2.1.

9 Truss Design Report POE-4

Rama Hassabelnabi, Rofin Maknojia, Corbin Capo, and
Ben Thompson

Problem Statement
The objectives are that we will understand why trusses are used in terms of efficiency
and strength. We will also observe the performance of joint members, gussets and
supports in trusses, and see how construction affects performs. Additionally, we will
interpret test results and provide reasons for the trusses performance, good or bad.
Lastly, we will work with a team using tools such as group norms and a decision matrix.
Our criteria is that we are to design a truss that should perform better than test
truss. Our constraints are that it can only be made with balsa wood, glue and paper. The
paper gussets can not be larger than the gussets used during testing. The truss also
has to fit in the apparatus, and we can not use more than 36 inches. If we need more
wood, then we may purchase some from Mr. Landers for one point per inch.

Test Truss
When we tried our test truss, we realized that it was a little too short. As a result, our
truss slipped out of the apparatus. It supported a total of 26 pounds and did not break.
As a result of our truss slipping, I learned that we need to make sure that our final truss
is long enough, and that our truss needs to be centered on apparatus so that it can hold
as much weight as possible.

Research Results
I learned about what makes a truss efficient and the different types of trusses, such as
gable truss and cantilever truss, and more about complex truss configurations, along
with basic truss designs. Also, I learned that a large number of triangles in a truss make
the truss stronger. That is why structurally complex trusses are stronger than basic
trusses.

Design Idea
My design would require 34.5 inches of balsa wood
Dimensioned Sketch

MDSolids
1

Decision Process
I was not present to help decide which criteria to use on the decision matrix to decide
with truss to build, so I am assuming that my team chose complexity because a
complex truss may be stronger, material because we want to make sure we have
enough wood, and time because we are constrained on time.
Name

Complexity

Material

Time

Total

Corbin Capo

10

Ben Thompson

Rofin Maknojia

14

Rofin had the highest total, so his truss was chosen to be built.
Dimensioned sketch of final truss

Official Test
I was not present for the official testing of the truss, but the truss held a total of 31
pounds in the SSA, and broke on the bottom corner of the base.
Broken Truss

SSA Graph

Maximum Force: 31 pounds

MDSolids

Efficiency: (31 pounds/ 0.00586 pounds) * 100 = 529010%

Teamwork
4

Corbin: Corbin was the builder, he assembled the pieces together. He also helped in
cutting the members
Rofin: Rofin scanned everyones engineering notebooks so they could include the
pictures in their reports
Ben: Ben applied glue to the members.
Rama: I was absent for a majority of the project, so I did not contribute to the project.
My original job was to cut the pieces, but because of my absence, my team members all
took over my job.

Reflection
1. I think failure occurred at the bottom corner of the base because the
applied force was pushing down on the top of the truss which bent the bottom
until it snapped off the corner.
2. If I had the chance to redesign our truss I would add a member from point
B(on MDSolids) to the bottom piece, and from point E to the bottom piece. I
would do this because it strengthen the bottom member, and increase the
number of triangles in the truss, which would increase the strength of the truss as
a whole.

Bibliography
"Roof Truss Facts." Wood Truss & Wall Panels. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.
"Truss Information." Landmark Systems Inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2015.