ABSTRACT
A truss is a structure consisting of a number of rigid bars fastened together at their ends and arranged in such a way that the bars form a series of stable triangular units (see Figure 4.1). For the purpose of calculating the forces in the bars (called members of the truss), the connections at the ends of the members (called the nodes of the truss) are considered to be pinned. At a pinned connection, the end of each member is free to rotate independently of, and unrestrained by, the other members framing into the connection.
