4. WEIGHT OF THE MEMBER AS COMPARED TO THE EXTERNAL LOADS IS
NEGLIGIBLE AND NOT CONSIDERED FOR CALCULATIONS.
5. THE FRAME IS ASSUMED TO BE PLANE, THAT IS, IT LIES IN A XY PLANE,

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 3.2.2 Main Analysis Methods for PJF

For statically determinate pin jointed plane frames, there

are three methods commonly used to determine the axial
forces in frame members,

1. Method of resolving the forces at joint, also called

the method of joints.
2. Graphical method
3. Method of Sections

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 Method of Joints
• We shall use the method of force resolution in the preceding analysis.
• This method is used to determine the internal forces in members of statically
determinate frames only.
• It involves isolating each joint of the frame in the form of free body diagram and
then by considering equilibrium equations in each of these joints, the axial forces in
the members of the frame are determined.

• When applying this method, it is assumed initially that all the members are in
tension. The sign convention for the frame members is as shown below,

Fig. 3.7. Sign convention 23

• Examples 3.2
• Using the method of resolution of forces at the joints, determine
the axial forces of the members in a plane pin-jointed frames shown
below,

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(a) Applying the principle of static equilibrium on the structure,

FBD

(3.1)

Taking moments about point A, and assuming moment

in clockwise direction to be positive,
we have

(3.2)
Substituting equation 3.2 in equation 3.1, we get,

(3.3)

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Drawing a free body diagram at joint A, Applying the principle of static equilibrium,

Drawing a free body diagram at joint B,

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Therefore the axial force in member,
AB is (compressive)

BC is (compressive)

AC is (Tensile)
The values can be proved by applying static
equilibrium equations at joint C, that is,

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(b) Drawing a free body diagram of the whole frame, we have

Applying the principle of static equilibrium on the whole frame,

(3.4)

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Taking moments about point F, and assuming moment in clockwise
direction to be positive, we have

From equation 3.4, we get,

The only joints at which there are two unknowns are A and F. Lets start at A, and draw a
free body diagram at the joint, Joint

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 Joint A
For static equilibrium

Joint B
For static equilibrium

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 For static equilibrium
Joint C

Joint D
For static equilibrium

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Joint E
For static equilibrium

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Therefore the axial force in member,

AB is 4714N (Compressive)
BC is 3333:3N (Tensile)
AC is 3333:3N (Tensile)
BD is 3333:3N (Compressive)
CD is 2357:1N (Tensile)
CE is 1666:6N (Tensile)
DE is 0
DF is 2357:1N (Compressive)
EF is 1666:6N (Tensile)

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 Sample Problem
SOLUTION:
• Based on a free-body diagram of the
entire truss, solve the 3 equilibrium
equations for the reactions at E and C.

• Joint A is subjected to only two unknown

member forces. Determine these from the
joint equilibrium requirements.
• In succession, determine unknown
member forces at joints D, B, and E from
joint equilibrium requirements.
Using the method of joints,
determine the force in each member • All member forces and support reactions
of the truss. are known at joint C. However, the joint
equilibrium requirements may be applied
to check the results.

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Sample Problem
SOLUTION:
• Based on a free-body diagram of the entire truss,
solve the 3 equilibrium equations for the reactions
at E and C.
M C 0
10 kN 12 m  5 kN 6 m  E 3 m 
E 50kN 

 Fx 0 C x C x 0

F y 0  10kN - 5 kN  50 kN  C y
C y 35 kN 

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Sample Problem

• Joint A is subjected to only two unknown

member forces. Determine these from the
joint equilibrium requirements.

10 kN FAB FAD FAB 7.5 kN T

  FAD 12.5 kN C
4 3 5

• There are now only two unknown member

forces at joint D.
FDB  FDA FDB 12.5 kN T

FDE 2 53 FDA FDE 15 kN C
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Sample Problem
• There are now only two unknown member
forces at joint B. Assume both are in tension.
F y 0  5kN  4
5
12kN  4
5 FBE
FBE  18.75 kN FBE 18.75 kN C

F x 0 FBC  7.5kN  3
5
12.5kN  53 18.75
FBC 26.25 kN FBC 26.25 kN T

• There is one unknown member force at

joint E. Assume the member is in tension.
F x 0  53 FEC  15kN  53 18.75kN 
FEC  43.75 kN FEC 43.75 kN C
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Sample
•
Problem
All member forces and support reactions are
known at joint C. However, the joint equilibrium
requirements may be applied to check the results.

F x  26.25  53 43.75 0 checks 

F y  35  54 43.75 0 checks 

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 3.3 Tutorial 2
• Q1 For the plane pin-jointed frames shown below, determine using
the method of joint the support reactions and internal forces in all
the frame members indicating whether the forces are tensile or
compressive.

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 3.3 Tutorial 2
• Q2 The framework shown in the Figure below is used to support a steel
car body weighing 200Kg. When the car body is suspended in (a) air and
(b) totally immersed in a plating bath containing a liquid of density
1000Kg/m3, calculate the support reactions and the internal forces in all
the members using the method of force resolution at the joints. Density of
steel is 7.8 103Kg/m2.

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