In this project we were to make two trusses from balsa wood by gluing them together, and then test them. After the testing we were to do method of joints calculations to find the amount of force on each member.
Efficiency Calculations
Truss 1
Conclusion Questions
- I think the truss failed where it did because there was very little support at that point. The force was placed on a joint so the only thing keeping it together was super glue, so it was undergoing pretty much all of the stress.
- I would add a support running from the top of the triangle to the base in order to prevent the base piece from bowing like it did, and to support the top joint which caved in during testing.
Truss 2
Conclusion Questions
- I think failure occurred at member CE because there were little means to keep it in place, it was fastened on the x axis, but it had no support on the z axis which resulted in the rotation. Because DC and BC were around 5 in away the rotational force was magnified 5 times. CE was not undergoing the most stress, it just wasn't secured on all axes.
- I would have the top 5 inch piece extended, so it would go over top of the 3 inch support to prevent what happened with the 3 inch support rotating out of place around the base.