CE-203 LAB

FILE
ENGINEERING
MECHANICS

Nishant sharma
2K20/CE/102
 Experiment : 4
SIMPLE JIB CRANE APPARATUS
THEORY:
Triangle law of forces will be applied in this apparatus. It states” If two forces
acting simultaneously on a particle, be represented in magnitude and direction
by the two sides of a triangle, taken in order; their resultant may be represented
in magnitude and direction by the third side of the triangle, taken in opposite
order.”

OBJECTIVE:
To find out the forces in the Jib and tie of a Jib crane and to draw the force diagram
for different loads. Also calculate the percentage error between the calculated and
observed values.

APPARATUS:

The Jib crane apparatus consist of a tubular shape 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 hang (to carry the weight). A
vertical tubular rod (Post) carries hooks 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 rod
(Post). The vertical tubular rod is fixed to a base.
SUGGESTED EXPERIMENTAL WORK:
Step1: Note down the initial readings (or zero error) in the compression balance
and the tension spring balance separately.

Step2: Suspend a known wt (W) from the pt. A i.e. the hook of the hanging chain
and note down the final readings of the balances separately.

Step3: Subtract the initial readings from the final readings. The difference
between the two readings of the tension spring balance will give the
observed value of the force in the tie and that of the compression
balance, the observed value of the force in the jib.

Step4: Measure the lengths of the vertical post, tie and jib.
 Step5: From these measurements (taken to a suitable scale) draw the space
diagram.
Step6: Select a suitable scale bc parallel to BC and cut equal to W. Draw ca
parallel to CA and ab parallel to AB meeting at a. Then vectors ca and
ab represents forces in the tie (tension) and jib (compression)
respectively.

Mathematically:

In ∆ ABC, measure α, β and γ

Using sine law, we get

𝑊 𝐶 𝑇
= =
sin 𝛼 sin 𝛽 sin γ

The values of C and T can be calculated. The percentage error can be

calculated in the observed and calculated values of forces in the jib and tie.

Step7: Increase the weight at A and proceed as before. Take in this way about
more readings.

SAMPLE DATA SHEET:

Zero error (initial reading) in the tension spring balance = NIL
Zero error (initial reading) in the compression balance = NIL
Length of tie, cm =
Length of jib, cm =
Length of post(h), cm = 94.4

Sl. Final readings on Observed forces Calculated forces Percentage error

No. balances from balances (graphically) in
Tie Jib Tie Jib Tie Jib Tie Jib
(T1) (C1) (T) (C)
1 3.10 3.00 3.10 3.00 3.71 5.66 16.4% 46.9%
2 3.55 3.50 3.55 3.50 4.13 6.21 14.04% 43.6%
3 4.00 3.95 4.00 3.95 4.60 6.80 13.04% 41.9%
4 4.40 4.60 4.40 4.60 5.10 7.34 13.7% 37.3%
5 5.00 5.40 5.00 5.40 5.61 7.92 10.8% 31.8%
Space diagrams
CALCULATIONS:
PRECAUTIONS:
 Do not suspend the wt (W) from A with a jerk.
 If the readings in compression balance are different for a same wt (W)
then take three such reading and find their mean.
 Take into account the zero error of the balances.
 Measure the lengths with a fine inextensible thread.