School Of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, NUST

ME-115 Engineering Mechanics (Fall 2023)

Name: Muhammad Abdullah Zafar Ghauri CMS: 405642

Section: C Group: 02
C-1

Experiment 5: Analysis of Forces in Loaded Frame using Roof Truss Apparatus

Objectives: The purpose of this experiment is to analyze the forces in a loaded frame of a Roof
Truss Apparatus and to perform error analysis to determine the percentage error of varying values

Apparatus:

Norwood Instruments, 118 Roof Truss Apparatus

1. Various weights (preferably 1N, 2N)

2. Protractor
3. Scale
4. Marking Instrument

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Theory:

Truss:
A truss is an assembly of members such as beams, connected by nodes, that creates a
rigid structure.
In engineering sense, a truss is a structure that "consists of two-force members only, where the
members are organized so that the assemblage as a whole behaves as a single object".A "two-
force member" is a structural component where force is applied to only two points. Although
this rigorous definition allows the members to have any shape connected in any stable
configuration, trusses typically comprise five or more triangular units constructed with straight
members whose ends are connected at joints referred to as nodes.
In a such context, external forces and reactions to those forces are considered to act only at the
nodes and result in forces in the members that are either tensile or compressive. For straight
members, moments (torques) are usually excluded because all the joints in a truss are treated
as revolving in nature, as is necessary for the links to be two-force members.

General structure of a truss Steel Truss with revolute joint

Procedure:

1. In the beginning, it must be well-ensured that the apparatus rests upon a smooth surface.
2. Calibrate the dials to initial needle position (0 position) by rotating the gauge and plucking the
stress needle in order to ensure that there is no initial force (stress) present in any respective
member of the truss.
3. In the center, start adding weights. Upon addition of weights again the stress needle is plucked
to ensure no presence of initial stresses which might lead to significant error in final reading.
4. For our general sake, we shall load the truss at its maximum till 6N, for further adding weights
may yield crude results (due to worn out internal system of apparatus).
5. Let the experiment be performed couple of times, so to make the results more accurate and less
percentage error in values.

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 6. Using a protractor, one can measure the angle between the members of the truss, which shall
throughout remain the same.

Readings and Calculations:

• Least Count of Dial Gauge: 0.01mm

• Angle between AB, BC member=θ=47ͦ
• Value of Spring Stiffness (k) about AB, BC, AC members = 18 Nm-1
Theoretical Values of Forces
𝑾 𝑾 𝑾
FAB= , FBC= , FAC=
𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜽

• For addition of 2N: (W=2N)

𝑾 𝟐
FAB= =
𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟒𝟕ͦ

FAB= 1.37N

𝑾 𝟐
FBC= =
𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟒𝟕ͦ
FBC=1.37N

𝑾 𝟐
FAC= =
𝟐𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒕𝒂𝒏𝟒𝟕ͦ
FAC= 0.93N

• For addition of 4N: (W=4N)

𝑾 𝟒
FAB= =
𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟒𝟕ͦ
FAB= 2.73N

𝑾 𝟒
FBC= =
𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟒𝟕ͦ
FBC=2.73N

𝑾 𝟒
FAC= =
𝟐𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒕𝒂𝒏𝟒𝟕ͦ
FAC= 1.86N

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• For addition of 6N: (W=6N)
𝑾 𝟔
FAB= =
𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟒𝟕ͦ
FAB= 4.10N

𝑾 𝟔
FBC= =
𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟒𝟕ͦ
FBC=4.10N

𝑾 𝟔
FAC= =
𝟐𝒕𝒂𝒏𝜽 𝟐𝒕𝒂𝒏𝟒𝟕ͦ

FAC= 2.79N

Experimental Values of Force

• For addition of 2N: (W=2N)
Force Members AB BC AC
Divisions Covered 10 7 5
(n)
Deflection (x) = 0.1 0.07 0.05
(least count*n)
Force Value = kx 1.8N 1.26N 0.9N

• For addition of 4N: (W=4N)

Force Members AB BC AC
Divisions Covered 21 17 10
(n)
Deflection (x) = 0.21 0.17 0.10
(least count*n)
Force Value = kx 3.78N 3.06N 1.8N

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• For addition of 6N: (W=6N)
Force Members AB BC AC
Divisions Covered 27 20 22
(n)
Deflection (x) = 0.27 0.20 0.22
(least count*n)
Force Value = kx 4.86N 3.6N 3.96N

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞−𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞

Percentage error= × 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞

• Percentage Error for 2N added weight

Force Member Percentage Error

AB 31.28%

BC 8.02%

AC 3.2%

• Percentage Error for 4N added weight

Force Member Percentage Error

AB 38%

BC 12%

AC 3.2%

• Percentage Error for 6N added weight

Force Member Percentage Error

AB 18.5%

BC 12.19%

AC 41.9%

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Free Body Diagrams

General Schematic of Roof Truss Apparatus with Forces pointing in respective directions

Free Body Diagrams of individual members

Results and Discussion:

The main goal of following experiment was to determine the forces on truss members of a roof truss
apparatus. The force was meant to be measured by the Hooke’s Law (F= kΔx). The stiffness k was
affixed to a value of 18Nm-1, whereas Δx (deflection) was obtained by the product of deflection value
and the least count of gauge. These forces were measured when the apparatus was subjected to the load
of 2 N, 4 N, and 6 N respectively. These experimental values were than compared with the theoretical
values which were obtained by the method of joints and the % error was calculated. The experimental
values deviated from the theoretical ones because of the fatigue in the measuring device / apparatus as
the apparatus was subjected to loading and unloading over a wide range of time. Another reason for
deviation from the theoretical results may be friction on the truss members. This experiment was an
important part of learning about truss analysis. The force on truss members is crucial to be determined
while constructing buildings, bridges, roof structures.

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Conclusion:

In concluding remark, we may state that there was a huge percentage error value for different
respective truss members. The main dominant reason for such deviation was the development of
internal stresses in the spring of gauge being respective of long use of instrument and excessive
loading leading to degradation of the whole apparatus.

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