Experiment 1

To Determine The Reactions of simply supported beams

subjected to three load

Objective:

A bench mounted beam apparatus to allow students to investigate the deflections and reactions
in simply supported and cantilevered beams. The Beam Apparatus allows an extensive range of
experiments to cover virtually all course requirements relating to bending of beams.

simple Beam
A simply supported beam is a type of beam that has pinned support at one end and
roller support at the other end. Depending on the load applied, it undergoes shearing and
bending. It is the one of the simplest structural elements in existence.

Type of Beam

 Fixed Beam  Cantilever Beam

 Simply Supported  Continuously
Beam Supported Beam
 Apparatus:

 Overhanging beam apparatus  Weights (different sizes)

 Meter rod  Two spring balances
 Hangers
 Spirit level

Theory:

 About Beam:
It represents the case of a beam resting on two roller supports and subjected to a concentrated load
applied in the middle of the beam. ... The bending moments ( ), shear forces ( ), and deflections ( )
for a beam subjected to a central point load and an asymmetric point load are given in the table
below.

 About Deflection:
Stresses and deflections in a linearly elastic beam subjected to transverse loads, as predicted
by simple beam theory, are directly proportional to the applied loads. ... Beams supporting both axial
and transverse loads are sometimes known as beam-columns or simply as transversely loaded
columns.
 Experiment setup

A horizontal length of material with a vertical load system is called a beam. It is one of the
most basic engineering ways of supporting a load. External forces such as the applied loads and the
beam support reactions have to be in equilibrium. Given a loading system, the support reactions can
be calculated from force and moment equations. This apparatus is designed for simple experiments
and demonstrations on simply supported beams.
A bench mounted base supports two vertical pillars at either end, and a high top section used for
suspending components. A ‘U’ channel beam is suspended by means of load stirrups and two spring
balances. The spring balances act as supports and enable reactions to be read directly during testing.
Further stirrups are mounted on the beam which suspends the Load hangers. These Load hangers
and stirrups can be moved into numerous positions along the beam giving high variation for the end
user. The beam has an integral linear scale to obtain accurate positioning of itself and the hanger.

Procedure:

 Now adjust the apparatus as shown in the experimental setup.

 Find the complete distance between the two spring balances. It is represented by L. It will
remain same throughout the experiment.
 Find the weights of the hangers which are hanged on the Plank.
 Now add different weights on the hangers and sum up the individual weights with the
weights of hangers respectively. These weights are represented by W1, W2 and W3
respectively.
 Measure the distance of each hanger from support A to the respective hanger. Distances are
represented by L1, L2 and L3 respectively.
 Notice the values on spring balances at support A and support B. These values are
represented by Ra and Rb respectively.
 Now change the weights in the hangers and the distance between the hangers.
 Repeat the process and take five readings.
 These are the experimental reactions.
 To find the theoretical reactions on both supports apply the following formula:
 𝑊1𝐿1 + 𝑊2𝐿2 + 𝑊3𝐿3
 𝑅𝑏 =
 𝐿

𝑅𝑎 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2 + 𝑊3 − 𝑅𝑏

 In experimental and theoretical values there is only a minute change.

 Calculate the mean % error for both experimental and theoretical values for both reactions.

Diagram:

Observation & Calculation

Weight of hanger = 0.25 lb

Zero error = ±0.0
Zero correction = 0.0
Following are some of the formulae used in the calculations:

RA + RB = W1 + W2 + W3
MA = 0
RB.L = W1.L1 + W2.L2 + W3.L3
 𝑇𝐻 − 𝐸𝑥𝑝
% 𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑬𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 =
𝑇ℎ

Table:

NO LOADS LENGTHS EXPERIMENT

OF AL THEORATICAL % AGE
OBS (Lbs) (in) REACTIONS REACTIONS ERROR

(lbs) (in) (lbs) (lbs)

W1 W2 W3 L1 L2 L3 L Ra Rb Ra Rb Ra Rb
6.25 6.25
1 1.25 1.25 1.25 6 12 18 24 2 2 1.87 1.87
6.25 56.3
2 2.25 1.25 2.15 6 12 18 24 3 4 2.87 2.87
6.25 56.3
3 4.25 2.25 2.25 6 12 18 24 5 5 4.87 3.87
10.4 22.9
4 2.25 2.25 2.25 7 11 19 24 3 4 3.21 3.54
22 40.6
5 2.25 2.25 2.25 5 13 16 24 4 4 2.56 3.19
23.4 38.5
6 2.25 2.25 2.25 10 14 21 24 3 5 2.53 4.23

𝑇𝐻 − 𝐸𝑥𝑝
% 𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑬𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 =
𝑇ℎ
Mean Error in Ra = 12.425%

Mean Error in Rb = 36.80833%

 Applica

 Use In Building
 Use in Girders.
 In DAME constraction
 Simple supported beam is use in Bridges

Comment:

In the experiment i analysed the deflection of beams and understood how to adjust
the instruments. At the end of the experiment i derived some data about the experiment
and compared them with the analytical results, and i noticed some differences.