Strain gauge and micrometer instrumentation of a truss structure

Abstract

This project was performed as part of the Structural Analysis courses in order to compare theoretical results of the response of simple structures with the experimental results obtained at the Structures Engineering Laboratory of the Department of Civil Engineering. The paper presents a comparative analysis between theoretical and experimental response of a simple truss structure subjected to static loads. The variables selected to describe the response were displacements and strains. The experimental results were obtained instrumenting a large scale truss with strain gauges and micrometers, and applying a sequence of static loads by means of hydraulic activators. The geometry of the truss and the cross sectional properties were measured in order to obtain the theoretical results by means of the virtual work analysis and by the stiffness method based on computer programs.