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2021-11-17

Engineering Mechanics | Internal Forces | Truss | Ritter's Method of Sections and Method of Joints

This short video, less than 7 minutes in length, explains the general approach for internal forces in a truss. To begin, the member forces are calculated by the method of joints and the German Ritter's Method of Sections. When using the method of joints, the forces around a specific node are released and the unknown member forces are determined by the sum of vertical and horizontal forces.
Alternatively, the Ritter's Method of Sections isolates part of the structure from the entire system, and the unknown member force is determined by summing the moments about a specific node.

The calculated member forces also correspond to the axial forces and are applied to the axial force distribution of the truss. Additional internal forces are zero in the truss because its members are only subjected to compression and tension.