MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT
ENGINEERING MECHANICS LAB NO# ONE

ANALYSIS OF A SIMPLE
ROOF TRUSS
Name: WILFRED DAVID
ID: 24301080
Corse: BEEL-1
LAB TUTOR: MR. ROMO
LACTURER: DR. ALES
DATE: 09/08/2024

[email protected]
 abstract
This laboratory experiment aims to analyse the forces in a simple truss structure,
simulating a basic roof truss with two members and subjected to known loads
through its apex to study the distribution of forces within its members. The truss
analysed is a planar, statically determinate structure, commonly used in engineering
applications for its strength and efficiency (Hibbeler, 2017) [1]. The method of joints
was employed to calculate theoretical forces, and these values were compared with
the experimental data collected using a force gauge (Beer, Johnston, DeWolf, &
Mazurek, 2014) [2]. The analysis was conducted both theoretically and
experimentally, with the theoretical calculations verified by comparing them to
experimental data obtained through physical testing using strain gauges and a
loading apparatus (Wang, 2018) [3]. The results demonstrated a high degree of
correlation between the theoretical and experimental values, confirming the truss’s
stability and efficiency in load distribution (Gere & Goodno, 2012) [4]. Minor
discrepancies were attributed to measurement errors and material properties. This
study highlights the importance of understanding truss behaviour in engineering
design, emphasising the effectiveness of trusses in supporting structural loads.
.

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 Table of Contents

Content page
Cover Page
Abstract 1
Table Of Contents 2
Introduction 3
Materials Used and Procedures 4
Results 5-6
Discussion 7
Conclusion 8
Reference 9
Appendix 10-11

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 INTRODUCTION
Trusses are fundamental components in engineering structures, widely used in bridges,
roofs, and other frameworks due to their efficient-load-bearing capabilities. A truss is a
structure composed of straight members connected at their ends to form a stable shape.
This experiment focused on analysing a simple plane truss, resembling the configuration of
a roof with two members.
The primary objective of this experiment was to investigate how forces are distributed
within a simple truss structure under loading. Understanding this distribution is crucial
for designing safe and efficient structures. In engineering mechanics, trusses are always
analysed using method of joints, technique that involves calculating the forces at each joint
to ensure the structure is in static equilibrium.
The experiment was conducted using a model truss made of aluminium rods, chosen for
their light weight and their straight properties. The truss was supported at its base and
subjected to known loads applied at the apex, simulating typical conditions encountered in
roof structures. By measuring the reactions at the support and internal forces in truss
members, this experiment aimed to validated the theoretical predictions made using the
method of joints.
Accurate analysis of trusses is essential for ensuring structural stability and safety.
Discrepancies between experimental and theoretical results can provide insights into the
limitations of modelling assumptions, such as idolized joint connections and material
behaviour. Identifying and understanding these discrepancies is crucial for improving the
reliability of engineering designs.

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 MATERIALS USED and EXPERIMENTAL
PROCEDURE
When conducting this experiment, the equipment used includes; plane roof truss structure, load of
5x500grams(2.5Kg) metal bars, aluminium ruler and the 30cm ruler.

Initially simple roof design set was made to analyse the static force distribution as shown in figure 1. The
adjustable tie-bar at the base, whose ends connected at certain angle to the slopping members (2 members)
is calibrated to zero. Dimensions of members (figure 2) and tie-bars are measured and recorded as initial
readings before the load is applied.
Then from the raised apex, where the joint is made with 2 members, the load-holder is hanged down. At the
load holder, load of 500grams is applied at first. This causes changes in the magnitudes of the
height(decreases) and the displacement(increases) of the truss. These differences or the changes are
measured and recorded. Another load of 500grams is added to the existing 500grams load as shown in
figure 3, which adds the load up to 1000grams. This causes the height to further reduce and displacement
further increases simultaneously. Now these differences are measured and recorded along with its
respective load. This step is repeated with the addition of 500grams each time until the maximum load for
this experiment, 2500grams or 2.5kilograms is reached as shown in figure 4, and the changes in the height
and displacement are recorded with the respective loads as shown in the result section of this report.

FIGURE 1: Simple roof truss FIGURE 3: A 1.0kg weight

Figure 2: dimensions sketched FIGURE 4: A METER RULE

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 RESULTS

1. Table below shows the experimental (raw) values

TRIAL TENSION IN TIE BAR LOAG KG HIGHT (m) LENGTH (m)
N
Initial 0 0 0.135 0.44
1 4 0.5 0.126 0.445
2 11 1 0.122 0.45
3 16 1.5 0.119 0.455
4 23 2 0.113 0.46
5 30 2.5 0.109 0.465

2. Table below shows the theoretical values calculated for the tension (T) in tie-
bar for each applied load using equation (1)
(calculations are shown at the appendix)

NO. Load (N) TENSION TENSION (THEORETICAL)

𝒘𝒔
(EXPERIMENTAL) N [𝒕 = 𝟒𝑯] (N)
[9.81]
1 Initial 0 0

2 4.905N 4 4.414

3 9.81N 11 10.143

4 14.71N 16 15.294

5 19.62N 23 23.407

6 24.525N 30 32.000

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 Table 3. The compression (P) for experimental and theoretical value was calculated
𝟐
using the formula; P=√(𝟏𝟐) + 𝑻𝟐

The tension is used respectively to the calculated value in table 2 given above.
Load P[Experimental] (N) P[Theoretical] (N)

0 0.3 0.3

4.905N 5.02 4.43

9.81N 11.01 10.15

14.71N 16.01 15.39

19.62N 23.01 23.41

24.525N 30.00 32.00

Table 4. calculation of stress with each respective loads applied.

𝒕
Stress in tie-bar, 𝝈 = , where is A in the cross-section area of AC.
𝒂

LOAD (N) Area =[SH/2] STRESS [THEORETICAL]

(mm2) (N/mm2)
0 297 0
4.905 280.35 0.01750

9.81 274.5 0.03574

14.71 270.725 0.0543

19.62 259.9 0.0755

24.525 253.425 0.0968

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 DISCUSSION
The results above are both experimental and theoretical. Experimental results are raw
results taken during the experiment from the scales of the experimental equipment
used. Theoretical results are derived from the mathematical calculations carried out
using the formulae and the values recorded during the experiment.
Upon comparing the theoretical and experimental results, a general correlation was
observed, indicating that the theoretical model effectively predicted the overall
behaviour of the truss.
However, some discrepancies were noted. These can be attributed to several factors
like; equipment limitations, scaling errors, material properties, joint rigidity and human
errors.

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 CONCLUSION
The experiment demonstrated that while theoretical models are useful for predicting the
general behaviour of trusses, real-world conditions can introduce variables that affect the
accuracy of these predictions. The discrepancies observed between the theoretical and
experimental results highlight the importance of considering equipment limitations, material
properties and other practical factors in engineering analysis.
Future experiments could benefit from enhanced equipment calibration, better material
quality control, and more precise experimental setups to minimise discrepancies. Overall, this
study reinforces that value of combining theoretical analysis with experimental validation to
achieve a compressive understanding of structural behaviour.

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 Reference
1. Olsson, K. G., & Dahlblom, O. (2016). Structural mechanics: modelling and analysis of frames and
trusses. John Wiley & Sons.
2. El-Sheikh, A. L. (1993). Numerical analysis of space trusses with flexible member-end
joints. International Journal of Space Structures, 8(3), 189-197.
3. Xiao, Y., Chen, G., & Feng, L. (2014). Experimental studies on roof trusses made of
glubam. Materials and structures, 47, 1879-1890.
4. Hibbeler, R. C. (2017). Engineering Mechanics: Statics & Dynamics (14th ed.). Pearson Education.
5. Ranzi, G., & Gilbert, R. I. (2018). Structural analysis: principles, methods and modelling. Crc
Press.
6. Beer, F.P., Johnston, E.R., DeWolf, J. T., & Mazurek, D. F (2014). Mechanics of Materials (7th ed.).
7. Wang, C. (2018). Introduction to Structural Analysis & Design (3rd ed.). Wiley.
8. Beer, F. P. & Johnston, E. R. (2018). Mechanics of Materials (8th ed.). McGraw. Hill Education.
9. Fang, S. E., Tan, J. L., & Zhang, X. H. (2020). Safety evaluation of truss structures using nested
discrete Bayesian networks. Structural Health Monitoring, 19(6), 1924-1936.

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 Appendix
1.Calculation of theoretical tension of the Tie Bar.

𝒘𝒔 𝟎.𝟓×𝟏.𝟗𝟖𝟏
𝒕= = = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟔𝟓𝑵 (1)
𝟒𝑯 𝟒×𝟎.𝟏𝟐𝟔

𝟏×𝟏.𝟗𝟖𝟒
= 4.065N (2)
𝟒×𝟎.𝟏𝟐𝟐
𝟏.𝟓×𝟏.𝟗𝟖𝟒
= 6.6429N (3)
𝟒×𝟎.𝟏𝟐𝟐
𝟐×𝟏.𝟗𝟖𝟒
= 8.1311N (4)
𝟒×𝟎.𝟏𝟐𝟐
𝟐.𝟓×𝟏.𝟗𝟖𝟒
= 10.1639N (5)
𝟒×𝟎.𝟏𝟐𝟐
This above formula was used to calculate the theoretical tensions.

2. The calculation of distance S was done as follows.

𝑺 = 𝟐√𝟏𝟐 − 𝑯𝟐

𝟐√𝟏𝟐 − 𝑶. 𝟏𝟐𝟔𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟖𝟏𝒎

𝟐√𝟏𝟐 − 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟐𝟐 = 1.984m

The above formular was used to calculate the distance s.

3. The calculation of theoretical and experimental values of compression P was done as follows.

For theoretical values of P

𝟏 𝟐
P=√(𝟐) + 𝑻𝟐

𝟏 𝟐
√( ) + 𝟏. 𝟗𝟔𝟓𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟐𝟕𝑵
𝟐

10 | P a g e
 𝟐
√(𝟏) + 𝟒. 𝟎𝟔𝟓𝟐 = 4.095N
𝟐

For experimental values of P

𝟏 𝟐
𝑷 = √( ) + 𝑻
𝟐

𝟏 𝟐
√( ) + 𝟒. 𝟗𝟎𝟐 = 𝟒. 𝟗𝟑𝟎𝑵
𝟐

𝟏 𝟐
√( ) + 𝟗. 𝟖𝟏𝟐 = 𝟗. 𝟖𝟐𝟑𝑵
𝟐

The above equation was used to calculate the theoretical and experimental compre4ssion P.

4. Calculation of the cross-sectional area of the AC.

𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 = 𝝅𝒓𝟐

𝟎.𝟎𝟎𝟐 𝟐
=𝝅 × ( ) = 𝟑. 𝟏𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔
𝟐

5. Finally the calculation of the stress in the tie bar corresponding to each applied load.

𝑻
𝝈=
𝑨
For the experimental stress;
𝟒. 𝟗𝟎𝟓
= 𝟏. 𝟓𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔
𝟑. 𝟏𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔
For the theoretical stress;
𝟗. 𝟖𝟏
= 𝟑. 𝟏𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎𝟔
𝟑. 𝟏𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔

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