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 w 1 & w2 are
applied on the beam while the reaction forces are R A & 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 w 1

& 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 L(l W1(lb W2(lb L1(l L2(l X1(in X2(in Calculat Observe
o b) ) ) b) b) ) ) ed d
RA RB RA RB
1 42 0.1 0.1 11 33 31 9 3.0 3.0 3 3
2 2
2 42 0.1 0.6 11 33 32 9 3.5 3.2 3. 3.2
5
3 42 0.36 0.36 11 33 31 9 3.2 3.2 3. 3.3
9 6 2
4 42 0.61 0.36 9 38 31 4 3.5 3.2 3. 3.2
4 6 6 5
5 42 1.1 0.6 13 38 31 4 4.2 3.7 4. 4
5 8 3

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.