Engineering Mechanics.

Experiment no 1:-

Determine the reactios on simply supported

beam subjected to multiple loads.

Registration no: 2017-IM-40.

Industrial and manufacturing engineering ,

University of engineering and technology, Lahore.

Problem Statement:-
 This problem deals with the study of system of bodies in static equilibrium
in which the net force is zero. We can find its many daily life examples but a simple one is of
engine crane, in which one or more than one loads hanging from crane are balanced by its
upward reactional force.

As in these pictures bulbs hanged over a beam or utensils hanged over a rod have forces acting
downward and gets balanced by upward reaction forces.
Similarly curtains hanged over a beam, have their weights acting downward and they gets
balanced by upward reactions forces. As seen in the picture

And similarly in case of a set of static chair lift , we can see that the loads in form
of chairs is hanged downward over a wire just as a beam and the reactions forces are acting
upward and don’t cause chairs to fall down as balanced.

Experiment no 1:-
 Determine the reactions on simply supported beam subjected to
multiple loads.

Objective :-
We perform this experiment to find out the reactions forces acting on a
beam, supported by multiple loads.

Apparatus :-
 Loads with hangers.
 Two Spring balances.
 Wooden beam.
 Meter rule.

Equipment Picture:-
 Spring
Balance
Wooden
Beam

Theory:-
Beam:- Hangers
and
A beam is a structural element that primarily resists loads applied laterally to
weights
the beam's axis. The loads applied to the beam result in reaction forces at the beam's support
points. (1).
The reactions are measured by devices named as spring balances.

Spring Balance:-

A spring scale or spring balance or newton meter is a type of weighing

scale. It consists of spring fixed at one end with a hook to attach an object at the other. It works
by Hooke's law , which states that the force needed to extend a spring is proportional to the
distance that spring is extended from its rest position. Therefore, the scale markings on the spring
balance are equally spaced. A spring scale can not measure mass , only weight.(2)
Weight:-
It is the force of attraction by which a body is attracted by the Earth towards its
center. It can also be said as load. It acts vertically downward.
i.e w=mg.

Action and reaction:-

when we suspend some weights or loads on hanger over the supported beam the actions forces
acts vertically downward and as a result reaction forces to compensate the effect of action forces
acts vertically upward as calculated by the spring balances.
The reaction forces are calculated by experimentally and as well as by theoratically.

Experimentally:-
Experimentally the reactions are calculated by the spring balances a and b as
Ra and Rb. These reactions are the upward directed forces in opposite direction of action forces ,
which acts vertically by loads.

Theoratically:-
Theoratically the reactions forces are calculated by using some aspects of
mechanics.
i.e.

1.Let the sum of moments about a reaction point equal ZERO(ΣM = 0):-
All we need to know about moments at this stage is that they are they are equal to the
force multiplied by the distance from a point (i.e. the force x distance from point). We firstly
want to consider the sum of moments about point B and let it equal zero. We have chosen point
B to prove this can be done at either ends of the beam (provided it is pin supported). However
you could just as easily work from point A. So, now we sum the moments about point B and let
the sum equal 0.  The sign convention we have chosen is that counter-clockwise moments are
positive and clockwise moments are negative.
∑M a = R b × L - w1×L1 – w2×L2 – w3×L3.

2. Let the sum of vertical forces equal 0 (ΣFy = 0)

Sum the forces in the y (vertical) direction and let the sum equal zero. Remember to include
all forces including reactions and normal loads such as point loads. So if we sum the forces in the
y direction.
∑Fy=0 , R a + R b = w1 + w2 + w3.
So we use both of these equations to find the reactions i.e Ra and Rb.
Procedure:-
 First of we adjust the beam over the supported stand and attach its both ends with
spring balances.
 Then we check the zero error of the spring balances.
 Then we calculate the length between the both balances as L.
 After that we will attach three weight hangers at three different points between L.
 Then we calculate distances of hanger 1 as L1 and hanger 2 as L2 and hanger 3 as
L3 from left spring balance.
 Then we slot some weights(known) i.e w1 w2 w3 in each hanger.
 And observe and note the readings of both balances.
 We will carry on it by adding different weights in hangers and noting the readings
of spring balances.
 We will take several readings by the same way.
 Then we tabulate them in a table.
 This will be our experimental readings.
 Then we apply zero correction on readings for accurate value of readings.
 We will use two above mentioned equations to find the Reactions forces i.e R a
and R b.
 And this will be our theoratical readings
 Then we compare both of the readings i.e experimental and theoratical and
calculate % error.

Observation and Calculations:-

Sr Load Lengths Reactions % error.

no. (lb) (inches)
W1 W2 W3 L1 L2 L3 L Experimental Theoratical
Ra Rb Ra Rb Ra Rb
1 0.5 0.5 1 4 13 22 24 0.8 1.3 0.729 1.27 8.8 2.3
2 1.5 1.5 2 4 13 22 24 2.3 3.2 2.104 2.89 8.5 9.6
3 2 2 3 4 13 22 24 3.0 4.5 2.830 4.15 5.6 7.7
4 2.5 3 3.5 4 13 22 24 4.0 6.0 3.75 5.25 6.2 12.
5
5 3.5 3.5 4 4 13 22 24 5.1 6 3 6 7 2
6 2.0 2.0 3 4 13 22 24 3.7 4.1 3.5 3 5 4
7
Results :-
Hence it is proved that the downward acting weights acting on the beam are balanced
by upward reaction forces and so beam is in static equilibrium. And we calculated the upward
reactions forces experimently and theoratically and then compared both the readings , both the
readings evaluated are round about same with slight percentages error. The minimum percentage
error is is 2% and maximum percentage error is 12.5 %.

Comments :-
So in the end in the above experiment the beam comes to static equilibrium as all
the forces acting on it gets balanced by each other. I.e downward acting weights are balanced
by upward acting reactions forces as noted by spring balances.

References:-
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beam_(structure).
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_scale.
(3) https://skyciv.com/tutorials/how-to-calculate-reactions-at-supports/.