Truss Calculations with MD Solids

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Forging new generations of engineers
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Truss Calculations with MD Solids
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Enter the information into MD Solids. Before you
press Compute , try to predict which members
are in compression and which are in tension.
If necessary, refer to the wide variety of MD
Solids Help Documents included in the MD Solids
software to help you get started.
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Notice the gold colored members labeled with a
(C) are in compression, and the blue colored
members labeled with a (T) are in tension. Did
you guess correctly?
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Try to predict which members here are in tension
and which are in compression.
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The members in purple are in neither tension or
compression. Sometimes, additional members do
not help to support a load. These are called
zero-force members.
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Try to predict which members here are in tension
and which are in compression.
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Compare your predictions with the solution.
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Solve for the force in each member of the truss
in this example to find whether the members are
in tension or compression. Use MD Solids
software. Start by replacing the supports with
reaction forces
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Here the supports have been replaces with
reaction forces
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This is how the problem looks when entered into
MD Solids.
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The solution shows forces in each member and at
each support.
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• For of the following trusses
• Replace the supports with the appropriate
  reaction forces.
• Predict which beams would be in tension, which
  would be in compression, and which would be
  supporting the most force.
• Draw the truss in MD Solids.
• Record the forces at the supports and in each
  beam.
• Were your predictions correct?

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1 KN 1000N, therefore 5kN 5000N
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Solution for 1
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Solution for 1
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Solution for 2
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Solution for 2
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Solution for 3
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Solution for 3
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Solution for 4
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Solution for 4