LIGHT STRUCTURELABORATORY

LABORATORY WORKSHEET

Course Code BFC 21201

Department Structure And Material Engineering

Force in a statically Determinate cantilever

Title
Truss
 Faculty : Faculty of Civil and Environmental
Page 1
Engineering
Department : Structure And Material Engineering Edition 1
Checking No
Title : Force in a statically Determinate Effective Date
cantilever Truss Amendment Date

1.0 OBJECTIVE

1.1 To examine a statically determine frame and analyze the frame using pin joint
theory.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

2.1 To application the engineering knowledge in practical application.

2.2 To enhance technical competency in structural engineering though laboratory
application.
2.3 To communicate effectively in group.
2.4 To identify problem, solving and finding out appropriate solution through
laboratory application.

3.0 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:

1.0 The members are connected to each other at their end by frictionless pins, that
is only a force and no moment can be transferred from one member to another.
2.0 External loads are applied to the truss only at its joints.

One of the method to calculate the forces in the member of a truss is using method of
joint.

Method of joint

 Suitable to use in calculating all the number forces for truss

 This method entails the use of a free body diagram of joints with the equilibrium
equations ∑ 𝑭𝑿=0 and ∑ 𝑭𝒀 = 𝟎
 Calculation only can be started for joint where the numbers of unknowns are two
or less.
 Faculty : Faculty of Civil and Environmental
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Engineering
Department : Structure And Material Engineering Edition
Checking No
Title : Force in a statically Determinate Effective Date
cantilever Truss Amendment Date

4.0 PROCEDURE

1. Unscrew the thumbwheel on the “redundant” member. Note that it is effectively no

longer part of the structure as the idealized 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), recheck 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 recording the strain readings and the
digital indicator readings. Complete table 2 by subtracting the initial ( zero) strain
readings. ( be careful with your sign)

7
8
5
2

4 3
F
 Faculty : Faculty of Civil and Environmental
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Engineering
Department : Structure And Material Engineering Edition
Checking No
Title : Force in a statically Determinate Effective Date
cantilever Truss Amendment Date

5.0 RESULT

1. Table

Load Strain Reading Digital

(N) indicator
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
reading(mm)
0 0
50 0
100 0
150 0
200 0
250 0

Table 1: Strain Reading and Frame Deflection for Experiment 1

Load Strain Reading

(N) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0 0
50 0
100 0
150 0
200 0
250 0

Table 2 : True Strain Reading for Experiment 1

2.0 Graphs

I.
Choose a member ( expect member 6), and on the same axis plot a graph of
recorded strain µ𝜺 against Load(N)
II. On another graph, do the same for a different member(nonmember 6)
III. Plot a separate graph of deflection (mm) against Load (N)
IV. Comment on your graph.
 Faculty : Faculty of Civil and Environmental
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Engineering
Department : Structure And Material Engineering Edition
Checking No
Title : Force in a statically Determinate Effective Date
cantilever Truss Amendment Date

Using the Young’s Modulus relationship calculate the equivalent member force. Complete
the experiment force in Table 3.(ignore member 6 at this stage)

E = 𝝈/𝜺

Where;
E = Young’s Modulus ( Nm-2)
𝝈 = Stress in the member ( Nm-2)
𝜺 = Displayed strain
And 𝝈= F/A
F = Force in member (N)
A = Cross section area of the member (m2)
Rod diameter = ……….. mm and ESteel = 2.1 x 105 N/mm2

Experimental Force Theoretical Force

Member (N) (N)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Table 3 : Measured and Theoretical Force in the Cantilever Truss

 Faculty : Faculty of Civil and Environmental
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Engineering
Department : Structure And Material Engineering Edition
Checking No
Title : Force in a statically Determinate Effective Date
cantilever Truss Amendment Date

6.0 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

1. Compare the experimental and theoretical result.

2. From the result and the theoretical member force, identify which members are in
compression and which member are in tension. Explain your choice
3. Observe the reading of members 5 explain why the reading is almost zero.
4. Are the strain gauges are an effective tranducer for measurement forces in the frame
work.
5. Does the framework comply with pin joint theory even though the joint are not truly pin
joint?