GROUP PROJECT

COURSE CODE

BFC 21403

COURSE

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

SECTION

2015/2016 SEMESTER 2

FACULTY

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

GROUP

GROUP

1. CHAI PUI SAN (AF140164)

MEMBERS

2. TAN KHAI YAN (AF140168)

3. NUR AZIZAH BINTI OTHMAN (AF140079)
4. NADIAH BT MUSTAPHA KAMAL (AF140091)

5. SITI HAZIQAH MUHAMAD (AF140121)

SECTION

LECTURER

DR AHMAD ZURISMAN BIN MOHD ALI

DATE SENT

2/6/2016

MARKS

BIODATA:

NAME

CHAI PUI SAN

MATRIC NUMBER

AF 140164

I/C NUMBER

940217-14-5738

H/P NUMBER

017-9879796

ADDRESS

26, Jalan Waja 3, Taman Waja, 86400 Parit Raja, Johor.

MOTTO

Nothing is impossible, because Im possible!

NAME

TAN KHAI YAN

MATRIC NUMBER

AF 140168

I/C NUMBER

940412-14-6242

H/P NUMBER

014-6317131

ADDRESS

28, Jalan Waja 3, Taman Waja, 86400 Parit Raja, Johor.

MOTTO

Now or never!

NAME

NUR AZIZAH BINTI OTHMAN

MATRIC NUMBER AF140079

I/C NUMBER

950914-01-5890

H/P NUMBER

013-6426437

ADDRESS

C115, Taman Universiti Residential College, Taman Universiti, Parit

Raja, 86400, Batu Pahat, Johor..

MOTTO

Never give up

NAME

NADIAH BINTI MUSTAPHA KAMAL

MATRIC NUMBER

AF140091

I/C NUMBER

950521015742

H/P NUMBER

019 731 8087

ADDRESS

30, Jln Harmoni 8,Tmn Nusa Damai,81700 Pasir Gudang ,Johor

MOTTO

Do better than your best

NAME

SITI HAZIQAH MUHAMAD

MATRIC NUMBER AF140121

I/C NUMBER

950215.01.5576

H/P NUMBER

012.747.1597

ADDRESS

4203, JALAN TAQWA 7, KG MELAYU KANGKAR PULAI, 81110,

JOHOR BAHRU, JOHOR

MOTTO

DONT MIND WHAT PEOPLE SAID, MIND WHAT FUTURE

HOLD

CONTENT

CONTENT

PAGE
6

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 OBJECTIVE

3.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

4.0 MATERIALS USED

10

5.0 METHODOLOGY

11

5.1 SKETCHES OF DIAGRAM IN 2D AND 3D

5.2 PROCEDURES OF MAKING BRIDGE
5.3 CALCULATIONS
6.0 RESULTS

16

7.0 DISCUSSIONS

17

8.0 RECOMMENDATION

18

9.0 CONCLUSION

19

10.0 REFERENCES

20

11.0 APPENDIX

21

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Bridge is a structure which covers a gap and provide passage over a river, chasm, road
or any other physical hurdle. Generally, bridges carry a road or railway across a natural or
artificial obstacle such as a river, canal or another railway or road. Bridge is a structure
corresponding to the heaviest responsibility in carrying a free flow of transport and is the
most significant component of transportation system in case of communication over spacing
or gaps for whatever reason such as valleys or gorges. Bridges are classified on the basis that
7

how the four forces namely shear, compression, tension and moment are distributed in the
bridge structure.
The prototypical bridge is quite simple, two supports holding up a beam, yet the
engineering problems that must be overcome even in this simple form are inherent in every
bridge: the support must be strong enough to hold the structure up, the span between supports
must be strong enough to carry the loads. Spans are generally made as short as possible. Long
spans are justified where good foundations are limited.

In this project, we decided to build a truss bridge. Truss bridge is a simple skeletal
structure. In theory, the individual parts of a simple truss are only subjected to tension and
compression forces but not bending forces.

New Joban Line Arakawa Railway Bridge, Japan

2.0 OBJECTIVE
This project is done for the following objectives:
1. To identify the engineering principles behind bridge building
2. To perform calculations for simply supported bridge
3. To gain understanding of bridge loading
4. To draw and build a bridge according to specifications
5.
8

3.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Students are required to complete the assessment by 3 parts:
1. Part A: Layout and Design
The bridge layout and design are demonstrated.
2. Part B: Analysis
The bridge is loaded by 5 kg weight at two points. Analysis of the bridge is to
determine the internal force of the truss and the deflection of the truss. Calculations
are done for analysis of structure.
3. Part C: Model
The truss bridge is modelled and has been tested.

4.0 MATERIALS USED

1. Satay stick

2. Thread

3. Masking tape

4. Black hard cardboard

5.0 METHODOLOGY
5.1 Sketches of Diagram in 2D and 3D

10

Initial Idea for the design of bridge

Sketches of diagram in 2D and 3D:
Refer to Appendix

5.2 Procedures of Making Bridge

1. Firstly, the satay sticks were cut into 18cm long.
2. The satay sticks were combined and taped together.
3. The sticks were then arranged in triangular shape and bind together using thread.
4. The binded triangle were then attached together to other triangles forming two long
attached triangles.
5. The attached triangles were then connected to the other attached triangles using the
sticks
6. The bridge is ready to be tested with 15kg loading.

5.3 Calculations

11

After the experiment done in the laboratory, 3 set of data is obtained to get the value

of Youngs Modulus,

E=

P L
48 SI , where

P = load applied
L = length of the satay stick
S = deflection of the satay stick
I = moment of inertia

Set 1
Mass (g)
50
100
150
200
250
300

P (N)
0.4905
0.9810
1.4715
1.9620
2.4525
2.9430

L (mm)
4096000
4096000
4096000
4096000
4096000
4096000

S (mm)
0.95
1.74
2.67
3.22
3.42
4.08

I (mm4)
1.917
1.917
1.917
1.917
1.917
1.917

E (N/mm)
22983.280
25096.685
24532.714
27123.125
31921.222
32108.994
27294.337

Set 2
Mass (g)
50
100
150
200
250
300

P (N)
0.4905
0.9810
1.4715
1.9620
2.4525
2.9430

L (mm)
4096000
4096000
4096000
4096000
4096000
4096000

S (mm)
0.90
1.27
2.41
3.12
3.92
5.29

I (mm4)
1.917
1.917
1.917
1.917
1.917
1.917

E (N/mm)
24260.129
34384.434
27179.397
27992.456
27849.638
24764.593
27738.441

Set 3
Mass (g)
50
100
150
200
250
300

P (N)
0.4905
0.9810
1.4715
1.9620
2.4525
2.9430

L (mm)
4096000
4096000
4096000
4096000
4096000
4096000

S (mm)
0.96
1.96
3.07
3.87
5.04
5.80

I (mm4)
1.917
1.917
1.917
1.917
1.917
1.917

E (N/mm)
22743.871
22279.710
21336.270
22567.562
21660.829
22587.016
22195.876

12

The average E obtained is 25742.885 N/mm.

Then, the reaction of the truss is determined. 10kg of load assume to load at the
bridge. 5kg load will be applied at each truss since there are 2 trusses for the bridge. 5kg load
will divide by 2 because the load will be supported at two different point.
B

15cm

60cm

24.53N

MB = 0

H
15cm

24.53N

-(24.53)(15) (24.53)(75) + RH (90) = 0

RH = 24.53N

fy = 0

RB + 24.53 = 24.53 + 24.53

RB = 24.53N

fx = 0

Next, the deflection of the truss designed is calculated using

F ' L
AE

where,
F' = internal force of each member
E = one unit load at point E
L = length of each member

13

A = area of each member

E = Youngs Modulus
= deflection
Alternative Method and Unit Load Method are used to calculate the internal forces of
each member. The diagram is shown in the Appendix. Table below shows the result get from
the method used.
Member

F' (N)

E (N)

L (mm)

A (mm)

E (N/mm)

(mm)

AB
BC
CD
DE
EF
FG
GH
HI
JK
KL
LM
MN
NO
OP
PQ
AJ
JB
BK
KC
CL
LD
DM
ME
EN
NF
FO
OG
GP
PH
HQ
QI

0.00
12.27
24.54
24.54
24.54
24.54
12.27
0.00
0.00
-24.54
-24.54
-24.54
-24.54
-24.54
0.00
0.00
0.00
-27.43
27.43
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
27.43
-27.43
0.00
0.00

0.00
0.25
0.50
1.00
1.00
0.50
0.25
0.00
0.00
-0.50
-1.00
-1.50
-1.00
-0.50
0.00
0.00
0.00
-0.56
0.56
-0.56
0.56
-0.56
0.56
0.56
-0.56
0.56
-0.56
0.56
-0.56
0.00
0.00

150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
150.00
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70
167.70

29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45
29.45

25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885
25742.885

0
0.000606923
0.00242769
0.004855381
0.004855381
0.00242769
0.000606923
0
0
0.00242769
0.004855381
0.007283071
0.004855381
0.00242769
0
0
0
0.003397851
0.003397851
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.003397851
0.003397851
0
0
0.051220607

Deflection of the truss = 0.05mm.

14

6.0 RESULTS
The weight of the bridge that has been measured before testing process is 0.763 kg.
The first deflection which is before any load acted upon the bridge is 5.12 mm. After the
bridge testing that 10 kg of load is acted upon the bridge, the bridge has failed within 30
seconds. Therefore, no deflection can be measured as it has collapsed when the load are acted
upon it. We did not achieved the criteria which it needs to be collapse when the load is
applied up to 15 kg. The failure maybe because of the connection of the sticks that had been
used in this project. It is also become failed because of the orientation of the sticks and the
method that we used to tie the sticks together.
As the load were acted upon the bridge, it deflected. We can see that the bridge is not
strong enough to withstand up to 10 kg of load. Deflection is caused by many sources such as
loads, temperature, construction errors and settlements. In our situation, the failure may cause
by a little bit calculation error at first when we wanted to assume the maximum forces that
can withstands up to 15 kg in one time. Therefore, the numbers of satay sticks that we tied
together, material used to connect the sticks and the orientation of the sticks affect the
strength of the bridge.

15

7.0 DISCUSSIONS
1. The failure of this project can be related to a few reasons. The main reasons that
caused the bridge to fail is the materials and method used in making the bridge. We
didnt use any glue in sticking the bridge together. This can be related to that thread
are insufficient to support the member to withstand 10 kg of load. The usage of
binding materials is very important in maintaining the stability of the bridge.
2. Random errors in experimental measurements are caused by unknown and
unpredictable changes in the experiment. These changes may occur in the measuring
instruments or in the environmental conditions. The bridge collapse after about 30
seconds the load applied. This may related to the unpredictable changes in the
members of the bridge. The surrounding movement of air more or less will affect the
collapse of the bridge.
3. The bridge is collapse at the end of the experiment. There are some reasons where
contribute to this result. The placing of the loadings plays important role in the results.
The load should be placed to the bridge slowly by adding weight onto it. The surface
of the bridge contact with the table should be stable and in contact directly to the
table. The strength of connecting parts of the member of the bridge should be increase
by using glue.

16

4. Some materials are better able to withstand compression, some are better able to resist
tension, and others are good to use when both compression and tension are present.
The Young Modulus of the satay stick, E is 25742.885 N/mm. It describes tensile
elasticity, or the tendency of the stick to deform along an axis when opposing forces
(loading) are applied along that axis.
5. However, the main reason of the collapse of the bridge in this project is the instability
of connections parts of the members in the bridge.

8.0 RECOMMENDATION
From bridge testing, its can be seen that we had failed in fulfilled the requirement of 10 kg
loading for a duration of 30 seconds. There are a few recommendations suggested so that the
designed bridge can support 10 kg over 30 seconds.
1. The usage of wood glue in holding few stick together.
In our project, we did not use any glue in sticking the satay sticks together. We only
used thread in combine the sticks together. At the end of this project, we found that
glue is very important to stick the satay sticks together. It acts like cement in
construction as binder that sets and hardens and can bind materials together.
2. The arrangement of satay sticks.
We made 6 sticks into a member of the bridge. The quantity of sticks should be
increased so that the strength of each member can be increased.
3. The method of jointing in members.
We used thread in jointing all members together. We tied members together using
scouting knots. A better method of jointing the members can be used to increase the
strength of the bridge.
3. The quality of satay sticks used.
17

A good quality of satay sticks as the members of the bridge affected the strength of
the bridge.
3. The length of the bridge made.
The length of the bridge is more than 1 m as required. The length of the bridge should
be decreased to increase the strength of the bridge.

9.0 CONCLUSION
Structure is defined as a system of interconnected members assembled in a stable
configuration and used to support a load or combination of load. The structural members are
connected together by providing different types of joints or supports.
Tension and compression forces are important to keep in mind when designing a
building or structure. If we construct a bridge with materials that are not strong enough to
hold up to the amount of compression and tension that vehicles cause when they travel across
it, the bridge could collapse. All structures must be able to handle the forces that act upon
them, or they would not stay up.
In this project, the failure of the bridge is caused by the connections parts of each
members in the bridge. The main reason of the collapse of the bridge is that we do not use
any glue or binding agent to stick the member together as well, we use only thread which
cant fully support the bridge.
In conclusion, a well-planned design and layout of the bridge should be drafted out
before constructing the bridge. The materials used in constructing the bridge should be

18

choose wisely as well these will affected the stability of the bridge. This is the reason why a
future civil engineer needs to learn structural analysis before come to civil work.

10.0 REFERENCE
1.

Tension and Compression Testing

Retrieved from: http://www.mee-inc.com/hamm/tension-and-compression-testing/

2.

Truss Analysis Method of Joints

Retrieved from: www.ce.memphis.edu/3121/notes/notes_03b.pdf

3.

Structural Analysis
Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_analysis

19

11.0 APPENDIX
1. Marking and cutting the satay stick.

20

2. Combining few satay stick to become

one member of the truss.

3. We tie up the bridge together.

4. Completed bridge.

5. Group photo.

21

6. Bridge testing.

22

PROJECT OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS BFC 21403

FIRST MINUTE OF MEETING
Date

28/4/2016

Time

7.30 pm

Venue

Library UTHM

Member Present:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Chai Pui San (AF140164)

Tan Khai Yan (AF140168)
Nur Azizah Binti Othman (AF140079)
Nadiah Bt Mustapha Kamal (AF140091)
Siti Haziqah Muhamad (AF140121)

Flow Of Meeting:
1. Go through the question of the project together to get a better understanding about the
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

whole project.
Summaries out what task we need to fulfill.
Discuss about the dimension of the bridge.
Discuss about how the design of the bridge will be.
Decide the material we need to buy.
Decide a time for laboratory testing.

Prepared by

Tan Khai Yan

23

PROJECT OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS BFC 21403

SECOND MINUTE OF MEETING
Date

6/5/2016

Time

2 pm

Venue

Library UTHM

Member Present:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Chai Pui San (AF140164)

Tan Khai Yan (AF140168)
Nur Azizah Binti Othman (AF140079)
Nadiah Bt Mustapha Kamal (AF140091)
Siti Haziqah Muhamad (AF140121)

Flow Of Meeting:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Analysis the result which get from laboratory.

Discuss and come out idea to solve the calculation.
Come out with a draft for bridge building.
Deicide material should bring for bridge building.

Prepared by

Tan Khai Yan

PROJECT OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS BFC 21403

24

THIRD MINUTE OF MEETING

Date

9/5/2016

Time

7.30 pm

Venue

Library UTHM

Member Present:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Chai Pui San (AF140164)

Tan Khai Yan (AF140168)
Nur Azizah Binti Othman (AF140079)
Nadiah Bt Mustapha Kamal (AF140091)
Siti Haziqah Muhamad (AF140121)

Flow Of Meeting:
1. Build the bridge base on the draft.
2. Marking and cutting the satay stick to a desire length.
3. Tape the satay sticker together to form a stronger member.

Prepared by

Tan Khai Yan

PROJECT OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS BFC 21403

25

FORTH MINUTE OF MEETING

Date

14/5/2016

Time

9.30 am

Venue

Library UTHM

Member Present:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Chai Pui San (AF140164)

Tan Khai Yan (AF140168)
Nur Azizah Binti Othman (AF140079)
Nadiah Bt Mustapha Kamal (AF140091)
Siti Haziqah Muhamad (AF140121)

Flow Of Meeting:
1. Joining the member together using thread.

Prepared by

Tan Khai Yan

PROJECT OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS BFC 21403

FIFTH MINUTE OF MEETING
Date

17/5/2016

Time

7.30 pm
26

Venue

Library UTHM

Member Present:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Chai Pui San (AF140164)

Tan Khai Yan (AF140168)
Nur Azizah Binti Othman (AF140079)
Nadiah Bt Mustapha Kamal (AF140091)
Siti Haziqah Muhamad (AF140121)

Flow Of Meeting:
1. Joining the member together using thread.

Prepared by

Tan Khai Yan

PROJECT OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS BFC 21403

SIXTH MINUTE OF MEETING
Date

21/5/2016

Time

9.30 am

Venue

Library UTHM
27

Member Present:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Chai Pui San (AF140164)

Tan Khai Yan (AF140168)
Nur Azizah Binti Othman (AF140079)
Nadiah Bt Mustapha Kamal (AF140091)
Siti Haziqah Muhamad (AF140121)

Flow Of Meeting:
1. Joining the member together using thread.
2. Decorate the bridge.
3. Work is distributed among the member so that the report can be finished on time.

Prepared by

Tan Khai Yan

PROJECT OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS BFC 21403

SEVENTH MINUTE OF MEETING
Date

31/5/2016

Time

8 am

Venue

Library UTHM

Member Present:

28

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Chai Pui San (AF140164)

Tan Khai Yan (AF140168)
Nur Azizah Binti Othman (AF140079)
Nadiah Bt Mustapha Kamal (AF140091)
Siti Haziqah Muhamad (AF140121)

Flow Of Meeting:
1. Discuss and modify the report.
2. Prepare slide presentation.

Prepared by

Tan Khai Yan

29