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Truss member forces with 25, 50, 10 kN loads

Short answer

Reactions: 200 kN ↑ at E, 115 kN ↓ at C, no horizontal. Using method of joints: AB 25 kN T, BC 125 kN T, AD 35.36 kN C, DB 35.36 kN T, BE 106.07 kN C, EC 176.78 kN C, DE 50 kN C.

Determine the member forces for given truss loaded as shown in figure below. [Figure: truss with joints A, B, C on top (spans 6 m and 6 m), D and E at bottom (3 m, 6 m, 3 m); loads 25 kN at A, 50 kN at B and 10 kN at C, downward; a hinge support at E (hinge) and roller at E side, depth 3 m.]

Data

Top joints A(0,3), B(6,3), C(12,3); bottom joints D(3,0), E(9,0). Members: AB, BC, AD, DB, BE, EC, DE (m = 7, j = 5, r = 3: determinate). Loads: 25 kN at A, 50 kN at B and 10 kN at C, all downward. Support: hinge (pin) at C and roller at E (vertical reaction). All sloping members are at 45° (3 m rise over 3 m run, length 4.243 m).

Reactions

  • ΣM_C = 0: 25(12) + 50(6) − E_y(3) = 0, so E_y = 200 kN ↑.
  • ΣFy: C_y = 85 − 200 = −115 kN (115 kN ↓); ΣFx: C_x = 0.

Method of joints

Joint A: ΣFy: −25 − 0.7071F_AD = 0, so F_AD = −35.36 kN (C). ΣFx: F_AB + 0.7071(−35.36) = 0, so F_AB = +25.00 kN (T).

Joint D: AD is in compression and pushes D with 0.7071 × 35.36 = 25 kN to the right and 25 kN downward.

  • ΣFy: −25 + 0.7071F_DB = 0, so F_DB = +35.36 kN (T).
  • ΣFx: 25 + 0.7071(35.36) + F_DE = 0, so F_DE = −50.00 kN (C).

Joint B (AB = 25 T pulls left, DB = 35.36 T pulls down-left):

  • ΣFy: −50 − 0.7071(35.36) − 0.7071F_BE = 0, so F_BE = −106.07 kN (C).
  • ΣFx: −25 − 25 + 0.7071(−106.07) + F_BC = 0, so F_BC = +125.00 kN (T).

Joint E: BE is in compression and pushes E with 75 kN to the right and 75 kN downward; DE (compression) pushes E with 50 kN to the right. ΣFy: 200 − 75 + 0.7071F_EC = 0, so F_EC = −176.78 kN (C). Check ΣFx: 50 + 75 − 0.7071(176.78) = 0 ✓.

Result

MemberForce (kN)Nature
AB25.00tension
BC125.00tension
AD35.36compression
DB35.36tension
BE106.07compression
EC176.78compression
DE50.00compression

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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