Engineering Mechanics

Statics
Chapter 5
Distributed Forces

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Outcome of this module
At the end of this chapter, you should be able to:

• Derive formulae from first principles.

• Calculate the coordinates which determine
Centre of Gravity and Centroids for a system
of discrete particles and a body of arbitrary
shape.

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Centers of Mass and Centroids
Center of Gravity of body.
 Consider a particle “dW” and
apply the principle of moment.

 or

 or

 or

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Centers of Mass and Centroids
Center of Gravity of body.
 Consider a particle “dW” and
apply the principle of moment.
and
 or

 or

 or

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 Centers of Mass and Centroids
Center of Gravity of “n”
particles
 Resultant weight = total weight of
“n” particles.
 Sum of moments of weights of all
the particles about x, y, z axes =
moment of resultant weight about
these axes


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 Centers of Mass and Centroids
Centroids of Lines
 If the geometry of the object such
as a thin rod or wire, takes the
form of a line, the balance of
moments of differential elements
about each of the coordinate
system yields
 or
 or
 or

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 Centers of Mass and Centroids
Centroids of Areas
 For centroid for surface area of
an object, such as plate and
shell, subdivide the area into
differential elements
 or

 or

 or

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 Centers of Mass and Centroids
Centroids of Volumes
 Consider an object subdivided
into differential volume elements ,
for location of the centroid,
 or

 or

 or

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 Centers of Mass and Centroids
Procedure for Analysis
Integrations

 Substitute the formations and , and into the appropriate

equations and perform integrations.
 Express the function in the integrand and in terms of the
same variable as the differential thickness of the
element.
 The limits of integrals are defined from the two extreme
locations of the element’s differential thickness so that
entire area is covered during integration

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Locate the centroid of the area under the curve from to

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 →
 →

 →

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




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More applications of truss

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 Analysis of trusses
The joint connection on a truss are usually formed by
bolting or welding the ends of the members to a gusset
plate.

When designing a structure, the force developed in each

member must be determined for a given load.

It means that the forces at the end are directed along the
axis of the member.

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 Analysis of trusses
The simplest form of the truss is the plane truss. This is
when the members lie on a single plane and are
considered as two force member which we mentioned in
chapter 2.

The basic element of a plane truss is the triangle.

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 Analysis of trusses
Example of a two-force member

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 Analysis of trusses
For a simple truss, it is assumed that the joint is pin
connected, even when it is riveted, welded or bolted.
Provided the centerlines of the members are
concurrent at the joint.

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 Analysis of trusses
Typical Truss connection and support.

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 Method of joints
This is one of the methods that we can use to analyze
trusses.
This method considers the equilibrium at the joint of the
truss.
To analyze this, do the following:
• If the forces are at a support, then find the external reactions
at the support using one or all of the equilibrium equations.
• Draw the free body diagram of the joint having at least one
known force and at most two unknown forces.

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 Method of joints
• Assume that all the unknown forces are in tension that is
pulling away and if you get a negative result, then adjust the
direction before you go any further.

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 Method of joints
• Note, that compression pushes onto the joint and tension
pulls away from the joint.
• Resolve the force on each member into the x- and y-
component and use the equilibrium equation to solve for the
unknown forces.
• If you are sure of the right direction of the unknown force then
assign it properly.
• Once a joint is completely solve and the directions properly
assigned, that becomes an input force into the next joint.
• The next slide will illustrate what we have been talking about.

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Method of joints

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 Internal and External Redundancy
If a truss has more external support than are
necessary to ensure a stable equilibrium, it is
regarded as having an external redundancy.
If a truss has more members than needed and those
extra members have no effect on the truss's stability,
it is regarded as having an internal redundancy.
When the right number of members and joints are
achieved without compromising stability, the truss is
regarded as statically determinant.

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 Internal and External Redundancy
Let us specify equilibrium in joint by 2j of such
equilibrium equation. Where j = the number of joints.
Since it is a two-force member, let say that we have m-
number of such 2-force members with a maximum of 3
unknown support reactions.
You will get m+3 unknowns which can be in tension or
compression. With 3 reactions.
For statically determinant truss, the equation: m+3 = 2j
must be satisfied.

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 Internal and External Redundancy
For example:

The truss on the above has 9 members (m), and 6 joints (j).
If we put this into the equation for redundancy: m+3 = 2j
we have: 9+3=2x6

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 Zero Force Members
Some members in a truss may not carry load and are
regarded as zero force members.
Let’s consider the following free-body-diagrams
F1
C D E
B F2
A F
G
F3

Zero force members are the colored members (AB, BC, and
DG) in the following truss.

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Review of the examples

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Review of the examples

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Review of the examples

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Review of sample problem

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Review of sample problem

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Review of sample problem

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Problems

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Problems

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Problems

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 Problems
• Read special conditions on page 174 of
your hand book.
• Do the suggested problems on MyTUTor
under your tutorial folder and more ! ! !.

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 Method of Section.
This method is used to determine the loadings acting
within a body.
It is based on the principle that if a body is at equilibrium,
then any section of that body is also in equilibrium.

The following slides will guide us on how to apply this

method in the analysis of structures.

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 Method of Section.
Draw the free body diagram (FBD) of the structure.
Determine how to section the truss through the members
where forces are to be determined.
Determine the truss external reactions first before
isolating the needed section.
Draw the free body diagram of that part of the sectioned
truss with the least number of forces acting on it.

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 Method of Section.
Assume that all the unknown forces are in tension,
pulling away and if you get a negative result, then adjust
the direction before you go any further.
If you are sure of the right direction of the unknown force
then assign it properly.
Apply the equilibrium equations to the appropriate
section of the truss.

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 Method of Section.
Illustration of the method

If we are interested in getting the force in BE.

The truss must be sectioned through BC, BE and FE.
Only sectioned members are of interest

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Review of the examples

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Review of the examples

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Review of the examples

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Review of the examples

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 Problems

Do the suggested problems on MyTUTor under your

tutorial folder and more ! ! !.

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