Submitted to:

Sir Umair Ashraf Khokhar

Submitted by:
Syed Muhammad Baqar Husaini
2019-ME-105

Experiment No. 3
SYED MUHAMMAD BAQAR HUSAINI
2019-ME-105
 “To determine the reactions of simply supported beam.”

Objective:
i. To understand the working of simply supported beam.
ii. To understand and verify the necessary and sufficient conditions
for equilibrium (i.e. ∑ F=0∧∑ M =0 ¿¿
Apparatus:
i. Simply supported beam
ii. Meter Rod
iii. Weights
iv. Hangers
v. Spring balance
Introduction:
In this experiment we will learn the working
of simply supported beam. We will also the necessary conditions
required for a body to remain in equilibrium i.e. ∑ F=0∧∑ M =0 and will
verify these conditions for simply supported beam.
Theory:
Beams:
Definition:
“Beams are horizontal structural components used to support lateral
loads.”
OR
“A beam is a structural element that primarily resists loads applied
laterally to the beam's axis. Its mode of deflection is primarily
by bending. The loads applied to the beam result in reaction forces at
the beam's support points. The total effect of all the forces acting on the
beam is to produce shear forces and bending moments within the beam,
that in turn induce internal stresses, strains and deflections of the beam.
Beams are characterized by their manner of support, profile (shape of
cross-section), length, and their material.”
Beams are traditionally descriptions of building or civil
engineering structural elements, but any structures such as automotive
automobile frames, aircraft components, machine frames, and other

SYED MUHAMMAD BAQAR HUSAINI

2019-ME-105
 mechanical or structural systems contain beam structures that are
designed to carry lateral loads are analyzed in a similar fashion.

Overview:
Historically beams were squared timbers but are also metal, stone, or
combinations of wood and metal such as a flitch beam. Beams can
carry vertical gravitational forces but are primarily used to
carry horizontal loads (e.g., loads due to an earthquake or wind or in
tension to resist rafter thrust as a tie beam or (usually) compression as
a collar beam). The loads carried by a beam are transferred
to columns, walls, or girders, which then transfer the force to adjacent
structural compression members and eventually to ground. In light frame
construction, joists may rest on beams.
In carpentry, a beam is called a plate as in a sill plate or wall plate, beam
as in a summer beam or dragon beam
Types of beams:
 On the basis of geometry:
On the basis of geometry, there are following types of beams
i. Straight Beams
ii. Tapered Beams
iii. Curved Beams

1. Straight Beams:
“Beam with straight profile is called straight beam.”

2. Curved beams:

SYED MUHAMMAD BAQAR HUSAINI

2019-ME-105
 “Beam with curved profile is called Curved beam.”

3. Tapered Beams:
“Beam with tapered cross section is called tapered beam.”

 On
the basis of equilibrium conditions:
On the basis of equilibrium conditions, there are two types of beams:
i. Statically determinate beam
ii. Statically indeterminate beam

1. Statically determinate beams:

“Statically determinate beams are those beams whose reactions can
be determined using equilibrium conditions .”

2. Statically indeterminate beams:

“Statically indeterminate beams are those beams whose reactions
cannot be determined using equilibrium conditions alone .
 On the basis of loads:
On the basis of loads there are following types of beams:
i. Simply supported beam
ii. Overhanging beam
iii. Cantilever beam
iv. Continuous beam
SYED MUHAMMAD BAQAR HUSAINI
2019-ME-105
 v. Fixed beam

1. Simply supported beam:

“A beam supported on the ends which are free to rotate and have no
moment resistance is called Simply supported beam.”
OR
“A simply supported beam is a type of beam that has pinned
support at one end and roller support at the other end. Depending on
the load applied, it undergoes shearing and bending. It is the one of
the simplest structural elements in existence.”

3.

3. Overhanging beam:

“A simple beam extending beyond its support on one end is called

Overhanging beam.” “An overhanging beam is a beam that has one or
both end portions extending beyond its supports. It may have any
number of supports. If viewed in a different perspective, it appears as if it
is has the features of simply supported beam and cantilever beam.”

SYED MUHAMMAD BAQAR HUSAINI

2019-ME-105
3.Cantilever beam:

“A projecting beam fixed only at one end is called Cantilever beam.”

OR
“A cantilever beam is fixed at one end and free at other end .” 

4.Continuous beam:
“A beam extending over more than two supports is called Continuous
beam.”
“A continuous beam has more than two supports distribute d

throughout its length.”

4. Fixed beam:

“A beam supported on both ends and restrained from rotation is called

Fixed beam.”
OR

SYED MUHAMMAD BAQAR HUSAINI

2019-ME-105
“As the name suggests, fixed beam is a type of beam whose both ends
are fixed.”

 On the basis of geometry:

On the basis of geometry, there are following types of beams:
i. Square beam
ii. I beam
iii. C beam
iv.

T beam
I beam

Square beam

T beam

SYED MUHAMMAD BAQAR HUSAINI

2019-ME-105
 PROCEDURE:

i. First of all, balance the simply supported beams using spring

balance from both of its ends.
ii. Put three weights on the beam at different positions and balance
the beam.
iii. Measure the length of beam and the distance of each weight from
one end of the beam marked as A using meter rod.
iv. Now increase the weights and note the reactions on spring
balance.
v. Repeat the experiment several times.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS:

Sr. Percentage
No. Loads (lb) Lengths (in.) Reactions (lb) Error
  W1 W2 W3 L1 L2 L3 L R(a) R(b) R(a) R(b) R(a) R(b)
(Exp
                ) (Exp) (Th.) (Th.)    
1 1.25 1.75 0.75 7.4 14.4 20.8 24.1 1.5 2 1.67 2.08 10.4 3.70
2 2.25 1.75 2.75 5.3 13.1 17.6 24.1 3.1 3.5 3.30 3.45 5.94 -1.32
3 2.25 2.25 3.35 3.5 14.6 20.2 24.1 3.5 4.5 3.35 4.50 -4.41 -0.05
4 3.25 2.25 3.25 4.4 12.1 19.2 24.1 4.3 4.2 4.43 4.31 3.10 2.60
5 2.25 2.25 2.25 3.6 8.8 16.2 24.1 4 2.5 4.08 2.67 1.96 6.37
Mean error in Ra=3.40% and Mean error in Rb=2.26%

POSSIBLE ERRORS:

The difference between the experimental and theoretical values show

that there is some error in the experiment which may be due to
i. Human error
ii. Parallax error
iii. Poor calibration of Spring balance
SYED MUHAMMAD BAQAR HUSAINI
2019-ME-105
 iv. Zero error in spring balance.
v. This mistake is happened because of individual deficiency, for
example, issue
perusing, change long of any holder amid the analysis.

SOLUTIONS:

i. Error can be effectively limited by giving full focus to the readings.

ii. We effectively diminish the blunder by estimating the precise estimation
of length of the holder and the response powers on spring scale.
iii. Error can also be minimized by taking the mean of all the readings.

APPLICATIONS:

The Beam Apparatus allows an extensive range of experiments to cover

virtually all course requirements relating to bending of beams.
The basic unit provides facilities for supporting beams on simple, built-in
and sinking supports, applying point loads, and measuring support
reactions and beam deflections. It includes five different test beams.
A pack of ten additional specimen beams (SM1004a) is available for
further experiments.
The Beam Apparatus can be used for an almost limitless number of
experiments ranging from determination of the elastic modulus for
beams of different materials, through to studies of continuous beams
with any loading. Great care has been taken at the design stage to
ensure maximum flexibility and ease of use

SYED MUHAMMAD BAQAR HUSAINI

2019-ME-105