Engineering Mechanics Lab

3rd SEMESTER

Lab Instructor: Muhammad Ahsan Ali

Name: Muhammad Huzaifa CMS: 404564
Class: ME-14-A

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

(SMME)
Experiment
“Demonstration of the forces in the truss using roof truss apparatus”

Objective
In this experiment ,we will find force acting on each member of the truss with the
help of roof truss apparatus.We will then compare the experimental values with
that of theoretical values obtained from formulas.

Apparatus
Apparatus is given in picture below. It is shaped like a triangular truss. Each
member of the truss is also fitted with a dial gauge which is used to measure force.
This apparatus is normally place on the table. We also use loads of different
weights along with protractor to measure angle between two members of truss.

Procedure
 Place the apparatus either on floor or table and set the dial gauge on zero to
remove any error.
  Now hang different weights to observe forces in the members .Let first hang the
weight of 2N and calculate the value of forces with the help of elongation (x)
observed in the dial gauge. Repeat the same process for 4N and 6 N.
 Note the value of x and multiply it with the least count(0.01) of dial gauge.
Then multiple the obtained value with the force constant to get value of force as
by the equation (F=kx).k values are normally k1=20.4 N/mm, k1=20.8
N/mm,k1=19.5 N/mm
 Find theoretical values and % age error from the following formulas.
𝑊 𝑊 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜−𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟
𝐹𝐴𝐵,𝐵𝐶 = , 𝐹𝐴𝐶 = , % error= × 100%
2 sin 𝑎 2 tan 𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜

For 2 kg weight:
Sr. no Dial gauge value x = LC × reading Force=kx

1 7.5mm 0.075 1.535

2 7mm 0.07 1.456

3 -4.5 -0.045 -0.8775

For theoretical
Here 𝛼 = 46.5°
2 2
𝐹𝐴𝐵,𝐵𝐶 = = 1.378 , 𝐹𝐴𝐶 = = 0.949
2 sin 46.5 2 tan 46.5

%error
1.378−1.53 1.378−1.456
%errorAB = × 100 = 11.03% , %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐵𝐶 = × 100
1.378 1.378

=5.67%
 0.949−0.875
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐴𝐶 = × 100 =7.8%
0.949

For 4 kg weight

Sr.no Dial .ga value x=LC×reading Force F=kx

1 15 0.14 2.856
2 15 0.14 2.912
3 -9 -0.09 -1.75

For theoretical

Here 𝛼 = 46.5°
4 4
𝐹𝐴𝐵,𝐵𝐶 = =2.7 , 𝐹𝐴𝐶 = = 1.89
2 sin 46.5 2 tan 46.5

%error
2.75−2.856 2.75−2.912
%errorAB = × 100 = 3.85% , %𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐵𝐶 = × 100
2.75 2.75

=5.8%

1.89−1.75
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐴𝐶 = × 100 = 7.4%
1.89

For 6N weight

Sr.no Dial gauge value x = LC × reading Force = kx

1 22 0.21 4.284

2 22 0.21 4.368

3 -13 -0.13 2.535

For theoretical
Here 𝛼 = 46.5°
6 6
𝐹𝐴𝐵,𝐵𝐶 = =4.13 , 𝐹𝐴𝐶 = = 2.84
2 sin 46.5 2 tan 46.5

%error
4.13−4.28
%errorAB = × 100 = 3.63%
4.13

4.13−4.368
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐵𝐶 = × 100 =5.7%
4.13

2.48−2.535
%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟𝐴𝐶 = × 100 = 2.21%
2.48

Conclusion:

We perform the experiment and found the experimental values. Then we found out
the theoretical values from formulas and compare both the values. There was
percentage error due to following reasons.

 Wrong Calibration of equipment

 Temperature fluctuations
 Human error