INSTITUTION: DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

COURSE: BSc. ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENG.

UNIT NAME: FUNDAMENTALS OF MECHANICAL ENG.

UNIT CODE: EME 1202

TASK: EQUILIBRIUM OF BEAMS

LECTURES NAME: Prof. JAMES KERAITA

EXPERIMENT DAY: 15TH MARCH OF 2023

SUBMISSION DATE: 4TH APRIL OF 2023

GROUP MEMBERS

NAME REGISTRATION NO. SIGN

1.SAMMY KIGOTHO E021-01-2208/2022 ………...
2.MACREY BWALEI E021-01-1226/2022 ………...
3.BRIAN KINYUA E021-01-2218/2022 ………...
4.RODGERS MOMANYI E021-01-1229/2022 ………...
 ABSTRACT
This report entails the static equilibrium of beams. It involves studying the behaviour of a
beam under various loading conditions. The experiment typically involves the use of a beam
with two springs using a hook and hanging masses on certain points at regular intervals. It
aims to demonstrate the behaviour of a beam under different loads and boundary conditions.
The experiment involves setting up a beam, measuring its dimensions, adding weights to it
and measuring its result deflection. The reaction at the support of the beam are calculated and
a load deflection curve is plotted to show the relationship between the applied load and the
resulting deflection. This experiment provides a hands-on demonstration of the principles of
static equilibrium of beams experiment

HOLE NUMBER L.H. S R.H. S

0 1.3N 1.3N
1 6.2N 1.3N
6 5.5N 1.8N
11 4.9N 2.8N
16 4.2N 3.2N
21 3.7N 3.7N
26 3.1N 4.4N
31 2.9N 5.1N
36 1.8N 5.5N
41 1.3N 6.2N

A table of the reaction forces on each spring for the mass at different holes
 INTRODUCTION
The static equilibrium of beams is an important concept in mechanics that is used to
determine the internal forces and stresses in a beam that is subjected to external loads. A
beam is said to have attained a state of equilibrium when there is a tendency of the beam not
to move in any direction. The experiment is also useful to analyse and calculate the forces
and moments acting on a beam using different methods such as graphical and analytical
methods.
The aim of this lab report is to determine the principles of static equilibrium and the
behaviour of beams under different loads using a spring balance to measure the left and right-
hand reactions. This investigation sheds light on the behaviour of beams under different loads
and shows the importance of precise and accurate measurements in designing safe and
efficient structures.
For the simply-supported beam shown in
Figure 1: W − R1 − R2 = 0 (1)
R1 = W − R2 (2)
This shows that the sum of the reaction forces must always equal the load force. Taking
moments about the left-hand end:
( R 2× L )−( W × I )=0
WI
R 2=
L

Equipment
The equipmentS that were used for this experiment included

1, A beam: A 1 meter long, thin, rigid object with holes that were used to hang weights on.
2, A support stand: A steady stand that can hold the beam in place and allow it to pivot.
3.A weight hanger: A device used to suspend weights from the beam.
4.Weights: Objects used to add weight to the system and create an imbalance.
5.A ruler or measuring tape: Used to measure the length and position of the beam and
weights.
6.spring balance: to display the weight of the weight added with time
7.magnetic hook points: these were attached to the stand and were used to hold the spring
balances in place
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1.Magnetic hook points were fit on the board at the grid (0,550) and (800,550)
2.The spring balance was hanging from each magnetic hook point ensuring the spring balance
is the correct way and easily readable
3.The beam was hanging from the two springs using the (s) hooks through the first hole on
each and ensuring the beam is level
4. Recordings and readings were taken from the left and right spring balances
5.A mass of 500g (5.0N) was added (recall the hanger has 10g) to the beam directly under the
left-hand spring balance
6 The reaction force displayed on each spring balance was recorded on table 1. The datum
values were subtracted from these to calculate true reaction forces.
7.The load was moved from left to right in steps of 5 holes along the beam until the last hole
under right hand spring balance, Reactions at each distance were recorded

Load W (N): 4.9N

Distance L Between supports (m): 0.8m
Left hand spring balance zero-load reading (N): 1.3N
Right hand spring balance zero-load reading (N): 1.3N

Distanc L.H support reaction R1 R.H support reaction R2 R1+R2 (N)

e from
(N) (N)
L.H
support Readin Actual Theoretica Readin Actual theoretica Loa theoretica
g reactio l g reactio l d l
(M)
n n forc
e

Hole 1 6.2N 4.9N 4.9N 1.3N 0N 0N 4.9 4.9N

N
(0 m)

Hole 6 5.5N 4.2N 4.29N 1.8N 0.5N 0.6125N 4.7 4.9N

N
0.1 m

Hole 11 4.9N 3.6N 3.675N 2.8N 1.5N 1.225N 5.1 4.8N

 N
0.2 m

Hole 16 4.2N 2.9N 3.0625N 3.2N 1.9N 1.8375N 4.8 4.9N

N
0.3 m

Hole 21 3.7N 2.4N 2.45N 3.7N 2.4N 2.45N 4.8 4.9N

N
0.4 m

Hole 26 3.1N 1.8N 1.8375N 4.4N 3.1N 3.0625N 4.9 4.9N

N
0.5 m

Hole 31 2.9N 1.6N 1.225N 5.1N 3.8N 3.675N 5.4 4.9N

N
0.6 m

Hole 36 1.8N 0.5N 0.6125N 5.5N 4.2N 4.29N 4.7 4.89N

N
0.7 m

Hole 41 1.3N 0N 0N 6.2N 4.9N 4.9N 4.9 4.9N

N
0.8 m

ACTUAL REACTION

HOLE L.H. S R.H. S

1 6.2-1.3= 4.9 1.3-1.3=0

6 5.5-1.3= 4.2 1.8-1.3=0.5

11 4.9-1.3=3.6 2.8-1.3= 1.5

16 4.2-1.3= 2.9 3.2-1.3=1.9

21 3.7- 1.3= 2.4 3.7-1.3=2.4

26 3.1-1.3= 1.8 4.4-1.3= 3.1

31 2.9-1.3 = 1.6 5.1-1.3= 3.8

36 1.8 – 1.3= 0.5 5.5-1.3=4.2

41 1.3-1.3= 0 6.2-1.3= 4.9

THEORETICAL VALUE
R=Wl/L
Where W= 4.9N and L= 0.8N

4.9 ×0.8
Hole 1 R= =4.9 N
0.8
4.9 ×0.7
Hole 6 R = =4.29N
0.8
4.9 ×0.6
Hole11 R= =3.675 N
0.8
4.9 ×0.5
Hole 16 R= =3.0625 N
0.8
4.9 ×0.4
Hole 21 R= =2.45 N
0.8
4.9 ×0.3
Hole 26 R= =1.8375 N
0.8
4.9 ×0.2
Hole 31 R= =1.225 N
0.8
4.9 ×0.1
Hole 36 R = =0.6125 N
0.8
4.9 ×0
Hole 41 R= =0 N
0.8
 a graph of reaction force against distance along the beam
from left hand support reaction for theoretical and exper-
imental value
6

theoretical value
5
experimental value

4
reaction force (F)

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

distance (no of holes)