1.

0 OBJECTIVE
a) To construct appropriate instrumentation/models/ simulation in structures.
b) To show that the bending moment at a cut section of a beam is equal to the algebraic sum
of the moment acting to the left or right of the section and the shear force at a cut section of a
beam is equal to the algebraic sum of the forces acting to the left or right of the section.

2.0 THEORY

When the load is to the left of x-X:

Shear force at section X-X is:
S.Fx-x= W1 -RA
Or,
S. Fx-x= - RB
When the load is to the right of X-X.
S. Fx-x = RA
Bending moment at section x-X is:
B.Mx-x = RALx – W1, (Lx – L1)
Or,
B. Mx-x = RBL2
When the load is to the right of X-X,
B. Mx-x = RALx
3.0 APPARATUS
i. A pair of simple supports
ii. Special beam specimen with a cut section
iii. A set of weights with several load hangers

4.0 PROCEDURE
No Procedure Picture

1. The indicator is switched on. For stability of

the reading the indicator is switched on
10 minutes before taking readings
2. The two simple supports are fixed to the
aluminium base at a distance equal to the span
of the beam to be tested. The supports are
screwed tightly to the base.

3. The load hanger are hanged to the beam

4. The beam is placed on the supports

5. The load hanger is placed at the desired

location.
6. The indicators readings are noted. The 'tare'
button on the indicator is pressed, if they are
not zero,
7. A load is placed on the load hanger

8. The indicator readings are recorded. They

represented the vertical and horizontal force at
the cut section

9. Load is added to the load hanger and the

indicators readings are recorded.

10 Step 1-9 is repeated to another 4 sets of

. readings.

11 The location is moved closer to the cut section.

. Step 1 to step 10 is repeated.
5.0 RESULTS
CASE 1: Subjected to Point Loads (PL)

Beam span = 900 mm

Distance of load cell from the top of the beam at the cut section = 270 mm
Distance of the cut section from the right support, L2 = 300 mm
Distance of the load from the left support, L1 = 300 mm
TABLE 1: BENDING MOMENT
Load (N) Horizontal Load Experimental Theoretical Bending
Cell Reading, FH (N) Bending Moment Moment RB X (L2)
FH X 270 (Nmm) (Nmm)
2 0.6 162
4 1.2 324
6 1.9 513
8 2.5 675
10 3.1 837
12 3.7 999
14 4.3 1161
TABLE 2 : SHEAR FORCE
Load (N) Vertical Load Cell Experimental Theoretical
Reading, FV Shear Force, FV Shear Force, RB
(N) (N) (N)
2 0.7 0.7
4 1.4 1.4
6 2.2 2.2
8 2.9 2.9
10 3.6 3.6
12 4.3 4.3
14 5.1 5.1
 CASE 2: Subjected to Uniformly distributed Loads

Beam span = 900 mm

Distance of load cell from the top of the beam at the cut section = 270 mm
Distance of the cut section from the right support, L2 = 300 mm
Distance of the load from the left support, L1 = 150 mm
TABLE 1: BENDING MOMENT
Load (N) Horizontal Load Experimental Theoretical Bending
Cell Reading, FH (N) Bending Moment Moment RB X (L2)
FH X 270 (Nmm) (Nmm)
6 1.9
12 3.7
18 5.6
24 7.7
30 10.7
36 12.6
42 14.3
TABLE 2 : SHEAR FORCE
Shear Force
Load (N) Vertical Load Cell Experimental Theoretical
Reading, FV Shear Force, FV Shear Force, RB
(N) (N) (N)
6 2.2
12 4.4
18 6.6
24 8.8
30 11.0
36 13.2
42 15.4