Lab Manual 01

ENGINEERING MECHANICS
Simply Supported Beam Subjected To Multiple Loads

Name: Zaid Bin Afzal

Regd.No: 2018-IM-42

Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering

University of Engineering & Technology Lahore

To Determine the Reactions on a Simply Supported Beam
Subjected to Multiple Loads

Objectives:
 Applying the laws of equilibrium for solving problems.
 To calculate the reactionary forces acting on a simply supported beam.
Apparatus:
 Wooden Beam
 Two Spring Balances
 Meter Rod
 Hangers & Weights
 Spirit level
Diagram:

Theory:
Force is an agent which produce and try to produce motion and destroy or try to
destroy motion.
F = ma
Moment is actually the turning effect of Force and is defined by;
M=r*F
Laws of Equilibrium:
o Sum of all the forces acting on a body is zero.
∑F = 0
o Sum of all Moments acting on a body is zero.
∑M = 0
Beam:
Beam is a structural member which is used to support load perpendicular to its
axis. Angle = 90 Degree.

Types of Beam:
 Simply supported beam
 Fixed beam
 Over hanging beam
 Double overhanging beam
 Continuous beam
 Cantilever beam
 I-beam
 T-beam
 C-beam
Support: The support means to bear weight or load.
Types of Support:
 Roller support
 Pin support
 Hinge support
 Fixed support
Procedure:
 Set the apparatus as defined.
 Then place the beam on the hooks with the spring balance on both sides.
 Add weights on beam with hangers such that beam is in horizontal position
by using spirit levels.
 Note the distance of weight jaws in in. from the support by using meter rod.
 Note the values of Ra & Rb in (lb) on balance. Calculate the theoretical
value of reactionary force using formula:
∑Fy = 0

Ra+Rb-W1-W2-W3 = 0

Ra = W1+W2+W3-Rb

∑Ma = 0

RbL-W3L3-W2L2-W1L1 = 0

Rb = (W1L1+W2L2+W3L3)/L
 Also calculate the % error.
 Perform experiment three times to calculate accurate readings.
Observations & Calculations:
Length for a reaction =23.6 inches
Zero error Ra = 1.5 lbs
Zero error Rb = 1.2 lbs
 Sr Loads (lb) Length (inch) Reactions (lbs) % %
No. Error Error
Ra Rb
W1 W2 W3 L1 L2 L3 L Exp. Theory.
Ra Rb Ra Rb
1 1 1 1 7 13 19 23.6 1.3 0.8 1.8 1.65 27.77 51.51

2 2 2 1.5 7 13 19 23.6 2.5 1.8 4.3 2.90 41.86 37.93

3 3 2.5 2 7 13 19 23.6 3.5 2.9 6.3 3.87 44.44 25.06

Sample Calculation:
∑Ma = 0
Rb = (W1L1+W2L2+W3L3)/L …… 1
∑Fy = 0

Ra+Rb-W1-W2-W3 = 0

Ra = W1+W2+W3-Rb …… 2
Putting value of required quantities in equation 1 we can calculate value of Rb i.e;
W 1 L 1+ W 2 L 2+W 3 L3 1∗7 +1∗13+1∗19
= =1.65 lbs=R B
L 23.6

Now putting value of Rb in equation 2 i.e;

R A = W1 + W2 +W3 – Rb = 1 + 1 + 1 – 1.2 = 1.8 lbs

Conclusion: We concluded that we came across the basic laws of equilibrium

and using that we performed our experiment and Calculated reactionary forces
theoretically and experimentally and we calculated % error from our readings.