EXPERIMENT # 04 To calculate reaction forces in a Simply Supported Beam

Objectives:
To find the reaction forces at supports under loading condition of a simply supported beam.

Theoretical background:
A simply supported beam is able to support small loads with the reaction forces. The reaction forces can be found using equilibrium conditions. Consider a simply supported beam. Two loads w1 & w2 are applied on the beam while the reaction forces are RA & RB at the supports. Apply equilibrium conditions. MA = 0 w1L1 + w2L2 + w3L3 RBL = 0 RB = (w1L1 + w2L2 + w3L3) / L Similarly we have MB = 0 w1x1 + w2x2 + w3x3 RAL = 0 RA = (w1x1 + w2x2 + w3x3) / L

Procedure:
Set the apparatus as shown in the figure. Apply the loads w1 & w2 and note then distances from both the ends. By putting

te values in formula, calculate RA & RB. Also note the values of RA & RB from the scale attached to apparatus. Compare the two values, they must be same.

Observation and calculation:

RA = w1l1+w2l2+w3l3/l RB=w1x1+w2x2+w3x3/l Where l3=x3=21 S.N o 1 2 3 4 5 L(l b) 42 42 42 42 42 W1(lb W2(lb L1(l ) ) b) 0.1 0.1 0.36 0.61 1.1 0.1 0.6 0.36 0.36 0.6 11 11 11 9 13 L2(l b) 33 33 33 38 38 X1(in X2(in Calculat ) ) ed RA RB 31 9 3.0 3.0 2 2 32 9 3.5 3.2 31 31 31 9 4 4 3.2 9 3.5 4 4.2 5 3.2 6 3.2 6 3.7 8 Observe d RA RB 3 3 3. 5 3. 2 3. 6 4. 3 3.2 3.3 3.2 5 4

Result and conclusion:

The reaction forces RA & RB are experimentally and are equal to the values of RA & RB from the scale. There is minute difference between the values due to human error & frictional loses.