COLLEGE​ OF ENGINEERING 

PUTRAJAYA​ CAMPUS 
Semester​ 2 Year 2016/2017 
MINI PROJECT REPORT 
MECHANICS​ I : STATICS ( MEMB 123 ) 
Section : 02B 
Project Tittle : BRIDGE TRUSS 
Lecturer  : EWE LAY SHENG, ASSOC. PROF. DR. 
 

Group Member 
N
NAME  ID 
O. 
1.     
2.     
3.     
4.  MUHAMAD HAZIQ BIN ROSLI  EE0100482 
5.  AHMAD LUQMAN HAKIM  ME0100617 
 TABLE OF CONTENT 
1. Objective 
2. Abstract 
3. Introduction 
4. Methodology 
5. Truss Design 
6.Calculation 
7. Discussion  
8. Conclusion 
9.Reference 
 
   

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 OBJECTIVE 
 
The aim for this project is to learn how to design a truss bridge 
and solve problem during the process. Besides, it's to help us to 
develop a better understand on how we can apply the knowledge 
obtained in class such as trigonometry, statics and physics when 
designing the bridge. furthermore, a better understanding on 
how force is distributed throughout the truss so that a perfect 
bridge with high esthetic value with the minimal material 
required. Finally, it's to improve our data analysis skill and draw 
out better conclusion, and to have good communication skills 
required by engineer. 

 
ABSTRACT 
 
Three design that is “Waddell-a-Truss”. “Pratt Truss” and “Howe 
Truss” was chosen to be compared and use for this project. Each 
member will have maximum tensile load of 40kN and maximum 
compressive load of 20kN. The truss was redesigned so that it 
does not exceed the given constraint where the length must be 
16m and the height is 4m, and analyzed using method of joint. 
Beside the strength, cost is also being calculated. 

 
 
 
 

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INTRODUCTION 
A truss is a structure consisting of members or elements that takes only 
tension or compression and no bending is induced what so ever. The 
members are connected with a gusset joint that is either riveted, bolted or 
welded in such a way that has only axial forces are induced in the structure. 
The reason behind axial forces is the reason that the external loads are 
applied in such a way that their effects are in the form of forces applying 
only on joints. 

 
About Truss Bridge 
Truss  bridge  is  a  type  of  structure  where  the  truss  element  is 
connected  to  form  a  triangular  unit.  The  connected  elements 
(typically  straight)  may  be  stressed  from  tension,  compression,  or 
sometimes  both.  Truss  bridges  are  one  of  the  oldest  types  of  modern 
bridges.  A  truss  bridge  is  economical  to  construct  due  to  its  materials 
efficiently.  The  basic  type  has  simple  design  that  can  be  calculated 
and analyze easily by engineer.  

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Example of truss bridge 

Truss types used in bridges 

Bridges  are  the  widely-known  examples  of  truss  uses.  There  are  many 
types,  many  dating back hundreds of years. Below are some of the common 
designs. 
● Howe Truss 
The  relatively  rare  Howe  truss,  patented  in  1840  by  Massachusetts 
millwright  William  Howe,  includes  vertical  members  and  diagonals  that 
slope  up  towards  the  center.  In  contrast  to  the  Pratt  truss,  the  diagonal 
members  are  in  compression  and  the  vertical  web  members  are  in 
tension.  Examples  include  Jay  Bridge  in Jay, New York, and Sandy Creek 
Covered Bridge in Jefferson County, Missouri. 

 
Example of Howe Truss 

 
 
● Pratt Truss 
A  Pratt  truss  is  the  opposite  of  the  Howe  truss.  The  Pratt  truss  was 
invented  in  1844  by  Thomas  and  Caleb  Pratt.  This  truss  is  practical  for 
use with spans up to 250 feet (76 m) and was a common configuration for 
railroad  bridges  as  truss  bridges  moved  from  wood  to  metal.  They  are 
statically  determinate  bridges,  which  lend  themselves  well  to  long  spans. 
They  were  common  in  the  United  States  between  1844  and  the  early 
20th century. 

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 Examples  of  Pratt  truss  bridges  are  the  Governor's  Bridge  in  Maryland, 
Dearborn  River  High  Bridge  near  Augusta,  Montana,  built  in  1897,  and 
the Fair Oaks Bridge in Fair Oaks, California, built 1907–09. 

 
Example of Pratt Truss 

● Waddell-A-Truss 
A Waddell-A-truss was patented by John Alexander Low Waddell and 
was a significant truss in the late 19th century. Because of its height, it has 
high rigidity in all direction and was cheap to construct. Example of 
A-truss is Linn Branch Creek Bridge in Parkville, Missouri built in 1898. 

 
Example of Waddell-A-Truss 

 
 
 
 
METHODOLOGY 
Procedure for analysis: 
- The following is a procedure for analyzing a truss using the method of 

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joints:  
1. If possible, determine the support reactions. 
2. Draw the free body diagram for each joint.  
3. Write the equations of equilibrium for each joint,  
ΣF x = 0 , ΣF y = 0  

4. If possible, begin solving the equilibrium equations at a joint where 

few unknown reactions exist. Work your way from joint to joint, 
selecting the new joint using the criterion of two unknown reactions.  
5. Solve the joint equations of equilibrium simultaneously 
To solve completely for the forces acting on a joint, must select a joint 
with few unknown forces involved. It can assume any unknown 
member to be either tension or compression. If negative value is 
obtained, this means that the force is opposite in action to that of the 
assumed direction. Once the forces in one joint are determined, their 
effects on adjacent joints are known. Then continue solving on 
successive joints until all members have been found 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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TRUSS DESIGN 
 

For this project, we choose ​Waddell-A-Truss​. This design was chosen 

because rigid and cost efficient than the other two truss. This design has a 
great height. When it is compared with structures of other types having 
equal strength and rigidity, because of its great height, the type of truss of 
this bridge are great rigidity in all directions, ease and cheapness of erection 
of the truss.  

 
 
 
 
 
   

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CALCULATION 
 
Entire Truss

 
 
ΣF x = 0 ΣM a = 0
 
Ax = 0 16·Ey − 5k·12 − 5k·8 − 5k·4 = 0  
60k+40k+20k
Ey = 16  
E y = 12.5kN  
ΣF y = 0  

Ay + E y − 20k = 0  
Ay + E y = 20k  

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Ay = 20k − E y  
Ay = 7.5kN  
 
   

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 FBD (Point A) 

.  
ΣF x = 0 ΣF y = 0  
F​AB​ - F​AF​Cos(26.57) = 0 Ay  –  5k  –  F​AF​Sin(26.57) 
= 0 
F​AB​ = 15kN (T) F​AF​ = 16.77kN (C) 
 
FBD (Point B) 

 
ΣF x = 0 ΣF y = 0  
F​BC​ – F​AB​ = 0 F​BF​ – 5k = 0  

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F​BC​ = 15kN (T) F​BF​ = 5kN (T) 
   

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 FBD (Point F) 
 

 
ΣF x = 0  
F​FA​Cos(26.57) – F​FC​Cos(26.57) – F​FH​Cos(26.57) = 0 
F​FC​ + F​FH​ = 16.77k 
F​FC​ = 16.77k – F​FH ----------(1) 
​

F​FC = 5.59kN (C) 

ΣF y = 0  
F​AF​Sin(26.57)  +  F​FC​Sin(26.57)  –  F​FH​Sin(26.57)  –  F​FB  =
​  
0 
F​FC​ – F​FH​ = -5.59k---------- (2) 
Sub (1) into (2) 
16.77k – F​FH​ – F​FH​ = -5.59k 

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-2F​FH​ = -22.36k 
F​FH​ = 11.18kN (C) 
   

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 FBD (Point H) 

 
ΣF x = 0  
F​HF​Cos(26.57) – F​HG​Cos(26.57) = 0 
F​HG​ = F​HF 
F​HG​ = 11.18kN (C) 
ΣF y = 0  
F​HF​Sin(26.57) – F​HG​Sin(26.57) – F​HC​ = 0 
F​HC​ = 10kN (T) 
   

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 FBD (Point C) 
 

 
ΣF x = 0  
F​CF​Cos(26.57) - F​CG​Cos(26.57) + F​CD​ – F​CB​ = 0 
-F​CG​Cos(26.57) + F​CD​ = 5k 
F​CD​ = 9.998kN (T)  
ΣF y = 0  
F​CH​ – FCFSin(26.57) – F​CG​Sin(26.57) -5k = 0 
F​CG​ = 5.588kN (C) 
 
   

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 FBD (Point E) 
 

 
ΣF x = 0  
F​EG​Cos(26.57) – F​ED​ = 0 
F​ED​ = 15kN (T) 
ΣF y = 0  
7.5k – F​EG​Sin(26.57) = 0 
F​EG​ = 16.77kN (C)  

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