Building Structures (ARC 2523)

Project 1
Fettuccine Truss Bridge

Chng Xing Yue 0310425

Fam Li Kian 0310639
Goh Chin Zhi 0314562
Wesley Hew Xin Han 0307585
Sharifah Diyana Syed Hussain 1006AH78373
Lim Wei Ze

Tutor: Ms. Ann See Peng

Table of Content
Introduction
Methodology
Precedent study
Analysis

i) strength of materials
ii) truss analysis
-

Mock up 1

Mock up 2

Final model testing

Conclusion
Appendix exercise
References

Introduction
1.1 Study Objective
The objective of this particular study is to explore and thus evaluate and improve on
knowledge of skeletal construction. In the event of constructing a truss bridge with
fettuccine, exploration on truss members in different arrangement was carried out while
applying the understanding of load distribution in truss systems. Besides that,
understanding and the application of the knowledge on calculating the reaction force and
internal force within the truss design. Lastly, gaining the ability to identify the tension and
compression members in a truss structure to fully utilize the potential of the material Fettuccine.

1.2 Project Overview

In a group of 6, a truss bridge was produced by using fettuccine as the construction
material. Before starting with the model making, students were required to carry out
precedent study of a truss bridge.
With a clear span of 750 mm and a maximum weight of 200 g, the truss bridge is then
subjected to a point load which determines the efficiency of the structure. The efficiency
of the bridge is calculated with the formula:
( )2
, =

For this project, only glue is allowed for the connection of the bridge members.

1.3 Report Overview

This report includes the precedent study of the bridge our group referred to while
designing the truss systems of the fettuccine bridge. Besides that, the report also
includes the development process of the fettuccine truss bridge including the analysis
and calculation of the particular design.

Methodology
DESCRIPTION
Precedent Study

A study on different types of bridge

trusses will be conducted. We will study
the connections and arrangements of
members. This will be then applied to
our model bridge.

Material Testing

The strength of different types of

fettuccine and glue will be tested out.

Model Making

Based on the AutoCAD drawings done,

the sides of the bridge will be
constructed before joining them together
using members.

Structural Analysis

The analysis of both mockup and final

model will be carried out after each
testing.

Working Schedule:
DATE

TASKS

21 September 2014

Material strength testing of different

fettuccine.

24 September 2014

1st Mockup model making and testing.

28 September 2014

2nd Mockup model making and testing.

30 September 2014

Final model making.

1 October 2014

Final model submission and testing.

3 October 2014

Final report submission.

MATERIALS

DESCRIPTION

Butter Paper

Design of chosen truss bridge is drawn

on the butter paper as a reference for
placement of each member.

Fettuccine

Fettuccine is used to construct the entire

truss bridge.

Masking Tape

Masking tape is used to keep the

alignment of each member in place
before gluing.

Super Glue

This glue instantly holds the fettuccine

together due to the strong bonding.

Plastic Bag

Tied around center point of bottom chord

of the bridge for testing purposes.

Water Bottle

Used to measure the amount of water

as weight during testing process.

Camera

Recording of all work progress.

Electronic weighing scale

To obtain accurate weight measurement

of the Fettuccine bridge.
For the final bridge model, we weighed
the members before assembling it
together to ensure its within 200g.

Precedent Study -Railway Bridge Tulle

Image 1 : Railway Bridge Tulle

Railway Bridge Tulle is a railway bridge which built at 104 years ago. The
railway bridge across the Danube at Tulle has been completely reconstructed. The
new bridge is based on warren truss construction. The construction period only took
15 months. The total length of the bridge is approximately 440m, each span width
around 13m.

Load
In order to have a stable and strong truss bridge, the concept of force
equilibrium should be apply. Assuming the point load is at the centre of the bridge,
and both side of truss bridge are fixed points.
Joint connection

Image 2 & 3 : Rigid Joints. Gusset Plate and Bolts Joint Connection

Arrangement of Members

Points of Horizontal Members at lower

chord connected to the truss
Image 4 : Bottom view of Tulle Bridge

The base of Tulle Bridge is connected by horizontal members.

Pin Joints

Point of Horizontal Member Connect to

Truss
Image 5 : Tulle Bridge side view

Top view of Tulle Bridge

For the upper chords, horizontal members are welded to the intersection point of
the truss to hold both sides of the truss members in shape and ensure the distance is the
same along the bridge. The bracings hold the horizontal in position to prevent deformation
of the bridge when load is applied.
As the report mentioned previously, the top chord of warren truss are greatly
affected by compression while the bottom chord of warren truss is experiencing tension
force. The bracings as shown on diagram above act as a member to distribute the
compression force and hold the members in position. The bottom chord of Tullen Bridge
does not required as much bracings as the members (steel beams) are great in tension
force.
.

Analysis
Materials analysis
Types of glue

Time taken to dry

out

Strength

Weakness

UHU glue

Takes relative long

time to dry.

Large surface
Flexible when
contact area with
force is applied
material

Superglue
(Dolphin)

Solidifies fast.

Could bear relative

heavy load.

Becomes
fragile after it
dried off a few
days later.
Low surface
contact area
with materials

Hot glue gun

Solidifies very fast.

Large surface
contact area with
material

The glue peels

off easily.
Messy and bulky
in size.

Rubber glue
(Dunlop)

Takes relative long

time to dry.

Large surface
contact area with
material
Stronger than
UHU

Needs 24 hours
to gain maximum
strength
Flexible when
force is applied

Load Analysis of Fettuccine

The diagram above shows different orientations of fettuccine and the load being applied
from the top.
When the fettuccine is placed horizontally, the thickness of the fettuccine is thinner,
therefore the load it can withstand is small. The area of breaking point of the fettuccine
also increases with the horizontal placement.
The vertical fettuccine is stronger in this case as it has a smaller breaking point surface.
But when the fettuccine is 4 members thick, the length of the fettuccine for both sides
are the same (5mm).

Types of Fettuccine

Shape

Strength

Standard San Remo

Flat
(Easier to glue)

Weak

San Remo Spinach

Slightly rounded
(smaller surface area
in contact with the glue)

Stronger than standard San

Remo Fettuccine

Standard Divella

Relative rounded
and larger in size

Strongest

Standard San Remo

San Remo Spinach

Standard Divella

Types of designs for middle support of the bridge

Types of design

Number of members

Load withstand (kg)

2.5

6.1

5.4

We decided to use the 2nd design instead of triangles after the test due to the realization
that we could not create a perfect triangle to efficiently transfer the load.

Truss analysis

Truss Analysis

Pratt truss has been chosen as the mock up bridge to test the load bearing of the
truss. The load will be hang at the center of the bridge to act as point load. There
are several factor to be considered to ensure that it can withstand 50N.
Factors affecting strength of bridge:
1. Types of bracing used
2. Span to depth ratio
3. Joint connection and displacement of fettuccine
4. Design of middle member supporting load
5. Number of fettuccine used in one member
Mock Up Fettuccine Bridge 1

Side Elevation of Mock up Fettuccine Bridge

Top elevation of Fettuccine Bridge

Total weight :236g

Height : 10cm
Length : 90cm
Load : 4.1kg
Pratt truss has high efficiency due to the vertical member and horizontal member. The
diagonal member act as tension member and vertical member act as compression
member. The purpose of this orientation of the members is to achieve force of
equilibrium. Imagine it as a simple triangle, 3 forces acting at a point can be represented
in size or direction by the sides of a closed triangle, then the forces are in equilibrium,
provided their directions can form a closed triangle.

As to prove the assumption is correct, calculations has been done to determine the
efficiency of fettuccine bridge.
+

Clockwise = positive

= 0

= 0

+ 50 = 0
+ = 50

+ 25 = 50
= 25N

50 9 5 90 = 0
2250 - 90 = 0
2250 = 90
= 25 1

25N
25N
Section equation is used to interpret the internal tension force or compression force.

10

tan =
cos =
sin =

10
5
5
125
10
125

25N

 = 0
(10) ( cos )(10) ( sin )(40) = 0
5
10
10
10
40 = 0
125
125
4.472 35.777
=
10
= 3.13 1
+

= 0

sin + 25 = 0
sin = 25
25
=
sin
25
=
10
(
)
125
= 27.95 () 2

= 0
cos = 0

()

Joint Connection

Joint with gusset plate

Joint without gusset plate

A gusset plate like fettuccine is used to improve the load distribution. It acts as a
connection to increase the contact surface area between horizontal member and
the diagonal member.
At the other side, the horizontal member and diagonal member does not
connected by gusset plate. These arrangements are to test the difference of
having gusset plate, hence to reduce the unnecessary weight.

Number of fettuccine for one member

Position

Number of fettuccine

Top horizontal

Top diagonal

Top vertical

The number of fettuccines for each members has been done according to our
truss analysis. The compression members should use the most fettuccine to
reduce the compression force. As fettuccine is good in tension force, the tension
member required 2 fettuccine to stack together to support the fettuccine bridge.
The diagonal member act as a member to distribute the force and to avoid
torsion force act on the bridge, hence it requires 1 fettuccine only.

Position

Number of fettuccine

Bottom horizontal

Bottom diagonal

Bottom vertical

Bottom vertical
(triangular column)

The number of fettuccine stacking for one member is similar to top of the
fettuccine. There are only one changes as to allow the member withstand the
point load. A triangular column-liked fettuccine is used for the bridge. The
strength of triangular column has been tested and shown in fettuccine-testing
(methodology).

Position

Number of fettuccine

Side Vertical

Side Diagonal

As the weight of top structure is heavier than the bottom structures, we worried
that the side structures cannot withstand the weight itself, causes bending and
reduce the strength of fettuccine bridge. Hence, we decided to stack 2 fettuccine
for each member to reduce possibility of bending.
After testing

The bridge breaks when the total point load weight 4.1kg. The triangular column
itself does not broke, but the horizontal members. We concludes that it is
possibility of 3 second glue affects the strength of fettuccine bridge as the
horizontal has been done before 2 days we test the bridge. The placement of
broken member should be changed to improve efficiency of fettuccine bridge.
The whole structures are still rigid after testing. Hence, we decided to change the
number of fettuccine stacks for each members to reduce the total weight.

Final Model Testing

1st bottle

4th bottle

7th bottle

11th bottle

Mock Up Fettuccine Bridge 3

Top Elevation of Mock up Fettuccine Bridge

Side Elevation of Mock up Fettuccine Bridge

Total weight :196g

Height : 100mm
Length : 850mm
Load : 5.744kg
A Pratt truss similar to the previous test models was used due to the high efficiency
of the vertical and horizontal member. The diagonal member act as tension
member and vertical member act as compression member. The purpose of
orientation of the members is to achieve force of equilibrium. Although the spinach
fettuccine has smaller contact surface, but it is stronger than the normal fettuccine.
Hence, we have chosen the spinach fettuccine in building our final bridge model.

The efficiency for the final bridge is:

E=

(5.744)2
196

0.1683

Joint Connection
At both sides, the vertical and diagonal members are laid on the outer surface of
the horizontal members by using super glue. After tested the first and second
bridge, we decided to use the first joint connection by removing the gussets. This
is to maximize the surface area in contact so that every members can hold still in
place and perform well in acting with the forces applied.

At the top and bottom part, the vertical members was stacked on the horizontal
member and following by the diagonal bracing on top of the vertical members.
While force is applied, the vertical members can transfer load down directly since
they are sitting on top of the horizontal member.

Number of fettuccine for one member

Position

Number of fettuccine

Top horizontal

Top diagonal

Top vertical

Through the first and second model testing, we realized that the top vertical
members could be reduce to just one layer since it is not in direct contact with
load applied. This is also one of the approaches taken in order to reduce the total
weight of the bridge. Besides, there are only one layer of diagonal members
because they act as bracing to prevent torsion force. Hence, one layer will be
sufficient to support the trusses.

Position

Number of fettuccine

Bottom chord

Bottom diagonal bracing

Bottom bracing

Bottom bracing
(middle)

8 (divided into two, four on

each side)

The number of fettuccine supporting the horizontal chord for both top and bottom
have been reduced to one as it didnt require to withstand much force but rather
to prevent torsion of the bridge. The middle bottom bracing which holds the load
applied are required to be stronger since it has direct contact with the load.
Hence 8 fettuccines are used to strengthen the member. The fettuccines are
divided into half, where four layers of fettuccine are stacked together to form a
member. The two members were placed side by side to provide a wider surface
area for the hook to hold the load and to prevent it from breaking easily.

The middle bottom bracing

Position

Number of fettuccine

Side Vertical

Side Diagonal

In order to withstand the force of the weight, the number of fettuccine in the side
bracings remain unchanged. The amount of fettuccine in the diagonal bracing
was reduced to one as it helps prevent sliding of the vertical and horizontal
members under pressure.

After testing
The final bridge managed to support a maximum of 5.744kg before breaking.
The middle bottom bracing remains unbroken as the bottom chord had snapped
first causing the entire bridge to cave in downwards. This is partly due to the
difference in height of tables used during the testing of the bridge, the improper
transfer of force causes the chord to split on both sides.

Middle beam didnt break during testing

The bottom chord after splitting

The bridge had broken on opposite ends at the moment of breakage. The torsion
caused all the horizontal bracings to twist and snap although several portions of
the side bracings remains in one piece a side from point breaks.

Conclusion
The final bridge has the highest efficiency out of all the model testing we did and was
considered a success to us. Throughout the whole project, different materials,
arrangement of members and joint connections are used to explore and improve the
bridges.
We came out with systematic ways to do the model in order to reduce the time taken for
the construction and to increase the precision of the Fettuccine bridge. We also realized
the importance of workmanship during the model making. Inaccurate or twisted
fettuccine will contribute to the deformation of the bridge and thus causing lower
efficiency.
We did identify the tension, compression members and weak points as to determine on
which parts to strengthen and which to reduce the layers of Fettuccine used. This
method allows us to reduce the weight of the bridge to meet the requirement of the brief.
Lastly, this project allows us to understand the importance of structure and construction
method in design and the load distribution in truss to enable us to create a better
structure for our designs in the future.

Reference

Reference List :
Analysis of Structures. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://ocw.nthu.edu.tw/ocw/upload/43/733/static_ch6.pdf
Calvert, J. (2000, January 1). Truss Design. Retrieved from
https://mysite.du.edu/~jcalvert/tech/machines/bridges.htm
Trusses Introduction. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.ce.memphis.edu/3121/notes/notes_03a.pdf

Image Reference :
Image 1 : Retrieved by http://structurae.net/photos/144783-tulln-danube-river-railroadbridge
Image 2 : Retrieved by http://structurae.net/photos/144765-tulln-danube-river-railroadbridge
Image 3 : Retrieved by http://structurae.net/photos/144763-tulln-danube-river-railroadbridge
Image 4 : Retrieved by http://structurae.net/photos/144760-tulln-danube-river-railroadbridge
Image 5 : Retrieved by http://structurae.net/photos/144783-tulln-danube-river-railroadbridge