FACULTY OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL

ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF STRUCTURE AND MATERIAL
ENGINEERING

LAB MATERIAL

REPORT
Subject Code BFC 21201
Code & Experiment Title FORCE IN A STATICALLY DETERMINATE CANTILEVER
TRUSS
Course Code 2 BFF/1
Date 03/10/2011
Section / Group 2
Name MUHAMAD ASYRAF BIN AB MALIK (DF100108)
Members of Group 1.MUHAMMAD IKHWAN BIN ZAINUDDIN (DF100018)
2.AHMAD FARHAN BIN RAKAWI (DF100142)
3.IDAMAZLIZA BINTI ISA (DF100128)
4.AINUN NAZHIRIN BINTI ABD JALIL (DF100076)
Lecturer/Instructor/Tutor EN MOHAMAD HAIRI BIN OSMAN
Received Date 24 OCTOBER 2011

Comment by examiner Received

 STUDENT CODE OF ETHIC
(SCE)
DEPARTMENT OF STRUCTURE AND MATERIAL
ENGINEERING
FACULTY OF CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
UTHM

We, hereby confess that we have prepared this report on our effort. We also admit not to receive
or give any help during the preparation of this report and pledge that everything mentioned in the
report is true.

___________________________ ___________________________
Student Signature Student Signature

Name : MUHAMAD ASYRAF AB MALIK Name : IDAMAZLIZA ISA

Matric No. : DF100108 Matric No. : DF100128

Date : 24/10/2011 Date : 24/10/2011

___________________________ ___________________________
Student Signature Student Signature

Name : AHMAD FARHAN RAKAWI Name : AINUN NAZHIRIN ABD JALIL

Matric No. : DF100142 Matric No. : DF100076

Date : 24/10/2011 Date : 24/10/2011

_______________________
Student Signature

Name : MUHAMMAD IKHWAN ZAINUDDIN

Matric No. : DF100018

Date : 24/10/2011
1.0 OBJECTIVE

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

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

2.1 The application the engineering knowledge in practical application

2.2 To enhance technical competency in structural engineering through 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 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
 Suitable to use in calculating all of 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.
 Calculation only can be started for joint where the numbers of unknowns are two or
less
4.0 EQUIPMENT

Figure 1: Frame Of Truss

Figure 2: Digital Indicator Reading Figure 3: Digital Force Display

Figure 4: Digital Strain Display

5.0 PROCEDURS

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), 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 1 recordding the strain readings and the
digital indicator readings. Complete Table 2 by subtracing the initial (zero) strain
readings. (be careful with your sign)
6.0 RESULTS
1. Table
Load Strain Reading Digital Indicator
(N) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Reading (mm)
0 125 200 -42 -86 94 0 5 36 -0.197
50 134 192 -50 -102 96 0 17 48 -0.032
100 144 183 -59 -121 96 0 32 63 -0.066
150 152 174 -68 -139 97 0 45 77 -0.095
200 161 165 -77 -157 97 0 58 91 -0.118
250 169 157 -85 -173 97 0 70 102 -0.138
Table 1: Strain Readings And Frame Deflection For Experiment 1

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

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
50 9 -8 -8 -16 2 0 12 12
100 19 -17 -17 -35 2 0 27 27
150 27 -26 -26 -53 3 0 40 41
200 36 -35 -35 -71 3 0 53 55
250 44 -43 -43 -87 3 0 65 66
Table 2: True Strain Reading for Experiment

2. Graphs
I. Choose a member (except member 6), and on the same axis plot a graph of

Recorded Strain μɛ against Load (N) and True Strain μɛ against Load (N).
Graph Plotted = In The Graph Paper
II. On another graph, do the same for a different member (non member 6).
Graph Plotted = In The Graph Paper
III. Plot a separate graph of deflection (mm) against Load (N).
Graph Plotted = In The Graph Paper
IV. Comment on your graph

Both criteria for strain and deflection is inversely proportional showed in the
graph, for the strain recorded and the true strain graph is consistence liner but graph
for deflection is not liner graph, it has curve on graph line.
 Using the Young’s Modulus relationship, calculate the equivalent member force.
complete the experimental 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
where, F = Force in member (N)
A = cross section area of the member (m2)

Rod diameter = 6 mm and Esteel = 2.10x105 N/mm2

Use Load 250 N

Member Experimental Force Theoretical Force

(N) (N)
1 261.21 250
2 -255.28 -250
3 -255.28 -250
4 -516.49 -500
5 17.81 0
6 0 0
7 385.88 354.2
8 391.82 354.2

Table 3: Measured and Theoretical Force in the Cantilever Truss

Calculate the theoretical force using method of joint and write it down in Table 3 above
7.0 ANALYSIS DATA

7.1 Calculation For Experimental Force (N), Load = 250 N

From the formula: E = σ

ε
where;
E = Young Modulus (Nm-2) for steel = 2.10 x 105 N/mm2
ε = Displayed Strain
σ=F
A
F=EεA
d = 6mm
A = π (6)2 = 28.27 mm2
4

Member 1; F = 2.10 x 105 N/mm2 x (44 x 10-6) x 28.27 mm2

= 261.21 N

Member 2; F = 2.10 x 105 N/mm2 x (-43 x 10-6 ) x 28.27 mm2

= -255.28 N

Member 3; F = 2.10 x 105 N/mm2 x (-43 x 10-6) x 28.27 mm2

= -255.28 N

Member 4; F = 2.10 x 105 N/mm2 x (-87 x 10-6) x 28.27 mm2

= -516.49 N

Member 5; F = 2.10 x 105 N/mm2 x (3 x 10-6) x 28.27 mm2

= 17.81 N

Member 7; F = 2.10 x 105 N/mm2 x (65 x 10-6) x 28.27 mm2

= 385.88 N

Member 8; F = 2.10 x 105 N/mm2 x (66 x 10-6) x 28.27 mm2

= 391.82 N
7.2 Calculation For Theoretical Force (N), Load = 250 N

RAY

RAX A 1 C

5 8 2 7 2.4 m

RBX

B 4 D 3 E 250N

2.4 m 2.4 m

AC = DE
∑MB =0
AC2 = BA2 + BC2
250 (4.8) + RAX (2.4) = 0
AC2 = 2.42 + 2.42
1200 + RAX (2.4) = 0
AC2 = 11.52
RAX = - 1200
2.4 AC = 3.4 m
RAX = - 500 N

∑FX = 0

RAX + RBX = 0

-500 + RBX = 0

RBX = 500 N

∑Fy = 0

RAY = 250 N
Joint Method Calculation

MEMBER 4 MEMBER 5
FBA
∑Fx = ∑Fx ∑Fy =∑Fy

500 + FBD = 0 FBA = 0 N

5
FBD = -500.0 N
FBD
500N 4

MEMBER 7 MEMBER 3 FEC

∑Fy = ∑Fy ∑Fx = ∑Fx
7
-250 + FEC (2.4/3.4) = 0 - FED - FEC (2.4/3.4) = 0

FEC (2.4/3.4) = 250 - FED – 354.2 (2.4/3.4) = 0

FED E
FEC = 354.2 N FED = -250.0 N 3
250

MEMBER 2 MEMBER 1
1
∑Fy = ∑Fy ∑Fx = ∑Fx FCA 7

-FCD – FCE (2.4/3.4) = 0 –FCA + FCE (2.4/3.4) = 0 2

-FCD – (354.2) (2.4/3.4) = 0 –FCA + (354.2) (2.4/3.4) = 0

FCE
FCD = -250.0 N FCA = 250.0 N FCD

MEMBER 8

∑Fy =∑Fy FDC

FDA
FDC + FDA (2.4/3.4) = 0
2
(-250) + FDA (2.4/3.4) = 0 8

FDA = 354.2 N
FDB 4 3 FDE
8.0 DISCUSSION

1. Compare the experimental and theoretical result.

From the experimental results, we obtained that member of cantilever 4 has stated
as the highest force which is -516.49N, and after made some theoretical calculations at
cantilever no 4 the value obtained was -100 N which means it’s not a big different with
experimental result. Besides that, member of cantilever at no 5 was obtained the result
but compare the theoretical result has no result was made. All members show the internal
force equation derived from experimental results and calculation method of the
connection pin.

2. From your result and the theoretical member force, identify which members are
in compression and which members are in tension. Explain your choice.
We found that the cantilever truss member having the compression at members of
2, 3 and 4. We identified this because sign of the value. All these members have a
negative value. While for the rest members, we found that the cantilever at member of 1,
7 and 8 having a tension. Type of internal force derived from the experimental results
together with the values derived from calculations using the method of connection. The
value of the internal forces that are compressed as a member no. 2 due to the costs of
action are mutually repel members, so members will be trying to fight out these forces, so
there was a compressive force. Tension that occurs at No.7 example of the burden caused
by the attraction of the subject, to fight back, then the internal forces have to withdraw
the action, so there was tension in the member.

3. Observe the reading of member 5. Explain why the readings are almost zero.
From the experimental value we obtained that the reading was 17.81 N and from
the theoretical results we obtained as a 0 N. By the way, these both value are almost
close to 0, this condition happen because there are no force either internal or external
force actually acted on this member and it pinned on both end, this member cannot acting
on any movement either on X or Y axis.
 4. Are the strain gauges are effective transducers for measurement forces in the
framework.
From the Transducers for Measurement forces gauge reading, we can see the
value obtained is consistent with the load acting on the framework, when the load
increasing the strain gauge value also increasing and it can be accepted because it has
small value.

5. Does the framework comply with pin joint theory even though the joint are not truly
pin joint?
Yes, because the value obtained from the experiment only has small difference
compare to the theoretical value calculated using Euler formula.

9.0 CONCLUSION

1. Statically determinate frame will be more economic and safety because it will use enough
frame and member, then safety because there is no extra forces that will move the
structure to fall or collapse.
2. Statically determinate structure has low cost compare to indeterminate structure.
3. We can see that there are large difference value between experimental force and
theoretical force. It is mean that, the accuracy of the result is not exact but for the
compression and tension member, we can conclude that the following tension and
compression is same only the value of the force is different.