University of Engineering and Technology, 2o2o

Lahore

Assignment: Engineering Dynamics Lab

Submitted To: Sir. Umair Ashraf khokhar.

Submitted By: 2019-ME-111 -Touqeer Ahmad

 Experiment No. 5:

To determine the reactions of simply supported beam.

Objectives:
1. To calculate the experimental and theoretical reactions of beam.
2. To compare the actual and experimental values which will show only a minute difference.

Apparatus:
 Simply supported beam
 Meter Rod
 Weights
 Hangers
 Spring balance

INTRODUCTION:
Beam:
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. [1]

Types of Beam:

1) Base on Geometry :
 Straight beam – Beam with straight profile
 Curved beam – Beam with curved profile
 Tapered beam – Beam with tapered cross section
2) Based on the shape of cross section
 I-Beam – Beam with ‘I’ cross section
 T-Beam – Beam with ‘T’ cross section
 C-Beam – Beam with ‘C’ cross section
 3) Based on equilibrium conditions
 Statically determinate beam – For a statically indeterminate beam, equilibrium conditions
alone can be used to solve reactions.
 Statically indeterminate beam, equilibrium conditions are not enough to solve reactions.
Additional deflections are needed to solve reactions
4) Base on the type of support
 Simply supported – a beam supported on the ends which are free to rotate and have no
moment resistance.
 Fixed – a beam supported on both ends and restrained from rotation.
 Over hanging – a simple beam extending beyond its support on one end.

SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

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]

Figure 1 Simply supported beam [4]

FIXED BEAM
The fixed end moments are reaction moments developed in a beam member under certain load
conditions with both ends fixed. A fully fixed beam will have lesser moments and deflection at midspan
than a comparable simply supported beam.

Figure 2 Fixed Beam [4]

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 has features of simply
supported beam and cantilever beam. [1]

Figure 3 Overhanging Beam.

Statically Determinate Beam

A beam is called determinate beam if it can be analyzed by the basic equilibrium condition. The support
reaction can be found by using basic equilibrium condition. These conditions are Summation of all
horizontal forces is zero. Summation of all vertical forces is zero. Summation of all moments is zero.
Example: Simply supported beam, Cantilever beam etc.

Statically Indeterminate Beam

If the beam cannot be analysis by using basic equilibrium condition, known as statically indeterminate
beam. The end reaction finds out by using basic equilibrium condition with combination of other
conditions like strain energy method, virtual work method etc.

Example: Continuous beam, fixed beam

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

Curved beams:
“Beam with curved profile is called Curved beam.”
 Tapered Beams:
“Beam with tapered cross section is called tapered beam.”

Fig. 3: TAPERED BEAMS [7]

Experimental setup:
In this experiment a plank of negligible weight was used and hangers were hanged on this plank
perpendicularly which supported the weights. Spring balances were also in connection with the plank
which shows the reactions. Spirit level should be in proper order.

Procedure:
1- Surface on which simply supported beam is to be placed should be in level. To check the

level, place the spirit level on the table. If the bubble comes in between then the surface

is level otherwise make the surface level.

2- Now adjust the apparatus as shown in the experimental setup.

3- Find the complete distance between the two spring balances. It is represented by L. It will

remain same throughout the experiment.

4- Find the weights of the hangers which are hanged on the Plank.
 5- Now add different weights on the hangers and sum up the individual weights with the

weights of hangers respectively. These weights are represented by W1, W2 and W3

respectively.

6- Measure the distance of each hanger from support A to the respective hanger. Distances

are represented by L1, L2 and L3 respectively.

7- Notice the values on spring balances at support A and support B. These values are

represented by Ra and Rb respectively.

8- Now change the weights in the hangers and the distance between the hangers.

9- Repeat the process and take five readings.

10- These are the experimental reactions.

11- To find the theoretical reactions on both supports apply the following formula:

𝑊1 𝐿1 + 𝑊2 𝐿2 + 𝑊3 𝐿3
12- 𝑅𝑏 =
𝐿

13- 𝑅𝑎 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2 + 𝑊3 − 𝑅𝑏

14- In experimental and theoretical values there is only a minute change.

15- Calculate the mean % error for both experimental and theoretical values for

both reactions.

Observations and Calculations:

Following are some of the formulae used in the calculations:

RA + RB = W1 + W2 + W3

MA = 0

Ra.L = W1.L1 + W2.L2 + W3.L3

 NO OF LOADS LENGTHS EXPERIME THEORATICAL %age error
OBS NTAL REACTIONS
REACTIONS

(lbs) (in) (lbs) (lbs) (lbs) (lbs)

W1 W2 W3 L1 L2 L3 L Ra Rb Ra Rb Ra Rb

1 1.25 1.75 0.75 7.4 14.4 20.8 24.1 1.5 2 1.67 2.08 10.17 3.84

2 2.25 1.75 2.75 5.3 13.1 17.6 24.1 3.1 3.5 3.3 3.45 6.06 -1.44

3 2.25 2.25 2.25 3.5 14.6 20.2 24.1 3.5 4.5 3.34 4.41 -4.79 -2.04

4 3.25 2.25 2.25 4.4 12.1 19.2 24.1 4.3 4.2 4.44 4.31 3.15 2.55

5 2.5 2.25 2.25 3.6 8.8 16.2 24.1 4 2.5 4.08 2.67 1.96 6.36

Mean error in Ra= 3.31% Mean error in Rb=1.85%

Faults:
The reason for this differences in the experimental reaction and theoretical reaction that directly

affected our experiment are;

 Error in the instruments.

 Approximation errors.
 Variation in position distances and loads.
 Parallax error
 Poor calibration of Spring balance
 Zero error in spring balance etc.

Removal of faults:
So, to minimize the error,
  Readings should be taken precisely.
 The distance should be noted carefully and reactions should be seen accurately on spring
balance.
 Apparatus should be properly levelled, otherwise it will alter the reaction forces due to
more downward force on one side and less on other side.
 The reaction supports measured by spring balances are the effects of weights hanging on
the beam which act downward due to which reactions on the supports act in opposite
direction so that beam remains in equilibrium. [6]

Practical application of simply supported beam:

Typical practical applications of simply supported beams with point loadings include bridges,
beams in buildings, and beds of machine tools.
A double T simply
supported Beam system:

Simply Supported Girder slab

roofing in a Building:

References:

 V. X. B. J. R. O. &. C. 1. p. The American Architect and Building News.

 Thomas Wallace Wright (1896). Elements of Mechanics Including Kinematics, Kinetics
and Statics. E and FN Spon. Chapter 1..

 W. D. a. B. E. S. T. C. d. a. c. v. 1. N. Y. C. C. 1. 4. P. "Beam" def. 1. Whitney.

 http://mechteacher.com/mt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Simply-Supported-
Beam.png.

 "http://mechteacher.com/mt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Continuous-Beam.png".

 D. P. Adams, 2014.

 McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed., McGraw-Hill

Education, New York, 2003.