B.I.T., MESRA ENGG.

MECHANICS LAB

BENDING MOMENT
AIM:
To determine experimentally the bending moment in
(a) A Cantilever
(b) A Simply Supported Beam
and to compare the experimental values with the theoretical values

CANTILEVER

APPARATUS REQUIRED:-
A complete set of a Cantilever beam apparatus, Standard weight, scale etc.

THEORY:-
A beam whose one end is free and other end is fixed is called a cantilever. Fig 1.1 shows a
cantilever carrying a concentrated load W at a distance X from the fixed end. The B.M.D. for
the above beam is shown in fig 1.2. The bending moment at the fixed end is W.X

X W X

W.X

Fig 1.1
Fig 1.2

Spring E
A
a
X W
C
B D
Fig 1.3

In the apparatus used for experiment shown by a line sketch in fig 1.3, a bent lever EBC is
hinged at the right angle corner B. A weight W can be put on the horizontal arm BC at a
variable position D. The arm BC is graduated in inches. The moment due to weight is WX
and it is balanced by moment of tensile force set upon in the spring attached to vertical arm at
A. If the distance BA= a, then the balancing moment of the spring force is S.a.

A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

1
B.I.T., MESRA ENGG.MECHANICS LAB

PROCEDURE:-
1. The distance AB= a is determined (It is 13.5 cm.). Note the initial reading of the
spring force S0.
2. W is placed at one of the graduation mark on the arm BC. Measure the distance of the
weight from the point B. Call it X. For this value of X, note the spring reading. Call
this reading as S1. Then the force S in the spring due to weight of the block alone is
S1-S0, since S0 is the spring force due to the self-weight of the beam.
3. Move the load W along the arm BC and take the corresponding value of S1. Suggested
increment in the value of X is 3 inches, i.e. the value of X can be taken as 20.6 cm,
28.2 cm, 35.8 cm, 43.4 cm, 51.1 cm and 58.7 cm OR the corresponding distances of
the groove cut on the beam at which the weight is being kept.
4. Decrease the value of X in the same steps and note the value of S1. Thus S1 is found
out for both increasing and decreasing mode of X. Take average value of S1 for each
X. Then determine S, which is equal to S1-S0.
5. Calculate the moment of the load W at point B theoretically Mth(= W.X) and
experimentally Mexp(= S.a) for each X and enter the calculations along with the
observation in the table.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS

Standard weight, W =
Initial reading of the spring balance, S0 =

X SPRING FORCE, S1 Mth=W.X Mexp=S.a

cm. X incr X decr Mean S = S1-S0
Kgf Kgf Kgf Kgf Kgf-cm Kgf-cm
20.6
28.2
35.8
43.4
51.1
58.7

GRAPHS:-
Plot the graph between Mth and X. This will be straight line passing through the
origin. Mark the points of Mexp on this graph. Give your comments about the deviations of
the experimental values of M from the theoretical values.

A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

2
B.I.T., MESRA ENGG.MECHANICS LAB

SKETCHES:-

PRECAUTIONS:-
1. Measure the distance accurately
2. Reading should be taken very carefully at the spring force.

ENGG. UTILITY:-

RESULT:-

A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

3
 B.I.T., MESRA ENGG.MECHANICS LAB

A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

APPARATUS REQUIRED:-
A complete setup of a graduated wooden beam type apparatus, attached with spring
balance with screw adjustment, weights etc.

THEORY:
If a beam is placed with one end hinged and the other on rollers, it is called a Simply
Supported Beam.

The Fig 2.1 shows a simply supported beam AB carrying a concentrated load at a point C.
WXL1
Then the B.M. at a point D is given by M D = where AD = L1, DB = L2 and BC = X.
L1 + L2
The B.M.D. is as shown in fig 2.2. The experimental set-up is shown in fig 2.3.

It is pinned at ‘D’ and carries extension arms EG and FH across which a graduated spring
balance is attached. The F.B.D. of the portions BD and DA are shown Fig 2.4a and 2.4b
respectively. The B.M.D. is as shown in Fig 2.5

D C W
A
W E F B
G H
D C
A L1 L2

B Fig 2.3
W
L1 X RDH

L2
RDV
RB

Fig 2.1 Fig 2.4a

b
RDH
a
RA S
Fig 2.2
Fig 2.4b

Fig 2.5

A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

4
B.I.T., MESRA ENGG.MECHANICS LAB

From the condition of equilibrium of portion BD and AD we get

RB + RDV = W ………………………..(1)
RDH = S ………………………..(2)
− WX + Sa + RDV L2 = 0 ……………………(3)
R A = RDV ……………………..(4)
RDV .L1 = Sa ……………………(5)
From these five equations the five unknowns RA, RB, RDH, RDV and S can be calculated.
These are
WX
RA =
L1 + L2
W (L1 + L2 − X )
RB =
L1 + L2
WXL1
RDH =
a(L1 + L2 )
WX
R DV =
(L1 + L2 )
WXL1
S=
(L1 + L2 )
The relevant values of B.M. in point E and F can be given as

WX (L1 − b )
(M E )LEFT =
(L1 + L2 )
(M F )RIGHT = WX (L1 + b )
(L1 + L2 )
L + L2 − X
MC = W 1
L1 + L2
The vertical variations in the B.M.D. at E and F are due to concentrated
WXL1
moments applied to these points through the attachments arms EG and FH = Sa =
L1 + L2
happens to be same as the B.M. at section D in the simply supported beam.
WXL1
Here Sa is called the experimental value of bending moment and is called the
L1 + L2
theoretical value of bending moment at D. They are compared in this experiment.

A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

5
B.I.T., MESRA ENGG.MECHANICS LAB

PROCEDURE:
1. Measure L1, L2, a and b
2. Put the loading clamp at a particular position and measure X.
3. Check the spirit level to make sure that the beam is horizontal. If it is not, adjust the
tension in the spring until the bubble comes within marked graduations on the spirit
level. Note the reading of the spring scale. Call it S0.
4. Apply a load W = 1 Kgf and make the beam horizontal by adjusting the screw of the
spring balance. Read the value of the spring force. Call it S1.
5. Go on increasing the loads in steps of 1 Kgf upto 5 Kgf and take the reading of S1.
6. Go on reducing the loads in the same step and take the value of S1.
7. The correct value of S1 is mean of both the readings.
8. Calculate S=S1-S0 and find the experimental bending moment as S.a for each case.
9. Find the theoretical bending moment and compare it with experimental values.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS

W SPRING FORCE, S1 WXL1 Mexp=Sa

Kgf. W increa W decree Mean S=S1-S0 Mth=
L1 + L2
Kgf Kgf Kgf Kgf Kgf-cm
Kgf-cm
1
2
3
4
5

GRAPHS:-
Plot the graph between Mth and X. This will be straight line passing through the
origin. Mark the points of Mexp on this graph. Give your comments about the deviations of
the experimental values of M from the theoretical values.

A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

6
B.I.T., MESRA ENGG.MECHANICS LAB

SKETCHES:-

PRECAUTIONS:

1. Measure the distance accurately

2. Reading should be taken only when the beam comes horizontal. This is to be done by
bringing the bubble of the spirit level just at the centre.

ENGG. UTILITY:-

RESULT:-

A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

7