LABORATORY 1:

Identification of Internal Forces, Stresses and Deflection of Simply Supported Beam

A) SHEAR FORCE IN A BEAM

• THEORY
The formulae are using:
𝑊(𝐿−𝑎)
𝑆𝑐 = ----------- equation 1
𝐿
− 𝑊𝑎
𝑆𝑐 = --------------- equation 2
𝐿
• PROCEDURE
Part 1: Shear force in beam
I. The mass with range between 100g to 300g is prepared.
II. The Digital Force Display meter with no load is set to zero.
III. The mass is hang at the beam at the first hanger support at the left. The distance between them is measured
by using a ruler when set up.
IV. The reading of Digital Force Display is recorded. (Shear Force at the cut (N) = Displayed Force).
V. Step I to IV are repeated to the next hanger until the last hanger at the right hand support.

Part 2: Shear force influence lines

I. 3 masses with 100g, 200g, and 300g are prepared.
II. The Digital Force Display meter with no load is set to zero.
III. The masses is hang at the beam in the any positions . The distance between them is measured by using a ruler
when set up.
IV. The reading of Digital Force Display is recorded.
V. Step I to IV are repeated with 3 other positions.
B) BENDING MOMENT IN A BEAM
• THEORY
A structural element which is designed and used to bear high load of structure and other external load is called beam. There
are many different types of beam like cantilever beam, simple supported beam and overhanging beam. The formula used is:
𝑾𝒂(𝑳−𝒂)
𝐌𝒄 =
𝑳
• PROCEDURE
Part 1: Bending moment varies with an increasing point load.
I. The Digital Force Display meter reads zero with no load was checked.
II. A hanger with 100g mass was placed to the left of the ‘cut’ as shown in Figure 1.
III. The Digital Force Display reading is recorded.
IV. Masses between 200g and 500g is repeated.
V. The mass was converted into a load in Newton (multiply by 9.81) and the force reading into a bending moment (Nm)
using: Bending moment at a cut ( Nm) = Displayed Force x 0.125.
VI. The theoretical bending moment at the cut was calculated.

Part 2: Bending moment varies at the cut position of the beam for various loading condition.
I. The Digital Force Display meter reads zero with no load was checked.
II. The beam was carefully loaded with the hangers in any positions and loads.
III. The force reading was converted into bending moment (Nm) using: Bending moment at a cut ( Nm) = Displayed Force x
0.125.
IV. The support reaction (RA and RB) and the theoretical bending moment at the cut was calculated.
C) DEFLECTION
• THEORY
• PROCEDURE
I. The movable knife-edged supports 400mm is placed apart from each other (point A and point B).
II. The beam is placed on the support.
III. The hanger and the digital dial test indicator are placed at the mid span (point C).
IV. The reading of the digital dial is set to zero.
V. Incremental load is applied and the deflection of the increment is recorded in the table.
VI. The test using span of 300mm and 500mm are repeated.