1.

0 OBJECTIVE

1.1 Part 1: To plot Shear force influence line.

1.2 Part 2: To verify the use of a shear force influence on a simply supported
beam

2.0 INTRODUCTION

Moving loads on beams are common features of design. Many road bridges are
constructed from beam, and as such have to be designed to carry a knife edge
load, or a string of wheel loads, or a uniformly distributed load, or perhaps the
worst combination of all three. The method of solving the problem is to use
influence lines.

3.0 THEORY

Defination: Shear influence line is defined as a line representing the changes in

shear force at a section of a beam when a unit load moves on the beam

Part 1: This Experiment examines how shear force varies at a cut section as a unit
load moves from one end to another (see Figure 1). From the diagram, shear force
influence line equation can be written.

For 0 ≤ x ≤ a a shear line is given by:

Sy = − x/ L…………… (1)

For a ≤ x ≤ b shear line is given by:

Sy = 1− x L. ………… (2)
Part 2: If the beam are loaded as shown in Figure 2, the shear force at the ‘cut’ can be
calculated using the influence line. (See diagram 2).

Shear force at ‘cut’ section = F1 y1 + F2 y2 + F3 y3 … (3)

(y1, y2 and y3 are ordinates derived from the influence line in terms of x1, x2, x3,
a, b and L)
4.0 APPARATUS

4.1 Shear Force machine

4.2 Weight (Loadings)

Beam

Digital Force Display

 Load

5.0 PROCEDURES

Part 1

1. Digital Force Display meter reads zero with no load is checking.

2. Hanger with any mass range between 100g to 300g was placed at the first
grooved hanger support at the left support and the Digital Force reading
recorded in Table 1.
3. The procedure to the next grooved hanger until to the last grooved hanger
at the right hand support was repeated.
4. The calculation in Table 1 was completed.

Part 2

1. Three load hangers with 100g. 200g and 300g mass respectively placed at
any position between the supports. The positions and the Digital Force
Display reading recorded in Table 2.
2. The produce with three other locations was repeated.
3. The calculation in Table 2 was completed.
6.0 RESULT

Part 1:

Location of load Digital Force Shear Force Experimental Theoretical

from left hand Display at cut section Influence line Influence lines
support (m) Reading ( N ) (N) value value

0.04 0.2 0.2 0.102 -0.091

0.06 0.3 0.3 0.153 -0.136
0.08 0.4 0.4 0.204 -0.182
0.10 0.5 0.5 0.255 -0.227
0.12 0.6 0.6 0.306 -0.273
0.14 0.7 0.7 0.357 -0.318
0.16 0.8 0.8 0.408 -0.364
0.18 0.9 0.9 0.459 -0.409
0.20 1.0 1.0 0.510 -0.455
0.22 1.0 1.0 0.510 -0.500
0.24 1.1 1.1 0.561 -0.545
0.26 1.2 1.2 0.612 -0.591
0.34 -0.5 -0.5 -0.255 0.227
0.36 -0.4 -0.4 -0.204 0.182
0.38 -0.3 -0.3 -0.153 0.136
0.40 -0.2 -0.2 -0.051 0.091

Part 2:

Position of hanger from left hand Shear force Theoretical

Location support ( m ) Digital Shear ( Nm )
Reading (N)
100g 200g 300g
1 0.22 0.24 0.06 2.0 1.962
2 0.16 0.08 0.24 2.4 1.581
3 0.26 0.04 0.14 1.8 1.156
4 0.10 0.24 0.38 0.9 1.000

6.1 CALCULATION
Part 1:

1) Experimental Influence line values = Shear Force (N)

Load (N)

Eg. Experimental Influence line values = 0.2 N = 0.102

200 x 9.81/1000

2) Theoretical Influence lines value; 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.26m

Theoretical value, Sy = -x/L

Eg. Theoretical value, Sy = -0.04/ 0.44

= - 0.091

3) Theoretical Influence lines value; 0.32 ≤ x ≤ 0.38m

Theoretical value, Sy =1 -x/L

Eg. Theoretical value, Sy = 1 -0.34/ 0.44

= 0.227

Part 2:
Location 1
 Y3 Y1 Y2
300g 100g 200g

60mm

220mm 140mm

240mm

300mm

a/L b/L

1. a/L = 300/440

= 0.682

2. b/L = 140/440

= 0.318

3. y1 / 220 = 0.682 / 300

y1 = 0.500

4. y2 / 240 = 0.682 / 300

y2 = 0.546

5. y3 / 60 = 0.682 / 300
 y3 = 0.136

Theoretical Shear = F1y1 + F2y2 + F3y3….

= [(0.1 x 0.5) + (0.2 x 0.546) + (0.3 x 0.136)] x 9.81
= 1.962 Nm

Location 2

Y2 Y1 Y3
200g 100g 300g

80mm

160mm 140mm

240mm

300mm

a/L b/L

1. y1 / 160 = 0.682 / 300

y1 = 0.248

2. y2 / 80 = 0.682 / 300

y2 = 0.124

3. y3 / 240 = 0.682 / 300

y3 = 0.372
Theoretical Shear = F1y1 + F2y2 + F3y3….
= [(0.1 x 0.248) + (0.2 x 0.124) + (0.3 x 0.372)] x 9.81
= 1.581 Nm

Location 3

Y2 Y3 Y1
200g 300g 100g

40mm

140mm 140mm

260mm

300mm

a/L b/L

1. y1 / 200 = 0.682 / 300

y1 = 0.403

2. y2 / 40 = 0.682 / 300
 y2 = 0.062

3. y3 / 140 = 0.682 / 300

y3 = 0.217

Theoretical Shear = F1y1 + F2y2 + F3y3….

= [(0.1 x 0.403) + (0.2 x 0.062) + (0.3 x 0.217)] x 9.81
= 1.156 Nm

Location 4

Y1 Y2 Y3
100g 200g 300g

100mm

140mm
240mm

60mm
300mm

a/L b/L

4. y1 / 100 = 0.682 / 300

 y1 = 0.155

5. y2 / 240 = 0.682 / 300

y2 = 0.372

6. y3 / 60 = 0.682 / 300

y3 = 0.043

Theoretical Shear = F1y1 + F2y2 + F3y3….

= [(0.1 x 0.155) + (0.2 x 0.372) + (0.3 x 0.043)] x 9.81
= 1.008 Nm

7.0 DISCUSSIONS

Part 1:
1. Derive equation 1 and 2.

Equation 1
∑ Mcut = 0
∑ Fy = 0
(L-x)/L -1 – Sy = 0
Sy = -x/L

Equation 2
∑ Mcut = 0
∑ Fy = 0
 (L-x)/L – Sy = 0
Sy = (L-x)/L
Sy = 1 – x/L

2. On the same graph paper, plot the theoretical and experimental values
against distance from left hand support.

3. Comment on the shape of graph. What does it tell you about how shear
force varies at the cut section as a load moved on the beam?

The experimental result increases with the increasing of the distance of load from
the left hand support at the left side of the cut. Based on the result, the values of
shear force at cut section (N) increases when a load moves nearer towards the cut.

4. Comment on the experimental result compared to the theoretical result.

Based on the results that we got, shows a totally different result between the
theoretical and experimental values. For the experimental influence line value,
there are a big different between those experimental and theoretical. Overall,
 based on the procedure, we followed the right instruction. It might be the error of
the machine itself and not in the good condition.

Part 2 :

1. Comment the experimental result and the theoretical result in Table 2.

In this part, we used the load 100g, 200g and 300g. From this experiment, the
value for the location 1 to 4, the value for the experimental is bigger than the
theoretical value. The value is depend on the location but the value for both
results is not so much differences.

8.0 CONCLUSION

Part 1 :

From the experiment, we know that the value for the experimental and
theoretical values is totally difference. From the graph it shows totally difference
result between theoretical and experimental result. Based on the result, the values
of shear force at cut section (N) increases when a load moves nearer towards the
cut.

Part 2 :
 From the experiment, its shows that the location is one of the causes for the
differences between the value. We should know that, influence lines can be used to
calculate the shear force at the cut section.