EXPERIMENT ON PIN-JOINTED TRUSS

PREAMBLE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Level 2 laboratory activity refers to condition where only the problem is guided and
given. Students are required to find the ways and means and provide the answers to the
given assignment using the group creativity and innovativeness. The activity will enable
the students to appreciate independent learning and prepare them for a much harder task
of open-ended laboratory activities.

In this laboratory activity, students will be exposed to the apparatus and the procedures to
carry out experiment on pin-jointed truss.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

The objective of the experiment is:

To determine the internal forces and displacement in a statically determinate
pin-jointed truss.

1.3 LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the laboratory activity, students would be able to:

1) identify and use the correct apparatus/tools to carry out experiment on statically
determinate pin-jointed truss.
2) work in a group to undertake the task; and
3) collect and analyze the data correctly and produce the lab report.
1.4 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

A truss is a structure constructed with straight members connected together at their ends
referred to as joints. Triangular configuration is usually used for trusses because of the
structural stability of the shape and the joints are usually assumed to be pin-jointed.

Suppose that m is the total number of members in a truss and j the total number of joints.
Then, noting that initially there are three members and three joints, the above relationship
may be written:

m – 3 = 2 (j - 3)

so that

m = 2j - 3

If the equation above is satisfied, the truss constructed from a series of triangles is a
statically determinate structure. If m < 2j - 3, the structure is unstable, and if m > 2j - 3,
the structure is statically indeterminate.

A determinate truss can be analyzed using any of the following methods:

- method of joints

- method of sections

- graphical method
The assumptions on which the analysis of trusses is based are as follows:

(i) The truss members are connected at their ends by friction-less pins.
(ii) The truss is loaded and supported only at its joints.
(iii) The forces in the truss members are purely axial, either tension or compression
force.

PROBLEM

2.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Students are required to determine the internal forces and displacement in a statically
determinate pin-jointed truss.

WAYS AND MEANS

3.1 APPARATUS

Structures test frames

Truss with strain gages
Digital force display
Digital strain display
Load cell
Calipers
Power supplies for digital force display and the load cell
 Picture 1: Structures test frame set

3.2 PROCEDURES

1) Before beginning the experiment, the digital displays are made sure to have zero
value before applying load.
2) Force applied are then set up to 60 N using the load adjust screw .
3) All the data obtained are then observed.