UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE

Structural Testing of
Simple Truss
Fundamental of Civil Engineering structural
Analysis
Submitted to: Dr Gabriel Barros dos Santos
Introduction:
Trusses are the pure axial force members having pin joints that combine act as
long span beams. Analysis of truss structures are simple due there simple axial
stresses. However, the distribution of stresses is very important to understand
because stresses in members usually exceeds then applied loadings. In this
experiment, we have investigated the similar distribution of stresses among
different members of simple truss. We found out the internal axial forcers using
empirical and Theoretical method which gave almost similar results. Sources of
error and possible reasons of differences in stresses values are also discussed
here.

Background:
A “truss” is formed when structural members are joined together in triangular
configurations. The truss is one of the basic types of structural frames formed
from structural members. A truss consists of a group of ties and struts designed
and connected to form a structure that acts as a large span beam. The members
usually form one or more triangles in a single plane and are arranged so that the
external loads are applied at the joints only and therefore theoretically cause only
axial tension or axial compression in the members. The members are assumed to
be connected at their joints with frictionless hinges or pins that allow the ends of
the members to rotate slightly.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, also known as the Key Bridge or Beltway Bridge, is
a steel arch-shaped continuous through truss bridge. The main span of 1,200 feet
(366 m) is the third longest span of any continuous truss in the world. The bridge
was opened in March 1977.
Experiment:
In this experiment, we have loaded a simples truss with uniformly increasing load
of 25N up to ours desired load value. In order to analyze and find out the
magnitude and nature of stresses in each member we have to find out strains in
each member. Having information about the member’s material (elastic modulus
“E”) we can find out the stresses in each member.

Strains in each member can be found out using stain gauges installed in all three
members separately. We have also applied a preload of 100N and set our load cell
zero to eliminate any kind of loosening or insecurities in readings.

Strain values measured during experiment are:

-149 34 65
-152 35 70
-156 34 77
Above strains values are not the true strain values, because at zero load value our
load cell is still applying 100N stress. So, we first have to minus the initial stain
from all of the strain values.

True Strain at each load Increment:

Load (N) Strains (με)

Member 5 Member 7 Member 15

0 0 0 0
25 -3 1 5
50 -7 0 7
75 -12 1 19
100 -16 0 26
125 -19 0 31
150 -23 0 37
175 -28 0 45
200 -31 0 50
225 -37 0 58
250 -40 0 64
275 -45 0 69
300 -49 0 75
Plot of True strain (με) vs Load (N) for Member 5, 7, and 15 :

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0
-60 -50 -40 -30 -20 -10 0

Member 5

This graph shows that member 5 undergoes compression stresses within the
elastic limit of steel because the curve is linear due to which empirical values give
good results. We can use elastic modulus to find stresses.

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

Member 7
This graph shows that member 7 is having no strain. Hence, it is a zero force
member.

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Member 15

Graph of member 15 shows that it undergoes increasing tensile stresses within

the elastic limit of steel because the curve is linear. Hence, we can use elastic
modulus to find stresses.

Empirical and Theoretical calculations: