A BSTRACT

The beam is resting on the supports at A and B at a span of 900 mm. the
three hangers are placed at their position for each part and the datum value
is calculated when no load is applied on the beam.
When the loads are placed on the hangers the beam bends. We observe this
and balance the beam by removing sagging or hogging of the beam. We note
the reading from the spring balance for each part. Different weights are
placed on the hangers at their designated position for each case.
Then the experimental value is analyzed with the theoretical values and it is
observed that there is a variation between the theoretical and the
experimental values.

O BJECTIVES
To determine the bending moment and observe its effect at the normal of a
simply supported beam under different types of loading. Also compare
these results with the theoretical values.

A PPARATUS

T HEORY:
SIMPLE SUPPORTED BEAM:
A beam supported or resting freely on the walls or columns at its both ends
is known as simply supported beam. The support may be hinged or roller
support.

BENDING MOMENT:
The bending moment at a section is the algebraic sum of the moment of the
forces on the either side of the section. Moment and torque are measured as
a force (F) multiplied by distance.

NEUTRAL AXIS:
Neutral axis is the axis in the cross section of the
beam along which there is no compression or
tension. Neutral axis depends upon the loading.
Neutral axis changes its position depending
upon the loading.

HOGGING
Hogging is the stress a beam or keel experiences
that causes the center or the keel to bend
upward.

Hogging (-

Bending moment in this case is negative.

ive)

SAGGING
Sagging is the stress a beam or keel experience
that causes the center of the beam to bend
downward
Bending moment in this case is positive

Sagging
(+ive)

DATUM VALUE:
The value on the spring when no load is placed on the hangers of the beam
is known as datum value. It can also be subjected as the zero error in the
beam.

BENDING STRESS:
The bending stress is given by formula

=M
Here M is the bending moment and I is the moment of inertia.

SIGN CONVENTIONS
POSITIVE BENDING MOMENT
When the moment of the forces and the reaction on the left portion of the
section is clockwise and on the right of the section is anticlockwise. That is
sagging
NEGATIVE BENDING MOMENT
When the moment of the forces and the reaction on the left portion of the
section is anticlockwise and on the right of the section is clockwise. That is
hogging

P ROCEDURE
Align the apparatus and place the beam at a span of 900mm at the two
supports A and B. The experiment consists of three parts:

PARTA:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Place the beam on the two supports at a span of 900mm.

Place one hanger at 100mm distance from A.
Place the second hanger in the groove to the right of the section C.
Place third hanger 300mm from B.
Balance the beam with the help of the spring balance and note the
reading from it when no load is placed on the beam this is known as

the datum value. This value is due to the weight of the spring itself.
6. Place 10 N load on the first hanger. Realign the beam &note the spring
value.
7. Remove the load from the first hanger and place it on the second
hanger. Align the beam and note the value of the spring balance.
8. Remove it and place on the third hanger and note the value again.
9. Repeat step 6, 7, 8 for 20 N weights.
10.
Finally take their difference from the datum value and take the
product of shear force obtained in each case with 0.15m to get the
respective

section

bending

moment,

where

0.15

is

the

fixed

perpendicular distance between the beam center(Neutral Axis) and the

under slung spring.
LOAD (N) AT POSITION INDICATED

W1
10
0
0
20
0
0

W2
0
10
0
0
20
0

BALANCE
FORCE
(N)

NET
FORCE
(N)

BENDING
MOMENT
(Nmm)

W3
0
0
10
0
0
20

20.5
29
22.4
24.2
42.2
29.5

4.5
13
6.4
8.2
26.2
13.5

675
1950
960
1230
3930
2025

1ST READING

2ND READING

3RD READING

4TH READING

5TH READING

6TH READING

PART B:
1. Position the hangers on the beam as for the part A.
2. Without altering the position of the hangers place the 5N load on the
second hanger gently.
3. Align the beam with the help of the spring balance.
4. Record the balance reading form the spring balance.
5. Now without removing the load places 10N load on the first and the
third hanger.
6. Align it and record the reading
LOAD (N) AT POSITION
INDICATED
W1
20
10

1ST READING

W2
5
5

W3
0
10

BALANC

NET

BENDING

E FORCE FORCE

MOMENT(N

(N)

mm)

31.5
33.8

(N)
15.5
17.8

2325
2670

2ND READING

PART C:
1.
2.
3.
4.

For this part move the third hanger to 400mm from B.

Remaining two hangers will remain at the same position of the part B.
After aligning the beam the find the datum value for this position.
Place 5 N weight on first hanger and 12 N on third hanger .Reduce the

hogging and sagging and note the readings.

5. Now place 5 N on first hanger, 10 N on second hanger and 2 N on third hanger .Remove
hogging and sagging effects and note the readings.
6. Thus calculate the respective bending moments.
LOAD (N) AT POSITION
INDICATED
W1
5
5

W2
0
10

W3
12
2

BALANC

NET

BENDING

E FORCE FORCE

MOMENT(N

(N)

mm)

28.5
33

(N)
12.3
16.8

1845
2520

1ST READING

2ND READING

C ONCLUSION :
1. It has been observed that the bending increases when the load is
applied near the groove. The value of the normal reactions i. (R A and
RB) changes for each loading conditions.
2. The bending moment is maximum in 2nd case once the load is applied
nearer to groove.
3. The bending moment is higher when load is applied at any point right
to the groove in comparison with the case when load is applied right to
the groove
4. The bending moment is directly related and dependent on the load
applied.
5. As you increase load in part b, an increase in bending moment is
observed.
6. Bending moment varies with the position of load hangers.
7. Increase in load at first load hanger (Left to the groove) decreases the
bending moment.
8. Increase in load at load hangers (Right the groove) increase the
bending moment.

S OURCE

OF ERROR :

1. There is personal error while noting the values of the spring balance.
2. While balancing hogging and sagging examining the beam at some
angle. The eye may not be in line with the upper part of the beam.
3. Limitation of the apparatus. (Systematic errors).

PRECAUTIONS :
1. The experiment must be performed under the supervision of the
instructor.
2. Place the load on the hanger carefully and gently no sudden
application of load should be made on the hangers.

3. There should be no idle behavior while experiment. The experiment

should be performed with full attention.

S UGGESTION

FOR IMPROVEMENT :

Latest apparatus with the digital and computer software can definitely
increase the precision of the readings. While noting the reading we have to
approximate the value of the spring constant. We also balance beam on hit
and trial bases.

R EFERENCES :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bending
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bending_moment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_axis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beams