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Lab 5 Solid
Lab 5 Solid
Lab 5 Solid
LAB SHEET 5
FORCES IN TRUSSES 2
Date: …………………………………………….........
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.
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. If the force tends to elongate the 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)
1. Fixed base
2. Roller base
3. Steel bars with strain sensor (strain gauges)
4. Load controller
Statically Determinate Cantilever Truss is a common structures. They are usually used for bridges
and in cantilevered form for crane booms.
Statically Indeterminate Cantilever Truss is also a common structure. They are usually used for
bridges and in cantilevered form for crane booms.
4.0 RESULTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA (EXPERIMENT 1)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0 - 31 19 32 73 - 47 -8 99
50 - 21 10 23 55 - 46 7 - 86
100 - 10 -1 13 33 - 46 22 - 71
150 -1 - 10 5 15 - 46 36 - 57
200 6 - 18 -3 0 - 46 46 - 47
250 17 - 29 - 13 - 21 - 47 62 - 32
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.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0 - 30 20 32 73 - 46 21 -6 -98
50 - 18 12 24 56 - 44 19 8 - 87
100 -4 5 14 40 - 39 13 23 - 78
150 10 1 6 27 - 35 7 36 - 71
200 23 -4 -3 14 - 30 -1 48 - 67
250 39 -8 - 12 1 - 24 -9 63 - 60
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:
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.
Discuss and explain the differences between the experimental and theoretical results.
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.
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.