Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY

Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

A. Course Code / Title : Statics 213 / Statics of Rigid Bodies

B. Module Number : Module 14 - Analysis of Structures (Method of Sections)
C. Time Frame : 13th week (3 hours)
D. Description:
This module looks into the other method in determining the forces in members of a truss.
E. Objectives:
At the end of this module, the learner should be able to :
1. Solve problems on how to determine the forces in the members of a truss using Method
of Sections.

F. Contents:
 Method of SECTIONS
This method is based on the principle that if the truss is in equilibrium, the any segment
of the truss is also in equilibrium.
In this method, a part of the truss is isolated on an FBD so that it exposes the forces to
be computed. The force system will generally be non-concurrent, therefore, the three
equations of equilibrium will be used.
In this method, after solving the reactions, you can go directly to the required bar forces
by passing a cutting plane through it.
Steps:
1. Determine the external reactions by taking the whole structure as FBD.
2. Pass a cutting plane through the entire truss separating it into two parts without cutting
more than three members.
3. Assume direction of the forces.
Note:
If the direction of the forces is towards the joint, the force is said to be in
compression.
If the force is directed away from the joint, the force is said to be in tension.
If the solution yielded a negative answer, just reverse the direction.
4. Solve for the unknown forces using the three equations of equilibrium.
ΣM =0 ΣFV = 0 ΣFH= 0
 Problems:
1. Determine the magnitude and kind of force in members BD, DF, EF and CE.

2000 N

2000 N 2000 N
F
2000 N 2000 N
D H

B J 3.0 m

A L
C E G I K

800 N 800 N 800 N 800 N 800 N

6 panels @ 2m = 12 m

Required: Magnitude and kind of force in members BD, DF, EF and CE.

Solution:
 The truss is symmetrical, as well as the applied loads.

2000 N

2000 N 2000 N
F
2000 N 2000 N
D H

B J 3.0 m

A L
C E G I K

RA RL
800 N 800 N 800 N 800 N 800 N

6 panels @ 2m = 12 m

 Reactions:
 All applied forces are vertical, thus, HORIZONTAL component of reaction at hinge
support A is ZERO.
 By symmetry, reaction at A is equal to reaction at L.
total _ load
RA  RL 
2
20005  8005
R A  RL 
2
RA  RL  7000N
 2000 N
2000 N 2000 N
F
2000 N 2000 N
D H
B J 3.0 m

A L
C E G I K

800 N 800 N 800 N 800 N RL = 7000N

RA = 800 N
7000N
6 panels @ 2m = 12
m

 Pass a cutting plane through the entire truss separating it into two parts without cutting
more than three members.
- The required bar forces are FBD, FCE, FDF and FEF.
- From the figure above, passing of cutting plane will be done twice.
- The first cutting plane will pass through bars BD, CD and CE;
- the second cutting plane will pass through bars DF, EF and EG.

 First cutting plane that will pass through BD, CD and CE.

2000 N
2000 N 2000 N
F
2000 N 2000 N
D H
B J 3.0 m

A L
C E G I K

800 N 800 N 800 N 800 N RL = 7000N

RA = 800 N
7000N
6 panels @ 2m = 12
m

 Separating the left segment from the right segment:

Left segment: Right segment 2000 N

2000 N
2000 N F 2000 N
D
FBD
1 H 2000 N
B D 2
1
FCD FDB
1
A 2 1 1 J
FDC 1
C FCE
L
FEC E G I K
7000 N 2 m 800 N 2 m
800 N 800 N 800 N 800 N 7000 N

* You can use either the left segment or right segment, it depends on which segment is easier to
analyze. In this case, the left segment is easier than the right segment.
 Consider left segment:
 Use ΣM = 0 at a point where the two unknown bar forces will intersect, so that, those
two unknown bar forces will be eliminated, since they will pass through the moment
center.

Left segment:
2000 N
D
FBD
B FCD 2m
1 1
A 2 1 FCE
C
2m 2m

7000 N 800 N

 To solve for applied force in bar CE, take ΣMD = 0, FBD and FCD will pass through that
point.
M D  0 
70004  20002  8002  FCE 2  0
FCE  11200NT

 To solve for applied force in bar BD, take ΣMC = 0, FCD and FCE will pass through this
point.

Left segment:
2000 N
1 D
𝐹𝐵𝐷 FBD
√5
B FCD 2m
1 1
A 2 1 FCE
C
2m 2m
FBD

7000 N 800 N

* Horizontal and vertical components of FBD can be resolve at A (principle of

transmissibility), so that the horizontal component will pass through point C.

𝛴𝑀𝐶 = 0↵ +
1
7000(2) − 𝐹𝐵𝐷 (2) = 0
√5
𝐹𝐵𝐷 = 15652.48 𝑁, 𝐶

 There’s no need to solve for member CD, since it is not required for the problem.
  Second cutting plane will pass through members DF, EF and EG.

2000 N
2000 N 2000 N
F
2000 N 2000 N
D H
B J 3.0 m

A L
C E G I K

800 N 800 N 800 N 800 N RL = 7000N

RA = 800 N
7000N
6 panels @ 2m = 12
m

Right segment:
2000 N
Left segment:
2000 N
F 2000 N
FDF F
2000 N FFD
2000 N
D H
FFE
FEF
B 1
2
J
3
2
A L
C E FEG E I
2m 2m FGE G K

2000 N 2000 N 2000 N 2000 N

7000 N 800 N 800 N

 Left segment is easier to analyze than the right segment

 Consider the left segment: (DF and EF)

Left segment: Note:

2000 N Red dotted lines are the
F components of FEF which are
FDF
2000 N resolved at joint E.
D
Green dotted lines are the
FEF
B 1 components of FDF which are
2 3 resolved at A.
2
A In resolving the force into its
2m C 2m E FEG components, you can resolve
it at any point along its line of
action.
7000 N 800 N 800 N
 Solving for FDF, take ΣME = 0, since the two bar forces FEF and FEG will pass through.
M E  0 

70004  FDF 4  20002  8002  0

1
5
FDF  12521.98NC
 Solving for FEF, take ΣMA = 0. The line of action of the two bar forces, FEG and FDF, will
intersect at joint A, making their moments about that point equal to zero.
M A  0 

20004  8004  FEF 4  20002  8002  0

3
13
FEF  5047.77 NT
 There’s no need to solve for FEG.
 Summary:
𝐹𝐶𝐸 = 11200𝑁𝑇
𝐹𝐵𝐷 = 15652.48 𝑁𝐶
𝐹𝐷𝐹 = 12521.98𝑁𝐶
𝐹𝐸𝐹 = 5047.77𝑁𝑇

2. For the Fink truss shown, determine the force in members BC, CG and FG. Indicate T or C.
2000 N

2000 N 2000 N
C
1000 N
D 1000 N
B 2m

A E
G F

700 N 700 N

4m

Required: Magnitude and kind of force in members BC, CG and FG

Solution:

Free Body Diagram of the truss.

Since all the applied forces are vertical, the horizontal component of hinge reaction at A is
zero.
2000 N

2000 N 2000 N
C
1000 N
1000 N
B D 2m

A E
G F

R1 R2
700 N 700 N

Solution: 8m
 Solve for reactions:
By symmetry, reaction at A is equal to reaction at E. (R1 = R2)
total _ load
R1  R2 
2
10002  20003  7002
R1  R2 
2
R1  R2  4700N

2000 N

2000 N 2000 N
C
1000 N
1000 N
B D 2m

A E
G F

R1 = 4700N R2 = 4700N
700 N 700 N

8m

 One characteristic of a Fink truss, is that, the web members (BG and DF) are
perpendicular to the top chord and dividing the top chord into equal parts.
 The horizontal distances between the joints of the top chord are equal.
 The distances between the joints of the bottom chord are not equal. By symmetry,
the distances between the joints from the far ends are equal.
 Please refer to the figure below.

2m 2m 2m 2m

2000 N

2000 N 2000 N
C
1000 N
1000 N
B D 2m

A θ θ E
x G 8 - 2x F x

R1 = 4700N R2 = 4700N
700 N 700 N

8m
 Solve for x:
C
Consider ΔHAC:
4
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = → 𝑒𝑞. 1
2√5 B 2m

Consider ΔGAB:
√5 θ
A
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = → 𝑒𝑞. 2 x G H
𝑥

4m
eq.1  eq.2
cos  cos
4 5

2 5 x
x  2 .5 m

 Pass a cutting plane through members BC, GC and GF. Analyze either left segment or right
segment
- The two-1000N load applied at the ends were removed to simplify the truss.
R1 = R2 = 3700 N.

2m 2m 2m 2m

2000 N

2000 N 2000 N
C

B D 2m

A θ θ E
x G 8 - 2x F x

R1 = 3700N R2 = 3700N
700 N 700 N

8m

 Considering the left segment:

2m 2m
C
2000 N FBC

FGC
B 2m
5 4
1
2 3 FGF
A
G
x = 2.5m 1.5m

3700 N 700 N
 Solving for FGF, take ΣMC = 0. FBC and FGC intersect at point C.
M C  0 
37004  7001.5  FGF 2  20002  0
FGF  4875NT

2m 2m
C
2000 N FBC

FGC
B 2m
5 4
1
A 2 3 FGF
G
x = 2.5m 1.5m

3700 N 700 N

 Solving for FBC, take ΣMG = 0, FGC and FGF will pass through point G.
𝛴𝑀𝐺 = 0↵ +
1
3700(2.5) − 𝐹𝐵𝐶 (2.5) − 2000(0.5) = 0
√5
𝐹𝐵𝐶 = 7379.02 𝑁, 𝐶

2m 2m
C
2000 N FBC

FGC
B 2m
5 4

3 FGF
A
G
x = 2.5m 1.5m

3700 N 700 N

 Solving for FGC, take ΣMA = 0. Line of action of FBC and FGF intersect at point A.
𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0↵ +
4
700(2.5) + 2000(2) − 𝐹𝐺𝐹 (2.5) = 0
5
𝐹𝐺𝐶 = 2875 𝑁, 𝑇
3. Determine the force in the members DF, DG, and EG of the Howe truss shown. Indicate
tension (T) or compression (C).

800 N 1200 N

B D F

3m
A H
4m C 4m E 4m G 4m
E

2000 N

G. References:

1. Vector Mechanics for Engineers 10th Edition, Beer, F.P., Johnston, [Link],
Mazurek, D.F., Cornwell, P.J.2013

2. Engineering Mechanics Statics 13th Edition, Hibbeler, R.C.,2013

3. Engineering Mechanics Statics 14th Edition, Hibbeler, R.C.,2016

4. Engineering Mechanics Statics 3rd Edition, Pytel, A., Kiusalaas, J., 2010