PUSAT PENGAJIAN KEJURUTERAAN AWAM LABORATORY MANUAL SEMESTER

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, PULAU PINANG MARCH - JULY 2023

COURSE CODE : CES511

COURSE : STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY
LEVEL OF OPENNESS : 2
CATEGORY : PARTIALLY OPEN
DEGREE OF OPEN ENDED (%) : 66%
PERIOD ACTIVITY : 2 WEEKS
EXPERIMENT NAME : SHEAR FORCE IN BEAM (CO1:PO2)

INTRODUCTION
When A horizontal member of a structure (beam) is subjected to several concentrated forces and
distributed loads, it will bend due to shear force and bending moment. Shear force is the resultant
force in the beam acting perpendicular to its longitudinal x-axis. Shear force is an unaligned force
pushing one part of the body in the opposite direction as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Shearing Forces Acting on a Beam

Generally, the summing forces in the vertical direction and also taking moments of the cut section
for the left side;

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒 𝐴𝑦 − 𝑉 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝐴𝑦 = 𝑉

PREAMBLE ∑𝑀 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒 𝑀 − 𝐴𝑦 𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑀 = 𝐴𝑦 𝑥

Figure 2: Sign Convention Internal Forces and Moments

 PUSAT PENGAJIAN KEJURUTERAAN AWAM LABORATORY MANUAL SEMESTER
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, PULAU PINANG MARCH - JULY 2023

OBJECTIVES
1. To determine that the shear force at a cut section is equal to the algebraic sum of the forces
acting to the left or right of the section.
2. To examine how shear force varies with an increasing point load.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the experiment, students should be able to:
1. Determine the values of shear force at a cut section with an increasing point load.
2. Draw the diagram of the shear force and load applied.

In a beam design, shear and moment curves must be construct in order to determine the location
and magnitude of the maximum values of these forces. The proportion of the cross section are
determined by the magnitude of the maximum shear and moment in the span.

PROBLEM
STATEMENT

Figure 3: Shear and Moment Diagram for Simply Supported Beam

EQUIPMENT

WAYS &
MEAN

Figure 4: Shear Force of a Beam Apparatus

 PUSAT PENGAJIAN KEJURUTERAAN AWAM LABORATORY MANUAL SEMESTER
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, PULAU PINANG MARCH - JULY 2023

DATA ACQUISITION

Refer Appendix 1

DATA INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS

Each group is required to prepare the experimental report based on the data collected:
1. An introduction of the theoretical background regarding the fundamental knowledge of the
experiment.
2. All readings and data from the experiment should be converted to appropriate units and
tabulated accordingly.
3. List of collected data and sample calculation/plot of graph.
REPORT 4. Include all the analysis and calculation of the needed answer.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

1. Comment on the shape of the graph.

2. Discuss the relationship shear force and force applied.

REFERENCE Include list of references at the end of your report.

 PUSAT PENGAJIAN KEJURUTERAAN AWAM LABORATORY MANUAL SEMESTER
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, PULAU PINANG MARCH - JULY 2023

Appendix 1 : Results

Length of beam span = mm

Distance of the cut section from the
= mm
left support
Distance of point load from support = mm

Table 1
Load, P Reaction Force Reaction Force Experimental Theoretical Percentage
at A, VA at B, VB Shear Force at Shear Force Error
(N) (N) (N) Cut Section at Cut Section (%)
(N) (N)