MFCS3 Unit for studying Deformation of Trusses

The Unit for studying Deformation of Trusses, "MFCS3", allows the measurement of the stresses in the bars in different types of trusses, and the study of the dependence of the external force and the comparison of the experimental forces in the bars with mathematical methods like the method of the sections, Ritter or Castigliano´s theorem.

The unit consists of twenty one PVC (to observe strains perfectly) bars of different lengths to form different truss structures.

The bars will work under tension or compression and will be placed forming triangular units of different angles. Bars can be considered ideal, since friction is neglected and nodes do not transmit moments.

To generate an external force, a load application device is attached to a node disc. This device includes a force gauge that can be mounted on different node discs, a cross arm for lateral stability of truss and a dial gauge to record the deformation of the truss under load.

The frame includes three supports, two of them to create the supports in two of the node discs of the structure and another to be able to place the stiffeners to prevent the buckling of the structure.

The Castigliano theorem can be proved for calculating deformation by energy methods.