Solution to the PIN JOINTED FRAME WORK

TASK: To conduct laboratory test on PIN JOINTED FRAMEWORK to analyse direct

relationship between Strain and Force on members in WARREN TRUSS.

For Solution we have taken below fig for calculation in both Laboratory and Theoretical
Tests.

EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATIONS
During Laboratory Testing We have observed these points.
We applied 4 kind of loads at L2 in different sessions, observing the below result.
Loads Applied were 50N, 100N, 150N, 200N.

TRUSS APPLIED LOAD, N

MEMBER 0 50 100 150 200
TRUSS MEMBER STRAIN (MICRO STRAIN)
1 0 -20 -44 -69 -98
2 0 -25 -39 -40 -40
3 0 24 52 82 116
4 0 -21 -45 -72 -102
5 0 -20 -47 -73 -103
6 0 -3 8 32 61
7 0 24 51 77 109
8 0 -41 -92 -143 -199
9 0 50 107 159 221
10 0 23 52 78 109
11 0 -41 -93 -145 -206
After conduction the test, we came to know the below points.

We have collected the strain data from the strain gauges attached on all the members of
the system.
Conducted 2-3 times for the following loads 50, 100, 150, 200 N. And noting down the
average values of each respective results.
On the strain table we can make out the members under compression and tension as
Tension loads to be +VE Values and Compression Loads to be -VE Values.

THEORITICAL OBSERVATIONS
Now moving on to the Theoretical solution.
We put our solution as under.

First, We understand the Warren Truss Model System and its forces.

In our model figure, each member is of 300 mm length to have rectangular solid cross
section of acrylic material.
Each of the members are placed equally making 60-degree angle at each intersection.
So we calculate the mean height of two horizontal truss as 259.80 mm.
We have named each member as shown in figure for our calculation purpose.

Now taking about the forces acting in the trusses.

Firstly, at point (node) E taken load is 100 N for calculation.

Due to the law of balance of forces we calculate the equal and opposite reactions at the
fixed nodes A and B which acts when system is in equilibrium.

Summation of all the Moments is Zero, (as shown in the solution)

Therefore, we were able to find the reactions RA and RB to be as 33.33N and 66.67 N
respectively.

After that the system lets us calculate all the forces acting on the system which might be
compressive of tensile in nature,
For that we take each node for calculation and consider all the forces acting on them which
might be in y-direction or in x-direction.
As summation of all the forces in a particular direction is zero which enables us to calculate
the other remaining forces and make the system in equilibrium.

We take each node and calculate all the other forces of members in the system by the same
method.
After conducting the test on all the nodes and calculating all the forces, we can come to the
conclusion that our system is in Equilibrium because the last forces can be calculated as the
same value as the Reaction a node B (RB).

As shown in our solution we have described all the nodes and all the forces, which can be
checked in the solution.

There are Compressive Forces and tensile forces calculated in the system.

Compressive Forces as -VE and Tensile Forces as +VE.

Then we move to calculation of Stress over each members of the system.

Stress can be calculated as Forces (F) divided by Cross sectional Area (A) which carries
N/mm2 Unit.
Using stress, we can calculate the theoretical Strain on the members.
Each Stress values are calculated and noted for comparison and further use.

After that we calculate Strain of each members.

Strain is defined as the relative change in size od shape of any member due to externally
applied force or forces.

According to Hooke’s Law Stress is directly proportional to Strain of the member.

Here we check for the Stress Vs. Strain Graph of a typical system of any material.
And analyzed how the forces react up to a specific elastic region before leaving its original
shape and size, which can be caused due to any external force.
This was the Hooke Law definition which shows Stress is directly proportional to Strain.

The results observed from the theoretical values are as under.

FOR LOAD AT L2 AS 100 N

MEMBER FORCE AREA STRESS E constant STRAIN (micro)
1 -38.486 250 -0.153944 -153.944 3200 -48.1075
2 19.243 250 0.076972 76.972 3200 24.05375
3 38.486 250 0.153944 153.944 3200 48.1075
4 -38.486 250 -0.153944 -153.944 3200 -48.1075
5 -38.486 250 -0.153944 -153.944 3200 -48.1075
6 57.729 250 0.230916 230.916 3200 72.16125
7 38.486 250 0.153944 153.944 3200 48.1075
8 -76.972 250 -0.307888 -307.888 3200 -96.215
9 76.984 250 0.307936 307.936 3200 96.23
10 38.48 250 0.15392 153.92 3200 48.1
11 -76.984 250 -0.307936 -307.936 3200 -96.23

ASSUMPTIONS WERE MADE DURING SOLUTION WERE AS UNDER.

1. Load at L2 taken as 100N.
2. Cross section area of the each member as 250mm2.
3. Young’s Modulus required for Strain Calculation taken as, E = 3200 N/mm 2 for
material acrylic solid rectangular section.

SLOUTION TO THE PROBLEM

The Solution and calculation of each forces and stress and strain are done as follows.
CONCLUSIONS FROM THE SOLUTION

We have successfully completed our theoretical and experimental solution.

On completing the solution we came to know the system is in equilibrium and we have
solved our system correctly, as Force in member GF (FGF) is equal to the Reaction at (RB).
Hence we can confirm our system is fully satisfied and all the theoretical values are noted
which can be easily compared with the experimental values.

Through this PIN JOINTED FRAME WORK we have came into the learning of the following
terms.
1. Design of Trusses.
2. Horizontal, Vertical Forces
3. Laws of Balance of Forces.
4. Balance of Moments.
5. Stress, Strain and their relation with elasticity.
6. Hooke’s Law.

Experimental errors like human error, strain gauges error might affect out system
readings.
There might be human error due to the analogue gauges reading on the strain gauges.
Forces on the strain gauges might be shown more precise if the calibrated gauges were
used.

On Comparing the Experimental and Theoretical Values we analyzed the values which
came from the Experiment are nearly similar to the theoretical values.
So we can confirm we have successfully completed our system.