Project
1:
Analysis
and
Design
of
a
Space
Truss
Reports should be formal. Include problem description, suitable figures if any and
corresponding tables.
A space frame structure as shown in Figure consists of 25 truss members. Initially, all
members have the same circular cross-sections with diameter d = 2.0 in. At nodes 1 and 2, a
constant force F = 60,000 lb is applied in the ydirection. Four nodes (7, 8, 9, and 10) are
fixed on the ground. The frame structure is made of a steel material whose properties are
Youngs modulus E = 3107 psi, Poissons ratio = 0.3, yield stress Y = 37,000 psi, and
mass density = 7.3104 lbsec2/in4. The safety factor N = 1.5 is used. Due to the
manufacturing constraints, the diameter of the truss members should vary between 0.1 in and
2.5 in.
Solve the initial truss structure using truss finite elements (run the main.m file in the zip
folder). Provide a plot that shows labels for elements and nodes along with boundary
conditions. Provide deformed geometry of the structure and a table of stress in each element.
Minimize the structural weight by changing the cross-sectional diameter of each truss
element, while all members should be safe under the given yield stress and the safety factor.
You can use the symmetric geometry of the structure. Identify zeroforce members. For
zeroforce members, use the lower bound of the cross-sectional diameter. Provide deformed
geometry at the optimum design along with a table of stress at each element. Provide
structural weights of initial and optimum designs.