TITLE

: FORCE IN A STATICALLY DETERMINED CANTILEVER TRUSS

___________________________________________________________________________
1.0

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

2.0

LEARNING OUTCOMES
2.1

Application of engineering knowledge in practical application.

2.2

To enhance technical competency in structure engineering through laboratory

application.

2.3

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 :
3.1

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.

3.2

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 is suitable to be use in calculating all 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. The calculation only can be started
for joint where the number of unknowns are two or less.

4.0

PROCEDURES
4.1

Unscrew the thumwheel on the redundant member. Note that it is effectively

no longer part of the structure as the idealised diagram illustrates.

4.2

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.

4.3

Return the load to zero (leaving the 100N preload), re-check and re-zero the
digital indicator. Never apply loads greater than those specified on the
equipment.
Apply load in the increment shown in Table 1 recording the strain readings

and the digital indicator readings. Complete Table 2 by subtracting the initial (zero)
strain readings. (be careful with the sign)

FAY

FAX
8

FEX
E

5.0

RESULT
5.1

Load
(N)
0
50
100
150
200
250

Tables

Strain Reading
1
215
223
234
244
254
263

2
- 311
- 318
- 327
- 336
- 344
- 351

3
- 356
- 363
- 371
- 381
- 389
- 397

4
- 135
- 149
- 166
- 184
- 200
- 215

5
185
184
182
181
179
178

6
0
0
0
0
0
0

7
94
106
120
134
147
159

8
- 17
-6
6
19
32
43

Digital
indicator
reading (mm)
0
0.034
0.062
0.084
0.140
0.157

Table 1 : Strain Readings and Frame Defletion for Experiment 1

Load
(N)

0
50
100
150
200
250

0
8
- 19
29
39
48

0
-7
- 16
- 25
- 33
- 40

0
-7
- 15
- 25
- 33
- 41

0
- 14
- 31
- 49
- 65
- 80

0
-1
-3
-4
-6
-7

0
0
0
0
0
0

0
12
26
40
53
65

0
11
23
36
49
60

Table 2 : True Strain Reading for Experiment 1

5.2

Graphs

5.2.1

Choose a member (except member 6), and on the same axis plot a
graph of Recorded Strain against Load (N) and True Strain
against Load (N).

5.2.2

On another graph, do the same for a different member (non member

6).

5.2.3

Plot a separate graph of deflection (mm) against Load (N).

5.2.4

Comment on your graph.

Using the Youngs Modulus relationship, calculate the equivalent

member force. Complete the experimental force in Table 3. (ignore member 6

at this stage)
E=/
Where ;
E = Youngs Modulus (Nm-2)
= Stress in the member (Nm-2)
= Displayed strain
and

=F/A

Where,
F = Force in member (N)
A = cross section area of the member (m2)

Teorectical Force (N) was calculated by using the Method of Joint, and the result
obtained from the calculation were recorded in the Table 3 (below).

Member
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Experimental Force (N)

236.25
-200.00
-200.00
-393.75
-36.35
0
321.06
296.83

Theorectical Force (N)

250.00
-250.00
-250.00
-500.00
0
0
353.55
353.55

Table 3 : Measured and Theorectical Force in the Cantilever Truss

Given,
Esteel

= 2.10 x 105 N/mm2

Rod Diameter :
Reading
1
2
3
Average

6.0

Diameter (m)
6.06 x 10-3
6.03 x 10-3
6.09 x 10-3
6.06 x 10-3

DATA ANALYZE / CALCULATION

Calculation For True Strain Reading ;
True Strain Reading (load50, 100,150,200,250)
= Strain reading (load50, 100,150,200,250) Strain reading (load0)

Example for True Strain Reading (load = 200 N)

True Strain Reading (member 1)

= 254 215
= 39

True Strain Reading (member 2)

= - 344 (- 311)
= - 33

True Strain Reading (member 3)

= - 389 (- 356)
= - 33

True Strain Reading (member 4)

= - 200 (- 135)
= - 65

True Strain Reading (member 5)

= 179 185
=-6

True Strain Reading (member 7)

= 147 94
= 53

True Strain Reading (member 8)

= 32 (- 17)
= 49

Calculation for Cross Section Area of the member (m2) ;

Diameter, D

= 6.06 x 10-3 m

From equation ; A

D 2
4

(6.06 x10 3 ) 2
4

1.1539 x10 4
4

2.8846 x10 5 m2

Calculation For Experimental Force (N) ;

From
=F/A
F =A
But, from equation ; E = /
=E
Thus ; F = A E
Where ;
E = Youngs Modulus (Nm-2)
= Stress in the member (Nm-2)
= Displayed strain
F = Force in member (N)
A = cross section area of the member (m2)
Given,
Esteel

= 2.10 x 105 N/mm2

Calculation for Member 1 ;

F =AE
= (2.8846 x 10-5) x (2.10 x 105) x (39)
= 236.25 N
Calculation for Member 2 ;
F =AE

= (2.8846 x 10-5) x (2.10 x 105) x (-33)

= -199.90 N
= -200 N
Calculation for Member 3 ;
F =AE
= (2.8846 x 10-5) x (2.10 x 105) x (-33)
= -199.90 N
= -200 N
Calculation for Member 4 ;
F =AE
= (2.8846 x 10-5) x (2.10 x 105) x (-65)
= -393.75 N
Calculation for Member 5 ;
F =AE
= (2.8846 x 10-5) x (2.10 x 105) x (-6)
= -36.35 N
Calculation for Member 7;
F =AE
= (2.8846 x 10-5) x (2.10 x 105) x (53)
= 321.06 N
Calculation for Member 8 ;
F =AE
= (2.8846 x 10-5) x (2.10 x 105) x (49)
= 296.83 N

Calculation For Theoretical Force (N) ;

FAY

A
FAX

FEX
E
MA

=0
FEX = -500 N
=0

+250 (2) + FAX = 0

FAX = +500 N

+
B

FY = 0

FCB (1/2) 250 = 0

FCB = 250 (2)

FCB = 353.55 N

250 N

+250 (2) + FEX = 0

ME

FX = 0

FCD + FCB = 0
FCD = - FCB (1/2)
FCD = - 353.55 / (2)
= - 250 N

FAY
1

FAX
1

D
E
+

FY = 0

- 250 + FAY = 0
FAY = 250 N
+

FY = 0

250 FAD (1/2) = 0

FAD = 250 (2)
FAD = 353.55 N
+

FY = 0

FAY + FAE 250 = 0

FAE = 250 250
FAE = 0
+ FX = 0
FAB + FAD (1/2) 500 = 0
FAB = 500 250 / (2)
FAB = 500 250
FAB = 250 N

2
1

250 N

FY = 0

FCB (1/2) + FBD = 0

FBD = - FCB / (2)
FBD = - 353.55 (2)
FBD = - 250 N

D
500 N

+ FX = 0
FED + 500 = 0
FED = - 500 N

7.0

DISCUSSION
Discussion for the graph plotted ;

For Graph of Strain versus load for member ;

From the Graph 1 and Graph 2 plotted for member 7 and 8, we obtain a linear graph
for both members. From the graphs, when the values of strain increase, the loading
apply also increased. This was caused by the compression and tensioned in the
member of truss when the loading is apply on it.
From Graph of Strain versus load for member 7, we can notice that there is a big
difference between the values of strain for the strain we recorded in the experiment
and the true strain. Values for Recorded strain are higher than the True Strain. The
same go to the graph of Strain versus load for member 8. These differences exist
because the forces created in the truss are different at the point of the joint when the
load is applied on it. The arrangements of the member in the truss also cause the
difference of the force in the truss. Therefore, in order to find the forces in the truss
for each member, we have to use equilibrium equation for x-axis and y-axis equal to
zero and the calculation is done part by part for each member.

For Graph of Deflection versus Load ;

From the Graph 3 plotted, we obtain a linear graph. From the graphs, we noticed that,
when the values of loading apply increase, the deflection also increased. This was
caused by the compression and tensioned in the member of truss when the loading is
applied on it. The compression and tensioned created will cause the deflection in the
member of truss. In this experiment, the deflection created is proportional to the
loading apply. Besides, the deflection also can happen due to the high temperature or
an error occurs when recording the reading during the experiment.

For Experimental Force and Theoretical Force ;

7.1

Compare the experimental and theoritical result.

The value of forces obtains from the Experimental and Theoretical

(calculation) are almost equivalent. There are only slight differences between
the values for Experimental Force and Theoretical Force. This indicate that
the Experimental Force obtain are accurate and correct.
7.2

From your result and the theoritical member force, identify which members
are in compression and which member are in tension. Explain your choice.
From the results for Experimental Force and the Theoretical member
force, we noticed that the members of 2, 3, and 4 are in compression while the
members of 1, 7 and 8 are in tension. This is because we know that, the
compressed member has a negative force values while tensioned member has
a positive force values. From the framework, we also noticed that member 2 is
being burdened and compressed by both member 3 and 7. The same goes to
member 4 which was compressed by member 5 and 8.

7.3

Observe the reading of member 5. Explain why the reading is amost zero.
From the results obtain by observing the member 5, we noticed that
the reading force is almost zero. We know that, member 5 is attached by a pin
joint and a roller joint at both ends. On the pin joint, two forces acting towards
it on the horizontal axis and vertical axis. On the roller joint, there is only one
force acting towards it on the horizontal axis. Therefore, the reading force of
member 5 is almost zero due to these three forces.

7.4

Are the strain gauges are an effective tranducers for the measurement of
forces in the framework?
Yes, the strain gauges are an effective tranducers for the measurement
of forces in the framework.

7.5

Does the framework comply with pin joint theory even though the joint are
not truly pin joint?
From the results, we noticed that the value of forces obtains from the
Experimental and Theoretical (calculation) are almost equivalent. There are

only slight differences between the values for Experimental Force and
Theoretical Force. Therefore, this indicates that, the framework comply with
the pin joint theory even though the joint are not truly pin joint.

8.0

CONCLUSION
From this experiment, our group managed to examine a statically determinate
frame and to analyze the frame using simple pin joint theory. We conclude that, when
the loading apply on the member in the truss is increase, the deflection also increase
due to the compression and tensioned. Therefore, we also conclude that, when the
loading apply is increase, the stain for both recorded and true strain value will
increase. In this experiment, we also noticed that the framework comply with the pin
joint theory even though the joint are not truly pin joint. Therefore, Method of Joints
is suitable to be use in calculating all the member forces for a truss in this experiment.
This method entails the use of a free body diagram of joints with the equilibrium
equations Fx = 0 and Fy = 0.