LAB 2

FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

MEKANIKAL DAN PEMBUATAN
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
BMMM 2303 SOLID MECHANICS

LAB SHEET 2

FORCES IN TRUSSES 2

Learning LO2 Display appropriate experimental techniques in mechanics of material

Outcome (LO): through laboratory experiments.

Program PO5 Ability to select and apply appropriate techniques, resources and
Outcome: modern engineering tools, with an understanding of their limitations.

Synopsis: This lab activity will enrich students’ knowledge internal forces and normal or
axial strains in truss members by using the concept of static equillibrium, stress-
strain relations (Hooke’s Law) and material properties of the truss system
subjected to a given loading. Students are expected to be able:
1. To understand the behaviour of truss system subjected to point loading.
2. To determine the internal forces for each member of the truss system by using
joint method or/and section method.
3. Identify and specify whether the truss members in tension or compression
through the analytical analysis and compare with the experimentally measured
strains data.
4. Understanding of basic laboratory practice, including design of experiments,
write a clear and well-presented technical report, data acquisition, interpretation
and analysis, and the relationship between experiments and theory.

Related Lecture’s 1. Stress (Topic 1)

Topic: 2. Shear Stress and Strain (Topic 2)
3. Mechanical properties (Topic 3)
Prepared by: Ts. Khairil Amri Bin Kamaruzzaman Date: 20 March 2023

Approved by Ts. Dr. Mohamad Haidir bin Maslan Date

LM/SLM/HOD

QMS : REVISION RECORDS

Revision Date Approved by

Description Prepared by :
No (DD/MM/YY) LM/SLM/HOD:
1.0 THEORY
A truss is a structure composed of slender members joined together at their end joints. The
members commonly used in construction consist of wooden or metal struts or bars. The end
connections are usually formed by bolting or welding the ends of the members to a common plate
called a gusset plate, as shown in Figure 1-b, or by simply passing a large bolt or pin through each
of the members, Figure 1-b.

Figure 1 Internal forces truss

To design both the members and the connections of a truss, it is necessary to determine the force
developed in each truss member when the truss system is subjected to a given loading. In this
regard two important assumptions will be made:
a. All loadings are applied at the joints.
b. The truss members are joined together by smooth pins.

Because of the two assumptions, each truss member acts as a two-force member and therefore the
forces at the ends of the member must be directed along the axis of the member. elongate the

Figure 2 Tensile and compressive force in a bar

If the force tends to member, it is a tensile force (T), Figure 2(a), and if it tends to shorten the
member, it is a compressive force (C), Figure 2(b).
In static equilibrium the truss members will satisfy the following conditions:
 Fx = 0 (1)
 Fy = 0 (2)
M = 0 (3)
When material properties are used to determine force in truss member the following equation will be
needed.
From Hooke’s law :  = E (4)
where
 = Stress in the member (N/m2)
E = Young’s modulus (N/m2)
 = Displayed axial strain produced in truss member
and  = F/A (5)
where
F = Force in member (N)
A = Cross-sectional area of member (m2)
From equations (4) and (5),
F = AE (6)

2.0 EQUIPMENTS/ EXPERIMENT APPARATUS/ CONSUMABLE MATERIALS

APPARATUS
1. Fixed base
2. Roller base
3. Steel bars with strain sensor (strain gauges)
4. Load controller

3.0 PROCEDURES/ METHODOLOGY

Figure 3 Layout of the apparatus

Experiment 1 –Forces in a Statically Determinate Cantilever Truss

Figure 4: Statically Determinate Cantilever Truss

Statically Determinate Cantilever Truss is a common structures. They are usually used for bridges and
in cantilevered form for crane booms.

1. Make sure the Redundant Member’s thumbwheel is loosened.

2. Apply loads until 250 N in the increment of 50 N and record the strain readings in table 1.
3. Record all the readings.
4. Assume that Esteel = 210 GPa for all truss members. Rod diameter = 5.98 mm.

Experiment 2 –Forces in a Statically Indeterminate Cantilever Truss

Figure 5: Statically Indeterminate Cantilever Truss

Statically Indeterminate Cantilever Truss is also a common structure. They are usually used for bridges
and in cantilevered form for crane booms.

1. Make sure the Redundant Member’s thumbwheel is tightened by fingers.

2. Apply loads until 250 N in the increment of 50 N and record the strain readings in table 3.
3. Record all the readings.
4. Assume that Esteel = 210 GPa for all truss members. Rod diameter = 5.98 mm.
4.0 RESULTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA (EXPERIMENT 1)

Table 1 Experiment Member Strains Results for an Idealised Cantilever Truss:

Load (N) Member strains ()

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Table 2 Comparison of Experimental and Theoretical Forces at 250 N.

Error (%)
Member Experimental Forces (N) Theoretical Forces (N)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

1.
Theoretically, calculate internal force in each member with a load of 250 N. (Esteel = 210 GPa)
and write down in Table 2.

2.
By using the measured data, calculate internal force (experimental force) in each member with a
load 500 N. (Esteel = 210 GPa) and write down in Table 2.

3.
Determine the percentage of error between the experimental and theoretical force. Complete
Table 3 and write down in Table 2.
EXPERIMENTAL DATA (EXPERIMENT 2)

Table 3 Experiment Member Strains Results for an Idealised Cantilever Truss:

Load (N) Member strains ()

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Table 4 Comparison of Experimental and Theoretical Forces at 250 N.

Error (%)
Member Experimental Forces (N) Theoretical Forces (N)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

EXPERIMENTAL RESULT (EXPERIMENT 2)

1. Theoretically, calculate internal force in each member with a load of 250 N.
(Esteel = 210 GPa) and write down in Table 4.

2. By using the measured data, calculate internal force (experimental force) in each member
with a load 500 N. (Esteel = 210 GPa) and write down in Table 4.

3. Determine the percentage of error between the experimental and theoretical force. Complete
Table 3 and write down in Table 4.
5.0 DISCUSSION
For discussion, you should answer all questions as follows:
1. Analyze or interpret and comment on the tabulated and graphical results obtained for both
experiments. Explain the relationship exists between the variables involve in this work.

2. Discuss and explain the differences between the experimental and theoretical results.

3. Identify which truss members are in compression and tension for both experiments. Give
the reason to this behaviour / observation and explain which members will be of the more
critical to be known its behaviour in order to avoid structural failure / collapse.

4. State the factor of errors or discrepancies for both experiments. Justify your argument and
suggest how these errors may be eliminated or minimized.
6.0 CONCLUSION
Give your conclusion of this experiment work / report. Summarize its main findings.

7.0 OTHERS

The report must be prepared as APPENDIX.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Your response to each task will be graded separately based on the checklist attached. To obtain
maximum marks, ensure that your response addresses each of the tasks in the question accordingly.

Assessment checklist for Lab Activity 2

Assessment tasks Mark LO PO C/P/A level

allocation

Procedure (Ability to read online 10 LO2 PO5

P1 - Perception
procedure for lab activity)

Work Process (Ability to construct 10 LO2 PO5 P2 - Set

and understanding of Forces in
Trusses 2 readings)

Outcome (Experiment Data & 20 LO2 PO5 P4 – Mechanism

Result))

Outcome (Discussion) 40 LO2 PO5 P5 - Complex

Overt Response

Outcome (Conclussion) 15 LO2 PO5 P5 - Complex

Overt Response

Discipline (Ability to perform online 5 LO2 PO5 P2 - Set

lab activity and submission)

TOTAL 100

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION

1. Answer in ENGLISH .
2. Must include list of references .
3. Submit your assignment ONCE only in a SINGLE Pdf file.
4. Submit your assignment ONLINE via ULearn or my email.
5. Submission date: NOT LATER THAN 2:00PM, on Wednesday (05/04/2023).
6. This lab report/activity accounts for 5% of the total marks for the course.