Product Details

This apparatus is designed to study the internal bar forces within a statically determinate Howe truss, allowing students to experimentally determine how external loads are distributed through the structure and compare these results with theoretical predictions. It provides a practical method for verifying analytical techniques used in structural analysis. The unit features a pre-assembled aluminum Howe truss frame with node discs set at 30 and 45-degree angles, supported by low-friction knife-edge bearings. It includes thirteen instrumented bars with seven measuring points where strain gauges detect internal forces, displayed on a digital LCD. A manual loading system allows forces to be applied at various nodes, and optional data acquisition software is available for enhanced data logging and analysis. Its primary application is in civil and mechanical engineering education for teaching the fundamentals of truss analysis and statics. The key benefit is the direct, hands-on comparison between experimental measurements and theoretical methods like the method of joints or Cremona diagrams, enabling students to visualize load paths, understand force distribution in frameworks, and validate the principles behind the design of bridges and roof supports.