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SUMMARYThe feasibility of achieving a preassigned stress state by changing the stiffness of determinate and indeterminate pin connected structures is presented. A new force method with all element forces (or stresses or areas) as independent variables is developed. The possibility but futility of getting the element areas by inverting and pre-multiplying the coefficient matrix with the external load vector when areas are chosen as variables is shown. The relationship existing between the compatibility equations and the plastic strength of pin connected structures is illustrated. Possible design methods for trusses under single or multiplicity of load conditions, the design of truss geometry and the relations between fully stressed and minimum weight structures are examined and illustrated through several examples.

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