INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, GUWAHATI

Department of Mechanical Engineering

LABORATORY SHEET
Name of the student :

Semester/Year:

Roll No.: Date of Experiment:

TITLE: JIB CRANE APPARATUS.

AIM OF EXPERIMENT:

To calculate the stresses in various member of the jib crane and find the percentage error
between the calculated and observed values.

DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS:

The jib crane apparatus consist of a tubular shaped jib with a compression balance. The
balance is pivoted about an axis fitted to the base and a hook is attached to the other end
from which a chain hangs (to carry the weight). A vertical tubular bar carries hook at
different levels. One end of the tie rope carrying a spring balance is attached to one end
of the jib and the second end can be attached to any of the hooks provided on the vertical
tubular bar. The vertical tubular bar is fixed to a base.

Figure: Jib Crane Apparatus

Parts Details:

1. Wooden Base 7. Extension Balance with Chain

2. Iron Strip
3. Upright Bar
4. Cast Aluminum Bracket
5. Tie Bar With Compression Balance
6. Sliding Hook Brackets
8. Hanging Chain with Hook
9. Nut and Washer
10. Screw For Fixing the iron strip
11. Hole for Table Mounting

THEORY:
Jib crane is basically used to lift heavy loads. When it lifts the load then the jib member
is subjected to compression & the tie member is subjected to tension.
The triangle law of forces is used in the Jib crane experimental apparatus. The law states
that “If two forces acting at a point are represented in magnitude and direction by the two
adjacent sides of a triangle taken in order, then the closing side of the triangle taken in the
reversed order represents the resultant of the forces in magnitude and direction”.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

1. Note the initial reading or the zero error in the compression balance and the spring
balance.
2. Suspend a weight (W) from the point A i.e. the hook of the hanging chain and
note down the final readings of the balances separately.
3. Subtract the initial readings from the final readings. The difference between the
two readings will give the observed values.
4. Then measure the lengths AB, BC and AC of the jib, bar and tie respectively.
5. Draw the space diagram as per scale from the above measurements.
6. Select a suitable scale and draw bc parallel to BC and cut equal to weight W.
Draw ca parallel to CA and ab parallel to AB meeting at point a. The vectors ca
and ab represents forces in the tie (tension) and jib (compression) respectively.
Thus these are the calculated values of forces.
7. Find the percentage error between the calculated and observed value.

B
RESULTS:

Initial reading (zero error) of the tension spring balance:

Initial reading (zero error) of the tension spring balance:
Length of tie:
Length of jib:
Length of bar:

OBSERVATION TABLE
Load at Final readings on Observed Calculated forces Percentage error
apex balances readings on (graphically)
(kg) balances

Jib Tie Jib Tie Jib Tie Jib Tie

CONCLUSION(S) DRAWN: