Module: Engineering Mechanics
Experiment: Jointed Frameworks – Warren Truss
GROUP Z
RAPELANG MORAPEDI 19000829
NEO MAHOSI 19000175
AARON ORAPELENG 19001012
BOTSALO HAMU 17001026
MOLEBEDI SETLHAKO 19000778
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………3
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….4
Procedure……………………………………………………………………………….6
Results………………………………………………………………………………….7
Discussion………………………………………………………………………………15
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………...16
Recommendation……………………………………………………………………….16
Reference…………………………………………………………………………….....17
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ABSTRACT
An experiment was carried out on a Warren truss to observe the existence of forces in its
members, mainly compression and tension. A force at a specific point was applied and the
figures were taken for analysis. Theoretical strain values were calculated and compared with
experimental values to check for accuracy. But it is important to note that the Warren Truss
spreads out its loads across members and uses equilateral triangles which mitigate the powers of
compression alone.
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INTRODUCTION
The Warren Truss design can be found all over the world in the form of bridges. It is constructed
in such a way that the equilateral triangles share the load thus spreading the work throughout the
entire structure of the bridge. Compression and tension forces act on the sides of the triangles
respectively and can change accordingly when a load is applied such as when a truck moves
across a bridge. The sides closer to the centre of the bridge experience tension forces.
In the actually experiment the bars are pin connected, and the aim is to find the reaction of
member forces through the use of free body diagrams and equations of equilibrium to solve the
unknows which are used in methods of truss analysis.
METHODS OF TRUSS ANALYSIS
Method of joints
For each joint, the internal axial force; in every member is calculated through the use of eqations
of equilibrium. (HIBBELER, 2013)
Figure 1 showing an illustration of method of joints (Doughag, 2019)
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Method of sections
This is the best method used to calculate unknow values as only a few members in a truss are
selected by passing an imaginary line through the structure cutting it into sections. Each portion
is believed to be in equilibrium.
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PROCEDURE
The Warren truss was assembled as in the following Figure 1.0.
Figure 1.0: Shows an assembled Warren truss.
Loading was done at joint L2 while the deflections were captured from U0 and U1, one after the
other. A small preload of 5N was first added to the truss (joint L2) and the step repeated three
times to ensure that the truss and joints are settled. The dial gauge was zeroed. The loads were
then applied to the joint L2 in increments of 50N from 50N to 200N and the truss member strains
and joint deflections recorded at each load interval. Tables 1a was used to record the strains,
while tables 1b and 1c were used to record joint deflections at joints U0 and U1 respectively.
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RESULTS
Table 1a showing the results obtained when applying different loads
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Truss Applied Load (N)
Member 0 50 100 150 200
Truss Member strain (µƐ)
1 0000 -0021 -0068 -0058 -0123
2 0000 0011 0042 0024 0060
3 0000 0023 0080 0062 0144
4 0000 -0021 -0071 -0059 -0128
5 0000 -0025 -0076 -0063 -0144
6 0000 0036 0129 0094 0223
7 0000 0017 0060 0051 0111
8 0000 -0037 -0124 -0101 -0225
9 0000 0043 0155 0126 0286
10 0000 0034 0083 0063 0140
11 0000 -0041 -0135 -0111 -0246
DEFLECTION AT POINT U0 VERSUS
FORCE APPLIED GRAPH
0
0 50 100 150 200
-0.1
JOINT DEFLECTION (mm)
-0.2
-0.3
-0.4
-0.5
-0.6
FORCE APPLIED (N)
Graph 1.1a showing the truss strain at each member when different loads are applied
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Table 1b showing the deflections at U0 when different loads were applied
Applied Load (N) Dial Gauge Reading Joint Deflection (mm)
(mm)
0 -1.65 0.00
50 -2.17 -0.52
100 -2.38 -0.21
150 -2.48 -0.10
200 -2.63 -0.15
Graph1.2b showing the deflections at U0 when different loads were applied
DEFLECTION AT POINT U0 VERSUS
FORCE APPLIED GRAPH
0
0 50 100 150 200
-0.1
JOINT DEFLECTION (mm)
-0.2
-0.3
-0.4
-0.5
-0.6
FORCE APPLIED (N)
Table 1c showing the deflections at U1 when different loads were applied
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Applied Load (N) Dial Gauge Reading Joint Deflection (mm)
(mm)
0 1.19 0.00
50 -0.17 -1.36
100 -0.62 -0.45
150 -0.80 -0.18
200 -1.27 -0.47
Graph 1.3c showing deflections at U2 when different loads were applied
GRAPH OF DEFLECTION AT POINT U1 AGAINST FORCE
APPLIED
0
0 50 100 150 200
-0.2
-0.4
JOINT DEFLECTION (mm)
-0.6
-0.8
-1
-1.2
-1.4
-1.6
FORCE APPLIED (N)
The following are the theoretical values for each member in the warren truss experiment when a
force of 50N was applied.
member 1= 2.2N, compression.
member 2 = 5.4N, compression
member 3 = 2.2N, tension.
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member 4 = 2.2N, compression
member 5 = 19.1N, tension.
member 6 = 9.55N, compression
member 7 19.1N, compression
member 8 = 38.6N, compression
member 9 = 38.6N, tension
member 10 = 19.3N, compression
member 11 = 38.6N, compression
The following is a free - body diagram of the Warren Truss.
H 4 F 8 C
11
1 3 5 9
10 B
A 2 L 6 D
THEORITICAL CALCULATIONS
Calculation of member forces using method of joints
JOINT B BC
60ᵒ
BD
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A L D B
Ay By
50 N
AL= X
Therefore from AB= 3X
Moment about point B
50x -Ay(3x)=0
50x=Ay(3x)
50=3Ay
Ay=16.67 N
ΣFy=0
Ay+ By − 50=0
By=50− 16.67=33.4 N
Member 11=BC=38.6N
ΣFy=0
33.4 N + BCsin 60=0
33.4
BC=−
sin 60
=38.6 N
Member 10 = DB
ΣFx=0
BCcos60 − DB =0
−38.6 cos 60=DB
DB=−19.3 N
JOINT C
ΣFx=0
− FC − 38.6 cos 60 −CDcos 60=0
ΣFy=0
−CDsin 60+38.6 sin 60=0
CD=38.6 N
Member 9=CD=38.6N
FC =−38.6 cos 60 −38.6 cos 60
FC =−38.6 N
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JOINT D
ΣFx=0
− DL − DFcos 60 −19.3+ 38.6 cos 60=0
ΣFy=0
DFsin 60+38.6 sin 60 −50=0
DF =−19.1
Member 7=DF=19.1N(C)
− DL − 9.55=0
DL=−9.55 N ( C )
JOINT F
ΣFy=0
19.1 sin 60− FLsin 60=0
FL=19.1 N
Member 5=FL=19.1N
ΣFx=0
− FH −38.6 −19.1 cos 60 −19.1 cos 60=0
FH =−2.2
Member 4=FH=2.2N(C)
JOINT L
ΣFy=0
LHsin 60 −2.2 sin 60=0
LH =2.2 N
Member 3=LH=2.2N
ΣFx=0
− 9.55− 2.2cos 60− 2.2 cos 60= AL
AL=−5.4 N
Member 2=AL=-5.4N
ΣFx=0
-AHSin60 - 2.2Sin60 = 0
AH = -2.2 N
Member 1=AH= -2.2
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EXPERIMENTAL CALCULATIONS
SAMPLE CALCULATION
F = EAε
= (-21×10-6) (2500 mm2) (250mm2)
= -13.1 N
That is the force in member 1 when a load of 50N was applied. The same formula was used to
calculate the forces in other members which were found to be.
Member 2 = 6.9 N
Member 3 = 14.4 N
Member 4 = -13.1 N
Member 5 = -15.6 N
Member 6 = 22.5 N
Member 7 = 10.6 N
Member 8 = -23.1 N
Member 9 = 26.9 N
Member 10 = 21.25 N
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Member 11 = -25.6 N
DISCUSSION
The 50N load values established slight difference between theoretical value and measured values
and other value differed significantly with the theoretically value .Graph 1.1a shows that the
positive relation of applied load and train indicates members which are in tension and the
negative gradient of truss members strain versus applied load shows members in
compression ,each member in the warren trusses experience its own value of force that is
compression and [Link] was found that the forces in member 1 was 13.1
compression,member2 *6.9,member3*14.4, member4*-13.1, member 5* -15.6, member 6 *22.5
,member7 *10.6 ,member8 *-23.1 ,member9* 26.9 ,member10 *21.25 ,member 11* -25.6 and
the was smaller difference between theoretical and measured values . the interval forces applied
at L2 causes deflection at joint u0 and u1 .the deflection of this is based on the vertical movement
from original position when forced is being applied at [Link] average deflection at u1 is 0.492 and
at u0 is 0-196 meaning that the u1 joint has more deflection than [Link] member at at joint u1
experience more strain than those at [Link] values gap difference may have been caused by dial
gauge inaccuracy due to poor calibration ,shaking of warren truss ,and age of instruments
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CONCLUSION
The experiment was successful as we were able to achieve our goals since we managed to
analyse the member forces and joint deflections of the warren truss using values from both the
HDA200 and the dial gauge, respectively. The relationship between the measured warren forces
in the truss was also determined theoretically. The force values obtained were used to calculate
the strain of members of the truss using the formula for calculating strain noted in the
introduction above.
RECOMMENDATION
Though the experiment was done for different loads, it is recommendable that it be repeated for
the very same loads but at more than just one joint. This will be helpful in determining whether
the results obtained are accurate or not by comparing results from both joints.
Zeroing the HDA200 and the dial gauge for the first load might be easily remembered but for the
rest of the loads it can be forgotten therefore it is very vital to ensure that for the next
experiments, the two measuring equipments are set to zero before engaging every other load.
This will improve the accuracy of the results which otherwise could have been affected by the
zero error.
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If the experiment was to be repeated, the operators of the warren truss machine must first
familiarise themselves with how the machine works especially the adjustment of load part. This
will ensure that the load applied does not differ greatly from the one initially expected hence
inaccuracy will be minimal.
REFERENCES
Boon, G. (2019). Warren Truss | Garrett's Bridges. [online] [Link]. Available at:
[Link] [Accessed 28 Nov. 2019].
[Link]. (2019). 17th Street Wilderness Road Bridge. [online] Available at:
[Link] [Accessed 28 Nov. 2019].
HIBBELER, R. C. (2013). MACHANICS FOR ENGINNERS. SINGAPORE.
[Link]
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%3DApLOyckf4rQ&psig=AOvVaw01fyo8edu7Sj-NjeOa0-fC&ust=1575059697239372
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