Civil & Environmental
Truss Lab
Where does the force actually go in a truss? Move the load around a Warren truss and every member is solved live by the method of joints (ΣF = 0 at every joint, run through a real linear solver). Members in tension glow green, compression amber, and they thicken with the force they carry — so you can watch the bottom chord pull, the diagonals carry the shear, and members flip sign as the load moves. The exact numbers (in kN, T/C) sit right on each member.
12.0 kN
Max tension
13.3 kN
Max compression
Yes
Statically det.
Load at
Each member is solved by the method of joints (ΣF = 0 everywhere). Green members are stretched (tension), amber are squashed (compression) — move the load and watch which members reverse. The bottom chord usually pulls; the diagonals carry the shear.
How to use this simulation
Where does the force actually go in a truss? Move the load around a Warren truss and every member is solved live by the method of joints (ΣF = 0 at every joint, run through a real linear solver). Members in tension glow green, compression amber, and they thicken with the force they carry — so you can watch the bottom chord pull, the diagonals carry the shear, and members flip sign as the load moves. The exact numbers (in kN, T/C) sit right on each member.
Everything runs in your browser — no sign-up, no download. Change a value and the result updates instantly, so you can build a feel for how each input shapes the outcome. It pairs with Crameleon's practice exams and step sheets when you want to go from intuition to working the problems.