Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M.

Pintor / De La Salle University

Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy

Truss

! Structure composed of slender members joined together at their ends
! Design assumptions:
o Members are joined by smooth pins (even for welded or bolted connections):
" Ensure centrelines of joining members are concurrent at a point
" Considering the effects of having rigid connections, neglect secondary stresses
due to expected bending of member associated with internal loadings

o All loading are applied at the joints

Common types of Trusses

! Scissors for short spans requiring overhead clearance
! Howe & Pratt for moderate span of 18~30 meters
! Fan or Fink for larger spans, may be built with cambered bottom chord
! Sawtooth used where column spacing is acceptable, uniform lighting is required
! Bowstring used for garages, airplane hangars
! Arch for field houses, gymnasiums

Bridge truss components
! Deck
! Stringers
! Floor beams
! Bracing elements: lateral, sway, portal



Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy



Classification of Simple Trusses

! Simple simplest rigid and stable framework: triangle
! Compound formed by connecting several simple trusses
! Complex



Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy



Criterion for Determinacy

! Typical truss analysis problems involve determination of the following:
o Internal forces in b number of truss members
o External support reactions r

! Check for determinacy: assumes rotational equilibrium is automatically satisfied at the joints,
only requires to satisfy translational / force equilibrium at the joints






Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy


Stability




Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy

Truss Analysis

! METHOD OF JOINTS




Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy





Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy



EXERCISES




Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy










Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy

! METHOD OF SECTIONS





Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy







Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy

Elastic Strain Energy

! For calculation of displacements & slopes for trusses and frames (and complicated loadings in
beams), use energy methods
! Application of conservation of energy principle: work done by external forces is transformed
into internal work (or strain energy) which is developed when structure deforms

U
e
= U
i
or


! External work of force:
! External work of moment:
! Strain energy - axial force:




! Strain energy bending moment:



Notes in Structural Analysis II Glenn M. Pintor / De La Salle University
Truss Analysis, Elastic Strain Energy

Virtual Work Method



1. Apply a virtual unit load P=1 that acts in the same direction as !. This cause internal
loading u
2. Apply the real loading P
1
, P
2
, , P
n
. Suppose these cause displacement and internal
deformation dL.



where
P = 1 = external virtual unit load acting in the direction of !
u = internal virtual load acting on the element in the direction of dL
! = external displacement caused by the real loads
dL = internal deformation of the element caused by the real loads

Method of Virtual Work: Trusses

Procedure for analysis External Loading:

1. Apply virtual load P=1 on the structure in the direction of required deflection

2. Calculate the internal load, ie, axial forces n in each member due to the virtual load

3. Calculate the internal load, ie. Axial forces N in each member due to the read load.

4. Apply the equation of virtual work:

5. If the resultant sum is positive, the displacement ! is in the same direction as the
unit load. Otherwise, ! is opposite to the unit load.