Experment no 8

1.Objective:
 To determine the deflection of members of Warren Girder Truss.
 To find forces in its members.

 To compare theoretical & experimental values.

2.Apparatus:
 Warren Girder Truss
 Weights
 Hangers
 Digital Vernier Caliper
 Meter Rod
3.Introduction:
3.1 Warren truss:
The Warren truss consists of longitudinal members linked only by angled
cross-members, forming alternately inverted equilateral triangle-shaped spaces

along its length.

Figure (1) Warren truss bridge
The triangular structures you see on a bridge is an example of Warren Truss.
These structures were borrowed from Europe and Britain by America and
became a part of US landscape by the 20th century. So what is a Warren Truss.
A Warren truss is a support structure used in different constructions, for
supporting a load. These are used extensively in bridges as well as, residential
and public works designs. The contiguous triangles that are a characteristic part
of the Warren truss, also gives them the name, Triangular Truss. These are not
common now since modern bridges are made of be steel box girder, post
stressed concrete or cable stayed structures. Trusses were usually made of
timber, iron, or steel. The Warren truss is typically a part of a structure
professional designers use in bridge constructions. In the warren truss spans
 mild steel is used which is not as strong as the silicon steel but is more than
capable of carrying the loads on the approach spans.
3.2 Warren truss pattern:
The warren truss uses equilateral triangles to spread out the loads of
the bridge. This is different from Neville truss, which uses the isosceles triangles. The
equilateral triangles minimize the forces to only compression and tension. If a car or
train (say a load) moves across the bridge, the forces for a member change from
compression to tension. This would occur mostly for the members near the car or train.
3.3 How are the forces spread out?
When the load is focused on the middle of the bridge, pretty much all the forces are
larger. The top and bottom chord are under large forces, even though the total load is
the same. So, if a school project bridge needs to hold more weight, then spreading out
the forces across the top of the bridge is mandatory and for a real life warren
truss bridge, the forces should be very localized and should not be spread out along
the bridge. The engineers should decide and calculate the strength of each member of
the bridge and build accordingly.
Loads on the diagonals alternate between compression and tension (approaching the
centre), with no vertical elements, while elements near the centre must support both
tension and compression in response to live loads. This configuration combines
strength with economy of materials and can therefore be relatively light. The girders
being of equal length, it is ideal for use in prefabricated modular bridges.

The Warren Truss uses equilateral triangles to spread out the loads on the bridge. This
is opposed to the Neville Truss which used isosceles triangles. The equilateral triangles
minimize the forces to only compression and tension. Interestingly, as a load (such as a
car or train) moves across the bridge sometimes the forces for a member switch from
compression to tension. This happens especially to the members near the center of the
bridge.

3.3.1EXPLANATION:
Here are two diagrams showing how the forces are spread out when the warren truss is
under a load. The first shows the load being applied across the entire top of the bridge.
The second shows a localized load in the center of the bridge. In both cases the total
load = 100. Therefore, you can take the numbers as a percentage of the total load.
 Spreadedload Central load

Interestingly, there is a significant difference. When the load is concentrated on the

middle of the bridge, pretty much all the forces are larger. The top and bottom chord are
under larger forces, even though the total load is the same. For a real life Warren Truss
bridge, the forces often will be very localized
and not spread out along the bridge. Thus,
engineers must calculate how strong to make
each member of the bridge and build accordingly.
Unfortunately, not many Warren bridges are
made anymore.

Fig 2 Waren truss in plane

4.Experiment:

Figure (3) Experimental Diagram of Warren Truss

i. AT Joint A:
∑Fy=0
F1=FADSinθ
∑Fx=0
FAB+FADCosθ=0

ii. AT Point D:
∑Fy=0
FADSinθ+FBDSinθ=0
 ∑Fx=0
FADCosθ=FBDCosθ +FDE

iii. AT POINT B:
∑FY=0
F3+FBDSinθ+FBESinθ=0
∑FX=0
FAB+FBDCosθ=FBC+FBECosθ

iv. AT POINT E:
FDE+FBECosθ=FCECosθ

5.Procedure:
i. First measure the distance of gaps x1 of each link with the help of
Vernier caliper.
ii. Note the stiffness of each length and write it in given portions.
iii. Now apply weights upon given place of the apparatus.
iv. After that measure the gaps distance x2 with the help of Vernier again.
v. Now find each force with the formulas and note experimental readings.
vi. Then find theoretical readings with the given equations.
vii. Now measure the difference between experimental and theoratical.
viii. Find error in given readings.
6.Observation and calculation:

Frame FAB FBC FCE FDE FBE FBD FAD

Members (N) (N) (N) (N) (N) (N) (N)
Initial 15.84 15.62 17.20 17.68 16.12 16.63 17
Displacemen
t
(x1) mm
Final 15.52 15.32 17.50 18.01 15.9 16.48 17.25
Displacemen
t
(xl) mm
Deflection -0.32 -0.3 0.3 0.33 -0.22 -0.15 0.25
X=(x2-x1)
mm
Stiffness k 19.1 19.6 20.6 20.1 18.4 18.4 21.5
(N/m)
Experimental -6.11 -5.8 11.1 10.5 -9.2 -4.9 9
forces F=kx
Theoretical -9.8 -6.9 20.1 15.2 -13.9 -7.7 14
forces
%Error 37% 14% 44.7% 32% 33.8% 36% 35%
7.COMMENTS:
I have learnt to use Warren truss design for many bridges. It could be also used for some
popsicle stick bridges. In fact, you can get a learning kit using a Warren Truss store. I
think the Warren is a very solid choice when designing a model bridge. If you do not
know how to start designing your own bridge, I would recommend the Warren, or the
Pratt or Howe trusses.
The Warren truss is easy to use with Lap Joints, which are very strong joints. All you
must do is lay down your top and bottom chords, and glue on the truss members
directly on top of the top and bottom chords. The example bridge that I build in my 5
Steps to Building a Model Bridge ebook is a Warren Truss design
8.References:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_truss
2. https://www.garrettsbridges.com/design/warren-truss/
3. http://www.innovateus.net/transportation/what-warren-truss
http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id
=518
4. https://www.steelconstruction.info/Trusses
5. https://www.google.com.pk/search?q=warren+girder+truss&source