VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

UNIVERSITI TECHNOLOGI PETRONAS CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME BANDAR SERI ISKANDAR 31750 TRONOH PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN

TEST 1 : SUSPENSION CABLES Objectives: To investigate a cable suspended between two points subjected to different conditions of load, tension, sag and support height.

Apparatus: 1. 2. 3. 4. Sag and Tension Apparatus A Set of Cable Weight Combination Square Scale of 1 Meter

General Discussion : Flexible cables are commonly used for a wide range of applications such as electricity transmission lines, cable-ways and suspension bridge. Consider a flexible cable of constant section with a loading of w per unit length. The loading is uniformly distributed over the length of the cable on a horizontal base, as per diagram below. w (load per unit length)
L X1 A Y2 Y1 X2 B

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

The ends of the cable, A and B, are at different heights above the lowest points, O, which is taken as the co-ordinate origin. If we section the cable at the origin and draw a free body diagram for the right-hand portion we find that equilibrium is satisfied by the triangle of forces TB, To and wx2 . w (load per unit length)

TB B wx2 Y2 X2 The position of the lowest point O, and also x1, is not known. To determine x1 we take moments about B:T0 y2 - wx2 x2 2 Which may be written as :y = w x2 2T0 = 0 (1)

To

(2)

Where x and y are the co-ordinates of any point on the cable relative to O. equation (2) is the equation of the parabola which is thus the shape taken up by the cable. If we not consider the case where A and B are at the same height then y1 = y2 and due to symmetry the lowest point O is in the middle of the span. Thus x = 1/2 L. Equation (2) may now be written as :y = wL2 8To (3)

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

Where y is also known as the sag. Equation (3) may be simply re-arranged to determine the horizontal tension, To. T0 = w L2 8y (4)

The length of the wire can be determined by :Consider an element of the curve of length ds, then :ds = dx 1 + ( dy / dx )2

From formula (3) and (4) we find :dy = wx = 8xy dx T0 L2 so so ds = dx ( 1 + 64x2y2 / L4 )1/2 ds dx ( 1 + 32x2y2 / L4 )

If we integrate from x = 0 to x = L/2 and multiply by 2 we obtain :s 1 ( 1 + 8y2 / 3L2 ) (5)

If we again consider the free body diagram and resolve horizontally we obtain :- T0 + TB cos = 0 From which the tensile force in the cable at any point is given by :T = To / cos (7)

(6)

As we are often not given To we may approach the same question, that of the maximum and minimum tensions, by resolving vertically. TB sin - wx = 0 (8)

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

However, sin =

y ( y 2 + ( x / 2 )2 )1/2

TB = wx ( y 2 + (x / 2)2 )1/2 y

(9)

The value of TA may be obtained by substituting the appropriate x and y values into equation (9). The minimum value of tension, at O, may be obtained by substituting y2 and x2 into equation (2). If we require a certain stress level the tension is divided by the cross sectional area, a, of the cable as we assume that the stress is uniformly distributed across the section. Thus: = T a Procedure: 1. 2. 3. Set the two top pulleys to the same height, using the combination square (eg: 300mm height). Set the span of the cable to 1m. Slacken the upper clamp screws and move the scale bar so that the zero mark is where the cable leave the pulley. Use the square to aid positioning. Place some weights on the cable at a horizontal pitch of 100mm c/c. Use the square to assist and start at the left end. Some adjustments may be necessary as the sag is finally set and the effect of all the weights has changed the cable position.

(10)

Part A Variation of Tension with Sag 4. 5. 6. 7. Read spring balance reading at particular sag to obtain cables tension. (Cables sag refers to maximum sagging at the middle of the cable). Change the sag of the cable to get different reading for cables tension. Sag can be varied by adjusting the spring balance adjuster. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to obtain another 3 more reading of cables tension for different sag. Different sag gives different reading for cables tension. Maximum cables sag refer to the sag at the middle of the cable (x = 500mm).

Part B Shape of the Cable 8. 9. Use the same cable loading at any particular sag. Measure the x1 and y2 distances using combination square.
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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

10. 11.

Repeat part B by changing the sag to a different value. Tabulate the result for Part A and Part B in tables 1 and 2.

Calculation and Data Presentation : Sketch the cable and label the important values of forces and lengths. Show all calculations and discuss the source of error in this experiment. Part A Variation of Tension with Sag 1. 2. The 0.2N weights at 100mm c/c give a distributed load of 1.8N/m. Use equation 9 to calculate value for TB.

Part B Shape of the Cable 1. TO is first calculated using equation 4. Theoretical values for the x and y coordinates are calculated using equation 2.

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

Table 1 Variation of Tension with Sag X = 500 mm Sag (mm) Tension, experiment (N) Tension, theory (N) Error (%)

Table 2 Shape of the Cable

Tension (N) = __________ Sag (mm) = __________ To (N) = __________ x (mm) -500 -400 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 400 500 y, measured (mm) y, theory (mm)

Tension (N) = ___________ Sag (mm) = ____________ To (N) =____________ y, x measured (mm) (mm) -500 -400 -300 -200 -100 0 100 200 300 400 500 y, theory (mm)

Error (%)

Error (%)

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

UNIVERSITI TECHNOLOGI PETRONAS CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME BANDAR SERI ISKANDAR 31750 TRONOH PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN

EXPERIMENT 2 BENDING MOMENT

Objectives: To show that the bending moment at a section of a loaded beam is equal to the algebraic sum of the moment to the left or right of the section.

Apparatus: 1. 2. 3. 4. Support frame Beam with section connected by a pin A pair of simple supports A set of weights

Procedure: 1. 2. 3. Fix the simple support to the support frame at a distance equal to the span of the beam. (eg : 1000mm) Place the load hanger at the selected section of the beam. Place the beam on the simple support and using the adjusting screw at the top of the support and at the tension spring, adjust the both section of the beams such that the beam is level. Zero the force gauge reading using the screw at the bottom of the gauge. Place the load on the load hanger and level the beam again using the screw at the tension spring. When the beam is level, record the force gauge reading. Increase the load on the load hanger at the suitable increments. For each increment, level the beam again using the screw at the tension spring. When the beam is level, record the force gauge reading. Repeat step 7 and 8 until several determination.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

Calculations and Data Presentation: 1. 2. 3. 4. Using the data in Table 1, plot a chart to compare the experimental theoretical bending moment for each case. Calculate the percentage error for each case and hence, determine the average error. State your observation regarding the experimental and theoretical results. State the source of error for this experiment.

Comparision Chart Between Theoretical And Experimental Bending Moment Bending Moment N-mm

160 120 80 40 0 Case 1 Case 2 Case 3 Case 4 Case 5

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

Bending Moment

Distance of the section from the left-hand support =

mm

Distance of center of pin to the tension spring = 175 mm

Bending moment at the section = force gauge reading x 175 N-mm

Case

Load and Distance From Left Support

Force gauge reading ( N )

Bending Moment Theory ( N-mm )

Bending Moment Experiment ( N-mm )

W1(N) Case 1

L 1 ( mm )

Case 2

Case 3

Case 4

Case 5

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

UNIVERSITI TECHNOLOGI PETRONAS CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME BANDAR SERI ISKANDAR 31750 TRONOH PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN

TEST 3 : DEFLECTION OF A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

Objectives: To establish the relationship between deflection and applied load and determine the elastic modulus of the beam specimen from the deflection data.

Apparatus: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. A support frame A pair of knife edge support A load hanger A dial gauge with 0.01mm accuracy to measuring deflection Beam specimen with constant depth and width throughout its length A micrometer to measure the depth and width of the beam specimen. A meter ruler to measure the span of beam A set of weight

Procedure: 1. Bolt the two assembled support systems to the support frame using the plate and bolt supplied with the apparatus. The distance between the two supports should be equal to the span of the beams to be tested. Measure the width and depth of the specimen and note the readings (take measurement at three locations and record the average reading) Place the beam specimen onto the support. Fix the load hanger at the mid-span of the beam. Position the dial gauge at the mid-span of the beam to measure the resulting deflection. Zero the dial gauge reading. Place the suitable load on the load hanger and note the resulting dial gauge reading. Increase the load on the lad hanger at suitable increments and for each increments note the dial gauge readings.
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2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

9.

When the desired maximum load is reached, decrease the loading on the load hanger at the same increments as above until all loads is removed from the load hanger.

Calculation and Data Presentation: 1. 2. 3. 4. Using the tabulated date, plot the graph of load verses experiment and theoretical deflection. Draw the best fit curve through the plotted point and hence deduce the relationship between the applied load and the resulting mid span deflection. Calculate the Modulus of Elasticity from the graph obtained. Assuring a liner relationship between load and deflection. The theoretical mid-span deflection, = WL3 48 EI Rewriting, E = L3W 48 I = L3
____________________________________________________

Or,

48 I x (Slope of the load deflection curve) 5. 6. From the experiment what is the relationship between the applied load the resulting displacement. How does the experimental result differs with the theoretical in terms of accuracy.

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

Deflection of A Simply Supported Beam (1)

Dial gauge reading Load N Increasing Load div mm Decreasing Load div mm

Average Mid-Span Deflection

Theoretical Mid-Span Deflection

Span of tested beam Width of beam specimen Depth of beam specimen Moment of inertia of beam specimen Dial gauge reading, 1 div

= = = = = 0.01

mm mm mm mm mm

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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

UNIVERSITI TECHNOLOGI PETRONAS CIVIL ENGINEERING PROGRAMME BANDAR SERI ISKANDAR 31750 TRONOH PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN

TEST 4: AXIAL FORCES IN TRUSS

Objectives: To analyze the loading pattern on a Warren Girder structure and to determine the forces in all the structure members.

Apparatus: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Warren Girder apparatus Spring balance Set of weights Digital vernier caliper Measuring tape

Procedure: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Make sketch of the frame to a reasonable scale. Measure the join centers by using a measuring tape. Find the angles in each of the triangles which form the frame by using the cosine and sine rules. Place the frame member at the top. Record the initial spring balance reading on both right and left support. With no load on the frame other than self-weight, use the digital vernier caliper to measure the distance between the anvil faces in each leaf-spring balance. Place the loads onto the frame using the built-in hangers. Measure the distance between the anvil faces again. Substrate the two distance readings for each spring balance in a frame member. Record the two springs balances reading. Tabulate your result in a table.

(The reading printed on each leaf-spring balances are the calibration for the forces exerted per mm displacement. )
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VCB 2053 Theory Of Structures

Axial Forces In Truss Table 1 Initial Reading : A = _______________ B = _______________ Final Reading : A = _______________ B = _______________

FRAME MEMBER INITIAL READING ( MM ) LOADED READING ( MM ) DEFLECTION ( MM ) (INITIAL LOADED) CALIBRATION N / mm FORCE IN MEMBER (N) ( EXPERIMENT) FORCE IN MEMBER (N) ( THEORY )

FAB

FBC

FCD

FDE

FEA

FBE

FBD

* FORCE IN MEMBER = DEFLECTION x CALIBRATION

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