Civil Engineering Department Structural Lab

Experiment 1: Forces in a Roof Truss with a Central and Wind

Load

1.1 Aim

To measure the forces in each member of the truss.

1.2 Apparatus
Truss structure.
Strain gauges.

1.3 Theory

Figure 1 Layout of Experimental Roof Truss

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Figure 2 Idealized Roof Truss

As well as the information given on the unit you will need the following formula:
σ
E=
ε
Where:
σ= Stress (Nm-2)
ε= Strain
E= Young’s modulus for the beam material (Nm-2)

(Typically 69*109 Nm-2 or 69 GPa)

And

F
σ=
A

Where:

F= Force in member.
A= Cross- sectional area of member.

1.4 Results

1.4.1 Results of a Central Load:

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Table 1 Member strains (μƐ)

Loa AE AG AH BE BF CI CJ DJ EF FG GH HI IJ
d (N)
0

100

200

300

400

500

Table 2 True member strains (μƐ)

Loa
AE AG AH BE BF CI CJ DJ EF FG GH HI IJ
d (N)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
100
200
300
400
500

Calculate the Equivalent member forces at 500 N to complete the table.

Rod diameter= 5.98 mm and Esteel = 210 GNm-2

Table 3 Comparison of experimental and theoretical forces

Experiment Theoretical Force
Member
Force (N) (N)
AE
AG
AH
BE
BF
CI
CJ
DJ
EF
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FG
GH

HI
IJ

1.4.2 Results for an Angled Load:

Table 4 Member strains (μƐ)

Loa
AE AG AH BE BF CI CJ DJ EF FG GH HI IJ
d (N)
0
100
200
300
400
500

Table 5 True member strains (μƐ)

Loa
AE AG AH BE BF CI CJ DJ EF FG GH HI IJ
d (N)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
100
200
300
400
500

Calculate the Equivalent member forces at 500 N to complete the table.

Rod diameter= 5.98 mm and Esteel = 210 GNm-2

Table 6 Comparison of experimental and theoretical forces

Experiment Theoretical Force
Member
Force (N) (N)
AE
AG
AH
BE
BF
CI
CJ
DJ
Civil Engineering Department Structural Lab

EF
FG

GH
HI
IJ
a. Using a suitable method calculate the theoretical member forces for the framework with a
load of 500 N at each position. Compare to the experimental and theoretical results.
b. Does the simplified pin joint theory predict the behavior of the truss? There is one
member of particular interest, which one is it and why?
c. Why is it important we always examine all of the load cases that a structure may be
exposed to?
d. The roof truss structure may need to carry both of these loads simultaneously. How
would we assess the total load in each one of the members?