Abstract/Summary - 150 words

The main theme of the experiment is to understand the theory of bending moments and applying its principles to a
determinant overhanging beam. This is done by experimentally applying concentrated loads across its length, to see
how the bending moment varies at different positions on the beam. Results including the experimental bending
moments(Nm) and the concentrated bending moments(Nm) are calculated, compared and used to construct bending
moment diagrams to evaluate its variation along the beam.
Conclusive findings:

Introduction
The aim of the experiment is to understand the behaviour of an overhanging beam by calculating the bending moment
when different loads are applied to it across its length. Beams are widely used in real-life, for instance as frames for
machinery equipment or as supports in ceilings and roofs of buildings[4]. They are described as long and slender
structural members[1], able to withstand loads applied transversely to their longitudinal axis[2]. As a result of the external
forces and reactions applied to a beam, internal forces including shear force, normal force and bending moment act
within the beam to oppose those forces[3]. The bending of the beam varies along its length, height and is influenced by
the direction, type and magnitude of the external loads[3].
Beams can be considered as straight bars with a constant cross sectional area, and can be classified according to their
type of support. An example is of a cantilever beam with a fixed support at one end and is free at the other, another is
of a simply supported beam with a pin support and one end and roller at the other, and lastly is of an overhanging beam
with both its ends extended freely over the supports [2]. In 2D beam theory, 3 equations of equilibrium can be applied
to resolve the reactions of the support components of a determinate beam. These are given as ∑Fx=0, ∑Fy=0, and
∑Mo=0, where ∑Fx=0 and ∑Fy=0 are the equilibrium of the forces acting in the x and y directions and ∑Mo=0 is the
equilibrium of the moment forces present acting about the z-axis.
Internal forces differ across the various points on the beam, and so the shear forces((V)X)) and bending moments((M(x))
can be calculated with respect to their position x along the beam. The functions V(x) and M(x) help us determine the
maximum values for these forces and enable us to construct diagrams to illustrate the distribution of shear force and
bending moment[5].
Shear forces and bending moments are calculated by sectioning the beam each time there is a change in the loading
conditions or the shape of the beam. A sign convention is also required in order to determine when the shear and
moment function have positive or negative values.

Method:
In order to carry out the experiment the following set up was used, where there is an overhanging beam screwed onto
an aluminium frame by a roller support on the left-hand side and a pin support on the right-hand side. Every 20mm the
beam is fitted with grooved hangers where the weights can be placed as loads. Masses of 10g as small discs are loaded
onto the hanger depending on the desired weight required and then hung onto the grooves of the beam. Once the loads
are applied, the digital force display gives a reading of the reaction force at the moment arm. The moment arm of length
125mm is equipped with a force sensor and measures the force developed at that end of the arm. The arm connects
the perpendicular cut to whole beam and allows us to calculate the bending moment developed at the cut position by
multiplying the force shown on the display by the 125mm length of the arm [3].

Errors associated with apparatus/measurements:

A zero error on the equipment could lead to a skew in
the results and reduce their reliability, thus the ‘Set Zero’
black control dial needs to be rotated after each
experiment to set the reading on the digital force display
to zero. After the display has been zeroed, gently
applying your finger as a load to equilibrate the beam
[3].
Once hung on the grooved hangars of the beam the
Grooved Cut Position masses are prone to swinging and thus the digital force
hangers Force Sensor
display provides a varying display of the load. Here the
masses need to be stabilized by lightly to reducing their
motion once hung, in order to get an accurate reading.
For the first experiment weights were hung at the position of the cut and the bending moment of the beam is analysed
at the point where the load is applied(see diagram 1). To begin, a 100g mass was hung at the cut position and force(N)
reading was shown on the digital force display and recorded onto Table 2. This procedure was repeated for the 200g,
300g, 400g & 500g masses. The mass(g) values were then converted to load(N) values using the formula W=mg, where
‘m’ was the mass in ‘kg’, ‘g’ was the acceleration of gravity given as ‘9.81m/s^2’ and W was the weight, and in this case
the load(N). The experimental bending moment(Nm) at the cut position was then calculated by multiplying the reading
from the digital force display(N) by 0.125m. Following this, the theoretical bending moment(Nm) was calculated by
drawing a free body diagram of the beam, working out the reactions at the supports and sectioning the beam before the
cut to apply the bending moment equation(see ‘results’ for sample calculations).

260mm
140mm 140mm
300mm 220mm
440mm Cut

For the second experiment, there are 3 different cases with single and multiple loads applied at different
positions along the beam to examine the changes to the bending moment at the cut position. For the first case a 400g
weight is hung onto the left end of the beam(see diagram 2) and the digital force display reading is noted. The masses(g)
are converted loads(N) using the equation ‘W=mg’, then multiplied by 0.125m to give the experimental bending
moment(Nm) and finally the theoretical value is computed as previously.
For the second case a 200g weight and 400g weight are hung at 220mm and 260mm from the left hand support
respectively. The same calculations and procedures are followed as in case 1 to give values for the experimental and
theoretical bending moments(Nm).
For the third case a 400g weight and 500g weight are hung at 240mm and 400mm from the left hand support
respectively. The same calculations and procedures are followed as in case 1 to give values for the experimental and
theoretical bending moments(Nm)

140mm 140mm
240mm
260mm

400mm

For the third experiment there are 2 cases to examine the effects of a distributed load on the bending moment of the
beam. For the first case, 3 masses of 200g each are applied over a certain length(see diagram 3). Following this, the
same calculations and procedures are repeated as in the first experiment to compute values for the experimental and
theoretical bending moments(Nm).
For the second case, the same loading conditions as in case 1 are applied to this case with the addition of a 300g mass
to the left end of the beam. Once again the same calculations and procedures are repeated as in previous cases to
compute values for the experimental and theoretical bending moments(Nm).
Apparatus List
Equipment Manufacturer Type

Beam Tequipment STR2

Digital Force Display Tequipment STR2

Small 10g weighted discs -

Weight Hanger -
 Health and safety assessment
Hazard Risk Level Precaution
Risk of objects falling or dropping Low Wear safety boots at all times and make sure
equipment being used is on a stable surface
Electrocution Medium Check that all electrical cables and
components have no damage and are
secured into the right place

Injury from lifting heavy equipment Low Don’t move equipment unless required to do
so and if so, do it under the supervision of a
member of academic staff

Results:
References:

[1] http://web.mit.edu/16.unified/www/SPRING/materials/Lectures/M4.3-Unified09.pdf -
definition
[2]
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/warw/reader.action?docID=5311591#
[3]
Lab report
[4]
https://structuralengineeringbasics.com/what-are-beams-and-columns-building-
construction/
[5]
https://0-link-springer-com.pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/content/pdf/10.1007/978-94-007-
6113-1.pdf

Graph of experiment with the weights

in different locations, Digital force
Display(N) against theoretical and
experimental bending moment (Nm)
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
Analysis:
0.2

Experiment 1: 0.1
- Compare experimental and theoretical0results using graph + highlight differences
- What can you conclude? -2 -1
-0.1
0 1 2 3 4
- How does the BM vary at the point of the cut?
-0.2
- How far are the experimental results from the theoretical ones?
-0.3

Experiment 2: Experimental Bending Moment(Nm)

- Compare the theoretical and experimental results
Theoretical Bending Moment(Nm)
- Any relation between different forces applied at different points of the beam?
- Any sig difference to highlight in the beam bending graphs for each load case?
Graph of Experiment with weights applied at the
cut position
0.5
Experiment 3:
- How does the BM change in shape from applying one pt load to a distributed load
- How does the BM diagram and Experimental values change when the point of 300g is applied at the
very end of the beam?