LAB 2

FAKULTI TEKNOLOGI KEJURUTERAAN

MEKANIKAL DAN PEMBUATAN
UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
BMMK 2104 WELDING DESIGN ANALYSIS

LAB SHEET 1

FORCES IN TRUSSES

Learning LO1 Describe basic concepts and fundamental principles of

Outcome (LO): mechanical applications

Program PO1 Apply knowledge of technology fundamentals to broadly-defined

Outcome: procedures processes, systems and methodologies in welding
technology.
Synopsis: This lab activity will enrich students’ knowledge on forces in trusses. Students are
exposed to the concept of determining the internal forces and normal or axial
strains in Idealized Warren Grider truss members subjected to a given loading.

Related Lecture’s 1. Introduction welding design analysis. Static: general principle, Force vector and
Topic: equilibrium of particle (Topic 1)
2. Principal of Stress and strain (Topic 2)

Prepared by: Ts Dr Mohd Basri bin Ali Date: 2 Nov 2021

Approved by PM. Ir. Dr. Mohd Hadzley b Abu Bakar Date

LM/SLM/HOD

QMS : REVISION RECORDS

Revision Date Approved by
Description Prepared by :
No (DD/MM/YY) LM/SLM/HOD:
1.0 THEORY

A truss is a structure composed of slender members joined together at their end joints. The members
commonly used in construction consist of wooden or metal struts or bars. The end connections are
usually formed by bolting or welding the ends of the members to a common plate called a gusset plate,
as shown in Figure 1-b, or by simply passing a large bolt or pin through each of the members, Figure 1-
b.

Figure 1 Internal forces truss

To design both the members and the connections of a truss, it is necessary to determine the force
developed in each truss member when the truss system is subjected to a given loading. In this regard
two important assumptions will be made:
a. All loadings are applied at the joints.
b. The truss members are joined together by smooth pins.
Because of the two assumptions, each truss member acts as a two-force member and therefore the
forces at the ends of the member must be directed along the axis of the

Figure 2 Tensile and compressive force in a bar

member. If the force tends to elongate the member, it is a tensile force (T), Figure 2(a), and if it tends
to shorten the member, it is a compressive force (C), Figure 2(b).
In static equilibrium the truss members will satisfy the following conditions:
 Fx = 0 (1)
 Fy = 0 (2)
M = 0 (3)
When material properties are used to determine force in truss member the following equation will be
needed.
From Hooke’s law :  = E (4)
where
 = Stress in the member (N/m2)
E = Young’s modulus (N/m2)
 = Displayed axial strain produced in truss member
and  = F/A (5)
where
F = Force in member (N)
A = Cross-sectional area of member (m2)
From equations (4) and (5),
F = AE (6)
2.0 EQUIPMENTS/ EXPERIMENT APPARATUS/ CONSUMABLE MATERIALS
Layout of the apparatus and its schematic diagram are shown in Figure 4.

Steel bar
with sensor
Roller
Fixed Load
controlle

Dial

1. Fixed base
2. Roller base
3. Steel bars with strain sensor (strain gauges)
4. Load controller

3.0 PROCEDURES/ METHODOLOGY

Figure 4: Idealized Warren Grider

Warren girders are common structures. They are usually used for simple bridges and in cantilevered
form for crane booms.
1. Make sure the equipment is set up properly.
2. Apply loads until 500 N in the increment of 100 N and record the strain readings in table.
3. Subtract the initial reading (be careful with your signs) and complete Table 5. Record all the
readings.
4. Assume that Esteel = 210 GPa for all truss members. Rod diameter = 5.98 mm:.
4.0 RESULTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
Table 1 True strain reading for each truss
True strain reading ()
Load (N)
AB BC AC BD CD CE DE
0 -0.05 0.01 -0.01 0.08 0 -0.02 0.06
100 -0.14 0.13 -0.01 -0.03 0.11 0.04 -0.04
200 -0.24 0.23 0.04 -0.13 0.22 0.09 -0.14
300 -0.34 0.34 0.08 -0.23 0.32 0.15 -0.25
400 -0.43 0.44 0.12 -0.32 0.42 0.20 -0.34
500 -0.54 0.56 0.17 -0.143 0.54 0.26 -0.36

Table 2 Experimental and theoretical forces at 500N

Experimental Theoretical force
Member Error (%)
force (N) (N)
AB -318.654 -288.68 10.4
BC 330.456 288.68 -14.5
AC 100.317 144.3 -30.5
BD -253.743 -288.68 -12.10
CD 318.654 288.68 10.4
CE 153.426 144.34 6.3
DE -271.446 -288.68 -5.97
EXPERIMENTAL RESULT

1. From the measured data, plot graph Load (N) against True Strain () for all members on the
same axis.
2. Theoretically, calculate internal force in each member with a load of 500 N. Assume that Esteel =
210 GPa for all truss members.
3. By using the measured data, calculate internal force (experimental force) in each member with
a load 500 N. (Esteel = 210 GPa)
4. Determine the percentage of error between experimental and theoretical force. Complete Table
2.
5.0 DISCUSSION
For discussion, you should answer all questions as follows:

• Analyze or interpret and comment on the tabulated and graphical results obtained for both
experiments. Explain the relationship exists between the variables involve in this work.
= Members are connected at their ends by frictionless pins. Members are straight and,
therefore, are subjected only to axial forces. Members' deformation under loads are
negligible and of insignificant magnitude to cause appreciable changes in the geometry of
the structure. The basic assumption for truss analysis are as follows members are subjected
to axial forces only. Loads and reactions will act directly or indirectly at the joints only.
Member varies linearly only

• Discuss and explain the differences between the experimental and theoretical results.

- Probability experiments are based on experiments or experiments done in the laboratory.

The theoretical probability is what should happen. Experimental probability is what
happens

• Identify which truss members are in compression and tension for both experiments. Give the
reason to this behaviour / observation and explain which members will be of the more critical
to be known its behaviour in order to avoid structural failure / collapse.

- When the force in a member is directed toward the attached joint, the member is in
compression. If the force is directed away from the joint to which it is attached, the
member is in tension. Some members will be in tension BC and some members will be
in compression AC and BD. The trick, and sometimes the difficulty, is to determine
which members are in tension and which members are in compression. According to
table 2, the critical member is CE with the highest error percentage value.

• State the factor of errors or discrepancies for both experiments. Justify your argument and
suggest how these errors may be eliminated or minimized.

- With an error rate of 26.8%, the AC member made the most mistakes in this lab session.
Instrumental, environmental, procedural, and human error are common sources of error.
Depending on how they influence the outcomes, each of these mistakes can be either
random or systematic. Instrument errors happen when the tools being utilized are
imprecise, such a broken balance. All instruments must be calibrated so that mistakes
can be reduced, and proper corrections can be made to the initial measurements. By
enhancing experimental methods, selecting better tools, and minimizing human bias,
systematic mistakes can be reduced
6.0 CONCLUSION
Give your conclusion of this experiment work / report. Summarize its main findings.

- The objectives of this experiment have been achieved as we are able to determine and investigate the
relationship between the measured forces in a loaded redundant truss experimentally and theoretically.
Besides that, we also have investigated the relationship between the measured forces in a loaded frame truss
experimentally and theoretically. In addition, we can check the linearity of the measured strain versus the
applied load. There is a difference between the results of experimental and the theoretical results which is
caused by a few errors. Thus, some precautions can be taken to avoid and minimize mistakes and
inaccuracy. Firstly, we have to make sure the apparatus that we use is in good condition. Next, the parallax
error can be reduced by taking the average of the readings. The truss is an important element in current
structure trends. Trusses able to allow for the analysis of the structure uses a few assumptions and the
application of Newton’s law of motion according static. In the industry of construction, the used of application
of truss applied for some construction such as truss bridge and roof construction
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Your response to each task will be graded separately based on the checklist attached. To obtain
maximum marks, ensure that your response addresses each of the tasks in the question accordingly.
Assessment checklist for Lab Activity 1

Assessment tasks Mark LO PO C/P/A level

allocation

Procedure (Ability to choose lab 10 LO1 PO1

for Idealized Warren Grider truss P1 - Perception
and use equipment)

Work Process (Ability to construct 10 LO1 PO1 P2 - Set

and understanding of Idealized
Warren Grider truss activity)

Work Process (Ability to show 15 LO1 PO1 P4 – Mechanism

data – Fotography skills)

Outcome (Results - strain data in 25 LO1 PO1 P4 – Mechanism

each truss member)

Outcome (Explanation of the 15 LO1 PO1 P5 - Complex

results) Overt Response

15 LO1 PO1 P5 - Complex

Outcome (Discussion) Overt Response

Discipline (Ability to perform lab 10 LO1 PO1 P2 - Set

and safety regulations)

TOTAL 100

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION

1. Answer in ENGLISH .
2. Must include list of references .
3. Submit your assignment ONLINE.
.