OBJECTIVE

To examine a statically determinate frame and to analyze the frame using simple pin joint theory.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
1) Application of engineering knowledge in practical application.
2) To enhance technical competency in structure engineering through laboratory application.
3) Communicate effectively in group.
4) To identify problem, solving and finding out appropriate solution through laboratory
application.

THEORY
A truss is a structure composed of slender member joined together at their end points to form
one or more triangles. The joint connections are considered as pinned joint without friction.

In order to determine the forces developed in the individual members at a truss, the following
assumptions should be make:
1) The members are connected to each other at their ends by frictionless pins, that is only a force
and no moment can be transferred from one member to another.
2) External loads are applied to the truss only at its joints.

One of the methods to calculate the forces in the member of a truss is using Method of Joint.
Method of Joints is suitable to be use in calculating all the member forces for a truss. This method
entails the use of a free body diagram of joints with the equilibrium equations Fx = 0 and Fy = 0.
The calculation only can be started for joint where the number of unknowns are two or less.

PROCEDURES
1) Unscrew the thumwheel on the redundant member. Note that it is effectively no longer part of
the structure as the idealised diagram illustrates.
2) Apply the pre-load of 100N downward, re-zero the load cell and carefully apply a load of 250N
and check that the frame is stable and secure.
3) Return the load to zero (leaving the 100N preload), re-check and re-zero the digital indicator.
Never apply loads greater than those specified on the equipment.
4) Apply load in the increment shown in Table 1 recording the strain readings and the digital
indicator readings. Complete Table 2 by subtracting the initial (zero) strain readings. (be careful
with the sign)
 FAY

A 1 B
FAX

8 7
5 2

FEX
C
E 4 D 3

RESULT
1) Tables

Digital
Load Strain Reading indicator
(N) reading (mm)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0 215 - 311 - 356 - 135 185 0 94 - 17 0
50 223 - 318 - 363 - 149 184 0 106 -6 0.034
100 234 - 327 - 371 - 166 182 0 120 6 0.062
150 244 - 336 - 381 - 184 181 0 134 19 0.084
200 254 - 344 - 389 - 200 179 0 147 32 0.125
250 263 - 351 - 397 - 215 178 0 159 43 0.157

Table 1 : Strain Readings and Frame Defletion for Experiment 1

Load
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
(N)

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
50 8 -7 -7 - 14 -1 0 12 11
100 19 - 16 - 15 - 31 -3 0 26 23
150 29 - 25 - 25 - 49 -4 0 40 36
200 39 - 33 - 33 - 65 -6 0 53 49
250 48 - 40 - 41 - 80 -7 0 65 60
 Table 2 : True Strain Reading for Experiment 1
2) Graphs
1) Choose a member (except member 6), and on the same axis plot a graph of Recorded Strain
against Load (N) and True Strain against Load (N).
2) On another graph, do the same for a different member (non member 6).
3) Plot a separate graph of deflection (mm) against Load (N).
4) Comment on your graph.

Using the Youngs Modulus relationship, calculate the equivalent member force. Complete
the experimental force in Table 3. (ignore member 6 at this stage)

E=/

Where ;
E = Youngs 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)

Given,
Esteel = 2.10 x 105 N/mm2
 Rod Diameter :
Reading Diameter (mm)
1 6.05
2 6.04
3 6.03
Average 6.04

Theorectical Force (N) was calculated by using the Method of Joint, and the result obtained from the
calculation were recorded in the Table 3 (below).

Member Experimental Force (N) Theorectical Force (N)

1 236.61 200.00
2 -198.51 -200.00
3 -198.51 -200.00
4 -391.02 -400.00
5 -36.10 0
6
7 318.83 282.84
8 294.77 282.84

Table 3 : Measured and Theorectical Force in the Cantilever Truss

DATA ANALYZE

Calculation For True Strain Reading ;

True Strain Reading (load50, 100,150,200,250)
= Strain reading (load50, 100,150,200,250) Strain reading (load0)

Example for True Strain Reading (load = 250 N)

True Strain Reading (member 1) = 263 215
 = 48

True Strain Reading (member 2) = - 351 (- 311)

= - 40

True Strain Reading (member 3) = - 397 (- 356)

= - 41

True Strain Reading (member 4) = - 215 (- 135)

= - 80

True Strain Reading (member 5) = 178 185

=-7

True Strain Reading (member 7) = 159 94

= 65

True Strain Reading (member 8) = 43 (- 17)

= 60

Calculation for Cross Section Area of the member (m2) ;

Diameter, D = 6.04 mm
D 2
From equation ; A
4

(6.04) 2

4
114 .61

4
28.65 mm2
 Load; N = 200 N

Calculation For Experimental Force (N) ;

From

=F/A
F =A

But, from equation ; E = /

=E

Thus ; F = A E

Where ;
E = Youngs Modulus (Nm-2)
= Stress in the member (Nm-2)
= Displayed strain
F = Force in member (N)
A = cross section area of the member (m2)

Given,
Esteel = 2.10 x 105 N/mm2

Calculation for Member 1 ;

F =AE
= [ 28.65 x (2.10 x 105) x (39) ] x 10-6
= 236.61 N

Calculation for Member 2 ;

F =AE
= [ 28.65 x (2.10 x 105) x (-33) ] x 10-6
= -198.51 N

Calculation for Member 3 ;

F =AE
= [28.65 x (2.10 x 105) x (-33) ] x 10-6
= -198.51 N
Calculation for Member 4 ;
F =AE
= [ 28.65 x (2.10 x 105) x (-65) ] x 10-6
= -391.02 N

Calculation for Member 5 ;

F =AE
= [ 28.65 x (2.10 x 105) x (-6) ] x 10-6
= -36.10 N

Calculation for Member 7;

F =AE
= [ 28.65 x (2.10 x 105) x (53) ] x 10-6
= 318.83 N

Calculation for Member 8 ;

F =AE
= [ 28.65 x (2.10 x 105) x (49) ] x 10-6
= 294.77 N
Calculation For Theoretical Force (N) ;

FAY

A 1 E
FAX
 8 7
5 2

FBX
D
B 4 C 3

200 N

MA =0
200 (2) FEX =0
FBX = 400 N

FY =0
FAY 200 =0
FAY = 200 N

FX =0
FAX + FBX =0
FAX = 400 N

At Point A ;
sin = (1/2)
cos = (1/2)

FX = 0
FAX FAE FAC (cos ) =0
(-400) FAE FAC (1/2) = 0
FAE + FAC (1/2) = 400 N ................. (1)
FY = 0
-FAY + FAB + FAC (cos ) =0
(-200) FAB FAC(1/2) =0
FAB + FAC (1/2) = 200 N ................. (2)

At Point B ;
FX = 0
FBX FBC = 0
FBX = FBC
= 400 N (Tensioned Force)

FY = 0
FAB = FBA = 0

From equation (2) ;

FAB + FAC (1/2) = 200 N
0 + FAC (1/2) = 200 N
FAC = 200 (2)
FAC = 282.84 N (Compression Force)

From equation (1) ;

FAE + FAC (1/2) = 400 N
FAE = 400 [ - 282.84 (1 / 2) ]
FAE = 400 (-200)
FAE = 200 N (Compression Force)

At Point C;
FX = 0
FCB + (FCD) FCA (1/2) =0
(-400) FCD [-282.84 (1/2)] = 0
400 FCD + 200 = 0
FCD = 200 N (Tensioned Force)

FY = 0
FCE + FCA (1/2) = 0
FCE = 282.84 (1/2)
FCE = 200 N (Compression Force)

At Point E;
FX = 0
FEA FDE (1/2) =0
(-200) FDE (1/2) = 0
FDE = 200 (2)
FDE = 282.84 (Tensioned Force)

FY = 0
FEC FED (1/2) =0
(-200) 282.84 (1/2) = 0
200 200 = 0

At Point D;
FX = 0
FDC FDE (1/2) =0
(-200) 282.84 (1/2) = 0
200 200 = 0

FY = 0
200 + FDE (1/2) =0
200 + 282.84 (1/2) =0
 200 + 200 =0

FAY = - 200N

A 200 N E
FAX = - 400N

282.84 N
282.84 N
0N
- 200 N

FBX = 400N
D
B - 400 N C - 200 N

200 N

DISCUSSION
Graph plotted
i) For Graph of Strain versus load for member

From the Graph 1 and Graph 2 plotted for member 7 and 8, we obtain a linear graph for both
members. From the graphs, when the values of strain increase, the loading apply also increased. This
was caused by the compression and tensioned in the member of truss when the loading is apply on it.

From Graph of Strain versus load for member 7, we can notice that there is a big difference
between the values of strain for the strain we recorded in the experiment and the true strain. Values
for Recorded strain are higher than the True Strain. The same go to the graph of Strain versus load for
member 8. These differences exist because the forces created in the truss are different at the point of
the joint when the load is applied on it. The arrangements of the member in the truss also cause the
difference of the force in the truss. Therefore, in order to find the forces in the truss for each member,
we have to use equilibrium equation for x-axis and y-axis equal to zero and the calculation is done
part by part for each member.

ii) For Graph of Deflection versus Load ;

From the Graph 3 plotted, we obtain a linear graph. From the graphs, we noticed that,
when the values of loading apply increase, the deflection also increased. This was caused by
the compression and tensioned in the member of truss when the loading is applied on it. The
compression and tensioned created will cause the deflection in the member of truss. In this
experiment, the deflection created is proportional to the loading apply. Besides, the deflection
also can happen due to the high temperature or an error occurs when recording the reading
during the experiment.

1) Compare the experimental and theoritical result.

The value of forces obtains from the Experimental and Theoretical (calculation) are almost
equivalent. There are only slight differences between the values for Experimental Force and
Theoretical Force. This indicate that the Experimental Force obtain are accurate and correct. The
positive values for the force obtain in member 1, 7, and 8 show that these members are in tensioned.
While for the negative values for the force obtain in member 2, 3 and 4, these members are being
compressed.

2) From your result and the theoritical member force, identify which members are in compression
and which member are in tension. Explain your choice.

From the results for Experimental Force and the Theoretical member force, we noticed that
the members of 2, 3, and 4 are in compression while the members of 1, 7 and 8 are in tensioned. This
is because we know that, the compressed member has a negative force values while tensioned
member has a positive force values. From the framework, we also noticed that member 2 is being
burdened and compressed by both member 3 and 7. The same goes to member 4 which was
compressed by member 5 and 8.

3) Observe the reading of member 5. Explain why the reading is amost zero.

From the results obtain by observing the member 5, we noticed that the reading force is
almost zero. We know that, member 5 is attached by a pin joint and a roller joint at both ends. On the
pin joint, two forces acting towards it on the horizontal axis and vertical axis. On the roller joint, there
is only one force acting towards it on the horizontal axis. Therefore, the reading force of member 5 is
almost zero due to these three forces.

4) Are the strain gauges are an effective tranducers for the measurement of forces in the
framework?

Yes, the strain gauges are an effective tranducers for the measurement of forces in the
framework.
5) Does the framework comply with pin joint theory even though the joint are not truly pin
joint?

From the results, we noticed that the value of forces obtains from the Experimental
and Theoretical (calculation) are almost equivalent. There are only slight differences between
the values for Experimental Force and Theoretical Force. Therefore, this indicates that, the
framework comply with the pin joint theory even though the joint are not truly pin joint.

CONCLUSION
From this experiment, our group managed to examine a statically determinate frame and to
analyze the frame using simple pin joint theory. We conclude that, when the loading apply on the
member in the truss is increase, the deflection also increase due to the compression and tensioned.
Therefore, we also conclude that, when the loading apply is increase, the stain for both recorded and
true strain value will increase. In this experiment, we also noticed that the framework comply with the
pin joint theory even though the joint are not truly pin joint. Therefore, Method of Joints is suitable to
be use in calculating all the member forces for a truss in this experiment. This method entails the use
of a free body diagram of joints with the equilibrium equations Fx = 0 and Fy = 0.

REFERENCES

Yusof Ahamad (2001). Mekanik Bahan Dan Struktur. Malaysia: Universiti

Teknologi Malaysia Skudai Johor Darul Tazim.

R. C. Hibbeler (2000). Mechanic Of Materials. 4th. ed. England: Prentice Hall

International,Inc.