EXPERIMENT: FORCES IN PLANE

REDUNDANT TRUSS
Content:

1. Introduction...........................................................................................
2. Objective...............................................................................................
3. Apparatus..............................................................................................

4. Procedure..............................................................................................

5. Result and calculation...........................................................................

5.1 Graph.............................................................................................

6. Discussion.............................................................................................

7. Conclusion............................................................................................

8. References...

9. Appendix...............................................................................................
 FORCES IN PLANE REDUNDANT TRUSS

1.0Introduction:

A truss is a structure contains one or more triangular units which are constructed with
straight slender members that have ends connected to joints. A redundant plane cantilever
truss is used to enables the distribution of forces in redundant trusses to be investigated.

If a truss contains more members then required for a perfect truss then it is therefore a
called redundant truss. The condition is therefore statically indeterminate and it requires
consideration of deformation for analysis. Each extra member adds one degree of
indeterminacy.

If a simple truss has more external supports than are necessary to ensure a stable
equilibrium, the situation is termed as external redundancy. On the other hand, if the truss
has more number of internal members then is necessary to prevent collapse; the condition
is termed as internal redundancy.

2.0Objective:

To determine the forces in the members of a redundant plane truss.

3.0Apparatus:

1. A redundant plane cantilever truss with seven members and 2 pinned supports
2. A screw jack for applying load to the truss
3. An eight channels data acquisition system
4.0Procedure:

1. The pinned support is ensured to properly secure to the frame.

2. The screw jack is attached to the joint to be loaded.
3. The screw jack is loosed so that the truss is free from applied load.
4. The wire from the load cell is connected to the data acquisition module, each load
cell occupying one channel of the module. The connection of the load cell to the
data acquisition module is showed on the data acquisition panel.
5. The Wincp32 software is run.
6. The sampling rate is changed from 10 seconds per sample to 1 second per sample
or any other desired time interval.
7. The setting option is selected to set the channels to be acquired and the
conversion factor to convert mV output from the load cell to Newton.
8. When the setting is completed, return to the main menu and the start button is
pressed.
9. The reading of the screw jack is noted.
10. The truss is preloaded by turning the screw jack handle in the counter clockwise
direction to apply load downward and the readings of the screw jack is observed.
(For preload apply approximately 10N to 20N).
11. The data is allowed to be recorded for approximately 20 sec. This is the initial
reading for each member. Alternatively, the data is recorded by manually and the
table below is filled.
12. The apply load is increased by turning the screw jack handle in the counter
clockwise direction and waited for 20 sec for the data to be recorded.
13. The load is increased for another 5 readings.
14. Unload the truss by turning the jack in the clockwise direction.
5.0Results and Data Analysis:

TABLE 1: Measured Forces in Member of Truss

load cell reading(N)

Member
Initial reading Load 1 Load 2 Load 3 Load 4 Load 5
Jack 17.94 35.76 54.24 74.25 95.07 115.32
Mem. 1 40.17 65.19 90.30 120.66 149.25 177.12
Mem. 2 39.66 64.65 92.88 120.93 152.22 182.10
Mem. 3 -59.52 -73.98 -103.41 -123.36 -148.23 -178.35
Mem. 4 -15.30 -19.71 -40.20 -46.08 -65.01 -85.71
Mem. 5 -30.21 -40.20 -49.71 -64.38 -70.74 -78.84
Mem. 6 -25.98 -37.17 -49.68 -63.51 -78.00 -94.92
Mem. 7 58.68 72.81 84.99 107.22 115.35 125.85

TABLE 2: Actual Forces in Members of Truss

Actual Force in Member (Final - Initial) (N)

Member
Load 1 Load 2 Load 3 Load 4 Load 5
Jack 17.82 36.30 56.31 77.13 97.38
Mem. 1 25.02 50.13 80.49 109.08 136.95
Mem. 2 24.99 53.22 81.27 112.56 142.44
Mem. 3 -14.46 -43.89 -63.84 -88.71 -118.83
Mem. 4 -4.41 -24.90 -30.78 -49.71 -70.41
Mem. 5 -9.99 -19.50 -34.17 -40.53 -48.63
Mem. 6 -11.19 -23.70 -37.53 -52.02 -68.94
Mem. 7 14.13 26.31 48.54 56.67 67.17

C2
1.5W

C6
C5 0.707W
C5 C1
0.5W 1.414W
0.5W
C7
0.707W

C3 C4
1.5W 1W

Forces In Members Of Redundant Truss

The percentage error between theoretical slope and experimental slope for the forces
acting on each member will be calculated by using formula below:

= x 100

Member Slope Theoretical Value Slop Experimental Value Percentage Error (%)
1 1.414 1.543 9.12
2 1.500 1.333 11.13
3 1.500 1.303 13.13
4 1.000 0.789 21.10
5 0.500 0.523 4.60
6 0.707 0.708 0.14
7 0.707 0.716 1.27

6.0Discussion:

Based on the date obtained, the range of percentage errors are in between 0.14% and
21.10%. The error occurred may caused by some factors during the experiment:

The screw jack handle does not adjusted properly.

The reading did not taken immediately as the changing of values very fsat due to
the forces transferred into air or vibrate of particles (wind or movement of human
body)
The temperature of truss plays the key component in force equilibrium (air
conditioner)
7.0Conclusion:

Based on the graphs plotted, it can be concluded that when the applied load increase, the
actual force also increases. Due to the result obtained, this experiment shown varies
percentage errors compare to theoretical values calculated which most probably caused
by several factors discussed. There are few suggestions on precautions when carrying out
the experiment;

The picture of reading produced can be snapped to prevent misleading error

compared to recording the reading one by one into the experiment sheet.
As the experiment is proceeding, the data produced may be inaccurate. Hence,
repeated data must be avoid during the experiment.

8.0 Reference
Hibbeler, R.C. Structural Analysis, 6th Edition in SI Units,; Prentice Hall; Pearson
Education South Asia Pte Ltd; Singapore, ISBN 0-13-197641-9, 2006.
9.0Appendix:

Figure 1: Output result by the truss by different force

 Figure 2: Plane redundant truss

Figure 3: Adjusting the force apply