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 : BENDING MOMENT IN BEAM (CO1:PO2)

INTRODUCTION
Bending Moments are rotational forces within the structural element that cause bending. The
most common or simplest structural element subjected to bending moments is the beam. At any
point within a beam, the bending moment is the sum of; external force multiplied by the distance
that is perpendicular to the direction of the force.

Figure 1: Bending Effect of a Beam

Generally, the summing forces in the vertical direction and also taking moments of the cut section
for the left side;
PREAMBLE
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒 𝐴𝑦 − 𝑉 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝐴𝑦 = 𝑉

∑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 bending moment 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 bending moment varies with an increasing point load.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the experiment, students should be able to:
i. Determine the values of bending moment at a cut section with an increasing point load.
ii. Draw the diagram of the bending moment and load applied.

In a beam design, shear and moment curves must be constructed 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: Bending Moment 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 between bending moment 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 Bending Bending Error
(N) (N) (N) Moment at Moment at (%)
Cut Section Cut Section
(Nmm) (Nmm)