Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

Experiment No. 7
“Study of Warren Girder Truss.”

1. Objective:
i. To determine the deflection in members of Warren Girder Truss.
ii. To find forces in its members.
iii. To compare theoretical and experimental values.

2. Apparatus:
i. Warren Girder Truss apparatus
ii. Weights
iii. Hangers
iv. Digital Vernier Caliper
v. Meter Rod

3. Introduction:
In this experiment, we will learn the construction and working of Warren Girder Truss apparatus.
We will learn how to find the forces using method of joints and after all we will compare the
experimental and theoretical values in order to check the accuracy of method.

4. Theory:
4.1 Trusses:
4.1.1 Definition:
“A truss consists of straight members connected at
joints. No member is continuous through a joint.”
OR
“A truss is a structure that consists of all straight members connected together with pin joints
connected only at the ends of the members and all external forces (loads & reactions) must be
applied only at the joints. Typically, the joint connections are formed by
bolting or welding the end members together to a
common plate, called a gusset plate” [1]
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Figure 1: Examples Of Gusset Plates [2]

• Most structures are made of several trusses joined together to form a space framework.
Each truss carries those loads which act in its plane and may be treated as a two-
dimensional structure.

Figure 2 [3]

• Bolted or welded connections are assumed to be pinned together. Forces acting at the
member ends reduce to a single force and no couple. Only two-force members are
considered.

Figure 3 [4]

 When forces tend to pull the member apart, it is in tension. When the forces tend to
compress the member, it is in compression.
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• Members of a truss are slender and not capable of supporting large lateral loads. Loads
must be applied at the joints.

Figure 5 [6]

4.2 Assumptions:
i. Truss members are connected together at their ends only.
ii. Truss members are connected together by frictionless pins.
iii. The truss structure is loaded only at the joints.
iv. The weight of the member may be neglected (compared to the loads they
carry) [7]

4.3 Types of trusses:

Trusses can be mainly classified into two types:
i. Bridge Trusses
ii. Roof Trusses
4.3.1 Bridge Trusses:
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“Truss bridges are amongst a variety of bridge designs that are being used for road traffic. The
basic shape of a truss bridge is like a right triangle, with the hypotenuse extending to the
abutments. There are two similar trusses at each of the road sides.”
The truss bridges consist of a grouping of triangles that are manufactured from straight and steel
bars, according to the truss bridge designs. The solid arms of the triangle are extended from the
pier sides. The diagonal steel tubes project from the bottom and top of each pier, and assist in
holding the arms in the correct position. Trusses are organized as straight elements that are
connected at the ends by hinges to develop a secure arrangement.
On application of loads on the truss joints, forces are communicated to the truss elements. The
steel truss bridge members are in compression or tension. The trusses possess a high ratio of
strength to weight, and therefore are useful for being employed in truss bridges. Trusses are also
suitable for use in several other structures like roof supports and space stations. Amongst the
modern bridges, truss bridges are considered to be included in the older kinds. The famous truss
bridges are relatively inexpensive due to effective utilization of the bridge materials. The truss
bridge designs are an important factor in architecture.

Figure 6: Bridge Truss [8]

4.3.1.1 Types of Bridge Trusses:

There are numerous forms of truss bridges that depend upon the topography and the purpose to
be obtained by the bridge. The common types of truss bridges are as explained below:

4.3.1.1.1 Howe Bridge Truss:

“The Howe truss consists of diagonal and vertical elements. The diagonal elements slope
towards the bridge center in an upward direction. The vertical elements are under tension.”
This is a rare type of truss bridge originally patented in 1840 by William Howe. Famous
examples are the Jay Bridge in New York and the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge in Missouri.
 Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

Figure 7: Howe Bridge Truss [9]

4.3.1.1.2 Lenticular Bridge Truss:

“This kind of bridge uses a lens-shape truss. An upper arch curves up and then down, and a
lower one curves down and then up. The two arches meet at the same end points.”
Examples of this bridge include the Royal Albert Bridge in UK and the Smithfield Street Bridge
in P
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Figure 8: Lenticular Bridge Truss [10]

4.3.1.1.3 Pratt Bridge Truss:

“It includes vertical members and diagonals that slope down towards the center.”

Figure 9: Pratt Bridge Truss [11]

4.3.1.1.4 K Bridge Truss:

“A truss in the form of K due to the orientation of vertical members and two oblique
members in each panel is known as K Bridge Truss.”
The bridge design is complex, and the construction requires extensive use of heavy equipment.
The bridge elements under tension are reduced in number.
 Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

Figure 10: K Bridge Truss [12]

4.3.1.1.5 Bailey Bridge Truss:

This bridge is normally utilized to cover obstacles by the and other equipment. It can be
constructed without the need of heavy tools or machinery.

Figure 11: Bailey Bridge Truss [13]

4.3.1.1.6 Warren Bridge Truss:

“It consists of longitudinal members joined only by angled cross members, forming
alternatively inverted equilateral triangle shaped spaces along its length.” [14]

Figure 12: Warren Bridge Truss [15]

 Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

4.3.2 Roof Trusses:

“A truss used in roof construction; it carries the weight of roof deck and framing and of wind loa
ds on the upper chord.”

Figure 13: Roof Truss [16]

4.3.2.1 Types of Roof Trusses:

There are various types of roof trusses for example:

i. King Post Truss

ii. Queen Post Truss
iii. Howe Truss
iv. Pratt Truss
v. Fan Truss
vi. North Light Roof Truss
vii. Quadrangular Roof Truss

4.3.2.1.1 King Post Truss:

i. King Post Truss is a wooden truss.
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ii. It can also be built of combination of wood and steel.

iii. It can be used for spans up to 8m.

Figure 14: King Post Truss [17]

4.3.2.1.2 Queen Post Truss:

i. Queen Post Truss is also a wooden truss.
ii. It can be used for spans up to 10m.

Figure 15: Queen Post Truss [18]

4.3.2.1.3 Howe Truss:

i. It is made of combination of wood and steel.
ii. The vertical members or tension members are made of steel.
iii. It can be used for spans from 6-30m
 Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

Figure 16: Howe Truss [19]

4.3.2.1.4 Pratt Truss:

i. Pratt Truss is made of steel.
ii. These are less economical than the Fink Trusses.
iii. Vertical members are tension and diagonal members are compression.
iv. Fink Trusses are very economical form of roof trusses.
v. It can be used for spans from 6-10m.

Figure 17: Pratt Truss [20]

4.3.2.1.5 Fan Truss:

i. It is made of steel.
ii. Fan trusses are form of Fink roof truss.
iii. In Fan Trusses, top chords are divided into small lengths in order to provide supports for
purlins which would not come at joints in Fink trusses.
iv. It can be used for spans from 10-15m.
 Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

Figure 18: Fan Truss [21]

4.3.2.1.6 North Light Roof Truss:

i. When the floor span exceeds 15m, it is generally more economical to change from a
simple truss arrangement to one employing wide span lattice girders which support
trusses at right angles.
ii. In order to light up the space satisfactorily, roof lighting has to replace or supplement,
side lighting provision must also be made for ventilation form the roof.
iii. One of the oldest and economical methods of covering large areas is the North Light and
Lattice girder.
iv. This roof consists of a series of trusses fixed to girders. The short vertical side of the truss
is glazed so that when the roof is used in the Northern Hemisphere, the glazed portion
faces North for the best light.
v. It can be used for spans from 20-30m.

Figure 19:North Light Roof Truss [22]

 Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

4.3.2.1.7 Quadrangular roof Trusses:

i. These trusses are used for large spans such as railway sheds and Auditoriums. [23]

Figure 20: Quadrangular Roof Truss [24]

4.4 Analysis of Trusses:

There are two methods for the analysis of trusses:

4.4.1 Method of Joints:

i. Dismember the truss and create a free body diagram for each member and pin.
ii. The two forces exerted on each member are equal, have the same line of action, and
opposite sense.
iii. Forces exerted by a member on the pins or joints at its ends are directed along the
member and equal and opposite.
iv. Conditions of equilibrium on the pins provide 2n equations for 2n unknowns. For a
simple truss, 2n = m + 3, where m is the total number of members and n is the number of
joints.
v. . May solve for m member forces and 3 reaction forces at the supports
vi. Conditions for equilibrium for the entire truss provide 3 additional equations which are
not independent of the pin equations.

Figure 21 [25]
 Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

4.4.2 Method of Sections:

i. To determine the force in member BD, pass a section through the truss as shown and
create a free body diagram for the left side.
ii. With only three members cut by the section, the equations for static equilibrium may be
applied to determine the unknown member forces, including FBD. [26]

Figure 22 [27]

4.4 Applications:
Truss able to allows for the analysis of the structure uses a few assumptions and the application
of Newton's laws of motion according to branch of physics known astatic. Trusses are
assumed to be pin jointed where the straight components meet for purposes of analysis. This
assumption means that members of the truss including chords, verticals and
diagonals will only act in tension or compression. When rigid joints imposed
significant bending l o a d s u p o n t h e e l e m e n t s , a more complex of analysis will be
required. In the industry of construction, the used of application of truss applied for
some construction. There are few products which need To be specifically designed and
tailor made for each development. A truss bridge is the one of the example of application
of truss. Truss bridge composed of connected elements with typically straight which may be
stressed from tension ,compression, or sometimes both in response to dynamic loads. Truss
bridges are one of the oldest types of modern b r i d g e s . T h e b a s i c t y p e s o f t r u s s
b r i d g e s s h o w n i n t h i s a r t i c l e h a v e simple designs which could be easily analyzed by
nineteenth and early twentieth century engineers. A truss bridge is economical to construct
owing to its efficient use of
materials. T h e a p p l i c a t i o n o f t r u s s a l s o c a n b e a p p l y i n g
i n t h e r o o f construction. Roof trusses are frames made up of timber that is nailed,
bolted or pegged together to form structurally interdependent shapes of great strength. Roof
trusses have to withstand the weight of the roof timbers and coverings (the ‘Dead Load’),
 Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

plus a factor for your local Wind Load, plus a factor for your local Snow Load, plus a Safety
Factor. A Structural Engineer can check these figures. [28]

5. Procedure:
i. Set up the apparatus and measure the distance between the two plates (which acts as
spring in each member of Warren Girder Truss).
ii. Now apply known load on each hanger and measure the resulting tension or compression

Now, measure the force in each member by using the equation F=−kx where k is the
by measuring the distance between each plate again.
iii.
spring constant and x is the change in distance between the plates.
iv. Repeat this experiment several times by placing different combination of loads and then
measuring the force in each member. This will give you experimental force.
v. Measure the theoretical force in each member by using method of joints and then
compare the result.

6. Observations and Calculations:

Table 1: Experimental and theoretical forces in members of Warren Girder Truss

Frame member FAB FBC FCD FDE FEA FBD FBE

Initial Deflection 16.01 15.69 17.3 17.67 17.18 15.84 16.36
Final Deflection 15.23 15.06 18.05 18.52 17.89 15.61 15.99
Deflection(x) -0.78 -0.63 0.75 0.85 0.71 -0.23 -0.31
In mm
Stiffness(k) 19.1 19.6 20.6 20.7 21.5 18.4 18.4
In N/mm
Force(experimen - -12.35 15.45 17.7 15.3 -4.23 -5.07
tal) 14.89
In N
Force(theoretical - -13.9 14.98 18.98 16.77 -5 -6.99
) 15.35
In N
% Error 3% 11.1% 3.2% 6.7% 8.7% 15.4% 27.4%

7. Comments:
The difference between the experimental and theoretical values may be due to following reasons:
i. Human Error
ii. Friction
iii. Zero error in Vernier caliper
iv. Wears and tears in apparatus
 Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

Which can be reduced by using Digital Vernier caliper and by correctly measuring the resultant
deformation.

8. References:
[1] TrussFactBook_AUS_2010-web
[2] https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/gusset-plate-connect-truss-member-rivets-gusset-plate-
thick-sheet-steel-which-used-to-connect-beams-girders-to-103619454.jpg
[3] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?
q=tbn:ANd9GcT2MK4pOC3wuYcXr40pQcvAJcImy9kfm9PuGxtou8ujYBqEsfS7
[4] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSE1ol2Nk0pKBT-
VyDyT4J2pIQ1ty7KRNhh9-YYDsgxLdp239w79Q
[5] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?
q=tbn:ANd9GcSxtrxsxNpBzBYa5axEGv3nwOfJZ0MPvUvh6HTcrt674xNyayGswg
[6] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?
q=tbn:ANd9GcRl0HkUmBcEbAAR5P_e9Xr9BAh2g9UWfj2jvltrMjk6iSoewCql
[7] Engineering Mechanics, Statics and dynamics by R.C Hibbeler, 14th Edition
[8]
https://www.walthers.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/600x281/9df78eab33525d08d6
e5fb8d27136e95/s/i/single-track_railroad_truss_bridge_933-3185.gif
[9] http://www.victorianweb.org/cv/models/apg/rrstructures/11.jpg
[10] https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Lenticular-truss.svg/2000px-
Lenticular-truss.svg.png
[11] https://www.cs.princeton.edu/courses/archive/fall09/cos323/assign/truss/ps2/truss2.png
[12] https://www.garrettsbridges.com/wp-files/wp-content/uploads/trussdesign/k_Truss.png
[13] https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Bailey-truss.svg
[14]Vector Mechanics for engineers: Statics by Ferdinand P. Beer
E. Russell Johnston, Jr., Eight Edition
[15]
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWdPNWdfQzY/Thgu3quQATI/AAAAAAAAACY/ThZt3FO1fcA/
s1600/Truss+bridges.png
[16] http://midlandtruss.com/uploads/3/4/0/0/34003467/1903623.gif?675
[17] https://timberframehq.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/12x16-King-Post-Truss5.jpg
[18] http://greatbarns.org.uk/barn_intro/wpimages/wpa893b278_06.png
 Engineering Dynamics Lab Report

[19] https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-f655c780dbae038946eb449bcf8fcfc5
[20] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?
q=tbn:ANd9GcQBeJ0teHWm8mboIy5SSl9vWfTu6YNt1mTTpSlRBcDay5iKUuV1_g
[21] http://www.minera-rooftrusses.com/assets/images/roof_trusses/small/fan_truss.png
[22]
http://slideplayer.com/3817496/13/images/28/NORTH+LIGHT+SHELL+ROOF+Mostly+used+
in+Where+good+day+light+id+desired.jpg
[23] https://www.brighthubengineering.com/structural-engineering/63635-truss-bridge-designs/
[24] https://exeterwaltonstreet.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/18-sept-2.jpg
[25] http://blog.ybproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/truss-alnalysis.png
[26] https://skyciv.com/tutorials/tutorial-to-solve-truss-by-method-of-sections/
[27] https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PXS9n-b5CA8/maxresdefault.jpg