STRUCTURE LABORATORY

LABORATORY WORKSHEET

Course Code BFC 31901

Department Civil Engineering

Force in a Statically Indeterminate

Title
Cantilever Truss
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1.0 OBJECTIVE

1.1 To observe the effect of redundant member in structure and to understand the
method of analysing a statically indeterminate cantilever truss

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

2.1 To apply the engineering knowledge in practical application

2.2 To enhance technical competency in structural engineering through laboratory
application

3.0 THEORY

 In a statically indeterminate truss, static equilibrium alone cannot be used to

calculate member force. If we were to try, we would find that there would be too
many “unknowns” and we will not be able to solve the calculations
 Instead, we will use a method known as the flexibility method, which uses an
idea known as strain energy
 The mathematical approach to the flexibility method will be found in most
structural text books

Figure 1: Idealized statically indeterminate cantilever truss

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 Basically, the flexibility method uses the idea that energy stored in the frame
would be the same for a given load whether the frame is redundant or not
 In other word, the external energy = internal energy
 In practice, the loads in the frame are calculated in its “released” form (that is,
without the redundant member) and then calculated with a unit load in place of
the redundant member and remaining members.
 The load for redundant member is given by:

𝒇𝒏𝒍
𝑷 = −∑
𝒏𝟐 𝒍
 The remaining member force are then given by:

Member Force = Pn + f
where,

P = Load of redundant member

l = Length of members
n = Load in each member due to unit load in place of
redundant member
f = Force in each member when the redundant member is
removed

 Figure 2 shows the force in the frame due to the load of 250 N. You should be
able to calculate these values from Experiment titled: Force in a Statically
Determinate truss

250N

-250N

-250N

Figure 2: Force in the statically determinate truss

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 Figure 3 shows the loads in the member due to the unit load being applied to the
frame.
 The redundant member is removed from the truss so it became statically
determinate truss as shown Figure 2.

Figure 3: Forces in the truss due to unit load imposed on the redundant member

3.0 PROCEDURE

1. Wind the thumbwheel on the ‘redundant’ member up to the boss and hand tighten it.
Do not use any tools to tighten the thumbwheel.
2. Apply the pre-load of 100N downward, re- zero the load cell and carefully zero the
digital indicator.
3. Carefully apply a load 250N and check the frame is stable and secure.
4. Return the load zero (leaving the 100N Preload). Recheck and re-zero the digital
indicator. Never apply loads greater than those specified on the equipment.
5. Apply loads in the increment shown in Table1, record the strain readings and the digital
indicator readings.
6. Subtract the initial (zero) strain reading (be careful with your signs) and complete
Table 2.
7. Calculate the equipment members’ force at 250N and fill them into Table 3.
8. Plot a graph of Load vs Deflection from Table 1 on the same axis as Load vs
Deflection when the redundant ‘removed’.
9. The calculation for redundant truss is made much simpler and easier if the tabular
method is used to sum up all of the “Fnl” and “n2l” as shown in Table 4.
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cantilever Truss

10. Refer to Table 4 and fill in all the values required for all the terms.
11. Fill in Table 3 based on calculated value in Table 4.

4.0 RESULT
Table 1: Strain reading and frame
Load Strain Reading Digital
(N) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 indicator
reading(mm)
0
50
100
150
200
250

Table 2: True strain reading

Load Strain Reading
(N) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0
50
100
150
200
250
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Table 3: Measured and theoretical forces

Member Experimental Force Theoretical Force
(N) (N)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Table 4: Table for calculating the forces in the redundant truss

Member Length f n fnl n2l Pn Pn + f

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Total

𝒇𝒏𝒍
𝑷 = −∑
𝒏𝟐 𝒍
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Title : Force in a Statically Indeterminate Effective Date
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Using the Young’ s Modulus relationship, calculate the equivalent member force. Complete
the experimental force in Table 3 (ignore member 6 at this stage).

E = /
Where;
E = Young’s Modulus (Nm-2)
 = Stress in the member (Nm-2)
 = Displayed strain

and  = F/A
Where;
F = Force in member (N)
A = Cross section area of the member (m2)

Rod diameter = ________ mm and Esteel = 210 x 105 N/mm2

5.0 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

1. From Table 3, compare your answer to the experimental values, comment on the
accuracy of your result.
2. Compare all of the member forces and the deflection to those from statically
determinate frame. Comment on them in term of economy and safety of the
structure.
3. What problems could you foreseen if you were to use a redundant frame in a ‘real
life’ application (Hint: Look at the zero values for the strain reading once you
have included redundant member by winding up thumbnut)