Experiment No.

1. OBJECTIVE:
TO CALCULATE THE REACTION OF INDETERMINATE BEAM
EXPERIMENTALLY.

2. APPARATUS REQUIRED:
A support frame, 3 support with load cells attached, Load hangers, Beam
specimen, a meter ruler, set of weights.

3. THEORY:
A beam is a structural member designed primarily to support forces acting
perpendicular to the axis of the member. Beams are of different types; the
most common types of beams are:
 Fixed End Beam (indeterminate)
 Continuous beam (indeterminate)
 Simple beam (determinate)

A fixed end beam is a beam that is restricted from movement at both ends. A
continuous beam is a statically indeterminate structure. They are used to
increase structures strength and provide alternate load paths in cases of
failure. A continuous beam has advantages over a simple beam in terms of
lesser mid span deflection which is less and a higher vertical load capacity.
A pinned support is a type of support that can resist both horizontal and
vertical forces. The experiment was carried out on by group 6 members in
the structure’s laboratory.
 The analysis of the continuous beam will be carried out using the elastic
theory. Since in a continuous beam there both positive and negative
moments, and in other parts of the beam both negative and positive moments
are present. The stiffness method is used and the moment distribution
method to find the reaction at the support.

4. PROCEDURE:
The switch on the digital gauge is turned on 10minutes before the
experiment stable for a stable reading to be obtained. The reaction piers are
clamped to support frame using the plate and bolt at a calculated distance.
Then the load cell from the supports to the digital gauge is connected. The
beam specimen is thereafter placed between the two cylindrical pieces of
each support and tightened in place by using screws for the fixed ends. The
positions of the hanger’s ac and bc are calculated and the load hangers are
placed at the calculated distances from the supports. On the right-hand span,
a constant load is applied. The load should be increased by “X” amount until
a “Y” amount of load is loaded on the hanger. The load cell readings for all
the loads should be recorded down and the calculation is done.
5. CONCLUSION:
In this way reaction of indeterminate beam can be determined in lab.