Experiment No.

2:
To determine the force in the members of a statistically
determinate truss & comparison of experimental and
theoretical values.
Objective:
The effect of redundant member in a structure is
observe and the method of analyzing type of this structure
i s understood.

Apparatus:
1. A statistically determinate Truss.
2. Weight Hanger.
3. Weights.
4. D. scale for angles.
5. A ruler to find lengths.

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Muhammad Saleem Noor
16-CE-31
Section “C”
Related Theory:
A t r u s s t h a t i s a s s u me d t o c o mp r i s e me mb e r s t h a t a r e
connected by means of pin joints, and which is supported at both ends by means
of hinged joints or rollers, is described as being statically determinate.
Newton's Laws apply to the structure as a whole, as well as to each node or joint. In
order for any node that may be subject to an external load or force to remain
static in s p a c e , t h e f o l l o w i n g c o n d i t i o n s m u s t h o l d :
The sums of all h o r i z o n t a l f o r c e s , a l l v e r t i c a l f o r c e s , a s we l l
a s a l l mo me n t s acting about the node equal zero. Analysis of these conditions at
each node yields the magnitude of the forces in each member of the truss. These may
be compression or tension forces.

Formula:
For determinate structure and model we need three equations of
equilibrium for static condition.
1. ∑ FX = 0
2. ∑ FY = 0
3. ∑ MZ = 0
Static Determinacy:
A structure is said to be statistically determinate if “The number of
unknowns is equal to the equations of equilibrium.”
It can be represented by r = 3n.
Formula to check determinacy:
2J=M+R
Where,
J = number of joints
M = number of members
R = number of reactions

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Muhammad Saleem Noor
16-CE-31
Section “C”
Procedure:
1. Go to the electric truss.
2. Take different weights say 10, 20, 30 & 40.
3. Connect the electronic meter with the truss at required member.
4. Apply load say 10 N at joint “A”.
5. Note the value on the meter dial.
6. Similarly apply different loads and note their readings.
7. To find theoretically values find angles between the members
with the help of D-Scale or by applying trigonometric rules.
8. Compare both experimental and theoretical values and find
error in percentage.

Arrange the apparatus Apply loads Note the value on Meter Dial

Calculations:

FBD of the statistically

determinate Truss.

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Muhammad Saleem Noor
16-CE-31
Section “C”
FBD at Joint “A”
↑+ ∑ FY = 0
Fab sin 45 – W = 0
𝑾
Fab =
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟒𝟓

Put different values of W to get force in member AB at different loads

By solving it for W = 10, 20, 30 & 40 N, We get
Sr. No. Load (N) Force in AB (N)
1 10 14.14
2 20 28.28
3 30 42.43
4 40 56.57

→+ ∑ FX = 0
- Fac - Fab cos 45 = 0

Fac = - Fab 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟒𝟓

Put values of Fab to get force in member AC

Sr. No. Force in AB (N) Force in AC (N)
1 14.14 - 10
2 28.28 - 20
3 42.43 - 30
4 56.57 - 40

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Muhammad Saleem Noor
16-CE-31
Section “C”
FBD at Joint “B”
↑+ FY = 0
- Fbc – Fab sin 45 = 0

Fbc = - Fab 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟒𝟓

Put values of Fab to get force in member BC
Sr. No. Force in AB (N) Force in BC (N)
1 14.14 - 10
2 28.28 - 20
3 42.43 - 30
4 56.57 - 40

→+ FX = 0
- Fbd + Fab cos 45 = 0

Fbd = Fab 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟒𝟓

Put values of Fab to get force in member BD

Sr. No. Force in AB (N) Force in BD (N)
1 14.14 10
2 28.28 20
3 42.43 30
4 56.57 40

FBD at Joint “C”

↑+ FY = 0
Fcd sin 45 + Fbc = 0
𝑭𝒃𝒄
Fcd =
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟒𝟓

Put values of Fbc to get force in member CD

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Muhammad Saleem Noor
16-CE-31
Section “C”
 Sr. No. Force in BC (N) Force in CD (N)
1 10 14.14
2 20 28.28
3 30 42.43
4 40 56.57

Result:
As we are required only to find and compare the force in member CD so we will
put only values of CD in the table given below:
Sr. Member Applied Experimental Theoretical % age
No. Load (N) Value (N) Value (N) Difference
1 CD 10 15 14.14 5.73 %
2 CD 20 36 28.28 21.44 %
3 CD 30 56 42.43 24.43 %
4 CD 40 74 56.57 23.55 %

Error:
For different applied loads the difference between Experimental value and
Theoretical value lies between 5-24 %.
Precautions:
1. Find the lengths accurately.
2. Angles should be determined accurately.

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Muhammad Saleem Noor
16-CE-31
Section “C”