LAB REPORT

Engineering Mechanics-Lab

SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

Submitted To:
SIR REHMAT BASHIR
Submitted By:
Muhammad Furqan
2021-ME-16
Section A

University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore

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 Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
1.1 OBJECTIVES:......................................................................................................................3
1.2 APPARATUS:......................................................................................................................3
1.3 PRINCIPLE:.........................................................................................................................3
1.4 PROCEDURE:.....................................................................................................................3
1.5 OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION:..........................................................................5
1.5.1 Formulas:.......................................................................................................................5
1.5.2 Possible errors:..............................................................................................................5
1.5.3 Defects of Beams:.........................................................................................................5
1.5.4 Solutions:.......................................................................................................................6
1.5.4.1 For errors:..................................................................................................................6
1.5.4.2 For defects:................................................................................................................6
1.6 THEORY..............................................................................................................................7
1.6.1 BEAM:..............................................................................................................................7
1.6.2 TYPES OF BEAMS:........................................................................................................7
1.6.2.1 Straight Beam........................................................................................................8
1.6.2.2 Curved Beam.........................................................................................................8
1.6.2.3 Tapered Beam........................................................................................................8
1.6.3 Based on the shape of cross section..................................................................................9
1.6.4 Types based on Equilibrium Conditions...........................................................................9
1.6.4.1 Statically Determinate Beam.................................................................................9
1.6.4.2 Statically Indeterminate Beam.............................................................................10
1.6.5 Classification on the base of supports............................................................................10
1.7 APPLICATIONS:...............................................................................................................13
1.8 COMMENTS:-................................................................................................................13
1.9 REFRENCES..................................................................................................................13

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 Title
To Determine the Reaction of Simply Supported Beam
External Loaded.
1.1 OBJECTIVES:

 To determine the Reactions Forces acting on a Simply Supported Beam.

 To calculate the Mean Percentage Error by comparing the experimental values
with the theoretical reaction forces.

1.2 APPARATUS:

 Simply supported beam apparatus

 Meter rod
 Hangers
 Weights (different sizes)
 Two spring balances
 Spirit level

1.3 PRINCIPLE:

Condition of equilibrium for vertical parallel forces acting on a body is:

Sum of all the forces acting should be zero.

∑ F=0

It should satisfy the principle of moments.

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 1.4 PROCEDURE:

 Surface on which simply supported beam is to be placed should be in level. To check the
level, place the spirit level on the table. If the bubble comes in between then the surface is
level otherwise make the surface level.
 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:

W 1 L1+ W 2 L2 +W 3 L3
 Rb =
L
 Ra =W 1 +W 2 +W 3−R b

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

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

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 Figure 1: Apparatus of Simply supported beam

Loads Lengths Reaction

(lbs.) (Inches)
W1 W2 W3 L1 L2 L3 L R(a)e R(b)e R(a)o R(b)o %Error %Error
R(a) R(b)
1.25 1.75 0.75 7.4 14.4 20.8 24.1 1.5 2 1.68 2.07 10% 3.3%
2.25 1.75 2.75 5.3 13.1 17.6 24.1 3.1 3.5 3.3 3.45 6% 1.4%
2.25 2.25 3.25 3.5 14.6 20.2 24.1 3.5 4.5 3.34 4.41 4.7% 2%
3.25 2.25 3.25 4.4 12.1 19.2 24.1 4.3 4.2 4.44 4.31 3% 2.5%
2.25 2.25 2.25 3.6 8.8 16.2 24.1 4 2.5 4.08 2.67 2% 6.3%

1.5 OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION:

Total Length L = 24.1 inches

Mean %age Error in Ra = 3.30%

Mean %age Error in Rb = 1.88%

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 1.6.1 Formulas:
 R ( a ) × L=w1 l 1+ w2 l2 + w3 l 3

 R ( a ) + R ( b )=w 1+ w2 +w 3
1.6.2 Possible errors:
The difference between the theoretical value and experimental value of R(a) and
R(b) is due to some error during the experiment that may be;

 Parallax error
 Human error
 Poor calibration of spring balance
 Zero error of spring balance.

1.6.3 Defects of Beams:

 After passage of time, the structure of the beam becomes weak and crakes become to
appear. This is because of the water seeping into the structure of the beam and due to
temperature effects.
 Sometimes, during the formation of beams, due to heat effects, the structure of beam
becomes weak.
 The unexpected overloading also causes deficiency in beam structure.
 The raw materials in irregular amount or defective raw materials also make the beam
weak.
 Chemical effects and corrosive environments make the structure of the beam defective.
 Cracks are formed in due to many reasons but when these cracks are very deep, it is
unsafe to use that beam structure. 
 Crazing also called as pattern cracking or map cracking, is the formation of closely
spaced shallow cracks in an uneven manner. Crazing occurs due to rapid hardening of top
surface due to high temperatures or if the mix contains excess water content or due to
insufficient curing.
 Blistering is the formation of hollow bumps of different sizes on concrete surface due to
entrapped air under the finished concrete surface. It may cause due to excessive vibration
of concrete mix or presence of excess entrapped air in mix or due to improper finishing.
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  When a concrete slab is distorted into curved shape by upward or downward movement
of edges or corners, it is called curling. It occurs mainly due to the differences in moisture
content or temperature between slab surface (top) and slab base (bottom).

1.6.4 Solutions:
1.6.5 For errors:
 More precise measurements should be taken.
 More accurate device should be used.
 Human error and zero error should be taken care of.

1.6.6 For defects:

 The beams should be produced under optimum conditions such as environment and
temperature.
 Overloading should be avoided.
 To prevent cracking, use low water – cement ratio and maximize the coarse aggregate in
concrete mix, admixtures containing calcium chloride must be avoided. Surface should
be prevented against rapid evaporation of moisture content. Loads must be applied on the
surface only after gaining its maximum strength.
 Pattern cracking can be avoided by proper curing, by dampening the sub-grade to resist
absorption of water from concrete, by providing protection to the surface from rapid
temperature changes.
 Blistering can be prevented by using good proportion of ingredients in concrete mix, by
covering the top surface which reduces evaporation and using appropriate techniques for
placing and finishing.
 To prevent curling, use low shrink concrete mix, provide control joints, provide heavy
reinforcement at edges, or provide edges with great thickness.

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 1.6 THEORY

1.6.7 BEAM:

A long sturdy piece of squared timber or metal used support the roof or floor of a building. A
beam is a structural element that primarily resists loads applied laterally to the beam’s axis. Its
mode of deflection is primarily by bending.[1]

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 1.6.8 TYPES OF BEAMS:

Some types of beam based on its geometry are given below:

1.6.9 Straight Beam

It is simple straight beam which can be used for a number of purposes like acting as supporting
pillars in buildings, acting as the
Figure 2: Beams or T R Girders are used in construction
holders of tube lights, in beam balances and as a rotating axle.[2]

Figure 3: Straight Beams

1.6.10 Curved Beam

A straight beam when bended at some angle, is called a curved beam. It finds its usage mostly in
building structures.[3]

Figure 4: Curved Beam

1.6.11 Tapered Beam

A beam when tapered in the form of gradient (increasing or decreasing changes in dimensions at
regular intervals) then it is called a tapered beam. It finds its uses in infrastructure and many
mechanical machineries such as in factories and mills[4]

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 Figure 5: Tapered Beam

1.6.12 Based on the shape of cross section

I-Beam – Beam with ‘I’ cross section

Figure 6: I Beam

T-Beam – Beam with ‘T’ cross section

Figure 7: T Beam

C-Beam – Beam with ‘C’ cross section

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 Figure 8: C Beam

1.6.13 Types based on Equilibrium Conditions

Two types of beams based on their equilibrium conditions are given below:

1.6.14 Statically Determinate Beam

A beam is called determinate beam if it can be analyzed by the basic equilibrium condition. The
support reaction can be found by using basic equilibrium condition. These conditions are
Summation of all horizontal forces is zero. Summation of all vertical forces is zero. Summation
of all moments is zero. Example: Simply supported beam, Cantilever beam etc.

1.6.15 Statically

Figure 9: A statically determinate beam is used in many applications as well as for experimental work

Indeterminate Beam

If the beam cannot be analysis by using basic equilibrium condition, known as statically
indeterminate beam. The end reaction finds out by using basic equilibrium condition with
combination of other conditions like strain energy method, virtual work method etc.

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Example: Continuous beam, fixed beam

Figure 10: A statically indeterminate beam is used to lift high weights hence used in big construction projects

1.6.16 Classification on the base of supports

1.6.17 SIMPLY SUPPORTED 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. [3]

Figure 11 Simply supported beam [4]

Figure 12: Simply Supported Beam: A most commonly used beam

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 1.6.18 FIXED BEAM
The fixed end moments are reaction moments developed in a beam member under certain load
conditions with both ends fixed. A fully fixed beam will have lesser moments and deflection at
midspan than a comparable simply supported beam.

Figure 13: Fixed Beam

1.6.19 CANTILEVER BEAM

If a beam is fixed at one end while the other end is free, it is called cantilever beam.

1.6.20 CONTINUO
USLY
SUPPORTED
BEAM
If more than two
supports are provided to
Figure 14: Cantilevers Beam
beam, it is called continuously supported
beam.

Figure 15: Continuous Beam

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 1.6.21 OVERHANGING BEAM
An overhanging beam is a beam that has one or both end portions extending beyond its supports.
It may have any number of supports. If viewed in a different perspective, it appears as if it has
features of simply supported beam and cantilever beam.

Figure 16: Over Hanging Beam

1.6.22 Torque:
A torque is a moment of force that tends to rotate a body (usually a shaft).It acts in
the plane that is perpendicular to longitudinal axis of shaft. It causes twisting of shafts. Torque
when combined with shear stress generates stress called torsional stress which rotates it through
angle. It plays the same role in circular motion as force plays in linear motion as it generates
angular acceleration in body. It is due to torque that power is transmitted through gears, belt and
pulleys, and chain sprocket system[5].

1.6.23 Stress:
It can be defined as internal resisting force produced due to load applied per unit area on
a solid body. It is represented by ϭ.
Ϭ= F/A
 It is a tensor quantity. Its unit is N/m2.
 It mostly deals with solids. It is always perpendicular to force applied to a body.
 Stress can be positive or negative. If negative then it is called compression and if positive
then it is called tension.

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  Stress is the internal resistance, or counter force, of a material to the distorting effects of
external force or load. The total resistance developed is equal to the load.
 As in case of spring, the force applied on it is resisted by stress caused by spring constant
K. It causes deformation in a body such as elastic, plastic and ultimate fracture. In
deformations it can change length (for solids), volume (for liquids), and shape of a body
(mostly when applied to those materials which are malleable and ductile).
 Stress also exists in the form of heat whenever temperature gradients are present in
material which produce expansions and subject material to stress. The concept of stress
and its analysis is mostly used in material science and engineering. It is explained by
Hooke’s Law that stress is directly proportional to strain under elastic limit of a body.
Stress is measured by different testing machines like Charpy Testing Machine etc.

1.7 APPLICATIONS:

 I-beams are also used to construct frames for trolley ways, elevators, trailer, and truck
beds, etc.
 H-shaped beams have thicker walls and flanges and are used to construct mezzanines,
platforms and bridges, and common building constructions.
 The beams transfer load from the super structure to the columns and to the sub-soil
foundation.

1.8 COMMENTS:-

 Check for the zero error in spring balances.

 Do not add too much weight in the hangers.
 Point A and B should be marked from tips.
 Compare the experimental and theoretical values.
 Weight of wooden beam should be neglected.

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  There is almost a small variation after changing the weights and there position.
 This small error can also be converted to percentage which gives the percentage error.

1.9 References

[1] “Beam Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster.”

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beam (accessed Jul. 16, 2022).

[2] “Straight Beams | Civil Engineering X.” https://civilengineeringx.com/bdac/straight-

beams/ (accessed Jul. 16, 2022).

[3] “Curved Beams | Civil Engineering X.” https://civilengineeringx.com/bdac/curved-beams/

(accessed Jul. 16, 2022).

[4] “Tapered Flange Beam - Steel Mart.” https://steel-mart.com/tapered-flange-beam/

(accessed Jul. 16, 2022).

[5] “What Is Torque? - Definition, Formula, Symbol, Unit, Examples.”

https://byjus.com/physics/torque/ (accessed Jul. 16, 2022).

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