NCEES FE Mechanical Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide for Guaranteed Success!

A pinned joint is designed to allow rotation between the connected members while providing resistance against certain types of loads. In the context of structural engineering, a pinned joint can effectively resist both axial and shear loads because these types of forces act along the member's longitudinal axis or perpendicular to it, respectively.

However, pinned joints do not resist moments. When a moment is applied to a pinned joint, the connection does not generate any resistance to that rotational force, allowing the members to pivot freely around the joint. This is a key characteristic of pinned joints, making them suitable for structures where rotational flexibility is desirable, like in trusses, where the effects of bending moments can be minimized.

Other load types such as distributed loads would be transmitted through the member and accounted for by the overall structural design, but at a pinned joint specifically, it is essential to note that the moment does not provide any resistance, allowing rotation to occur. This understanding is crucial in analyzing structures to ensure that members are designed adequately to handle expected loads without exceeding their capacity.