Civil Engineering Department Structural Lab

Experiment 1: Forces in a Roof Truss with a Central and

Wind Load

1.1 Aim

To measure the forces in each member of the truss.

1.2 Apparatus
Truss structure.
Strain gauges.

1.3 Theory

Figure 1 Layout of Experimental Roof Truss

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Figure 2 Idealized Roof Truss

As well as the information given on the unit you will need the following
formula:

E=

Where:
= Stress (Nm-2)
= Strain
E = Youngs modulus for the beam material (Nm-2)

(Typically 69*109 Nm-2 or 69 GPa)

And

F
=
A

Where:

F= Force in member.
Civil Engineering Department Structural Lab

A= Cross- sectional area of member.

1.4 Results

1.4.1 Results of a Central Load:

Table 1 Member strains ()

Loa
d AE AG AH BE BF CI CJ DJ EF FG GH HI IJ
(N)
0
100
200
300
400
500

Table 2 True member strains ()

Loa
d AE AG AH BE BF CI CJ DJ EF FG GH HI IJ
(N)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
100
200
300
400
500

Calculate the Equivalent member forces at 500 N to complete the table.

Rod diameter= 5.98 mm and Esteel = 210 GNm-2

Table 3 Comparison of experimental and theoretical forces

Experiment Theoretical
Member
Force (N) Force (N)
AE
AG
AH
BE
BF
CI
CJ
DJ
Civil Engineering Department Structural Lab

EF
FG
GH
HI
IJ

1.4.2 Results for an Angled Load:

Table 4 Member strains ()

Loa
d AE AG AH BE BF CI CJ DJ EF FG GH HI IJ
(N)
0
100
200
300
400
500

Table 5 True member strains ()

Loa
d AE AG AH BE BF CI CJ DJ EF FG GH HI IJ
(N)
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
100
200
300
400
500

Calculate the Equivalent member forces at 500 N to complete the table.

Rod diameter= 5.98 mm and Esteel = 210 GNm-2

Table 6 Comparison of experimental and theoretical forces

Experiment Theoretical
Member
Force (N) Force (N)
AE
AG
AH
BE
BF
CI
CJ
DJ
Civil Engineering Department Structural Lab

EF
FG
GH
HI
IJ
a. Using a suitable method calculate the theoretical member forces for
the framework with a load of 500 N at each position. Compare to the
experimental and theoretical results.
b. Does the simplified pin joint theory predict the behavior of the truss?
There is one member of particular interest, which one is it and why?
c. Why is it important we always examine all of the load cases that a
structure may be exposed to?
d. The roof truss structure may need to carry both of these loads
simultaneously. How would we assess the total load in each one of the
members?