Experiment No.

2 Roof Trusses
Objective:
The objective of the experiment is to experimentally measure the forces in a loaded frame and
then compare them with values calculated from theory.
Theory:
In the experiment, the following theoretical calculation results were used.
=

= 45
=
=

2 cos
2 sin
2 tan

The above forces will vary with change in external force (applied load: W) as
constant because of the rigid supports

remain

For experimental value, the extension in leaf spring was employed to account for change in
length. By Linear Spring law,
=

Where
is change in length deflection (mentioned as, in tables below)
is spring constant
Calculation of the angles experimentally:
CA = 64

= 45.5

= 45.5

By the use of cosine laws and then sines laws, we found that

= 45.43

Which is approximately same as theoretically mentioned. Remaining angles can be found using
Sine Laws.

Procedure:
1. Each member id fitted with a calibrated leaf spring balance.
2. A length is chosen for bottom tie and the right hand support is adjusted so that the support links
are approximately vertical.
3. Noted the initial gauge readings
4. Applied a load and noted the final gauge readings.

Observations and Calculations:

Load
(N)

10

20

30

Member

Initial
(mm)

Final
(mm)

Deflection Experimental Theoretical

(mm)
Value (N)
Value (N)

AB

0.37

0.37

7.92

7.07

BC

0.27

0.27

5.62

7.07

CA

0.23

0.23

3.96

5.00

AB

0.75

0.75

16.05

14.14

BC

0.58

0.58

12.06

14.14

CA

0.48

0.48

8.26

10.00

AB

1.11

1.11

23.75

21.21

BC

0.91

0.91

18.93

21.21

CA

0.75

0.75

12.90

15.00

Graph:
25

20

15

AB
BC

10

CA

0
0

10

15

20

25

30

35