Statics 7
UNDERSTANDING TRUSSES
Background
A truss can be defined as a framework structure that carries loads primarily by means of axial tension and compression in its members: i.e., each member acts primarily as a two-force member. If you think about how difficult it would be to break a stick by pulling on its ends compared to bending it over your knee, you can begin to understand the relative efficiency of carrying loads using tension and compression versus bending. Other common structural forms that can be used to carry loads mainly via tension or compression are cable structures (e.g., suspension bridges) and arches.
Learning Objective
In this exercise you will learn what makes a truss a truss. You will also observe some of the fundamental engineering principles involved in designing trusses.
Configuration
To begin our study of trusses consider the following problem: suspend/support a 100 lb. weight 20 from a wall. There are many possible solutions one of which is to hang the weight with a cable from the ceiling.
StaticsVisualizer File
Statics 7a: A hanging cable modeled as a truss element.
Things to Do
1. StaticsVisualizer claims that this structure is unstable. Can you think why this might be? How can we make the structure stable without losing the hanging wire behavior? Add a roller support at the base of the element. Make sure that the roller is oriented so that the element end can move up and down freely but not side to side. This roller prevents the wire from swaying. Does StaticsVisualizer agree that it is stable now? Would you need this roller in reality? Why?
Observation
StaticsVisualizer and other structural analysis programs cannot analyze structures that are free to move (i.e. sway), even if, in reality, restoring forces such as gravity keep the structure in equilibrium. To change the properties of a support, such as orientation, double-click on the support or select the support and choose Info:Ojbect Info. This will bring up an information window with object properties that can be edited. 2. Assume that the cable is made of a material with a tensile strength of 10,000 psi. This means that the minimum area, A, of cable needed to carry to the weight is:
Tip
At = 100 lb / 10,000 lb/in2 = ______________ in2
This solution, however, may not be appropriate since swaying might not be permitted and we dont know if there is a ceiling from which to hang the weight.
Configuration
Another option is to support the weight with a pedestal from the floor, shown below.
A simple pedestal.
StaticsVisualizer File
Statics 7b: A pedestal supporting a load.
3.
Does StaticsVisualizer think this structure is stable? Can you see why? In order to keep the pedestal from overturning, a moment reaction must be added to the base. Select the fixed support tool and click on the support at the bottom on the member. Is the structure stable now?
4. If the compressive strength is the same as the tensile strength of the wire, the required area of the pedestal to support the
weight should be the same as the wire. In reality, however, this is not the case. What would happen if you tried to balance a rock on top of a string?
Observation
Thin members, such as wires, are vulnerable to buckling under compressive loading.
Configuration
A third option is to suspend the weight with a cantilever extending from the wall.
A 20 cantilever
StaticsVisualizer File
Statics 7c: A cantilever support.
5.
Because it has a fixed support, the cantilever will not sway like the hanging cable. Because it is not under compression, buckling will not be an issue like is was for the pedestal. What is a drawback of the cantilever?
6.
Turn on the moment diagram by choosing Options:Aux Diagrams:Moment Diagram. What is different about the support reactions of the cantilever, compared to the hanging wire and pedestal? Calculate the moment at the support.
Mcant = 100 lb x 20 ft = ____________ lb-ft
Observation
Cantilevers tend to have high bending moments.
Configuration
A fourth design is to support the load from the wall with a truss shown below.
A cantilever truss.
StaticsVisualizer File
Statics 7d: A truss support.
7. The truss has the same span and loading as the cantilever. Turn on the moment diagram by choosing O p t i o n s : A u x Diagrams:Moment Diagram. What do you notice?
Observation
Trusses convert forces and moment s into tension/compression systems with no internal bending moments. 8. Turn off the moment diagram. O p t i o n s : A u x Diagrams:None.
9. Drag the bottom support along the wall. What happens to the forces in the truss when the diagonal member is above the horizontal one? Long members buckle more easily than shorter ones. With this in mind, would it be better to put the diagonal member above or below the horizontal?
10. Turn on Options:Member Display:Show Axial Force Values. Move the diagonal support up and down along the wall. What happens to the force in the horizontal member? In the diagonal member? Why would very long members not be possible in reality? If the height of the diagonal support is
very large, the truss begins to behave like another structure. Which one?
11. StaticsVisualizer performs two-dimensional analyses. How would our two-pin truss fare in three dimensions? Why?
12. Select the X-ray tool and drag an ellipse that intersects both members.
The X-ray tool examines the truss.
13. Drag the load with the select tool along the horizontal member. What happens to the internal forces in each member? Is this consistent with your knowledge of two-force members?
Configuration
Now lets consider the truss with a bent member, shown in the figure below.
A truss with a bent member.
StaticsVisualizer File
Statics 7e: A truss with a bent member. 14. Using the X-ray tool, pass an ellipse through the truss members. What types of forces do you see in each member?
Configuration
Or how about a truss with a fixed support?
A truss with a fixed support.
StaticsVisualizer File
Statics 7f: A truss with a fixed support. 15. Again, using the X-ray tool, which types of forces do you find in each member?
Observation
Trusses are primarily composed of two-force members, which do not transmit any bending moment forces. However, moments will exist in truss members with spanning loads, bent geometries, or fixed connections.
Configuration
Finally, lets examine the truss with a mid-span joint.
A truss with an overhang.
StaticsVisualizer File
Statics 7g: A truss with an overhang. 16. Isolate the members by choosing M o d e l i n g : I s o l a t e Members. What forces are present in the member with a mid-span joint?
Observation
Because a mid-span pin joint can be replaced with an equivalent force, the joint affects truss members the same way that a mid-span load would it introduces internal shear and moment forces in the member. Trusses are useful structures because they convert forces and moments into compression/tension systems. Members of a truss generally are two-force members but internal bending moments can be caused by mid-span loads or joints and bends in the member.
Summary
On Your Own
1. For the simple truss considered in Statics file 7d above, derive analytical expressions for force in members vs. distance between the supports support location. Plot it. Use two pencils to demonstrate how trusses convert moment into tensile and compressive forces. Examine the different types of trusses in the folder StaticsVisualizer:Truss Examples. What types of loads do you think each truss was meant to carry? Experiment with different loads at various locations and observe the internal forces in each truss. Can you think of non-structural reasons why certain models would be more advantageous than others?
2. 3.