1.

OBJECTIVE
The objective is to verify member forces obtain from experiment with tension
coefficient method.

2.0

LEARNING OUTCOME
There are many learning outcome that we can get from this laboratory test:
2.1

The application of theoretical engineering knowledge through practical

application.

2.2

To enhance the technical competency in structural engineering through

laboratory application.

2.3

Communicate effectively in group.

2.4

To identify the problem, solving and finding out the appropriate solution
through laboratory application.

3.0

THEORY
If a members of a truss system is situated not in a two dimensional plane, then the
truss is defined as a space frame truss. In other words, space truss has components
in three axis i.e. x, y and z.
Consider a member with node A (xA, yA) and B (xB,yB)

Assume te force in the member is TAB (+ve tension) and length LAB
Definition of tension coefficient (t), tAB

TAB

LAB
At A, the horizontal component TAB is :
TAB cos

tAB LAB cos

tAB LAB (xB xA)

LAB
=

tAB (xB xA)

Use the same method, the vertical component at A is :

= tAB (yB yA)
At B, the horizontal component TAB =

tAB (xA xB)

Vertical component TAB

tAB (yA yB)

Using statics, write the equation for each joint using the coordinate value and
solve for it. Convert it into force using:
TAB

tAB LAB

(xB xA)2 + (yB yA)2

A space frame or space structure is a truss-like, lightweight rigid structure

constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames usually
utilize a multidirectional span, and are often used to accomplish long spans with
few supports. They derive their strength from the inherent rigidity of the
triangular frame; flexing loads (bending moments) are transmitted as tension and
compression loads along the length of each strut. Many architects and engineers
throughout the world have expressed their design freedoms with Space Frame
Systems. The simplicity of these systems provides a natural link between
yesterday and today. For this reason, designers have specified Space Frame
Systems for an increasing variety of renovation and remodeling applications. The
modular systems allow fast track delivery and job site assembly at affordable

prices. Space frame systems give you the architectural beauty you desire within
the budget you set.
Some space frame applications include:
1)

Parking canopysH
2)

Hotel/Hospital/commercial building entrances

3)

Commercial building lobbies/atriums

Some advantages of space frame systems over conventional systems are:

1)

Random column placement

2)

Column-free spaces

3)

Minimal perimeter support

4)

Controlled load distribution

5)

Redundant integrity

6)

Design freedom

7)

Supports all types of roofing

8)

Exposing building exterior to view adds color, texture and style

Figure 1 : Space frame for construction

4.0

APPARATUS

Space frame apparatus

PROSEDURES
4

Part 1
1.

First of all, we select any weight between 10 to 50 N.

2.

Then, ensure that the distance a = 500 mm and place load hanger on D.

3.

Measure the distance b, c and d, and then record it in table 1.

4.

We record the dynamometer readings for members S1, S2 and S3.

5.

After that, we put the selected load on hanger at D and record it.

6.

Then, we repeat step (2) to (4) with the different value of a.

7.

Finally, calculate the theoretical member forces and record it in table one.

Part 2
1.

For part 2, we use a distance of 350 mm for a.

2.

Then, we place the hanger on D.

3.

After that, measure the distance b, c, and d. Then we record the dynamometer
reading for member S1, S2, S3 in table 2.

4.

The next step is we put a load of 5 N on the hanger and record the
dynamometer readings.

5.

We repeat step 2 to 4 using the different load.

6.

We complete the table 2 by calculating the theoretical member value.

7.

The last one is we plot the graf of force against load for the theoretical and
experimental results.

5.0

RESULT

Table 1
Dimension (mm)

Dynamometer Reading

500

483

260

400

503

300
200

S1

Force (N)
S2

S3

Experiment

Theory

Loaded

Unloaded

Loaded

Unloaded

Loaded

Unloaded

S1

S2

S3

S1

S2

S3

365

60

40

55

80

20

55

80

142.35

142.35

-274.27

215

365

78

70

74

40

110

34

110

141.54

141.54

-273.51

532

170

365

109

15

104

11

150

10

94

93

140

72.16

72.16

-139.63

548

110

365

181

31

175

28

240

40

150

147

200

146.14

146.14

-279.47

Table 2
Load
(N)
5
10
15
20
25

Dynamometer Reading
S1
Loaded
Unloaded
50
10
90
10
134
10
178
10
230
10
Dimension a = 350mm

S2
Loaded
45
85
130
175
225

Unloaded
7
7
7
7
7

S3
Loaded
70
120
180
245
305

Dimension b = 521mm

Unloaded
20
20
20
20
20

Force (N)
Experiment
S1
S2
40
38
80
78
124
123
168
168
220
218

Dimension c = 185mm

S3
50
100
160
225
285

Theory
S1
53.48
106.96
160.43
213.91
267.39

Dimension d = 365mm

S2
53.48
106.96
160.43
213.91
267.39

S3
-98.97
-197.95
-296.92
-395.89
-494.86

Data Analysis
Part 1:
Example Of Experiment Calculation
a = 500 mm
1. S1 :
So
2. S2 :
So
3. S3 :
So

loaded
Unloaded

= 60N
= 40N

S1

= 60N 40N
= 20N

loaded
Unloaded

= 55N
= 0N

S2

= 55N 0N
= 55N

loaded
Unloaded

= 80N
= 0N

S3

= 80N 0N
= 80 N

Part 1:
Table 1 theoretical calculation
Load F = 10 N
1. a = 500mm, b = 483mm, c = 260mm, d = 365mm.
Lx = b
Ly = d/2 (for S1 and S2)
Lz = a c (for S1 and S2)
F=Lxt
L = (Lx + Ly + Lz)
Member
Lx (mm) Ly (mm)
S1
483
-182.5
S2
483
182.5
S3
483
0.00
Force (N)
0
0

Fx = 0;

Lz (mm)
240
240
260
-10

483s1 + 483s2 + 483s3 = 0

FY = 0;-182.5s1 + 182.5s2 + 0s3 = 0

Fz = 0; 240s1 + 240s2 + 260s3 = -10
By using calculator
So ts1 = 0.25
ts2 = 0.25
ts3 = -0.50
And S1 = 142.35
S2 = 142.35
S3 = -274.27

L (mm)
569.38
569.38
548.53
-

t
0.25
0.25
-0.50
-

F (N)
142.35
142.35
-274.27
-

Remarks
Tension
Tension
Compression
-

2. a = 400mm, b = 503mm, c = 215mm, d = 365mm.

Lx = b
Ly = d/2 (for S1 and S2)
Lz = a c (for S1 and S2)
F=Lxt
L = (Lx + Ly + Lz)
Member
Lx (mm) Ly (mm)
S1
503
-182.5
S2
503
182.5
S3
503
0.00
Force (N)
0
0

Fx = 0;

Lz (mm)
185
185
215
-10

L (mm)
566.16
566.16
547.02
-

503s1 + 503s2 + 503s3 = 0

FY = 0;-182.5s1 + 182.5s2 + 0s3 = 0

Fz = 0; 185s1 + 185s2 + 215s3 = -10
By using calculator
So

ts1 = 0.25
ts2 = 0.25
ts3 = -0.50

And S1 = 141.54
S2 = 141.54
S3 = -273.51

3. a = 300mm, b = 532mm, c = 170mm, d = 365mm.

t
0.25
0.25
-0.50
-

F (N)
141.54
141.54
-273.51
-

Remarks
Tension
Tension
Compression
-

Lx = b
Ly = d/2 (for S1 and S2)
Lz = a c (for S1 and S2)
F=Lxt
L = (Lx + Ly + Lz)
Member
Lx (mm) Ly (mm) Lz (mm)
S1
532
-182.5
130
S2
532
182.5
130
S3
532
0.00
170
Force (N) 0
0
-10

Fx = 0;

L (mm)
577.26
577.26
558.50
-

532s1 + 532s2 + 532s3 = 0

FY = 0; -182.5s1 + 182.5s2 + 0s3 = 0

Fz = 0; 130s1 + 130s2 + 170s3

= -10

By using calculator
So ts1 = 0.125
ts2 = 0.125
ts3 = -0.25
And

S1 = 72.16
S2 = 72.16
S3 = -139.63

4. a = 200mm, b = 548mm, c = 110mm, d = 365mm.

Lx = b

t
0.125
0.125
-0.25
-

F (N)
72.16
72.16
-139.63
-

Remarks
Tension
Tension
Compression
-

Ly = d/2 (for S1 and S2)

Lz = a c (for S1 and S2)
F=Lxt
L = (Lx + Ly + Lz)
Member
Lx (mm) Ly (mm)
S1
548
-182.5
S2
548
182.5
S3
548
0.00
Force (N)
0
0

Fx = 0;

Lz (mm)
90
90
110
-10

548s1 + 548s2 + 548s3 = 0

FY = 0; -182.5s1 + 182.5s2 + 0s3 = 0

Fz = 0;

90s1 + 90s2 + 110s3

By using calculator
So ts1 = 0.25
ts2 = 0.25
ts3 = -0.50
And S1 = 146.14
S2 = 146.14
S3 = -279.47

Part 2 :
Table 2 theoretical calculation:

= -10

L (mm)
584.56
584.56
558.93
-

t
0.25
0.25
-0.50
-

F (N)
146.14
146.14
-279.47
-

Remarks
Tension
Tension
Compression
-

1. Load F = 5 N
a = 350mm, b = 521mm, c = 185mm, d = 365mm.

Member
S1
S2
S3
Force (N)

Lx = b
Ly = d/2 (for S1 and S2)
Lz = a c (for S1 and S2)
F=Lxt
L = (Lx + Ly + Lz)
Lx (mm) Ly (mm) Lz (mm)
350
-182.5
165
350
182.5
165
350
0.00
185
0
0
-5

Fx = 0;

350s1 + 350s2 + 350s3

FY = 0;

-182.5s1 + 182.5s2 + 0s3 = 0

Fz = 0;

165s1 + 165s2 + 185s3

By using calculator
So

ts1 = 0.125
ts2 = 0.125
ts3 = -0.25

And S1 = 53.48
S2 = 53.48
S3 = -98.97

=0

= -5

L (mm)
427.82
427.82
395.89
-

t
0.125
0.125
-0.25
-

F (N)
53.48
53.48
-98.97
-

Remarks
Tension
Tension
Compression
-

2. Load F = 10 N
a = 350mm, b = 521mm, c = 185mm, d = 365mm.

Member
S1
S2
S3
Force (N)

Lx = b
Ly = d/2 (for S1 and S2)
Lz = a c (for S1 and S2)
F=Lxt
L = (Lx + Ly + Lz)
Lx (mm) Ly (mm) Lz (mm)
350
-182.5
165
350
182.5
165
350
0.00
185
0
0
-10

Fx = 0;

350s1 + 350s2 + 350s3

FY = 0;

-182.5s1 + 182.5s2 + 0s3 = 0

Fz = 0;

165s1 + 165s2 + 185s3

By using calculator
So

ts1 = 0.25
ts2 = 0.25
ts3 = -0.50

And S1 = 106.96
S2 = 106.96
S3 = -197.95

L (mm)
427.82
427.82
395.89
-

=0

= -10

t
0.25
0.25
-0.50
-

F (N)
106.96
106.96
-197.95
-

Remarks
Tension
Tension
Compression
-

3. Load F = 15 N
a = 350mm, b = 521mm, c = 185mm, d = 365mm.

Member
S1
S2
S3
Force (N)

Lx = b
Ly = d/2 (for S1 and S2)
Lz = a c (for S1 and S2)
F=Lxt
L = (Lx + Ly + Lz)
Lx (mm) Ly (mm) Lz (mm)
350
-182.5
165
350
182.5
165
350
0.00
185
0
0
-15

Fx = 0;

350s1 + 350s2 + 350s3

FY = 0;

-182.5s1 + 182.5s2 + 0s3 = 0

Fz = 0;

165s1 + 165s2 + 185s3

By using calculator
So

ts1 = 0.375
ts2 = 0.375
ts3 = -0.75

And S1 = 160.43
S2 = 160.43
S3 = -296.92

L (mm)
427.82
427.82
395.89
-

=0

= -15

t
0.375
0.375
-0.75
-

F (N)
160.43
160.43
-296.92
-

Remarks
Tension
Tension
Compression
-

4. Load F = 20 N
a = 350mm, b = 521mm, c = 185mm, d = 365mm.

Member
S1
S2
S3
Force (N)

Lx = b
Ly = d/2 (for S1 and S2)
Lz = a c (for S1 and S2)
F=Lxt
L = (Lx + Ly + Lz)
Lx (mm) Ly (mm) Lz (mm)
350
-182.5
165
350
182.5
165
350
0.00
185
0
0
-20

Fx = 0;

350s1 + 350s2 + 350s3

FY = 0;

-182.5s1 + 182.5s2 + 0s3 = 0

Fz = 0;

165s1 + 165s2 + 185s3

By using calculator
So

ts1 = 0.5
ts2 = 0.5
ts3 = -1

And S1 = 213.91
S2 = 213.91
S3 = -395.89

L (mm)
427.82
427.82
395.89
-

=0

= -20

t
0.5
0.5
-1
-

F (N)
213.91
213.91
-395.89
-

Remarks
Tension
Tension
Compression
-

5. Load F = 25 N
a = 350mm, b = 521mm, c = 185mm, d = 365mm.

Member
S1
S2
S3
Force (N)

Lx = b
Ly = d/2 (for S1 and S2)
Lz = a c (for S1 and S2)
F=Lxt
L = (Lx + Ly + Lz)
Lx (mm) Ly (mm) Lz (mm)
350
-182.5
165
350
182.5
165
350
0.00
185
0
0
-25

Fx = 0;

350s1 + 350s2 + 350s3

FY = 0;

-182.5s1 + 182.5s2 + 0s3 = 0

Fz = 0;

165s1 + 165s2 + 185s3

By using calculator
So

ts1 = 0.625
ts2 = 0.625
ts3 = -1.25

And S1 = 267.39
S2 = 267.39
S3 = -494.86

GRAPH

L (mm)
427.82
427.82
395.89
-

=0

= -25

t
0.625
0.625
-1.25
-

F (N)
267.39
267.39
-494.86
-

Remarks
Tension
Tension
Compression
-

6.0

DISSCUSSION

Based on the graph that have been plotted, we can see that for the graph1, the
comparison between the theoretical and the experimental results is there is not much
different for the two lines. When more load were applied, the value of force was also
increase.
It is same like the graph2, which is there is a little difference between the
theoretical and the experimental results. The value of force in increase due to the
increasing of load.
But for the graph3, the results of the theoretical and the experimental is totally
difference because for the experiment, the results is in range 0 to 300 while for the results
of the theoretical is around range -0 to -300. For the theoretical, when more load were
applied, the value of force were decrease but for the experimental, when more load were
applied, the force will increase.
The reason of discrepancy in the results maybe cause by the spring that used was
not elastic anymore after being stretched for many time of doing experiment, it might
have a mistake during taking the results. Beside that, it maybe cause by the error of the
apparatus which is not in good condition.

7.0

CONCLUSION
The experiment is to prove experimental and theoretical have a small relative

value. Space frames usually utilize a multidirectional span, and are often used to
accomplish long spans with few supports. They derive their strength from the inherent
rigidity of the triangular frame; flexing loads (bending moments) are transmitted as
tension and compression loads along the length of each structure.
In many ways this looks like the horizontal jib of a tower crane repeated many
times to make it wider. A stronger purer form is composed of interlocking tetrahedral
pyramids in which all the struts have unit length. More technically this is referred to as an
isotropic vector matrix or in a single unit width an octet truss.