LIGHT STRUCTURE LABORATORY

LABORATORY WORKSHEET

Course Code
BFC 31901

Department Structure And Material Engineering

Tiltle Space Frame

 Faculty : Faculty of Civil and Environmental
Page 1
Engineering
Department : Structure And Material Engineering Edition
Checking No
Effective Date
Title : Space Frame
Amendment Date

1.0 OBJECTIVE

1.1 To varift member forces obtain from experiment with tension coeffient method.

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

1.0 Application the theoretical engineering knowledge in practical application.

2.0 To enhance technical competency in structural civil engineering through laboratory
application.
3.0 Communicate effectively in group.
4.0 To identify problem, solving finding out appropriate solution through laboratory
application.
3.0 THEORY

If the members of a truss system is situated not in atwo dimensional plane, then the truss is
defined as a space frame truss. In other words, space truss has components in three, axis
i.ex.y and z

Consider a member with node A (XA,YA) and B (XB, YB)

Assume the force in the member is TAB(+ve tension) and length LAB.

Faculty : Faculty of Civil and Environmental

Page 2
Engineering
Department : Structure And Material Engineering Edition
Checking No
Effective Date
Title : Space Frame
Amendment Date
 Definition of tension coefficient ( t), tAB = TAB
LAB
At A, the horizontal component TAB is =

With the same method, the vertical component at A is :

At B, the horizontal component T AB = tAB (XA-XB)

Vertical component T AB = tAB(YB X B)
Using statics write the equation for each joint using the coordinate value and solve for t.
Convert it into force using:

4.0 PROCUDER

Part 1 :

1. Select any weight between 10 to 50 N.

2. Ensure distance a= 500mm and place load hanger on D.
3. Measure the distance b, c , d and record it table 1.
4. Record the dynamometer readings for S1, S2 And S3.
5. Put the selected load on the hanger at D and record the dynamometer in member for S1,
S2 And S3.
6. Repeat step (2) to (4) with different value of a.
Calculate the theoretical member forces and record it in table 1.

Faculty : Faculty of Civil and Environmental

Page 3
Engineering
Department : Structure And Material Engineering Edition
Checking No
Title : Space Frame Effective Date
 Amendment Date

Part 2
1. For part 2, use a distance of 350mm for a.
2. Place the hanger on D.
3. Measure the distance b,c and d. Record the dynamometer readings for member for
S1, S2 And S3.
4. Put a load of 5N on the hanger and record the dynamometer readings.
5. Repeat step2 to 4 using different load.
6. Complete Table 2 by calculating the theoretical member value.
7. Plot the graph of force against load for the theoretical and experiment result.

5.0 RESULT

1. Compare the graph of theoretical and experimental results. Comment on the results.
2. Gives reasons for any discrepancy in the results.