Faculty of Engineering Physics 1 Laboratory

Group ____1____ Section ___1-23____

Members
Abao, John Joewen D._______ Rating ___________
Agustin, Christian Joshua B._
Date submitted _MARCH 2, 2019_
Alejo, Erika Louise M.______
Alfonso, Brian_M.__________
Alfonso, Jeffrey C.__________

ACTIVITY # 1
Simply Supported Truss

I. Objectives
At the end of this activity, the students should be able to:

1. Build a simply-supported truss bridge using the Truss Set based on the given design
parameters;
2. Compare the computational and experimental values of the member forces from the
given dead load and moving load; and
3. Analyze the effect of a dead load and a moving load combination to the truss members
of the bridge.

II. Data and Results

Table 1. Dimension
Actual Dimensions Required Dimension Remarks
Bridge Length 55 cm 50 cm Lacking
materials for
exact
dimensions
Bridge Height 19 cm 15 cm Lacking
materials for
exact
dimensions
Bridge Span 17 cm 10 cm Lacking
materials for
exact
dimensions

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Table 2.
Member Experimental Computational Percent Error
Bottom
-5.365 N -6.53 N 17.84%
Simulation 1 Chord
– Dead Load Top Chord 2.16 N 3.27 N 33.94%
Web 3.98 N 4.62 N 13.85%
Bottom
-0.43 N -1.51 N 71.51%
Simulation 2 – Chord
Moving Load Top Chord 0.205 N 0.76N 73.03%
Web 0.09 N 1.07 N 91.59%
Simulation 3 – Bottom
-5.94 N N/A N/A
Dead Load Chord
and Moving Top Chord 2.56 N N/A N/A
Load Web 3.945 N N/A N/A
Weights: NOTE:
Dead Load: 1kg + Values represent compression
Moving Load: 554.63 g - Values represent tension
Dead Load and Moving Load: 1.55463 kg

III. Proofs

Figure 1. Configuration of a Pratt Truss bridge to be used on the

experiment which is composed of four legs as a stand, a
stationary platform at the bottom of the base for the moving load,
and a bottom, web, and top load cells attached to member 3-4, 2-
5, and 6-5 respectively.

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 CALCULATIONS:

A. Simulation 1 – Dead Load

6 a y P
5

b z b
a
a a
4
1
L R
a 2 a 3 x a

Where:
 a,b – length of truss members
 P – applied load
 L,R – supports on the left and right sides of the truss, respectively
 1,2,3,4,5,6 – nodes/connections of truss members
 x,y,z – load cells

Solve for P: Solve for the support

P is placed on the 5th joint reactions at L and R due to P.

𝑃 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑥 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

∑ 𝑀𝐿 = 0
𝑃 = 𝑚𝑔 −𝑃(2𝑎) + 𝑅𝑅 (3𝑎) = 0
𝑅𝑅 (3𝑎) = 𝑃(2𝑎)
𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑚 𝑏𝑒 1 𝑘𝑔
𝑚 2
𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑔 𝑏𝑒 9.8 2 𝑅𝑅 = 𝑃
𝑠 3
𝑚
𝑃 = (1 𝑘𝑔) (9.8 ) ∑ 𝑀𝑅 = 0
𝑠2
𝑃(𝑎) − 𝑅𝐿 (3𝑎) = 0
𝑃 = 9.8 𝑁 𝑅𝐿 (3𝑎) = 𝑃(𝑎)

1
𝑅𝐿 = 𝑃
3

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1) NODE 4
5
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝑅𝑅 − 𝑀45 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) = 0 −𝑀34 + 𝑀45 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) = 0
𝑅𝑅 = 𝑀45 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 𝑀34 = 𝑀45 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑅𝑅 2𝑃(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑀45 = 𝑀34 =
(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
2𝑃 𝑀34
𝑀45 =
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) (9.8𝑁)(2)(cos(45))
(9.8𝑁)(2) =
𝑀45 = 3(sin(45))
3(sin(45)) 4
𝑀45 = 9.24 𝑁 𝑀34 =6.53 N 3
(Compression) (Tension)
(BOTTOM CHORD)

2) NODE 1
6
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝑅𝐿 − 𝑀16 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) = 0 𝑀12 − 𝑀16 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) = 0
𝑅𝐿 = 𝑀16 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 𝑀12 = 𝑀16 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑅𝐿
𝑀16 = 𝑃(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
𝑃 𝑀12 =
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
𝑀16 =
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) (9.8 𝑁(cos(45))
9.8𝑁 𝑀12 =
3(sin(45))
𝑀16 =
3(sin(45)) 𝑀12 = 3.27𝑁 N
𝑀16 = 4.62𝑁 (Tension)
(Compression) 1 2

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3) NODE 6

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 6 5
𝑀16 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) − 𝑀26 = 0 −𝑀16 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) + 𝑀56 = 0
𝑀26 = 𝑀16 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 𝑀56 = 𝑀16 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑃 𝑃(cos 𝜃)
𝑀16 = 𝑀56 =
3 3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
9.8𝑁 9.8(𝑐𝑜𝑠45)
𝑀16 = 𝑀56 =
3 3(sin(45)) 1
𝑀16 = 3.27𝑁
𝑀56 = 3.27 𝑁
(Tension)
(Compression)
(TOP CHORD)

4) NODE 2

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 5
𝑀26 + 𝑀25 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) = 0 −𝑀12 + 𝑀23 + 𝑀25 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) = 0
𝑃 −𝑃(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑀25 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) = −( + 𝑀23
3 3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
𝑃 −𝑃(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑀25 = +( =0
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 3
9.8𝑁
𝑀25 =
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛45) 2𝑃(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑀25 = 4.62𝑁 𝑀23 = 2
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
(Compression) (2)(9.8 𝑁(cos(45))
(WEB CHORD) 𝑀23 =
3(sin(45))
𝑀23 = 6.53𝑁
(Tension)

Table A.1 Comparison of Experimental and Computational Values of Forces on Part A.

Member Experimental Computational Percentage of Error
Bottom Chord -5.365 N -6.53 N | − 6.53 + 5.365|
∗ 100% = 17.84%
−6.53
Top Chord 2.16 N 3.27 N |3.27 − 2.16|
∗ 100% = 33.94%
3.27
Web Chord 3.98 N 4.62 N |4.62 − 3.98|
∗ 100% = 13.85%
4.62

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B. Simulation 2– Moving Load

6 a y 5

b b

a a
4
1
L R
a 2 a 3 x a
P

Where:
 a,b – length of truss members
 P – applied load
 L,R – supports on the left and right sides of the truss, respectively
 1,2,3,4,5,6 – nodes/connections of truss members
 x,y,z – load cells

Solve for P: Solve for the support

P was measured when the moving load was on reactions at L and R due to P.
the 3rd node
∑ 𝑀𝐿 = 0
𝑃 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑥 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑃 = 𝑚𝑔 −𝑃(2𝑎) + 𝑅𝑅 (3𝑎) = 0
𝑅𝑅 (3𝑎) = 𝑃(2𝑎)
𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑚 𝑏𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠
𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑡 2
𝑅𝑅 = 𝑃
3
1
𝑚= [(500 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠 (0.5 𝑘𝑔) +
2 ∑ 𝑀𝑅 = 0
54.63 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠 (0.05463𝑘𝑔)]
−𝑃(𝑎) + 𝑅𝐿 (3𝑎) = 0
𝑚 𝑅𝐿 (3𝑎) = 𝑃(𝑎)
𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑔 𝑏𝑒 9.8
𝑠2 1
𝑅𝐿 = 𝑃
𝑚 3
𝑃 = (0.277315 𝑘𝑔) (9.8 )
𝑠2
𝑃 = 2.72𝑁

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1) NODE 1

6
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝑅𝐿 − 𝑀16 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) = 0 𝑀12 − 𝑀16 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) = 0
𝑅𝐿 = 𝑀16 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 𝑀12 = 𝑀16 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑅𝐿
𝑀16 =
(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 𝑃(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑃 𝑀12 =
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
𝑀16 =
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) (2.27 𝑁(cos(45))
2.27𝑁 𝑀12 =
𝑀16 = 3(sin(45))
3(sin(45)) 𝑀12 = 0.76𝑁 N
𝑀16 = 1.07𝑁 (Tension)
(Compression)
1 2

2) NODE 6

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝑀16 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) − 𝑀26 = 0 −𝑀16 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) + 𝑀56 = 0
𝑀26 = 𝑀16 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 𝑀56 = 𝑀16 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) 6 5
𝑃 𝑃(cos 𝜃)
𝑀16 = 𝑀56 =
3 3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
2.27𝑁 2.27(𝑐𝑜𝑠45)
𝑀16 = 𝑀56 =
3 3(sin(45))
𝑀16 = 0.76𝑁
𝑀56 = 0.76 𝑁
(Tension)
(Compression)
(TOP CHORD) 1

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3) NODE 2
5
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝑀26 + 𝑀25 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) = 0 −𝑀12 + 𝑀23 + 𝑀25 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) = 0
𝑃 −𝑃(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑀25 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) = −( + 𝑀23
3 3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
𝑃 −𝑃(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑀25 = +( =0
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
2.27𝑁
𝑀25 =
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛45) 2𝑃(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) 2
𝑀25 = 1.07𝑁 𝑀23 = 3
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
(Compression) (2)(2.27 𝑁)(cos(45))
(WEB CHORD) 𝑀23 =
3(sin(45))
𝑀23 = 1.51𝑁
(Tension)

4) NODE 4

5
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝑅𝑅 − 𝑀45 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) = 0 −𝑀34 + 𝑀45 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) = 0
𝑅𝑅 = 𝑀45 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 𝑀34 = 𝑀45 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑅𝑅 2𝑃(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)
𝑀45 = 𝑀34 =
(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃) 3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
2𝑃 𝑀34
𝑀45 = (2.27𝑁)(2)(cos(45))
3(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
(2.27𝑁)(2) =
3(sin(45))
𝑀45 =
3(sin(45))
𝑀45 = 2.14 𝑁 𝑀34 =1.51 N 4
3
(Compression) (Tension)
(BOTTOM CHORD)

Table B.1 Comparison of Experimental and Computational Values of Forces on Part B.

Member Experimental Computational Percentage of Error
Bottom Chord -0.43 N -1.51 N | − 1.51 + 0.43|
∗ 100% = 71.51%
−1.51
Top Chord 0.205 N 0.76N |0.76 − 0.205|
∗ 100% = 73.03%
0.76
Web Chord 0.09 N 1.07 N |1.07 − 0.09|
∗ 100% = 91.59%
1.07

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IV. Observation and Summary

1. Discuss the difference in the experimental and computational member forces for all
simulation.

Through the course of the experiment, a program called SparkVue was used in order to
determine the forces of each simulations. With the data gathered, it was determined that there
was only a small difference in the results between the experimental and computational values of
forces. For the first simulation, the values showed 1.165 difference with a 17% percentage error
for the bottom chord, 1.11 with a 33% percentage error for the top chord, and 0.64 with a 13%
percentage error for the web chord. For the second simulation, the values showed 1.08 difference
with a 71.51% percentage error for the bottom chord, 0.55 with a 73.03% percentage error for
the top chord, and 0.98 with a 91.59% percentage error for the web chord. Such that there were
percentage error evident, external factors may affected the data gathered throughout the
experiment. Failure to properly use the instruments, the use of approximated measurements and
time and the placement of loads may contribute to the resulted percentage error value.

2. Discuss and analyze the effects of dead load and moving load to the member forces.

Structural loads in general refers to forces or deformations applied to a certain structure

and its components. In the case of the experiment, the structure is the bridge itself as well as its
trusses. Dead load refers to loads which are measured to be immobile in nature. The bridge
experiences a stable and consistent force due to the Dead load around specific points only. On
the other hand, the Moving load or also called the Live load are loads which gives an inconsistent
force to the different parts of the structure as the load moves over time. This means that the force
will not be experienced by a single point only in the bridge but more likely to every possible
points. Generally, moving loads should more likely break a bridge than a dead load because it
moves throughout the whole structure and as it moves, it passes to the weaker parts of the
building and exposes those parts. That of course depends on other factors such as the weight of
the load, the placement of the load, and the location where the force is being measured. The
force exerted on a specific point will be much greater when it is a Dead load rather than a moving
load given that the location of the dead load is close to the point to be measured of force as the
moving load continuously distributes the weight to all the parts of the bridge. In the experiment's
case, the Dead load exerted more force on to the structure because it is heavier and that the
location where the force is measured is fixed regardless if the Moving load or the Dead load is
used.

3. At what point of location of the moving load could possibly result to the maximum
member forces.

The point where the maximum member forces occured in the middle point of the bridge
since the bridge has supports on either sides so that both ends can hold much more than the
middle point that has no supports at all from the force of the moving load.

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