ME102: SUBUNIT 1.3.2 Automated Truss Calculations
1. For the pin-connected structure depicted in the figure below, calculate all associated
forces. You may first attempt the calculations by the manual procedures described in
The Saylor Foundation’s “Trusses” (PDF) and then with the automated tool Autodesk
Inc.'s "Autodesk ForceEffect.”
Compare your results with those with those found in Problem 1 Report.
2. For the pin-connected structure depicted in the figure below, calculate all associated
forces. All of the triangles are identical. You may first attempt the calculations by the
manual procedures described in The Saylor Foundation’s “Trusses” (PDF) and then
with the ForceEffect app.
Compare your results with those with those found in Problem 2 Report.
The Saylor Foundation 1
3. Follow the examples in the ForceEffect tutorial “ForceEffect and how to create a
diagram” in order to create a two-dimensional diagram corresponding to a real structure
in your surroundings such as a bridge, a bicycle frame, or a crane. Use ForceEffect to
calculate the reactions to hypothetical loading forces.
Feel free to talk with others and consult reference materials earlier in the unit as you
complete these exercises. You may also consider discussing these assignments with
your classmates on the ME102 Discussion Forum. You will need to create a free
account to access the discussion forum, which you may do so here if you do not already
have one.
The Saylor Foundation 2