The objective for this case is to determine the shearing and bearing stress at joint A or B due to a 50 lb/ft² snow load on the roof of a small shed.

Wall Reaction Forces

Snow Loading acting Through Top Purlins

Free Body Diagram of Roof Truss
with Snow Load Transfers to Truss
through Purlins at A, B and C.

Since the structure and loading is symmetrical, joints A and B will be the same. This means, the reaction force from the wall at both joints will be equal, or

     F_A = F_B = (50 lb/ft²) (2 ft) (6 ft) / 2 = 300 lb

Note that the truss spacing is 2 ft, so each truss must support a 2 ft wide section of roof loading. Also, only the vertical load is considered (50 lb/ft²) over the span of 6 ft.

Next, the snow loading needs to be analyzed and replaced by equivalent force loads at the joints. The snow load on the plywood is supported by two purlins on each side of the roof. These purlins (one at the top and the bottom of each side) hold the trusses in place and transfer the roof load to the truss joints. The top purlins on each side of the roof will transfer only half of the roof load. The two bottom purlins will transfer the other half of the snow load.

The load at the top center is

     F_C = (50 lb/ft²)(2 ft)(1.5 ft + 1.5 ft) = 300 lb

Half the load on each side of the roof is taken by the center purlins, so the center 3 ft width section of the roof is supported by the center joint. The remaining snow load on the roof is transferred to joints A and B.

The roof angle is

     θ = tan^-1 (1/3) = 18.43^o

Free Body Diagram of Joint C

Before the bearing and shear stress at joint B can be determined, the force in member CB must be determined. This can be done by analyzing the top joint, C using static equilibrium equations,

     ΣF_x = 0
     F_CA = F_CB

     ΣF_y = 0
     2 F_CB sin18.43 - 300 = 0
     F_CB = 474.3 lb

The shear stress in the dowel pin at joint B is determined from the shear stress equation,

     τ = V/A
        = 474 / ((1/4)²π) = 474 lb/0.1963 in²
        = 2,414 PSI

The load in member F_AB ( = 474 cos18.4 = 450 lb) will also cause a shear stress in the dowel, but since the load is less than the load in member F_CB, the shear stress will also be lower.

The load in member AB is transferred into joint B through the dowel. This causes a bearing stress on the surface of the dowel against the member. The bearing stress is found by

     σ_b = P/A_b
        = 474 / ((3/4)(1/2)) = 474 lb/0.375 in²
        = 1,265 PSI