Beam Analogy

In this method, the internal forces are found assuming the elongated truss is a beam. This is an approximate method.

For a simply supported beam

• Maximum bending moment is at mid-span:
• Maximum shear force is at the supports:

Here:

• Chord members - horizontal members
• Web members - diagonal members
• - truss depth

In the truss,

• Bending moment is carried by chord members.
  
• Shear force is carried by vertical component of web member force