Influence Lines for Trusses

Example
For the Pratt truss shown below, draw the influence diagram for members JK, DK, and DE.
 

il-truss-given-pratt-6panels.gif

 

Solution
Solve for the reaction at A due to unit load that move across the bottom chord.
$\Sigma M_G = 0$

$18R_A = 1.0(18 - x)$

$R_A = 1 - \dfrac{x}{18}$
 

Assume forces FJK, FDE, and FDK as tension as shown in the cut section below.
 

il-truss-pratt-4th-panel-with-unit-load.gif

 

Influence Line for Member JK
For 0 ≤ x ≤ 9 m

$\Sigma M_D = 0$

$3F_{JK} + 9R_A = 1.0(9 - x)$

$3F_{JK} + 9\left( 1 - \dfrac{x}{18} \right) = 9 - x$

$3F_{JK} + 9 - \frac{1}{2}x = 9 - x$

$F_{JK} = -\frac{1}{6}x$   ←   straight line

When x = 0, FJK = 0
When x = 9, FJK = -1.5

 

il-truss-pratt-member-jk.gif

For 9 m ≤ x ≤ 18 m

$\Sigma M_D = 0$

$3F_{JK} + 9R_A = 0$

$3F_{JK} + 9\left( 1 - \dfrac{x}{18} \right) = 0$

$3F_{JK} + 9 - \frac{1}{2}x = 0$

$F_{JK} = \frac{1}{6}x - 3$   ←   straight line

When x = 9, FJK = -1.5
When x = 18, FJK = 0

 

Influence Line for Member DE
For 0 ≤ x ≤ 12 m

$\Sigma M_K = 0$

$3F_{DE} + 1.0(12 - x) = 12R_A$

$3F_{DE} + 12 - x = 12\left( 1 - \dfrac{x}{18} \right)$

$3F_{DE} + 12 - x = 12 - \frac{2}{3}x$

$F_{DE} = \frac{1}{9}x$   ←   straight line

When x = 0, FDE = 0
When x = 12, FDE = 4/3

 

il-truss-pratt-member-de.gif

 

For 12 m ≤ x ≤ 18 m

$\Sigma M_K = 0$

$3F_{DE} = 12R_A$

$3F_{DE} = 12\left( 1 - \dfrac{x}{18} \right)$

$F_{DE} = 4 - \frac{2}{9}x$   ←   straight line

When x = 12, FDE = 4/3
When x = 18, FDE = 0

 

Influence Line for Member DK
For 0 ≤ x ≤ 9 m

$\Sigma F_V = 0$

$F_{DK} \left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \right) + R_A = 1.0$

$F_{DK} \left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \right) + \left( 1 - \dfrac{x}{18} \right) = 1$

$F_{DK} = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{18}x$   ←   straight line

When x = 0, FDK = 0
When x = 9, FDK = sqrt(2) / 2

 

il-truss-pratt-member-dk.gif

 

For 9 m < x ≤ 18 m

$\Sigma F_V = 0$

$F_{DK} \left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \right) + R_A = 0$

$F_{DK} \left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \right) + \left( 1 - \dfrac{x}{18} \right) = 0$

$F_{DK} = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{18}x - \sqrt{2}$   ←   straight line

When x = 12, FDK = -sqrt(2) / 3
When x = 18, FDK = 0