FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

TITLE: INDETERMINATE BEAM

1.0) INTRODUCTION
The redundant in form of reaction exist in an indeterminate system. However, static
equation itself unable to solve that particular redundant. The superposition method
is one of the suitable approaches to determine this reaction. The fixed end moment
of a fixed end beam is given by;

MFAB = - W * a * b2/ L2 (1)

MFBA = - W * a2 * b/ L2 (2)

2.0) OBJECTIVE
To validate the theoretical equation of fixed end moment through experimental work
by using the superposition method for indeterminate beam.

3.0) PROBLEM STATEMENT

Structural could be classified into statically determinate and indeterminate system.
Static equation can be used to solve the determinate problem. Meanwhile,
superposition method can be used to solve the indeterminate problem.

4.0) APPARATUS
1. Beam Apparatus
2. Set of loads
3. Metre ruler
4. Vernier Calliper

5.0) PROCEDURE
1. The two supports are fixed tightly to the base with the distant between them
equals to the span of the beam.
2. The load cell is properly secured to the pivoting plate.
3. The ends of the beam are placed between the clamping plates of the supports and
the two screws are tightened to fix the beam.
4. The load hanger is clipped at the position where the beam is to be loaded.
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

5. The load cell is connected from the support pier to the display unit, each load cell
occupying one terminal on the display.
6. The display is switched on and begin with channel 1, the initial reading for each
channel are recorded.
7. A suitable load is placed on the load hanger and the reading of each load cell are
recorded.
8. The load on the load hanger increased and the pier reaction are recorded.

6.0) RESULT AND ANALYSIS

A) Experimental results

Load on the Beam Load Cell Reading at Load Cell Reading at

(N) Support A, VA (N) Support B, VB (N)
0 0.0 0.0
1 -1.1 -0.6
2 -2.1 -1.3
3 -3.0 -1.5
4 -3.1 -2.0
5 5.0 2.1
Table 1

Fixed end moment for experimental is calculated by using formula:

MF = V X 55

i) Fixed end moment at the support A

a) For 1 N load
MFA = VA X 55
= -1.1 X 55
= - 60.5 Nmm

b) For 2 N load
MFA = VA X 55
= -2.1 X 55
= - 115.5 Nmm
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

c) For 3 N load
MFA = VA X 55
= -3.0 X 55
= - 165.0 Nmm

d) For 4 N load
MFA = VA X 55
= -3.1 X 55
= - 170.5 Nmm

e) For 5 N load
MFA = VA X 55
= -5.0 X 55
= - 275.0 Nmm

ii) Fixed end moment at the support B

a) For 1 N load
MFB = VB X 55
= -0.6 X 55
= - 33.0 Nmm

b) For 2 N load
MFB = VB X 55
= -1.3 X 55
= - 71.5 Nmm

c) For 3 N load
MFB = VB X 55
= -1.5 X 55
= - 82.5 Nmm

d) For 4 N load
MFB = VB X 55
= -2.0 X 55
= - 110.0 Nmm

e) For 5 N load
MFB = VB X 55
= -2.1 X 55
= - 115.5 Nmm
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

B) Theoretical Results

Data requirement:
1. Beam span = 1000 mm
2. Distance of load from support A = 400 mm

The fixed end moment for theoretical can be calculate by using formula:
𝟐
𝐖∗𝐚∗𝐛
MFAB = − 𝟐
𝑳
𝐖∗𝒂𝟐 ∗𝐛
MF BA =−
𝑳𝟐

i) Fixed end moment at the support A

a) For 1 N load
2
W∗a∗b
MFAB = −
𝐿2
1∗400∗6002
= −
10002
= - 144.0 Nmm

b) For 2 N load
2
W∗a∗b
MFAB = −
𝐿2
2∗400∗6002
= −
10002
= - 288.0 Nmm

c) For 3 N load
2
W∗a∗b
MFAB = −
𝐿2
3∗400∗6002
= −
10002
= - 432.0 Nmm

d) For 4 N load
2
W∗a∗b
MFAB = −
𝐿2
4∗400∗6002
= −
10002
= - 576.0 Nmm
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

e) For 5 N load
2
W∗a∗b
MFAB = −
𝐿2
5∗400∗6002
= −
10002
= - 720.0 Nmm

ii) Fixed end moment at the support B

a) For 1 N load
W∗𝑎2 ∗b
MFBA = −
𝐿2
1∗4002 ∗600
=−
10002
= - 96.0 Nmm

b) For 2 N load
W∗𝑎2 ∗b
MFBA = −
𝐿2
2∗4002 ∗600
=−
10002
= - 192.0 Nmm

c) For 3 N load
W∗𝑎2 ∗b
MFBA = −
𝐿2
3∗4002 ∗600
=−
10002
= - 288.0 Nmm

d) For 4 N load
W∗𝑎2 ∗b
MFBA = −
𝐿2
4∗4002 ∗600
=−
10002
= - 384.0 Nmm

e) For 5 N load
W∗𝑎2 ∗b
MFBA = −
𝐿2
5∗4002 ∗600
=−
10002
= - 480.0 Nmm
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

C) Summary

Load on Beam Fixed End Moment at Support A Fixed End Moment at Support B
(W) Nmm Nmm
MF (EXP)=Va*55 MF (Theory) MF (EXP)=Vb*55 MF (Theory)
1 -60.5 -144.0 -33.0 -96.0
2 -115.5 -288.0 -71.5 -192.0
3 -165.0 -432.0 -82.5 -288.0
4 -170.5 -576.0 -110.0 -384.0
5 -275.0 -720.0 -115.5 -480.0
Table 2

MOMENT THEORETICAL VS
EXPERIMENTAL
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
-100

-200
y = -50.129x - 5.7619
MOMENT NMM

-300

-400

-500

-600

-700 y = -144x

-800
LOAD(N)

Graph 1: Fixed end moment at the support A

From the graph, the slope of experimental value is -50.129 and for theoretical
value is -144. The percentage difference by using formula
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙−𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙
| |x100 which is 65.19%
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

MOMENT THEORETICAL VS
EXPERIMENTAL
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
MOMENT NMM -100 y = -23.414x - 10.214

-200

-300

-400

y = -96x
-500

-600
LOAD(N)

Graph 2: Fixed end moment at the support B

From the graph the slope of experimental is -23.414 and for theoretical is -96. The
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙−𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙
percentage difference by using formula | |x100 which is
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
78.05%.
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

7.0) DISCUSSION

The experiment is successfully done. The procedure is followed accordingly

without any skip. The experiment is to validate the theoretical equation of fixed end
moment through experimental work by using superposition method for
indeterminate beam. This team has fixed distance from support A that is 400 mm that
automatically makes B is 600 mm due to total length of the beam is 1000 mm. The
type of support used for this indeterminate beam is pinned support at A and also
pinned support at B. The reason of the types of support is to create a situation that
must be fulfil the objective of the experiment that stated to test on indeterminate
beam, due to the action the Determinacy of Indeterminacy (DOI) is not equal to zero.
The load has been applied for is 0N at rest and increase the load by 1 N interval until
5 N. The experimental results had an extreme discrepancy with the theoretical results
with the error ranging from 65.10 % for support A and 78.05 % for support B. This
error is not considerably when the value of theoretical and experimental are more
than 5 %. These results happen due the apparatus not working properly needed
calibration of the apparatus before start the experiment. The reason can be assumed
for the different is machine error. The machine does not been maintain in a long time,
the coefficient will reduce due to reading of digital force applied and the approximate
of force applied and the deflection. The other reason that may can consider is maybe
unpleasant mistake done by us such as inappropriate adjustment after shifting the
load, over applied load in order to make the gauge reading zero and over impacted
due to slip of load when applied it causing the gauge to move a lot without someone
realise it.
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
PULAU PINANG LABORATORY REPORT

8.0) CONCLUSION

1) For a beam loaded with a single point load as above, state the relationship
between the fixed end moment and load.

The graph shown at the result the fixed end moment and load relationship is
straight forward linear and increase incline. The relationship between fixed end
moment and load are the more the load the higher the fixed end moment.

2) Will the relationship between reaction and load be linear if the beam is loaded
with more than 1 load with different magnitude?

The result will be still linear as long as the load is point load and not uniform
distributed, triangular and other non-point load. The reason is the pattern of
reaction are difference for non-point load.

3) Comment on the accuracy of the result obtained in this experiment.

The accuracy of result obtained are too far. But the pattern of the graph is still
incline and linear even the data of experiment and theoretical are far away. The
objective of the experiment is validating both experimental and theoretical result.
The objective is not completely fulfilled but the pattern of graph to be linear both
of the data can be acceptable. The reason is the inexperience use of machine by
the group and sensitivity of the machine itself to detect even slightest movement
in loading, causing the experiment result can be taken accurately only by
experience handler.