Truss Problem
Dead Load, PDL ≔ 5 kip
Live Load, PLL ≔ 10 kip
- Truss is simply supported and braced out of plane at each node.
- Disregard truss self-weight
- Show calculations, free body diagrams, and AISC table references as needed.
Figure 1. Truss
1) Calculate the forces in the highlighted members using LRFD load combinations. Indicate tension or compression for each.
- Load combination
P ≔ 1.2 PDL + 1.6 PLL = 22 kip
- Reactions
P ⋅ 20 ft + P ⋅ 40 ft + P ⋅ 60 ft
R2 ≔ ――――――――= 33 kip R1 ≔ 3 ⋅ P - R2 = 33 kip
80 ft
- Method of Sections
Figure 2. Method of Sections
Sum of moment around 1':
Sum of moment around 1':
R1 ⋅ 40 ft - P ⋅ 20 ft
FA ≔ ―――――― = 88 kip (compression)
10 ft
- Method of Joints
Equilibrium on Node 2: Equilibrium on Node 2':
Sum of vertical forces: Sum of vertical forces:
FCy ≔ R2 = 33 kip FBy ≔ FCy = 33 kip
FBy
FB ≔ ―――= 46.67 kip (tension)
sin ⎛⎝45 °⎞⎠
2) Using the following forces (factored, LRFD), select an appropriate square HSS member (Fy=50 ksi) for the highlighted
members. Note, the forces below are NOT the results from part 1.
Fy ≔ 50 ksi E ≔ 29000 ksi
Member A: Pu.A ≔ 110 kip (compression) LA ≔ 20 ft
Estimated minimum area for Member A:
Pu.A
[Link] ≔ ―― = 2.2 in 2
Fy
Estimated minimum radius of gyration for Member A (recommended slenderness ratio £ 200):
LA
[Link] ≔ ―― = 1.2 in
200
Selecting HSS8x8x3/16:
AA ≔ 5.37 in 2 rA ≔ 3.18 in
Critical stress, according to AISC E3:
π2 E
Fe ≔ ―― = 50.25 ksi
⎛ LA ⎞ 2
⎜―⎟
⎜⎝ rA ⎟⎠
⎛ ⎛ ⎛ Fy ⎞⎞ ⎞
⎜ LA ‾‾‾
E ⎜
⎜―⎟
⎜ F ⎟⎟ ⎟
Fcr ≔ if ―≤ 4.71
⎜r ―, ⎝0.658 ⎝ e ⎠⎠ Fy , 0.877 Fe⎟ = 32.97 ksi
⎝ A Fy ⎠
Compressive strength:
ϕPn.A ≔ 0.9 ⋅ Fcr ⋅ AA = 159.34 kip if ⎛⎝ϕPn.A > Pu.A , “Ok” , “Not Ok”⎞⎠ = “Ok”
Pu.A
――= 0.69 (D/C ratio)
ϕPn.A
Figure 3. HSS8x8x3/16 selection
Member B: Pu.B ≔ 58 kip (tension) LB ≔ ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾
⎛⎝10 ft⎞⎠ 2 + ⎛⎝10 ft⎞⎠ 2 = 14.14 ft
Estimated minimum area for Member B:
Pu.B
[Link] ≔ ―― = 1.16 in 2
Fy
Estimated minimum radius of gyration for Member B (recommended slenderness ratio £ 300):
LA
[Link] ≔ ―― = 0.8 in
300
Selecting HSS3x3x3/16:
AB ≔ 1.89 in 2 rB ≔ 1.14 in
Tensile strength:
ϕPn.B ≔ 0.9 ⋅ Fy ⋅ AB = 85.05 kip if ⎛⎝ϕPn.B > Pu.B , “Ok” , “Not Ok”⎞⎠ = “Ok”
Pu.B
――= 0.68 (D/C ratio)
ϕPn.B
Figure 4. HSS3x3x3/16 selection
Observations:
- The member size selection was based on the individual member capacities. Other state limits, such as the chord wall plastification,
chord shear yielding (punching), etc., need to be checked to ensure these member sizes are appropriate for the given truss.
See the images below for reference.