EXPERIMENT 1: ROOF TRUSS

OBJECTIVE:
- To investigate the relationship between the measured forces in a loaded frame
experimentally and theoretically.

SET OF APPARATUS
- Basic Roof Truss (FL11)

INTRODUCTION:
A truss is a useful structure in construction consisting of elements that takes only tension (T)
or compression (C) and no bending is induced what so ever. The members are connected with
a gusset joint that is either riveted, bolted or welded in such a way that has only axial forces
are induced in the structure. The reason behind axial forces is the reason that the external loads
are applied in such a way that their effects are in the form of forces applying only on joints.
When designing and analyzing a truss structure that is to be subjected to a given load the forces
that each member and joint of the structure will undergo under the application of the load,
must first be determined.

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 pull away from
the ends of the member it is a tensile force (T), meaning it undergoes tension. If the force tends
to push into the member it is compressive force (C), meaning it undergoes compression.
Compression members must be made thicker than tension members because of the buckling of
column effect that occurs when a member is in compression.

This experiment will determining the forces possess of each member of the simple truss
structure by applying the forces downward at joint C. After that, the reading from the dial
gauge will be applied for determining the force at the joints respectively by multiplying the
calibration.
For the theoretical method in determining the forces act on the joint, it is using the formula
which are:

FAC = FBC = F/2 cos 2

FAB = F cos /2 cos 2

A B

At the end of the experiment, it will be observed that there is the relationship between measured
forces in a loaded frame experimentally and theoretically.

PROCEDURES:
1. Place the 10N to the load hanger (W) and record the loaded reading using dial gauge.

2. Increase the load gradually each time, by adding 10 N to the load hanger and record the
readings until the maximum load 40N in Table 1.

3. Calculate both the experimental and theoretical values of the forces in the members and
tabulate the result in Table 2.
RESULTS:
ACB: 90
BAC: 45
ABC: 45

Frame number AC BC AB
Initial reading, mm 0 0 0
Loaded reading, mm 10 N 0.01 0.02 -0.01
20 N 0.02 0.03 -0.04
30 N 0.05 0.06 -0.08
40 N 0.08 0.10 -0.10
Deflection (loaded 10 N 0.01 0.02 -0.01
initial), mm 20 N 0.02 0.03 -0.04
30 N 0.05 0.06 -0.08
40 N 0.08 0.10 -0.10
Calibration (N/mm) 270 270 200
Force in member 10 N 2.70 5.40 -2.00
(N) (deflection * 20 N 5.4 8.10 -8.00
calibration) 30 N 13.50 16.20 -16.00
40 N 21.60 27.00 -20.00

Table 1

Member Experiment Theory

AC 10 N 2.70 7.071
20 N 5.40 14.14
30 N 13.50 21.21
40 N 21.60 28.28
 BC 10 N 5.40 7.071
20 N 8.10 14.14
30 N 16.20 21.21
40 N 27.00 28.28
AB 10 N -2.00 5.00
20 N -8.00 10.10
30 N -16.00 15.15
40 N -20.00 20.20
Table 2

Discussion:

1. The result shows that there are positive and negative forces in which the truss members.
AC and BC possess tension forces with positive force while AB possess compression
forces with negative force.
2. It is observed that there are difference between the experimental values obtained and
the theoretical values.
3. The angles of the frame will change with the applied loads. The ACB will increases
as the truss members AC and BC undergo tension force while the BAC and ABC
will decrease as the truss member AB undergoes compression forces.
4. The precautions should be taken to obtain an accurate result such as applying the load
at the free load without any jerks and carrying out the experiment without any external
disturbance. Besides that, it is needed to check the accuracy and least count of the dial
gauge before measuring the deflections.

CONCLUSION:

The experiment shows that the forces obtained in experimentally and theoretically are
difference. It is observed that the truss members undergo both tension (+) and compression (-).
PHOTOS:

Figure 1: Applying the force to the truss

Figure 3: Taking the results of gauges