CE 623A: Experimental Methods in Structural Engineering

Semester 2019-20-II
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

Lab Exercise #02: Space Truss System

Description
This exercise directly deals with the issue of idealization used for analysis purposes. Space
truss systems (like plane truss systems) are considered as composition of axial force elements.
The elements are idealized as axial force element and this is ensured by considering together
pinned connection at both the ends. However, in the real life seldom trusses are constructed
with ideal pins as joints. The joints are spread over finite size and involve many connectors
(rivets or bolts) or welding, which render the idealizations approximate, if not, totally
imperfect. In this exercise you will assess the quantum of error introduced due to these
approximations along with other experimental sources of errors.

A space truss was assembled using stainless steel circular pipes and welded as shown in the
figure below. The welded connections restrain the end rotations of individual members and
consequently subject these members to flexural stresses in addition to axial stresses. In other
words, the external forces are resisted by actions of axial force and bending moment to some
extent by welded elements.

D’

C’ D
SG-5
SG-6 C
B’
SG-3
B SG-4
A’ SG-2

SG-1
A

Procedure
Trusses are to be loaded by hanging weights as described below. The instrumentation consists
of six uniaxial strain gauges as shown in the figure and four LVDTs. Trusses will be loaded in
five different combinations as follows:
1. Load case L1: Load gradually the joint 1 only and unload.
2. Load case L2: Load gradually the Joint 2 only and unload.
3. Load case L3: Load gradually the Joint 1 and 2 simultaneously and unload.
The Joints 1 and 2 for each group are identified in the table below.
Groups Joint 1 Joint 2
1 A C
2 B D
3 A’ C’
4 B’ D’
You will make measurements of all geometric parameters of the test apparatus that are required
for the analytical predictions.

Discussion Items
(a) Compare the experimental values (internal forces/deflections) to the analytical
predictions by performing suitable computer analysis. Discuss possible sources of
errors and their potential impact on your results.
(b) Is there enough evidence to justify Maxwell-Betti’s Law of Reciprocal deflections?
(c) How do the combined load case of L3 compares with superposition of L1 and L2?
(d) Is it possible to obtain a stiffness matrix K as given below considering two vertical
degrees of freedom at Joint 1 and 2 using the experimental data?
𝐾11 𝐾12
𝐾= [ ]
𝐾21 𝐾22
What kind of stiffness matrix is K? Is it a global stiffness matrix of the structure or
something else? How does K compare with your analytical prediction?
(e) How does experimental data compare with analytical predictions with assumed hinged
connection case and moment connection case? What can be said about suitability of the
idealization? Discuss any assumptions and limitations that may have influenced the
results.