This engineering statics tutorial explains how to identify zero force members in trusses. Please note that when I’m erasing members, I’m not “removing” them. They’re still there. I’m just erasing the ones identified to be ZFMs so the joints are less cluttered, and it’s easier to identify more ZFMs. Zero Force Members have purpose: for bracing, rigidity, and if the loading changes, the internal forces in each member will change, which means that different members will be ZFMs at different times. This problem is wildly simplified compared to a real life scenario, but is useful for teaching students about the concept and identification of ZFMs.

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Looking for practice problems with solutions? I also created a whole set of fully solved statics problems with stepbystep hand calculations:
https://www.engineer4free.com/statics...

Looking for software? I highly recommend checking out SkyCiv. They make a full suite of online structural analysis software and tools that are useful for both students and professionals, including calculators for beams, trusses, frames, moment of inertia and more. It’s great for checking your work:
https://bit.ly/skycive4f

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Thanks for watching, I hope it helps!