MFCS1 Unit for studying Forces in Different Single Plane Trusses

The Unit for studying Forces in Different Single Plane Trusses, "MFCS1", allows the measurement of the bar forces in various single plane trusses, the study of the dependency on the external force and the comparison of the experimental bar forces with several mathematical methods of resistance of materials such as the methods of knots or sections of Ritter.

The unit consists on several bars that will be joined at their ends to the nodes by means of knurled screws. The bars can form triangular units with different angles.

The bars have different lengths to form different truss structures and are subject only to traction or compression stresses. The structures can be considered as ideal, since the friction is considered negligible and the nodes don´t transmit moments. All the bars include a force sensor to measure the strength of each bar.

To generate an external force in the truss, a load application device will be attached to one of the node disks and with a force sensor the applied load will be measured.

The frame includes two supports with two node discs to hinge the truss structure to the frame of the unit.

All the readings from the force sensor are shown on a digital display of the electronic console.