National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)

SMME

Lab Report

ROOF TRUSS APPARATUS

COURSE : Mechanics Lab

SUBMITTED BY : Altaf Ahmad (250282)

SECTION : ME-10 A
 Roof Truss Apparatus
Objective:
The purpose of the experiment is to calculate the value of force in the frame when it is loaded
and compare them to the theoretically obtained values with the roof truss Apparatus.

Apparatus:
The apparatus consists of a roof trusses
managed in a triangular shape. Every member of
the roof truss is connected with a leaf spring
balance which gives the value of force and it is in
turn connected with digital calipers. Apparatus is
allowed only to pivot to the left side, while it is
allowed to move which makes the truss to take
true loaded positions with the help of pin joints.

Theory:
The roof trusses are analyzed using the method of resolution of forces. As it is known that for
the analysis of trusses, both method of sections and method of joints can be applied. But the
simple arrangement suggests the use of method of joint as it helps us in fast calculations of
reactions present in members of the truss.

Formulas and Notations:

At first, a free body diagram is drawn:

External Reactions:
Solving Vertically: RA + Rc – W = 0  (1)
Solving Horizontally: HA = 0
By taking moment about the point A:
W * x – 2x * Rc = 0  (2)
 𝑊𝑊
Rc =
2

With the help of equations (1) and (2):

𝑊𝑊
RA =
2

Method of Joints:
At Joint C:

𝑊𝑊
Solving Vertically: – FBC sin α = 0
2
𝑊𝑊
FBC =
2 sin α
Solving Horizontally: FCA – FBC cos α = 0
𝑊𝑊
FCA =
2 tan α
At Joint B:

Solving Horizontally: FCB sin β – FAB sin β = 0

FCB = FAB
Solving Vertically: FCB cos β + FAB cos β – W = 0
𝑊𝑊
FAB = = FCB
2 cos β

α = 90 – β
sin α = cos β
𝑊𝑊
FCB = FBC =
2 sin α
Verification:
At Joint A:
Solving Vertically: RA - FAB sin α = 0
𝑊𝑊 𝑊𝑊
- * sin α = 0
2 2 sin α
0=0
Solving Horizontally: FAC + HA - FBC cos α = 0
𝑊𝑊 𝑊𝑊
+ HA - * cos α = 0
2 tan α 2 sin α
HA = 0

Procedure:
1. The suggested maximized load is 40 N. We select a length for bottom tie and set the
position of the support on the right side in such a way that the supporting links
become almost vertical.
2. Then the anvil spacing, for each of the leaf-spring balance is measured. We must be
careful that the calipers are not roughly applied, because in such a case a false value
can be found which can greatly make the experimental results inaccurate.
3. After applying another load, then again measure the anvil spacing. Only, the change
in the anvil spacing matters.
4. To obtain the value of the deflection, we subtract the initial value of spacing from
the final one.
5. With the help of the equation F = kx, we can find the force in the members. Here k is
the spring constant.
6. With the help of a steel tape, we measure the joint centers at the moment when the
frame is not loaded. To find an angle in the frame, we apply cosine rule:
𝑎𝑎2 = 𝑏𝑏 2 + 𝑐𝑐 2 - 2bc cos α
7. The other angles can be easily found with sine rule.
𝑎𝑎 𝑏𝑏 𝑐𝑐
= = =d
sin A sin B sin C

Where d = constant.
8. For calculations of the theoretical values of the member reactions:
𝑊𝑊
FAB = FBC =
2 sin α
 𝑊𝑊
FCA =
2 tan α
9. Perform the procedure again with the load of 20 N.

Calculations and Observations:

Frame Member AB BC AC
Length (mm) 450 450 635
Initial Anvil Space 9.01 9.0 4.98
Loaded Anvil Space At 10 N 9.61 9.35 4.8
At 20 N 9.96 9.71 4.43
Deflection (Loaded- At 10 N 0.61 0.35 0.180
Initial) At 20 N 0.95 0.71 0.55
Calibration (N/mm) 21.4 20.8 17.2
Force in member Theoretical 6.63 N (C) 6.63 N (T) 4.35 N (T)
At 10 N

Practical = 49.2 % 8.93 % 8.85 %

(calibration x
deflection)
Force in member Theoretical 13.33 N 13.33 N 8.66 N
At 20 N

Practical = 34.43 % 9.7 % 11.63 %

(calibration x
deflection)

Results:
We see from the results, that there is a slight error in calculated experimental values.
This happens because we’re working in environment and ideality does not exist here.

Conclusion:
The conclusion is made that all the values are almost close to the experimental one.