Joint Method

The section method is generally used to compute the internal forces of bending members. For pin-connected structures such as trusses or pin-connected spatial structures with loads applied at joints only, the “joint method” is generally more efficient to use.

In the “joint method”, a section is made around a pinned-joint and the three equilibrium equations (ΣF_x=0, ΣF_y=0 , ΣF_z=0 ) are used to compute the internal forces. To find the internal forces a maximum of three members (or unknown internal forces) must be connected to a joint in spatial structures. There must be a maximum of two members (or unknown internal forces) connected to a two-dimensional truss joint.

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