Structure Analysis
Simple Truss Analysis

Definition:

The determination of internal actions and deformations is called Structural Analysis OR The determination of response of the structure to loads.

The process of determination can be by:

• Structural Analysis Softwares
• Manual manipulations and calculations

Structural Analysis consists of:

• Analysis &
• Design of a structure

In designing a structure the engineer must account for the safety, aesthetics, serviceability and economic as well as environmental constraints.

The design is based on:

• Knowledge of Engineering materials
• Knowledge of laws of mechanics

This completes the preliminary design of a structure. Now the other part, that is Analysis of this preliminary designed structure starts. Analysis of a structure consists of:

• Idealization of the structure
• Determination of locations of loads and their specification
• Displacements/Deformations

The obtained results are used to re-design the structure to fulfill the required building codes and rules as well as other specifications that may be based on the specific climate, social interaction, culture or economy of the area.

Classification of Structures

• Rods
• Beams
• Columns
• Trusses
• Cable and Arches
• Frames
• Surface Structures

Types of Loads

• Dead loads
• Live loads
• Building loads
• bridge loads
• wind loads
• earthquake loads
• soil pressure
• hydrostatic pressure

Laws of Mechanics

• Principle of superposition
• equation of equilibrium
• Determinacy and stability

Procedure for analysis for determining joint reactions for structure composed of pin-connected members

Free Body Diagrams

• Split the structure into members and draw a free body diagram of each member.
• All two force members should be identified

Equations of Equilibrium

• Count the total number of unknowns to make sure that an equivalent number of equilibrium equations can be written for solution