Education and Didactics

On the Analysis of Trusses Using Complex Numbers

Authors: Aloys J. Sipers
Comments: 14 Pages. (Note by viXra Admin: Please cite and list scientific references)

In this letter we show how member forces in a truss can be computed using complex numbers. We give an example of a truss where equations with only one unknown member force are formulated by taking moments about a particular chosen point. A theorem provides an expression for a moment in terms of a complex valued force, a complex valued point of application and some basic operations on complex numbers. We consider the following two situations:(i)The moments are taken about a joint of the truss.(ii)The moments are taken about a point which is not a joint of the truss. A theorem provides an expression for the position of that point in terms of joints of the truss.
Category: Education and Didactics