The section should span between 10.9 and 13.4 cm (4.30 and 5.30 inches) as measured from the end supports and should be able to carry a minimum load of 13 N applied evenly to the top of the span. The maximum load for each member is 4.5 Newtons in compression and tension. Each member is 4.2 cm long (ball center to ball center). All joints must be fully constrained. Determine the max value of P before the truss fails. The section that can hold the most weight will receive bonus points.

hello below is missing piece of the complete question

minimum size = 0.3 cm

answer : 0.247 N/mm2

Explanation:

Given data :

section span : 10.9 and 13.4 cm

minimum load applied evenly to the top of span  : 13 N

maximum load for each member ; 4.5 N

lets take each member to be 4.2 cm

Determine the max value of P before truss fails

Taking average value of section span ≈ 12 cm

Given minimum load distributed evenly on top of section span = 13 N  

we will calculate the value of   by applying this formula

=  =  1.56 * 10^-5

next we will consider section ; 4.2 cm * 0.3 cm

hence Z (section modulus ) = BD^2 / 6  

                                             = ( 0.042 * 0.003^2 ) / 6  = 6.3*10^-8

Finally the max value of P( stress ) before the truss fails

= M/Z = ( 1.56 * 10^-5 ) / ( 6.3*10^-8 )  

          = 0.247 N/mm2