Open-ended Lab Report

Group members:
 Ali Raza (1026 FET/BSME/F-21)
 Shahbaz Nazakat (1039 FET/BSME/F-21)
 Hurair Ahmed (1040 FET/BSME/F-21)
Submitted to:
 Engr. Imtiaz Alam Shah
Determining and removing error in experiment number 7
(To determine forces in loaded members of roof trass)

Roof truss:
A truss is a triangular structure integrated into a roof to support a load. Aside
from lending support and strength to a roof's frame, they also bridge the space
above rooms.

Errors, Problems and their solutions:

Errors and problems are indicated by comparing the result obtained through
experiment and theory/analysis. Error is usually determined in percentage,
after the experiment was conducted the error percentage was ___ which was
very high. To reduce this error, we fixed some of the apparatus and how they
connected.

Calculations before fixture of error:

Experimental readings:
AC = current reading - error reading
B
AB = 1.4cm -0.7cm= 0.7cm
AC = 1.25kg – 0.5kg = 0.75 kg
BC = 1.5cm – 0.7cm= 0.8cm
scale down 10cm = 1 cm
18N = 1 cm A C
60cm
AB = 0.7 x 18 = 12.6N
BC = 0.8 x 18 = 14.4N
AC =0.75 x 9.81 = 7.375N
 Graphical readings:
AC = 1 cm = 1x18 =18 N
B
BC = 0.75cm = 0.75x18 = 13.5N
AB = 0.7cm = 0.7x18 = 12.6N

A C
6.15cm

Comparison of graphical and experimental readings

load Force in AB Force in BC Force in AC
18N Exp Graph Exp Graph Exp Graph
12.6 12.6 14.4 13.5 7.35 18
Error(%) 0% 6.25% 59%

Errors that were observed/fixed:

1. The chain that would experience tension was loosely fixed between
each end. This would result in the force to first pull the chain straight,
then apply tension to the chain.
 2. The joint that connects the crane scale to the chain was not centred.
This would create some minor error in load distribution.

3. The wheels moved toward the right side as the force was applied, this
created hurdle for the load to effectively distribute among each of the
members respectively. The wheel also experiences resistance as it
moves towards right side.

4. The springs were interchanged to reduce the error in compression. One

spring had more number of turns than the other, due to which the
compression of one side was greater than the other, consequently the
length of one member was greater than other.

Calculations after errors were addressed:

Experimental readings:
AC = current reading - error reading
B
AB = 1.3cm -0.6cm= 0.7cm
AC = 1.5kg – 0.5kg = 1 kg
BC = 1.3cm – 0.6cm= 0.7cm
scale down 10cm = 1 cm
A C
60cm
 18N = 1 cm
AB = 0.7 x 18 = 12.6N
BC = 0.7 x 18 = 12.6N
AC =1 x 9.81 = 9.81N

Graphical readings:
AC = 1 cm = 1x18 =18 N
B
BC = 0.7cm = 0.7x18 = 12.6N
AB = 0.7cm = 0.7x18 = 12.6N

A C
6.15cm

Comparison of graphical and experimental readings

Load Force in AB Force in BC Force in AC
18N Exp Graph Exp Graph Exp Graph
12.6 12.6 12.6 12.6 9.81 18
Error(%) 0% 0% 45.5%

Conclusion:
In this experiment we determined and traced out different error that
would hinder the calculations and cause errors. Both graphical and
experimental readings were compared before and after the changes
were made. Although the error at member with tension (AC) was not
reduced to zero percent, other members were reduced to zero
percentage. The error that we observed that doesn’t allow us to get zero
percentage error at member AC is due to the chains, crane scale and
wheels.
We observed that the design of the crane has a major error, the
compression members i.e AB and BC are fine but the member that
experiences tension (AC) shouldn’t had been designed in his way.

The nut that joins the wheels to the members is not centered this causes
the load to move at right side instead of going in a straight path. When
the load is applied through hanger the wheel creates resistance because
it is not moving in straight path, but is moving in slightly right side.