Major Assignment Project

1. General Instructions
This major assignment is a group-based Design and Experiment project. Each
group can choose one topic from the following two options to work with:
Truss-structured Bridge Model
Sloped Track with Friction for Lifting
The formation of each assignment group should be between 2 (minimum) to 4
(maximum) members. The members of a group are expected to discuss and
share the

2. Marking Scheme
Both assignment topics involve some hands-on physical modelling/experimental
tasks and computational analysis. At the completion of the assignment project, a
group report needs to be developed and submitted for formal assessment.
Irrespective which topic you choose for the assignment work, the group
assignment report needs to include the following key elements for assessment:
Experiment design for the assignment tasks (including originality)
Computational modelling and analysis
Experimental validation
Discussion
Overall quality of report writing (e.g. structure, presentation, clarity,
thoroughness, etc.)

10%
25%
25%
20%
20%

3. Project Descriptions
Detailed descriptions of the assignment project tasks will be provided 4 weeks
before the start date of the assignment.

Truss-Structured Bridge Model

Under this assignment topic, you are expected to complete three major tasks:
Design and modelling task
Computational analysis task
Experiment task

Design and Modelling Task

In groups design and build a truss-structured bridge. To ensure the convenience
of physical modelling, the following materials are recommended for bridge
construction:
PVA glue
Popsicle sticks
String
4 sheets of A4 card (to act as decking for the bridge)
The vertical sections of the truss structure designed for the bridge model are
expected to be light, simple, and effective, so that it is easy for force analysis.
You may use the Murray Rail Bridge (see Figure 1 below) to inspire your design.
But, in the meantime, do not limit your imagination and creativity!!

Figure 1. Rail Bridge over River Murray at Murray Bridge

(http://l.yimg.com/ea/img/-/100827/3504396768_2ff5bbf763-167dvdl.jpg)
The bridge model also needs to meet the following specifications:
It spans 1 meter, with clear cross section of 200x200mm (recommended
for load testing)
Maximum weight: 1kg
It shall be able to taking external load between 500N (minimum) and
1300N

Computational Analysis Task

The objective for the truss-structured bridge design and modelling is to support
the highest possible load with the least self-weight.
The following assumptions can be applied for the truss structure analysis:

Only analyse the vertical section of the truss structure (as shown in the photo
above)
The structure is treated as a planar truss. All the forces are applied only
at the joints.
ALL the joints are assumed to be pinned joints, and ALL the members are two
force members
A static load is applied as a concentrated force at one position at a time. The
MINIMUM static load is 500N.
Do not consider the effect of the self-weight of the bridge model on the
structural members
The maximum tension inside a member is Tmax = 1367N and the maximum
compression is Cmax = 113N.

You need to use appropriate truss structure analysis techniques for the following
tasks:
1) Identify THREE critical positions on the planar truss structure where a
static load will be applied and justify why these positions are chosen for the
analysis
2) For EACH position, perform the following analysis and present the results:
a. Identify Zero-Force Members inside the structure
b. Applying a load from 500N and increase with 200N at a time to
calculate
i. the force inside each member
ii. Identify the members have the highest compression an those
have the highest tension (to ensure they will not exceed Tmax and
Cmax for safety consideration)
3) Identify
a. The maximum load the bridge structure can take in theory, and
b. Where in the truss the load can be applied.
50

Experiment Task
To complete this task, you need to
1) Conduct load testing on the bridge model to validate the Computational
Analysis results from Task 2. The following supports for the bridge model can
be applied for the test (Figure 2).
2) Report the outcomes and discuss the differences observed between the
experiment results and computational results

Front View

Top View

1000

300

200

Figure 2.

Support Platform for Load Testing

Sloped Track for Lifting with Friction

Under this assignment topic, you are expected to complete two major tasks by
using a sloped track model provided:
Experiment task
Computational analysis task

Experiment Equipment
In this project, you need to design and conduct experiments on a sloped track for
pulling a block upward along the incline using a cable. The picture of the track is
shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Sloped Track with a Sliding Block

The experiment equipment has the following features:
The mass of the block is 1 kg approximate, and the dimension of the block
is 75mm X 100mm
The mass of the track panel is around 1.8 kg.
The length (L) of the sloped track is of 1000mm, and the width (W) is of
300mm.
The angle () formed between the sloped track and the horizontal level is
adjustable between 0-65 degrees.
Furthermore, different materials can be chosen for the surface of the sloped
track and the bottom surface of the block during the experiment.

Experiment Tasks

The experiment is to identify both static friction coefficient (s) and kinetic
friction coefficient (k) for the surface of contact between the sliding block
and the track. You need to:
1) Choose TWO different materials for the contact surfaces of the track and the
block, respectively
2) Search and design TWO different testing methods for finding the static and
kinetic friction coefficients.
3) Compare differences in the results obtained from the two methods
Also, you need to
4) Adjust the angle of the slope and measure the correlation between and
the force P to pull the block moving up the slope in a constant speed.
Produce the -P diagram
It is necessary for you to choose suitable gadgets for measuring force, time,
speed, displacement based on the testing methods to ensure data accuracy.
Meanwhile, you also need to ensure the design of the testing process is proper
for the reliability of the data collection.
Experiment design and data analysis process must be included in the final
report

Computational Analysis Tasks

The objective of this computational analysis is to complete the following tasks:
1) Assume the block moves up long the slope in a constant speed, validate the
test results from Experiment Tasks 4) by using the equilibrium equations to
calculate the correlation between and pulling force P. Produce the
-P diagram
2) Assume the block moves up along the slope in a constant speed from the
bottom end of the track to a vertical height of 200mm (measured from the
horizontal level). Determine with which value, the maximum efficiency of
lifting can be achieved. The objective function for maximum efficiency is
defined as having minimum work from the pulling force P along the slope:

min W =min ( P L )
Calculations and result discussions must be included in the final report