EXPERIMENT ON BEAMS (PART1) - REACTION, BENDING

MOMENT & SHEAR FORCE

TITLE

1.1 Introduction
In this laboratory activity, students will be exposed on the beams experiments
for determine reactions, bending moment and shear force for simply supported
and cantilever beams.
1.2 Objective
The objective of the experiment is :
To determine the relations among reaction, bending moment and shear force
in various types of beams.
1.3 Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:
Identify and use the correct apparatus/tools to carry out experiment on
beams;
Work in a group to undertake the task; and

Collect and analyze the data correctly and produce the technical report

1.4 Theoretical Background

A beam is subjected to external forces. These are the loads applied to the
beam and reactions to the loads from the supports. The beam transfers the
external load set to the external reaction set by a system of internal forces.
The internal forces as a result of the structural action of the beam are called
bending moments and shear forces. These internal forces may vary along the
length of the beam and are usually represented as separate bending moment
and shear force diagrams.

a) Simply Supported Beam

Shear Force
When the load is to the left of x x,
Shear force at section x x is;
SF X-X = W1 RA
Or,
SFX-X = RB
= (W x L1) / L
When the load is to the right of x x,
SFX-X = RA
= (W x (L- L1)) / L1
Bending Moment
When the load is to the left of x x,
Bending Moment at section x x is;
BMX-X = W1 L1 RA LX

Or,
BMX-X = RB L2
When the load is to the right of x x,
BMX-X = RA LX

b) Cantilever Beam

i) Shear Force
The Shear force at section x x = W1
ii) Bending Moment
Bending Moment at section x x is;
BMX-X = W1 L1

2.1 Problem Statement

Although computers are efficient for structural analysis, it is important for
students to be well versed in the theory and not to simply rely on the computer
outputs. Ability to solve structural analysis problems will come in handy for
verifying the computer results. On the other hand, conducting experiments in
PROBLEM the lab can help to develop a deeper understanding of the mechanics of
structures. One can better grasp the way loads are transmitted through
structures and obtain a more complete understanding of the way they deform.
In this experiment, the group will explore the behavior of various types of
beams under loads to determine their support reaction, bending moment and
shear force. The group may use any suitable software as a tool for
understanding the relations between the external and internal forces.

3.1 Apparatus
a) Simple Supported Beam
A pair of simple supports.
Special beam with a cut section.
A set of weights with several load hangers.
Digital Force Indicator.
b) Cantilever Beam
A fixed supports.
Special beam with a cut section.
A set of weights with several load hangers.
Digital Force Indicator

WAYS &
MEANS

3.2 Procedures
a) Simply Supported Beam
1. The load cell was connected to the digital indicator.
2. The indicator was switched on. For stability of the reading the
indicator must be switch on 10 minutes before taking readings.
3. Two simple supports were fixed to the aluminum base at a distance
equal to the span of the beam to be tested. Screw the supports tightly
to the base.
4. The load hanger was hung to the beam.
5. The beam was placed on the Placed the load hanger at the desired
location.
6. The indicator reading was noted. If it is not zero press the tare button
on the indicator.
7. A load was placed on the load hanger.
8. The indicator reading was recorded. This represents the shear force/
force at the cut section.
9. Load was added to the load hanger and records the indicator reading.
xi. Repeat step i x for another 5 sets of readings.
(Note: This procedure apply for Shear Force and Bending Moment for
simple supported beam)

b) Cantilever Beam
1. The load cell was connected to the digital indicator.
2. The indicator was been switched on. For stability of the reading the
indicator must be switch on 10 minutes before taking readings.
3. The load hanger was placed at the desired location.
4. The indicator reading was noted. If it is not zero press the tare button
on the indicator.
5. A load was placed on the load hanger.
6. The indicator reading was recorded. This represents the shear force/
force at the cut section.
7. Loads were added to the load hanger and record the indicator reading.
viii. Repeat step vii for another 5 sets of readings.
(Note: This procedure apply for Shear Force and Bending Moment for
cantilever beam)
4.1 Analysis

4.2 Discussion
Based on th e experiment conducted, the error deflected at the result is not
same with the theoretical. we can conclude that the percentage of the error
made in this experiment is due to human error. The percentage of error is 7
which is intermediate accuracy. The percentage of error we can calculate
using equation :-

The error made is because of the human error. This occurs when the load were
applied to the load hanger and it was swung continuously causing the digital
force indicator cannot read accurately the force applied to the beam .This also
due to excess force we applied during putting the weights. This also due to
parallax error in measuring the distance of support to load and load to free
end.

4.3 Conclusion
From the experiment conducted, during the load were applied to the
beam , the beam was deflected and the force acting on the beam was recorded
by the digital force indicator. This condition occur because the load are
vertically hung on the beam. Besides , there are no support on the center of the
beam which produced vertical reaction in upward direction. So this cause the
beam to deflect.
For both simply supported beam and cantilever beam,the shear force
increase while for bending moment depends on the direction of reaction.

3.3) Results
Simply Supported Beam
Shear Force
Beam Span = 900mm
Distance of the shear section from the left support = 550mm
Distance of the load from the left support = 250mm

Load(N)

3
6
9
12
15

Shear Force At X-X

Experimental Load
Cell(N)
From left
-0.7
-1.4
-2.3
-3.2
-4.1

Theory R
(N)
0.83
1.67
2.50
3.33
4.17

Beam Span = 900mm

Distance of the shear section from the right support = 350mm
Distance of the load from the right support = 150mm

Load(N)

3
6
9
12
15

Shear Force At X-X

Experimental Load
Cell(N)
From right
0.65
1.25
1.75
2.15
2.60

Theory RA
(N)
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50

Bending Moment
Beam Span,L = 935mm
Distance of the cut section from the left support, Lx = 595mm
Distance of the load from the left support , L1 = 250mm
Distance of the load from the centre of the beam cross section = 175mm

Load(N)

Load Cell
Reading,F (N)

3
6
9
12
15

From Left
-1.45
-2.95
-4.5
-6.05
-7.55

Bending Moment At X-X

Experimental =
Theory
F*175
(Nmm)
-253.75
-516.25
-787.50
-1058.75
-1321.25

268.60
567.80
850.00
1132.20
1417.80

Beam Span,L = 935mm

Distance of the cut section from the right support, Lx = 350mm
Distance of the load from the right support , L1 = 150mm
Distance of the load from the centre of the beam cross section = 175mm
Load(N)

Load Cell
Reading,F (N)

3
6
9
12
15

From Right
-1.60
-3.20
-4.90
-6.55
-8.20

Bending Moment At X-X

Experimental =
Theory
F*175
(Nmm)
-280.00
-560.00
-857.50
-1146.25
-1435.00

275
550
825
1100
1375

Cantilever Beam
Shear Force
Distance of the shear section from the free end = 420mm
Distance of the load from the cut section = 250mm
Table 5 : Shear Force for Cantilever Beams Results
Shear Force At X-X
Load (N)
Experimental Load
Cell (N)
3
-2.75
6
-5.60
9
-8.35
12
-11.15
15
-13.95

Theory w (N)
3
6
9
12
15

Bending Moment
Distance of the load from the free end = 250mm
Distance of the load cell from the center of the beam cross section = 175mm
Table 6 : Bending Moment for Cantilever Beams Results
Load (N)
Load Cell
Bending Moment At X-X
Reading, F (N)
Experimental = Theory N)
F*175 (Nmm)
3
3
525.00
510.00
6
6
1050.00
1020.00
9
9
1575.00
1530.00
12
12
2100.00
2040.00
15
14.95
2616.25
2550.00