Truss Analysis: Find Forces on Members

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FairyChatMan
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Truss Analysis :(

Homework Statement



Truss diagram with joints A, B, C, D and E on a horizontal base; loads of 1 N at B and 1.5 N at C act downward-left; angles of 35 and 55 degrees marked; supports at A (pin) and D (roller); spans labelled 8 ft and 8 ft.


Find the force on each of the members and tell if it is tension of compression.

Homework Equations



M = fd [tex]\sum[/tex]Fx and Fy = 0

The Attempt at a Solution



Well, my professor said to us that the first thing to do is to compute for the reactions on the pin. After that, start using Free body diagram on one of the pin, and continue to complete the truss.

Here's what I did...

I set point D as pivot... then
[tex]\sum[/tex]M = 8A - 16cos55 - 12cos55 = 0
A = 2.0075 N upward

But shouldn't the summation of all forces be zero? By having A = 2.0075 and an unknown Rxn on D (which obviously will point upward), the system won't be in equilibrium because cos35 + 1.5cos35 = 2.0479 N.

Just help me getting the correct Reactions on point A and D and i'll be able to solve this problem.. thanks..

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FairyChatMan said:

Homework Statement



Free-body diagram of a truss with joints A, B, C, D and E on a horizontal base; forces of 1 N and 1.5 N act downward at B and C, angles of 35 and 55 degrees are marked, and the supports span 8 ft and 8 ft.


Find the force on each of the members and tell if it is tension of compression.

Homework Equations



M = fd [tex]\sum[/tex]Fx and Fy = 0

The Attempt at a Solution



Well, my professor said to us that the first thing to do is to compute for the reactions on the pin. After that, start using Free body diagram on one of the pin, and continue to complete the truss.

Here's what I did...

I set point D as pivot... then
[tex]\sum[/tex]M = 8A - 16cos55 - 12cos55 = 0
A = 2.0075 N upward
that should be M = 16A[/color] - ...etc
But shouldn't the summation of all forces be zero? By having A = 2.0075 and an unknown Rxn on D (which obviously will point upward), the system won't be in equilibrium because cos35 + 1.5cos35 = 2.0479 N.
if you sum forces in y direction, A_y -1(sin35) -1.5(sin35) +D_y =0, plug in value for A_y and solve for D_y.
Just help me getting the correct Reactions on point A and D and i'll be able to solve this problem.. thanks..

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looks like you had a math typo, some trig errors,and you missed a variable when summing y forces = 0. You can check your work by summing moments about A to solve for D_y.