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EME3411 – LAB INVESTIGATION2 REPORT

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Truss structure

COURSE CODE: EME3411

COURSE NAME: Laboratory Investigation 2

SUBMISSION DATE: 3/3/2020

Abstract:

A truss experiment is conducted to determine the percentage of error between

experimental values and theoretical values and to determine the relationship
between each truss member and applied load. The experiment will be conducted on
a simple truss structure which is plane truss the truss is always affected by two
types of force which are compression and tensile. There will be a percentage of
error that comes out from the surroundings and movement of someone around the
device. The truss structure plays an important role in our life as they able to carry
significant loads and transfer them to supporting structure. Trusses are used in
making bridges and roofs.
Objective:

To establish relationship between each truss member and applied load.

Introduction:

Trusses are devices used for transferring loads from where you don’t want them to
where you do. There of plenty of types for truss such as plane truss. The
experiment is conducted on a truss which is composed of slender members joined
together at their ends these joints are formed by welding the ends of members to a
common plate and one end of plane truss is on roller support and other on pin
support. All the load in the truss are only applied at the joints and members are
joined by smooth pins. There are two types of forces that act on member either
compressive if the force tends to shorten the member and tensile force if the force
stretches the member. In this experiment I will compare between experimental
values and theoretical values. The theoretical values will be calculated by using
equation of static which are ∑ FX=0 and ∑ Fy=o and also I will apply methods of
joints to get these values. Afterwards I will calculate the percentage of error by
using: theoretical slope – experimental slope/theoretical slope.
Apparatus:
1.A modular truss kit.
2.A set weight for applying load to the truss.
3. A 16 channels data acquisition system.

Experimental Method:
Cautions:
1. No massed should be loaded to truss members and joints.
2. All bars should be placed in straight position
3. Bars should be perfectly rigid for loading analysis
4. All load and reactions are applied at joints.
5. Ensure that pinned support is properly secured to the frame

Steps of experiment:

 Use the truss configuration below

-0.707w
-0.707w

0.5w 0.5w

W
  Empty the weight hook so that the truss is free from applied load
 Switch on the data acquisition module
 Record the initial readings when there is no applied load for the 5 channels
 Start applying load on the weight hook
 Record the reading for each channel with every load increment
 Keep adding weight gradually and record the reading for every time

RESULTS:

Members Initial readings Final reading in members

(N)

Load / Jack 0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Member 2 -75.5 -83 -90 -96.5 -103.5 -111.5 -118.5

Member 3 -73.5 -81.5 -86 -96 -100 -110 -118

Member 4 6 10 13.5 17.5 23.5 27.5 31

Member 5 -2.5 3 6 11.5 16.5 21.5 23.5

Member 6 4.5 14 24.5 34.5 39 48 61

Table 1 Measured Forces in Member of Truss

I. Draw the truss and indicate the loaded joint.

Member 2
Member 6 Member 5
II. Calculate the average force in each member for each load increment.
Remember to subtract the initial reading from the data acquired for each
load increment.

Average
Members Average Force in Each Member (N) force
(Final readings in members – initial readings)

Load / Jack 10 20 30 40 50 60

Member 2 -25
-7.5 -21 -28
-14.5 -36 -43
Member 3 -25.1
-8
-12.5 -22.5 -26.5 -36.5 -44.5

Member 4 14.5

4 7.5 11.5 17.5 21.5 25

Member 5 16.1
14 19 24 25.5
5.5 8.5

Member 6 32.33
9.5 20 30 34.5 43.5 56.5

III. Fill the results in Table 1

IV. Plot the graph of forces in the members versus the applied load for the
experimental and theoretical case
 Members Theoretical Values
(truss according to the selected configuration) x (loads)

Load / Jack 10 20 30 40 50 60

Member 2
-7.07 -21.21 -28.28
-14.14 -35.35 -42.42
Member 3
-7.07
-14.14 -21.21 -28.28 -35.35 -42.42
Member 4

5 10 15 20 25 30
Member 5
15 20 25 30
5 10
Member 6
10 20 30 40 50 60
 A graph between experimental and theortical values
60

40
forcec in member (N)

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
-20

-40

-60

-80
applied fore (N)

member2 member 3 member4 member5 member6

member2t member3t member4t member5t member6t

Experimental graph of forces in memberd versus applied load

60

40 f(x) = 6.47 x − 1.57

R² = 1
forcec in members (N)

20

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
-20

-40

-60

-80

applied load(N)

member2 member 3 Linear (member 3)

member4 member5 member6
 theortical graph of forces in members versus applied load
60

40
f(x) = 0.71 x + 0
forcrs in members(N)

20 R² = 1

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
-20

-40

-60

-80
applied load(N)

member2 member3 Linear (member3)

member4 member5 member6

Calculation of percentage error for each member:

Percentage error: theoretical slope-experimental slope 100%

Theoretical slope

Percentage of error member 2: 0.707-0.6929 100=1.99%

0.707
Percentage of error member3: 0.707-0.6471 100=8.4%

0.707
Percentage of error member4: -0.5+0.3643 100=27.14%

-0.5
Percentage of error member5: -0. 5+0.3829 100=23.42%

-0.5
Percentage of error member6:-1+0.9929 100=0.71%

-1
Discussion:

From the plotted graphs we notice that in some members there is a massive
difference between experimental value and theoretical value as well and others
there is just a few difference which shows that there are environmental factors that
affects the experimental values such as gravity and probably the bars aren’t
secured rigidly enough to the frames and also the weight hook always shakes as
well that might affect the accuracy of measurement. It is noticeable that whenever
the load is increased the forces in each member increase which indicates that the
relationship between applied force and forces in members are directly proportional.
Although some forces increase but in negative value but if their directions are
reversed they will increase in positive value. There are plenty sources of errors
which might be that gravity pulls the weight hook stronger so the weight might be
more that the weight applied. The truss structure equipment could not be well fixed
and also as the device is sensitive to any movement around it. In order to improve
the accuracy of experiment the device should be well installed and the joint should
be well fixed to the bars. The weight hook should be made of a weightless material
as well.

Conclusion:

The relationship between applied force and forces in truss members is directly
proportional.

References:

1- J.L Meriam&E.Kraige.2006.Engineering Mechanics –Vol 1.Statics, 6th

Ed Wiley.
2- https://makezine.com/2010/06/10/ask-make-how-do-trusses-work/
3- Anthony Bedford &Wallace Fowler .Engineering mechanics fifth edition
4- R.C. Hibbeler.2007.Engineering static,11th Ed. prentice Hall.