CIVL 3121

K'NEX Failure Models

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Project #1 KNEX Truss

An important part of your KNEX truss design is the utilization of tension and compression failure models. After you have modeled you structure in SAP2000 and determined the force in each member, failure model can help you predict the ultimate capacity of you structure. Therefore, we should discuss failure model for both tension and compression.

Project #1 KNEX Truss

Therefore, the Euler buckling force for a KNEX column can be estimated as:

Pcr

2EI
L2

Example: estimated the critical force in a red KNEX rod. Assume that L = 6 in (includes the length of the rod and the spacing of the connectors).

Pcr

2 377,000 psi 8.8 10 5 in 4

6in

9.1 lb

Project #1 KNEX Truss

One simple mathematical model for predicting compression failure is the Euler buckling model.

Project #1 KNEX Truss

Example: Estimated the critical force in a yellow KNEX rod. Assume L = 4.25 in (includes the length of the rod and the spacing of the connectors).

Pcr

2EI
KL2

Pcr

2 377,000 psi 8.8 105 in 4

4.25in

18.1 lb

where Pcr is the critical load for the column, E is the modulus of elasticity, I is the moment of inertia, K is effective length factor, and L is the length of the column.

Why does the yellow KNEX rod have a larger critical force then the red KNEX rod? Decrease L increase Pcr Increase L decrease Pcr

Project #1 KNEX Truss

If the end supports are considered pin connections, then K = 1.

Project #1 KNEX Truss

Unlike the compression failure, a tension failure will probably not occur in the KNEX material. It is more probable, that the KNEX rod to pull out of the KNEX connector up tension force. To develop an understanding of tension failure in KNEX rods and connector an experimental failure analysis should be performed.

Pcr

2EI
L2

For our KNEX rods, we have estimated the cross-sectional area of a KNEX rod and found that:

I = 8.8 x 10-5 in4 E = 377 ksi

CIVL 3121

K'NEX Failure Models

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Project #1 KNEX Truss

Consider the following procedure for estimating tension failure in KNEX. For a given connector, (in case a yellow connector), experimental measure the force required to pull a rod out of the connector. Fix the connector and attached a bucket of sand to the rod Determine the weight of sand required to pull-out the rod from the connector.
Force for pull-out
Member AB AC BC BD CD

Project #1 KNEX Truss

L (in) 3.00 5.00 4.00 6.26 3.52 F -0.75 1.25 -0.63 -1.57 0.84 Pcr (lb) -36.38 12.00 -20.46 -8.34 10.00 Mode 1 2 2 2 1 S (lb) 48.5 9.6 32.5 5.3 11.9
0.84P D

Mode 1 2 3

Tf (lb) 10 12 18

Pcr

2 EI
L
2

Utilmate Force

5.3

lb.
C P -0.63P

1.25P

-1.57P

If F < 0, then

P P cr F

-0.75P

If F > 0, then

T P f F

Project #1 KNEX Truss

One difference from the compression model is that the tension model is based on experimental data not a mathematical model. Therefore, you should probably perform numerous tests and take an average valve for your tension failure limit.

Project #1 KNEX Truss

Does the ultimate load predict change if we added an additional member CE that bisects the original member BD?
D 0.84P C 0 E 1.25P -0.63P -1.57P P

Mode 1

Mode 2

Mode 3

-0.75P

F1

F2

F3

Project #1 KNEX Truss

To predict the ultimate load capacity of your truss take advantage of the fact that the structure is consider linearelastic and use the principle of superposition.
D 0.84P
1.5 in

Project #1 KNEX Truss

Member AB AC BC BE
D

L (in) 3.00 5.00 4.00 3.13 3.35 3.13 1.95

F -0.75 1.25 -0.63 -1.57 0.84 -1.57 0.00

Pcr (lb) -36.38 12.00 -20.46 -33.37 10.00 -33.37

Mode 1 2 2 1 1 1 1

S (lb) 48.5 9.6 32.5 21.3 11.9 21.3

Mode 1 2 3

Tf (lb) 10 12 18
D 0.84P

CD DE CE
P

C P

-0.63P 1.25P
4 in

Pcr
If F < 0, then

2 EI
L2
Pcr F

Utilmate Force

9.6

lb

0 E -0.63P

-1.57P

1.25P

-1.57P

-0.75P

-0.75P

If F > 0, then
3 in 3 in

T P f F

CIVL 3121

K'NEX Failure Models

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Project #1 KNEX Truss

Design Strategy
Develop several conceptual designs Model each design in SAP2000 and determine the members forces due to a unit load Using the results of the SAP2000 analysis apply the failure models and predict ultimate load Compute the structural weight and cost Compute the SWR All design decision should be based on increasing the SWR

Project #1 KNEX Truss

Apply Design Strategy to KNEX Truss

Project #1 KNEX Truss

Apply Design Strategy to KNEX Truss
For the K'NEX truss structure shown in Figure 1, predict the strength-to-weight ratio (SWR) and estimate the cost in K'NEX dollars. Assume the structure is co-planar and linear-elastic and that the displacements are small such that the principle of superposition may applied. Apply a load of at the top of the structure (the red connector). Assume that there are two identical coplanar trusses that form the 3-D structure Assume pinned supports. Let the distance between joints for a yellow rod is 4.25 in. Also, let E = 377,000 psi and I = 8.8 x 10-5 in4.
Member 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Project #1 KNEX Truss

Apply Design Strategy to KNEX Truss
L (in) 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 4.25 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 F 0.00 0.00 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.00 0.00 -0.25 -0.35 -0.35 -0.71 -0.71 -0.71 -0.71 -0.35 Pcr (lb) Mode 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 S (lb) Mode 1 2 3 Tf (lb) 15 20 25

15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

42.4 42.4 42.4 42.4

-18.13 -36.26 -36.26 -36.26 -36.26 -36.26 -36.26 -36.26

72.5 102.5 102.5 51.3 51.3 51.3 51.3 102.5

Project #1 KNEX Truss

Apply Design Strategy to KNEX Truss
Member 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Project #1 KNEX Truss

Apply Design Strategy to KNEX Truss
L (in) 3.01 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 3.01 F -0.35 -0.25 0.25 -0.25 0.25 0.50 0.25 -0.25 0.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Pcr (lb) -36.26 -18.13 25.00 -18.13 25.00 25.00 25.00 -18.13 25.00 Mode 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 S (lb) 102.5 72.5 100.0 72.5 100.0 50.0 100.0 72.5 100.0 Mode 1 2 3 Tf (lb) 15 20 25

Figure 1. One of the coplanar structures comprising the 3-D structure

CIVL 3121

K'NEX Failure Models

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Project #1 KNEX Truss

Apply Design Strategy to KNEX Truss The maximum load is the minimum failure force or 42.41 lb. (19,241.4 g) An estimate of the weight and costs are computed as: 185 g and $4,720 KNEX dollars Therefore the SWR is: 104

End of KNEX Truss Project

Any questions?