Experiment No.

6
To determine reactions of simply supported beam by experimental and analytical methods

Fig: Simply supported beam

Purpose:
 To understand different methods of reaction calculation.
 To get an introduction about the pattern by which reactions vary against different
magnitudes of loadings.

Apparatus:
 Model of beam
 Hangers and weights
 Spring balance
 Meter rod

Related Theory:
Beam:
Beam is the structural member subjected to loading transverse to its longitudinal axis.
Types of supports:
The beams usually have three different types of support:
1. Hinged or pinned support
2. Roller support
3. Fixed support

1. Hinged or pinned support:

The hinged support is capable of resisting force acting in any direction of the plane.
Hance, in general the reaction at such a support may have two components. One in
horizontal and another in vertical direction. To determine these two components two
equations of statics must be used. Usually, at hinged end the beam is free to rotate but
translational displacement is not possible.

2. Roller support:
The roller support is capable of resisting a force in only one specific line or action.
The roller can resist only a vertical force or a force normal to the plane on which
roller moves. A reaction on this type of supports corresponds to single unknown
figure.

3. Fixed Support:
The fixed support is capable of resisting of force in any direction and is also capable
of resisting a couple or a moment. A system of three forces can exist at such a support
(i.e., two component of force and moment).

Types of beams:
Based on supports
 Simply supported beam
 Cantilever beam
 Continuous beam
 Fixed ended beam
 Propped cantilever beam

Based on material
 Steel beams
  Concrete beams
 Wooden beams

Fig(a): Steel beam Fig(b): Wooden beam

Fig(c): Concrete beam

Based on geometry
 T-section
 I-section
 Channel section
 Square section

Based on determinacy

 Statically Indeterminate beams:

In statics, a structure is statically indeterminate when the static equilibrium
equations are insufficient for determining the internal forces and reactions on that
structure.
  Statically determinate beams:
A beam is statically determinate when the static equilibrium equations are
sufficient for determining the internal forces and reactions on that structure.

Equilibrium:
When all the forces that act upon an object are balanced, then the object is said to be in a state
of equilibrium.

Conditions of equilibrium:
1. The (vector) sum of all the forces on the rigid object must be zero
∑F=0 (Translational equilibrium)
2. The sum of the external torques on the rigid object must be zero
∑F=0 (Rotational equilibrium)
So, when ∑Fx=0
 ∑Fy=0
∑M=0
The body is said to be in static equilibrium

Analytical Method:
Analytically reaction can be determined by using conditions of static equilibrium.

Procedure:
 Set apparatus according t required loading conditions.
 Note zero error and least count of each spring balance.
 Place weights in hangers and note final reading in each spring balance.
 Reactions can be calculated by taking difference between final and initial
reading (zero error)
 Determine reactions analytically and compare them with experimental results.

Observations and calculations:

Sr. Weight AB BC RA RB
(N) (cm) (cm) (N) (N)

Experimental Analytical %diff. Experimental Analytical %diff.

(%) (%)
1. 5 59 52 2.45 2.35 4.08 4.90 2.65 45.97
2 10 59 52 4.90 4.68 4.48 7.35 5.31 39.04

3 15 37 74 9.81 10 1.9 7.35 5 31.97

4 20 37 74 14.71 13.33 9.38 9.81 6.67 32

5 25 84 27 7.35 6.09 17.14 22.07 18.91 14.31

6 30 84 27 7.35 7.35 0 24.52 22.70 7.42

Comments: