Product Details

This apparatus is designed to study the behavior of statically indeterminate, or redundant, truss structures by analyzing the internal forces in the members under various loading conditions. It allows for a direct comparison between determinate and indeterminate truss systems, demonstrating how redundant members alter force distribution and structural stiffness. The unit features an adjustable frame with multiple node discs set at different angles, allowing for various truss configurations. It includes eight bars of different lengths, with one being an adjustable surplus bar to introduce redundancy. Strain gauges attached to the members measure internal forces, which are displayed on an integrated LCD. A load application device with a force gauge can be mounted at different nodes to apply both conventional and inclined loads. Its primary application is in civil and mechanical engineering education for teaching structural analysis and the strength of materials. The key benefit is the hands-on investigation of redundancy, enabling students to measure forces in members, observe load paths, and understand how indeterminate structures provide alternative load-carrying mechanisms, which is fundamental for designing robust and safe frameworks in bridges and buildings.