FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

Laboratory Manual # 6
JOHOR (KAMPUS PASIR GUDANG)

COURSE BASIC STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

COURSE CODE ECS258
TITLE EXPERIMENT ON BEAMS (PART 1) REACTION, BENDING
LEVEL OF OPENNESS 0
MOMENT & SHEAR FORCE
PREAMBLE
CATEGORY FULLY OPEN ENDED
1.1 Introduction
DEGREE OF OPEN-ENDED
0 The traditional methods of conducting
(%)
laboratory activities (assigned as Level 0) will
PERIOD OF ACTIVITY 2 WEEKS not be able to provide the avenue for students to
enhance independent learning activities and
inculcate creativity and innovation. The
traditional method is fully prescriptive where the
three elements namely problem, ways & means
and answers are guided/fully given to the
students. However, it is still necessary to be
implemented as part of the whole laboratory
course activity especially to first and second
year students.
In this laboratory activity, students will be
exposed on the beams experiments for
determine reactions, bending moment and
shear force for simply supported and cantilever
beams.
1.2 Objective
The objective of the experiment is:
To determine the relations among reaction, bending moment and shear force in
various types of beams.
1.3 Learning Outcomes
At the end of the laboratory activities, students would be able to:
identify and use the correct apparatus/tools to carry out experiment on beams;
work in a group to undertake the task; and
Collect and analyze the data correctly and produce the technical report.

1.4 Theoretical Background

A beam is subjected to external forces. These are the loads applied to the beam
and reactions to the loads from the supports. The beam transfers the external load
set to the external reaction set by a system of internal forces.
The internal forces as a result of the structural action of the beam are called
bending moments and shear forces. These internal forces may vary along the
length of the beam and are usually represented as separate bending moment and
shear force diagrams.

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
Laboratory Manual # 6
JOHOR (KAMPUS PASIR GUDANG)

a) Simply Supported Beam

i) Shear Force
When the load is to the left of x x,

Shear force at section x x is;

SFX-X = W1 RA

Or,

SFX-X = RB
= (W x L1) / L

When the load is to the right of x x,

SFX-X = RA
= (W x (L- L1)) / L1

ii) Bending Moment

When the load is to the left of x x,

Bending Moment at section x x is;

BMX-X = W1 L1 RA LX

Or,

BMX-X = RB L2

When the load is to the right of x x,

BMX-X = RA LX

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
Laboratory Manual # 6
JOHOR (KAMPUS PASIR GUDANG)

b) Cantilever Beam

i) Shear Force

The Shear force at section x x = W1

ii) Bending Moment

Bending Moment at section x x is;

BMX-X = W1 L1

2.1 Problem Statement

Although computers are efficient for structural analysis, it is important for students to be
well versed in the theory and not to simply rely on the computer outputs. Ability to solve
structural analysis problems will come in handy for verifying the computer results. On
the other hand, conducting experiments in the lab can help to develop a deeper
PROBLE
understanding of the mechanics of structures. One can better grasp the way loads are
M
transmitted through structures and obtain a more complete understanding of the way
(Guided
they deform.
)

In this experiment, the group will explore the behavior of various types of beams under
loads to determine their support reaction, bending moment and shear force. The group
may use any suitable software as a tool for understanding the relations between the
external and internal forces.
WAYS &
3.1 Apparatus
MEANS a) Simple Supported Beam
(Guided i. A pair of simple supports.
) ii. Special beam with a cut section.
iii. A set of weights with several load hangers.
iv. Digital Force Indicator

b) Cantilever Beam
i. A fixed supports.

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
Laboratory Manual # 6
JOHOR (KAMPUS PASIR GUDANG)

ii. Special beam with a cut section.

iii. A set of weights with several load hangers.
iv. Digital Force Indicator

3.2 Procedures
a) Simply Supported Beam
i. Connect the load cell to the digital indicator.
ii. Switch on the indicator. For stability of the reading the indicator must be
switch on 10 minutes before taking readings.
iii. Fixed the two simple supports to the aluminum base at a distance equal to
the span of the beam to be tested. Screw the supports tightly to the base.
iv. Hang the load hanger to the beam.
v. Placed the beam on the supports.
vi. Placed the load hanger at the desired location.
vii. Note the indicator reading. If it is not zero press the tare button on the
indicator.
viii. Place a load on the load hanger.
ix. Record the indicator reading. This represents the shear force/ force at the
cut section.
x. Add load to the load hanger and record the indicator reading.
xi. Repeat step i x for another 5 sets of readings.

(Note: This procedure apply for Shear Force and Bending Moment for
simple supported beam)

b) Cantilever Beam
i. Connect the load cell to the digital indicator.
ii. Switch on the indicator. For stability of the reading the indicator must be
switch on 10 minutes before taking readings.
iii. Placed the load hanger at the desired location.
iv. Note the indicator reading. If it is not zero press the tare button on the
indicator.
v. Place a load on the load hanger.
vi. Record the indicator reading. This represents the shear force/ force at the
cut section.
vii. Add load to the load hanger and record the indicator reading.
viii. Repeat step vii for another 5 sets of readings.

(Note: This procedure apply for Shear Force and Bending Moment for
cantilever beam)

3.3 Results
a) Simply Supported Beam
i) Shear Force
Beam Span = mm
Distance of the shear section from the left support = mm
Distance of the load from the left support = mm

Table 1: Shear Force for Simply Supported Beam Results

Shear Force At X-X

Load (N) Experimental Load
Theory RB (N)
Cell (N)

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
Laboratory Manual # 6
JOHOR (KAMPUS PASIR GUDANG)

ii) Bending Moment

Beam Span, L = mm
Distance of the cut section from the left support, Lx = mm
Distance of the load from the left support, L1 = mm
Distance of the load cell from the center of the beam cross section = 175
mm

Table 2: Bending Moment for Simply Supported Beam Results

Bending Moment At X-X

Load Cell
Load (N) Experimental =
Reading, F (N) Theory (Nmm)
F * 175 ( Nmm)

b) Cantilever Beam
i) Shear Force
Distance of the shear section from the free end = mm
Distance of the load from the cut section = mm

Table 3: Shear Force for Cantilever Beams Results

Shear Force At X-X

Load (N)
Experimental Load Cell (N) Theory w (N)

ii) Bending Moment

Distance of the load from the free end = mm
Distance of the load cell from the center of the beam cross section = 175
mm

Table 4 : Bending Moment for Cantilever Beams Results

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FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN AWAM
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
Laboratory Manual # 6
JOHOR (KAMPUS PASIR GUDANG)

Bending Moment At X-X

Load Cell
Load (N) Experimental =
Reading, F (N) Theory (N)
F* 175 (Nmm)

4.1 Analysis

i. Using the data from table 1, 2, 3 and 4, plot the graph of shear force / bending
moment versus load for simply supported beam and cantilever beam.
ii. Determine the slope of the graph
iii. Calculate the theoretical slope for all graphs.
iv. From the slopes, calculate the average percentage error for the experiment.
Percentage error = ((slopetheory slopeexp)/ (slopetheory)) x 100%

4.2 Discussion
ANSWE i. Describe the accuracy of the experiment.
RS ii. State the probable factors that affect the accuracy of the experiment.
(Guided
)
4.3 Conclusion

i. What actually happens when a load is applied to the beam and why does this
condition occur.
ii. Describe the relationship between loads and shear force, bending moment and
reaction of the simple supported and cantilever beams.

The report must be submitted 1 week after the completion of this laboratory
work.