Lab 1 : Material lab

PROGRAM KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL

FAKULTI INDUSTRI KEJURUTERAAN
LAB SHEET

EXPERIMENT 6: Equilibrium of a Beam

EQUILIBRIUM OF A BEAM

INTRODUCTION
One very common example of parallel forces in equilibrium is that of a beam, because in
most cases the forces are vertical weights due to gravity. Hence the beam supports will
develop vertical reactions to carry the weights on the beam, and the self weights of the
beam of itself.
For a beam on two supports there will be the two unknown reactions, so two equations of
equilibrium must be set up. It is necessary to start by taking moments about a convenient
point; if this point is at a reaction then there is only one unknown force (the other reaction)
in the equation. The second reaction can then be found from vertical equilibrium.
An alternative type of beam which projects from a support into mid-air is called a
cantilever. Here the two unknown reactions are a fixing moment and a force which can
be calculated independently of each other.

LIST OF PARTS
See Packing List at back of Instruction Manual.
APPARATUS
The apparatus basically provides a channel section aluminium alloy beam 1.04 m long
which rest of knife edge supports that replace the scale pans of two weighing machines.
The baseplates of the weighing machines can be clamped in any position along the bottom
member of the HST1 test frame to permit the span of the beam to be varied. Three load
hangers are available for loading the beam at different points along its length.
An alternative arrangement can be constructed by using only one weighing machine near
the middle of the beam. To the right of this support loading is applied using the load
hangers, while to the left a downward load is applied at the end of the beam using the tie
rod on a spring balance anchored to the bottom member of the frame.
EXPERIMENT
OBJECT
The purpose of the experiment is to verify the use of the conditions of equilibrium in
calculating the reactions of a simply supported beam or a cantilever.
PROCEDURE
Part 1, Beam Reactions
In the first place fix the reaction balances in the test frame with the knife edges 1m apart.
Rest the channel section beam over the knife edge supports with the zero of the scale lined
up with the left hand support. Add a stirrup and load hanger at mid span. Use the zero
adjustment on the balances to bring the pointer to zero. This is an artificial way of
nullifying the self weight of the beam, stirrup and load hanger so that the balances will
read only the reaction for any added load.
Add the secession of the weights up to 60 N to the mid span load hanger, and record the
two reaction values for each case. Because of the symmetry the reactions should be equal,
and therefore will each be half of the load to satisfy vertical equilibrium. In these simple
cases the experiment is used to check the obvious. Record the results in Table 1.
Table 1
Reactions for a simply supported beam
Beam span = 1 m
Load and position
from left end

Left end
reaction

Right end
reaction

(N)

(mm)

(kg)

(N)

(kg)

(N)

Now move the stirrup and load hanger to the quarter to the quarter span position and,
using a 40 N load, record the reactions. Repeat this for two or three more positions
measured from the left hand reaction, tabulating the results.
Finally use the three stirrups and load hangers at pre-selected positions. Add a set of three
loads, one at a time, to these hangers, recording the reactions as each load is applied.
Part 2, Cantilever beam reactions
Attach the spring balance assembly mid way between the reaction balances and move the
channel section beam to the right so that the threaded tie rod of the spring balance passes
through the hole in the top of the beam by the zero on the beam scale. The beam will then
extend through the right hand side of the test frame and it should be levelled by adjusting
the tie-rod. The beam cantilevers to the right of the upward reaction balance, while the
spring balance provides a downward reaction. Any initial readings will be those due to the
self weight of the cantilever. Position a stirrup and load hanger on the end of the cantilever
500 mm from the reaction balance and adjust the zero of the reaction balance.
Add a succession of 5 N loads on the hanger. For each loading adjust the length of the
spring balance tie rod to re-level the cantilever. (Note whether the spring balance reading
changes while this is being done). Record the readings in Table 2.
Table 2
Reactions for a 500 mm cantilever
End Load (P)
(N)

Reaction Balance
Reading
(kg)
(N)

Spring Balance
Reading
(N)

Distance Between
Balances
(mm)

Change the position of the spring balance by moving it closer (say by 200 mm) to the
reaction balance. Reposition the stirrup and load hanger so that it is the same distance of
500 mm from the reaction balance as above. Zero the balance. Add a succession of 10 N
loads on the hanger. Re-level the cantilever and record the balance readings for each load.
RESULTS
Tabulate the readings for Part 1 and add the theoretical reactions calculated as shown in
the appendix. A suitable table is given below for single loads. It can be modified to record
the cumulative reactions as the set of three loads is added.
Table 1a
Reactions for a simply supported beam
Beam span = 1 m
Load and Position

Left end Reaction

3

Right end Reaction

from left end

(N)
(mm)

Experimental
(N)

Theory
(N)

Experimental
(N)

Theory
(N)

For Part 2 theoretical values are calculated as shown in the appendix, by using conditions
of equilibrium. The wall fixing moment is the product of the spring balance reading and
the distance between the balances.
Table 2a
Reactions for a 500 mm cantilever
End
Load
(P)
(N)

Reaction Balance
Reading
Exptl.
Theory
(N)
(N)

Spring Balance
Reading
Exptl.
Theory
(N)
(N)

Distance
Between
Balances
(mm)

Fixing
Moment

Reaction
Balance
Minus Load
(N)

(N.m)

The cantilever should now be re-analysed by considering the diagram below, which shows
a mathematical model.

MA
B
A
VA

For vertical equilibrium

The fixing moment

VA = P
MA = P.L

It will be seen that VA is less than the reading of the reaction balance. Try subtracting P
from the experimental reaction balance value, and then compare this force with the spring
balance reading. Multiply the force by the distance between the balances and check if the
resulting moment compares with the mathematical fixing moment. Repeat this analysis for
equal values of P and the two distances between the balances.
OBSERVATIONS
How well did the experimental and theoretical results compare (try stating the differences
as a percentage of the true values)?
In the case of the three loads on the simply supported beam, would the order of applying
the loads have affected the final reactions? This experiment is a very simple test of the
principle of super-position. Explain what this means.

Use the cantilever results to predict the forces acting as the built-in (fixed) end gets
shorter. If the cantilever was a length of timber projecting from a brick wall what form of
failure would take place as the part in the wall was reduced in length? Would the
mathematical model have suggested this?

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Industri Selangor

Revised AUG:2005