b structure

1. 1
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Research Unit for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)
Building Structures (ARC 2523)
Prerequisite: Building Construction 2 (ARC2213)
_____________________________________________________________________
Project 1
Fettuccine Truss Bridge
Model Testing : Week 6 (28th Sept 2015)
Submission Date: Week 7 (9th Octocber 2015)
Introduction
Truss is a structure built up of three or more members which are normally considered being pinned and
hinged at the joints. The following figure shows different types of trusses. Load applied to the truss is
transmitted to joint so that each individual members are in either pure tension or compression.

2. 2
Objectives of Project
- To develop student’s understanding of tension and compressive strength of construction materials
- To develop student’s understanding of force distribution in a truss
- To design a perfect truss bridge which fulfils the following criterias:
o High level of aesthetic value
o Minimal construction material
Learning Outcomes
- Able to evaluate, explore and improve attributes of construction materials
- Explore and apply understanding of load distribution in a truss
- Able to evaluate and identify tension and compression members in a truss structure
- Explore different arrangement of members in a truss structure
Tasks - Methodology
Task 1
Refer to exercise
Task 2
In a group, you are required to design and construct a fettucini bridge of 350mm clear span and maximum
weight of 80g. These requirements are to be met, or else it may result in reduction of grade. The bridge will
be then tested to fail.
Other than aesthetic value, the design of the bridge must be of high efficiency, i.e. using the least material to
sustain the higher load. The efficiency of the bridge is given as following;
 
bridgeofWeight
LoadMaximum
E,Efficiency
2

In order to achieve higher efficiency, you need to analyse and evaluate each of the following items.
- Material strength
o By adopting appropriate method, determine the strength of fettucini, i.e. tension and compression
strength
o By knowing the strength of fettucini, you will be able to determine which members to be
strengthened
- Structural analysis of the truss
o Perform detailed structural analysis of the truss
o Identify critical members
o Strengthened the critical members if necessary

3. 3
Submission Requirement
A4 report should consist of the following elements,
- Detailed record of material strength testing/evaluation
- Detailed report /photographs of construction of the bridge
- Detailed structural analysis of the bridge
Suggested Format of A4 Report/Documentation
- Cover page – Name and student ID number should be written clearly (TU Logo)
- Table of Content
- Analysis of material strength
- Construction of bridge
- Bridge testing
- Structural analysis of the bridge
- Conclusion
- Appendix – Individual exercise
- References (if any)
Assessment Criteria
The assessment for this assignment will be based on your :
- Clarity of the structural analysis of truss bridge
- Quality / workmanship of the model produced.
- Efficiency of the bridge
- Quality of the documentation
- Clear visual and verbal communication of your understanding of the projects.
- Appropriate and sufficient referencing

4. 4
Marking Criteria
Marks shall be distributed as follow :
Group Component (20%)
Aesthetic Value of the bridge (5%)
- Design and Workmanship of the model
Material Attributes (3%)
- Ability to identify properties of construction material
Analysis of the bridge (8%)
- Ability to perform structural analysis of the bridge correctly (4%)
- Ability to identify and strengthen critical members of the truss (4%)
Efficiency of the bridge (4%)
Individual Component (10%)
Peer evaluation (5%)
- Group members to fill in peer evaluation form
- All forms to be sealed in an envelope and attach to report
Exercise (5%)
- Ability to analyse a truss correctly

5. 5
Exercise : Truss analysis
Following are 6 different truss systems which carry exactly the same loads. Each group member analyses
one of the following case. Lastly, determine the most effective and efficient truss arrangement for the load
system and explain why.
Note :
 Please write your name on your calculation sheets.
 Omit case 6 if your group has only 5 members
 All measurement is in m
Case 1
Case 2
A B D E
F
G H
C
J K
L
A B D E
F
G H
C
J K
L

6. 6
Case 3
Case 4
A B D E
F
G H
C
J K
L
A B D E
F
G H
C
J K
L

7. 7
Case 5.
Case 6
A B D E
F
G H
C
J K
L
A B D E
F
G H
C
J K
L