1.

0 Introduction

This experiment can be determined the shear force and bending moment in a simply
supported beam under a variety of loading patterns and to compare it with the theoretical
value. Shear force and bending moment diagram of simply supported beam can be drawn by
first calculating value of shear force and bending moment. Shear force and bending moment
values are calculated at supports and at points where load varies. This experiment need us to
apply load at hanger and take the reading shear force and bending moment. To make the
shear force and bending moment graph, we need to cutting section the beam and calculated
the value for each section.

2.0 Objective

To determine the shear force and bending moment in a simply supported beam under a variety
of loading patterns and to compare it with the theoretical value.

3.0 Theoretical Background

Theoretical Background Beams generally carry vertical gravitational forces but can also be
used to carry horizontal loads (i.e., loads due to an earthquake or wind). The loads carried by
a beam are transferred to columns, walls, or girders, which then transfer the force to adjacent
structural compression members. The shear force at a section is defined as the algebraic
sum of vertical components of force acting on one side of a section.
Consider a simply supported beam with vertical point loads as shown in Figure 4.1. The shear
force at section C. Qc = RA – W1 (considering the left side of section C)
……………………………..Eq (1) Qc = RB – W2 – W3 (considering the right side of section C)
……………………..Eq (2)

The bending moment at a section is defined as the algebraic sum of the moment of all forces
acting on one side of a section.
Consider a simply supported beam with vertical point load as shown in Figure 4.2. Take the
vertical section at point C at a distance ‘x’ from the left support. The bending moment at section
C, Mc = RA (x) – W1 (x – L1) [considering the left side of section C]………………..Eq (3) Mc
= RB (L - x) – W2 (L2 – x) – W3 (L3 – x) ……………………………….……..Eq (4) [considering
the right side of section C]

4.0 Problem Statement

Determination of the shear force and bending moment in a simply supported beam. As a
group you are required to record the force reading using appropriate apparatus in laboratory.
5.0 Apparatus

5.1 Shear Force in A Simply Supported Beam

Figure 4.3: Shear Force in A Simply Supported Beam Apparatus

3.2 Bending Moment In A Simply Supported Beam

Figure 4.4: Bending Moment In A Simply Supported Beam

6.0 Procedure

6.1 Shear Force In A Simply Supported Beam

1. Measure the span of simply supported beam and the distance of the shear section from
the left support.

2. Make a pencil marks on top of beam with L1 = 100 mm, L2 = 200 mm and L3 = 400 mm
length from the left support. Set up the load hangers at these positions.

3. Set zero the force gauge reading.

4. Apply the loads on each load hanger.

5. Take the force gauge reading. The net force gauge reading gives the shear force at C.

6. Increase the loads in suitable steps and record the force gauge readings in Table 4.1.

7. Compare the experimental shear force with theoretical shear force and calculate the ratio
of Q exp and Q theo.

6.2 Bending Moment In A Simply Supported Beam

1. Measure the span of simply supported beam and the distance of the shear section from the
left support.

2. Make a pencil marks on top of beam with L1 = 100 mm, L2 = 200 mm and L3 = 400 mm
length from the left support. Set up the load hangers at these positions.

3. Measure the horizontal distance from shear section to the center of the force gauge, x.
4. Set zero the force gauge reading.

5. Apply the loads on each load hanger.

6. Take the force gauge reading. The net force gauge reading gives the shear force at C.

7. Increase the loads in suitable steps and record the force gauge readings in Table 4.2.

8. Determine the value of bending moment by multiplying the shear force value with the
horizontal distance from shear section to the center of the force gauge, x.

9. Compare the experimental bending moment with theoretical bending moment and calculate
the ratio of M exp and M theo.
7.0 Results and Analysis

7.1 Shear Force In A Simply Supported Beam

Beam Span = 0.44m

Distance of the section from the left hand support, A (m) = 0.3m

Table 4.1: The results data of shear force experiment and theory

Load Point loads L1 L2 L3 Shear Force,Qc Shear % Error

Case W1=W2=W3 (m) (m) (m) Experimental(N) Force,Qc [Qcexp –
(N) Theory Qctheo]/Qctheo
(N)
Case 0.5 0.12 0.2 0.38 0.3 -0.3 -2
1
Case 1 0.12 0.2 0.38 0.5 -0.59 -1.85
2
Case 1.5 0.12 0.2 0.38 0.7 -0.89 -1.79
3
Case 2 0.12 0.2 0.38 0.9 -1.18 -1.76
4

7.2 Bending Moment In A Simply Supported Beam

Beam Span = 0.44m

Distance of the section from the left hand support, A (m) = 0.3m
Horizontal distance from shear section to the center of the force gauge, x (m) =0.125m
Bending Moment (experiment) at the section (Nm) = Force gauge reading × x

Table 4.2: The results of bending moment experiment and theory

Load Point loads L1 L2 L3 Force Gauge Bending Bending % Error

Case W1=W2=W3 (m) (m) (m) Reading (N) moment moment [Mexp -
(N) Experimental Theory Mtheo] /
(Nm) (Nm) Mtheo
Case 0.5 0.12 0.2 0.38 0.6 0.04 0.07 -0.43
1
Case 1 0.12 0.2 0.38 1.0 0.06 0.14 -0.57
2
Case 1.5 0.12 0.2 0.38 1.6 0.09 0.21 -0.57
3
Case 2 0.12 0.2 0.38 2.1 0.11 0.29 -0.62
4
Discussion

From our experiment, we can get the value of shear force and bending moment in
simply supported beam. The data that we get is different between the experimental value and
the calculated value for both shear force and bending moment because the load is disturbed
while applying force. Therefore, the force will become not accurate. Besides, the mass of the
hanger also increase the force of the load. The mass of the hanger is not calculated. To
minimize this error we need to measure the mass of hanger so that the load that we apply can
be minus with the mass of hanger.The beam is not stable when measuring the shear force
because it shaking when we apply the load at hanger. The reading of shear force
dynamometer is keep on changing because it affected by the hanger that shaking. So,
accurate reading is hardly taken and this make us to assume the nearest value.

Conclusion

From this experiment, we were able to determine how shear force and bending
moment varies with an increasing point load. It was also seen how shear force and bending
moment varies at the cut position of the beam for various loading conditions. From this lab
experiment, it can be concluded that when the load we placed at the beam is increasing, the
Shear Force and bending moment will also increase. As well it was proved that Shear force
and bending moment at the cut section is equal to the forces acting both right and left side of
the cut section on the beam.

References
 Fakulti Kejuruteraan Awan Uitm,Basic Solid Mechanics,Cerdik Publications Sdn.Bhd
,pp 66-80.
 Durka,F, Morgan, W,Elements of Structure,2nd edition, Longman Group Ltd,1977.
 http://www.codecogs.com/library/engineering/materials/shear-force-and-bending-
moment.php