Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING,

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY,
ISLAMABAD.

ME-115 ENGINEERING MECHANICS OPEN ENDED LAB

Name Registration # Section Sub-Group
TALHA UMAR 378371 ME13 B B1

Determination of Forces in Members of a given Truss using SOLIDWORKS

Abstract:
The method of joints is a technique for figuring out the forces that are unknown to the members
of a truss. Two equations 𝛴𝐹𝑥=0 and 𝛴𝐹𝑦=0 is used for the calculation of forces in each truss
member.
The work which is done using method of joints can also be done virtually on a software name
solid works.
Trusses are used in bridges and skyscrapers for their construction and to give them stability.
Trusses are two force members. There is need to calculate the force which a truss can bear. Many
quantities like moment of force, thrust, and pressure, are founded on the concept of force. In
many applications, accurate force measurements are necessary. These include determining a
material's strength, manufacturing quality control, weighing, and consumer safety.
Objective:
 To find out forces in members of a truss assembly of given specifications, virtually, using
SOLIDWORKS.
 Solve the same truss assembly theoretically using method of joints.
 Validating software analysis by comparing corresponding forces with theoretical ones.
Introduction:
TRUSS:
A truss is a series of triangulated components that are organized and connected so that they only
experience axial force. Due to the fact that the forces are only exerted at either end of the
member and produce either a compression force or a tension force, these members are referred to
as two-force members.
COMPONENTS OF TRUSS:
 A top chord that is typically compressed
 A bottom chord that is frequently tense.
 Between the top and bottom chords, bracing.
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

TYPES OF TRUSSES:
 Pratt truss: It consists of vertical members that are in compression and diagonal
members that are in tension.
 Warren truss: The design of this truss consists of equilateral triangles. This enables the
load to be spread evenly across a structure.
 K truss: It’s a more complex version of the Pratt Truss. The main difference between
the two designs is that the vertical members are shorter in the K Truss. This implies
improved resistance to buckling.
 Howe truss: The basis of the design is similar to that of a Pratt Truss. However, the
diagonal members of a Howe truss are in compression and the diagonal members of a
Pratt truss are in tension.
 Fink truss: The basic form of this design has web members that form a repeating V
pattern. These trusses rely more on diagonal members than other types of trusses.
 Gambrel truss: It has two different slopes with the slope steepening from the center. The
truss has an outward-protruding shape which means it can easily have a hollow center
fitted.
APPLICATIONS OF TRUSS:
Trusses are utilized in a wide variety of structures, primarily when very long spans are necessary,
such as in airport terminals, aircraft hangars, the roofs of sports stadiums, auditoriums, and other
leisure facilities. Trusses can also be utilized as transfer structures and to support enormous
loads.
Methodology:
Solid works is a computer aided design (CAD) tool, it is mainly used by engineers and architects
for 3D modelling of machine parts and also for designing the 3D structures of buildings.

Sum of digits of registration no. = SDR =3+7+8+3+7+1 =29

F1 = 50 +SDR = 79 N
F2 = 200 + 10*SDR = 490 N
A = 1000 + 20*SDR = 1580 mm
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

B = 500 + 10*SDR = 790 mm

C = 300 – 2*SDR = 242 mm
ANALYSIS USING SOLIDWORKS:
1. Draw and give dimensions to the truss assembly as shown in fig.

2. Exit Sketch from top left of ribbon.

3. In Weldments go to “structural member”.

4. In structural member, change standard = iso, type= pipe, size= 21.3*2.3. and select
groups, the members that are continuous forms one group, the diagonal members form
second group.
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

5. Press enter and then rename the members, as shown in fig.

6. From Solid works add-ins click on Solid works Simulation, then start New Study.
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

7. Rename the Name to “Truss’’, and click enter.

8. Now, open the part>>cut list, select all members by ctrl+ member, as shown in fig.
then right click and click edit definition, and check Truss, and click enter.

9. Now below the part, right click on fixtures>>fixed geometry.

Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

10. In the new opened window and select immovable (no transition) and click on the joint
as shown in fig. and click enter.
As there is pin joint on the said joint so there will reaction only in the, x and y directions.
Immovable means finite rotations at the edges.

11. Again, go to fixture>>fixed geometry, now use reference geometry, click on the said
joint in fig, select reference plane as front plane. Allow translations only in the y-
direction by clicking on it.
At the said joint there is rocker so the reaction will bein y-direction only.
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

12. Again, go to fixture>>fixed geometry, now use reference geometry, click on the said
joints in fig, select reference plane as front plane. Allow translations only in the z-
direction by clicking on it.

13. Now, the applied reaction forces will be shown as follows.

14. Now, below fixtures, right click external loads>>Force.

Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

15. In the new window, select joints, click on the joint in the fig., select reference plane as
front plane. Apply the force of F1=79 N in the x-direction.

16. Repeat step no.14 and 15, but this time apply the force of F2=490 N in the reverse y-
direction.
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

17. Now, below external loads, right click mesh>> mesh and run.

18. A new window with results will be opened, right click on results>>list beam forces. In
the new window check forces then ok. A new dialog box with list of forces will be
opened. Save the list by clicking save on the bottom of list.
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

ANALYSIS USING METHOD OF JOINTS:

Sum of digits of registration no. = SDR =3+7+8+3+7+1 =29

F1 = 50 +SDR = 79 N
F2 = 200 + 10*SDR = 490 N
A = 1000 + 20*SDR = 1580 mm
B = 500 + 10*SDR = 790 mm
C = 300 – 2*SDR = 242 mm
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛-1( 𝑐
) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛-1( 242
) = 31.5°
𝐵/2 790/2

External Forces:

𝛴𝐹𝑥=0; R1x = -79 N (tension)

∑𝑟1 =0; -79(242) + R5y (1580) – 490(790+395) = 0; R5y= 379.6 N
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

𝛴𝐹𝑦=0; R1y + R5y = 490; R1y = 490 - 379.6; R1y= 110.4 N

FBD of JOINT 1:

𝛴𝐹𝑦=0; F12 sin (31.5) + 110.4 = 0; F12= -211.29 N (compression)

𝛴𝐹𝑥=0; -79 + F13 – 211.29 cos (31.5) =0; F13 = 259.15 N
FBD of JOINT 2:

𝛴𝐹𝑦=0; -F23 cos (58.5) + 211.29 cos (58.5) = 0; F23= 211.29 N

𝛴𝐹𝑥=0; 79 + F24 + 211.29 sin (58.5) + 211.29 sin (58.5) =0; F24 = -439.3 N (compression)
FBD of JOINT 3:
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

𝛴𝐹𝑦=0; F34 sin (31.5) + 211.29 sin (31.5) =0; F34= -211.29 N (compression)
𝛴𝐹𝑥=0; -259.15 + F35 - 211.29 cos (31.5) - 211.29 cos (31.5) =0; F35 = 619.45 N
FBD of JOINT 4:

𝛴𝐹𝑦=0; -490 + 211.29 cos (58.5) – F45 cos (58.5) =0; F45= -726.5 N (compression)

Results:
Open Ended Lab ME-115 Engineering Mechanics

TRUSS MEMBER SOFTWARE RESULTS (N) METHOD OF JOINTS (N)

F12 -212.81 -211.29
F13 260.74 259.15
F23 211.86 211.29
F24 -441.37 -439.30
F34 -211.88 -211.29
F35 622.02 619.45
F45 -728.54 -726.50
*negative sign means these are compression forces.
Discussion:
The forces in the truss members are calculated using both methods of joints and solid works
simulation. The dimensions are according to the sum of registration number in millimeters. The
greatest force is in the member F45, and the smallest force is in the members F12, F23, F34
There is little deviation in the angles, due to which there is little deviation in the results of
software and method of joints. But the deviation should be so small that the member should not
have much impact of deviation.
The percentage errors are;
𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑−𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑
% error formula = | | × 100
𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑

F12 = 0.71%
F13 = 0.61%
F23 = 0.27%
F24 = 0.47%
F34 = 0.28%
F35 = 0.41%
F45 = 0.13%
Concluding Remarks:
It can be seen from the above results and their percentage differences that the deviation of values
of forces are less than 1. The percentage difference is so small that there will be no much impact
of this deviation on the truss member. So, it can be concluded that the values are measured and
calculated precisely using method of joints and solid works respectively.