2011-2012

M.H.SABOO SIDDIK
COLLEGE OF ENGG.

Engineering Mechanics
Laboratory Manual

Prof.Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Automobile Engg. Dept.
M.H.SABOO SIDDIK COLLEGE OF ENGG.

Engineering Mechanics
CONTENTS
NO. EXPERIMENT

PAGE

Polygon Law of Coplanar Forces

To verify the polygon law of coplanar Forces for a concurrent
force system.

Support Reactions of a beam

To find experimentally the reactions at the supports of a simply
supported beam and verify the same with analytical values.

Bell crank Lever

To verify the principle of moments using the bell crank lever
apparatus.

13

Friction Plane
To determine the coefficient of static friction between two
surfaces.

19

Moment of Inertia of Flywheel

To find screw jack and determine the coefficient of friction
between the threads of the screw.

25

Compound Pendulum
To estimate the value of acceleration due to gravity using a
compound pendulum.

31

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

GENERAL INSTRUCTION FOR PREPARING MECHANICS PRACTICAL FILE

The report of the experiments performed in the Mechanics Laboratory need to be written in a
paper standard format. All such reports of various experiments performed would make the
Mechanics Practical File. General instructions for writing a report on the experiments
performed are listed below.

Use one side ruled and the other side lank A-4 size Journal sheets.

On the ruled side of the first sheet write in big font the Title (name) of the experiment.

On the blank side of first sheet draw Apparatus diagram.

On ruled side of second sheet write

Aim
Apparatus/Materials required
Theory/Principle
Procedure
On the blank side of second sheet draw FBD and make observation table.

On the ruled side of third sheet continue to write the procedure, show Calculations and
present the results/conclusion.

If required more sheets may be used.

Use millimeter graph papers wherever
Required.

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

EXPERIMENT NO. 1
POLYGON LAW
OF
COPLANAR FORCES

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

DIAGRAM:

OBSERVATION TABLE:
SR
NO.
1
2
3

F1
(N)

F2
(N)

F3
(N)

F4
(N)

F5
(N)

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

(deg.)

(deg.)

(deg.)

(deg.)

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

EXPERIMENT NO.1

DATE: ________

GENERAL CO-PLANAR FORCE SYSTEM

AIM: To verify the conditions of equilibrium for a general coplanar force system.
APPARATUS: wooden board, pulleys with clamps, a sheet of paper, loads with hooks at one
end and weights.
THEORY: The conditions of equilibrium
Fx = 0, Fy = 0 & M=0.
PROCEDURE: Pin a sheet of drawing paper on the board. Tie four threads/cords on the
corners of a wooden plank and pass the cords over the pulleys, clamped in different positions
on the board and suspend weights at the end of the cords. Adjust the weights until
equilibrium of the system is established. Mark the lines of action of the forces on the paper
and note down their magnitudes. Remove the paper. Draw the lines of actions of all the forces
and verify
Fx = 0 , Fy = 0
Take any point on the paper. Draw perpendiculars from this point to the lines of actions of all
forces and enter perpendicular distances in the observation table. Show that anti-clockwise
moment is equal to clockwise moments, which satisfy the condition, that M=0.
Repeat the experiment for different weights to get 2 more readings.

RESULT
1. The force polygons for the three sets of observations were drawn and found to be
closed polygons. Hence the Polygon Law of Coplanar Force is verified.
2. The unknown weight found experimentally is _____________ N. Within limits of
experimental error, these values are found to be same and hence the experiment is
verified.

__________________
Teachers Signature

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
SUPPORT REACTIONS OF A BEAM
(BEAM APPARATUS)

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

OBSERVATION TABLE:Sr.
No.

W1
(Kg)

W2
(Kg)

X1
(Kg)

X2
(Kg)

Observed
Reactions
R1
R2
(N)
(N)

Analytical
Reactions
R1
R2
(N)
(N)

1.
2.
3.

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

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10

Engineering Mechanics

EXPERIMENT NO.2

DATE: ________
BEAM REACTION

AIM:-To find experimentally the reactions at the supports of a simply supported beam and
compare the results with analytical values.
APPARATUS:-Simply supported beam setup, hangers, and loads.
THEORY:-Beam is a structural member usually horizontal and straight provided to carry
loads that are vertical or inclined to its axis. A simply supported beam is one whose ends are
resting freely on the supports that provide only vertical reactions. Simply supported beam
becomes unstable if it is subjected to oblique or inclined loads. When simply supported beam
is subjected to only vertical loads, its FBD forms a system of parallel forces in equilibrium.
Conditions of equilibrium = 0 and M=0 can be applied to determine the support reactions
analytically.
PROCEDURE:1. Place the beam of length L on simple supports. Not e that below both the simple supports
there is a spring arrangement. On loading, 1 he spring compresses due to the reaction force
and this compressive force is indicated on the dial.
2. Arrange the load hangers arbitrarily on the beam and set the left and right dial pointers to
zero. This will nullify the effect due to self weight of the beam and the hangers.
3. Suspend the loads from the hangers. Note the load values W1 W2, and so on and their
distances X1, X2 and so on from the left support.
4. Note the left and right support dial readings.
5. Repeat the above steps 1 to 4 by changing the weights in the hangers and also the hanger
position for two more sets of observations.
6. Compare the experimental values with analytical values obtained by applying Conditions
of Equilibrium

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

11

RESULT:The support reactions obtained experimentally are nearly equal to the analytical values. The
difference is within the limits of experimental error. Hence the experiment is verified.

__________________
Teachers Signature
M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

12

Engineering Mechanics

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

13

EXPERIMENT NO.3
BELL CRANK LEVER

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

14

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M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics
EXPERIMENT NO.3

15

DATE: ________
BELL CRANK LEVER

AIM:-To verify the Principle of Moments using the Bell Crank Lever apparatus.
APPARATUS:- Bell crank lever apparatus, hangers, weights, scale.
THEORY:-Principle of Moments states, the algebraic sum of the moments of a system of
coplanar forces about any point in the plane is equal to the moment of the resultant force of
the system about the same point.
This principle would be verified for a bell crank lever arrangement.
A lever whose two arms form a right angle, or nearly a right angle and having its fulcrum at
the apex of the angle is referred to as a bell crank lever. These levers were originally used to
operate the bell from a long distance especially where change in direction of bell wires was
involved and hence the name. Now bell crank levers are used in machines to convert the
direction of reciprocation movement.
PROCEDURE:1. Arrange three hangers at arbitrary locations on the horizontal arm. Note the locations x1 ,
x2, and x3 of these hangers from the hinge. Adjust the tension in the spring connected to the
vertical arm such that the two pointers come in the same vertical line. In this position the
horizontal arm is truly horizontal. Note the tensile force in the spring as the initial tension T i .
Also note the location Y of the spring from the hinge.
2. Hang the weights W1, W2 and W3 from the hangers. This will cause the arms to tilt and
the pointers to move away from each other. Now adjust the tension in the spring such that the
pointers once again come in the same vertical line. The horizontal arm is once again in its
horizontal position. Note the tensile force in the spring as the final tension Tf. The tensile
force T on the vertical arm is the difference Tf Ti.
3. Since the external forces are being supported by the single hinge at the apex of the arms,
implies that the resultant of these external applied forces passes through the supporting hinge.
Therefore to verify the principle of moments we need to take moments (M) of all the
external forces (which includes the weights of the hangers hanging from the horizontal arm
and the tension in the spring connected to the vertical arm) about the hinge and if the total
sum is zero, verifies the law of moments since the moment of the resultant is also zero at the
hinge.
4. Repeat the above steps by changing the weights and their location on the horizontal arm
for two more set of observations.

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By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

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FREE BODY DIAGRAM

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Engineering Mechanics

17

PRECAUTIONS:1 . Do not overload the horizontal arm as it may bend or crack at the hinge.
2. Note if any, the zero error of the spring balance and accordingly correct the readings. of the
tensile force.
3. Carefully place the loads in the hangers as they may slip and cause accident.

RESULT:The sum of moments of all the applied external forces on the bell crank lever, within limits of
experimental error being close to zero, is in accordance to the Principle of Moments.
Hence the experiment is verified.

__________________
Teachers Signature
M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

18

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M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

19

EXPERIMENT NO.4
FRICTION PLANE

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By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

20

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M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics
EXPERIMENT NO.4

21

DATE: ________
FRICTION

AIM:-To find the Coefficient of Friction between two surfaces.

APPARATUS:- Inclined Plane with pulley, weights,Trolleys,weight pan etc.
THEORY
Friction force is developed whenever there is a motion or tendency of motion of one body
with respect to the other body involving rubbing of the surfaces of contact. Friction is
therefore a resistance force to sliding between two bodies produced at the common surfaces
of contact.
Friction occurs because no surface is perfectly smooth, however flat it may appear. On every
surface there are microscopic hills and valleys and due to this the surfaces get interlocked
making it difficult for one surface to slide over the other. During static state the friction force
developed at the contact surface depends on the magnitude of the disturbing force. When the
body is on the verge of motion the contact surface offers maximum frictional force called as
Limiting Frictional Force.
In 1781 the French Physicist Charles de Coulomb found that the limiting frictional force did
not depend on the area of contact but depends on the materials involved and the pressure
(normal reaction) between them.
Thus frictional force F N
or F = sN
Here s is the coefficient of static friction, a term introduced by Coulomb. The value of
lies between 0 and 1 and it depends on both the surfaces of contact.
Coefficient of static friction s between two surfaces can be found out experimentally by
two methods, viz. Angle of Repose method and Friction Plane method.

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

22

Engineering Mechanics

OBSERVATION TABLE:
Type of Weight
Surface in
trolley
(W)
Wood

Angle Weight
of the in pan
Plane (P)
()

Coefficient
of friction
()

Average
()

Angle of repose,
Analytical Experimental

Metal

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

23

The minimum angle of an inclined plane at which a body kept on it slides down the plane
without the application of any external force is known as Angle of Repose. It is denoted by
letter .
Angle of repose, = tan-1 s
PROCEDURE
1. Set the inclined plane with glass top at some angle with the horizontal. Note the inclination
of the plane on the quadrant scale. Take a box of known weight, note its bottom surface
(whether surface is soft wood, or sand paper, or card board etc,) and weight W (weight of box
+ weights in the box)
2. Tie a string to the box and passing the string over a smooth pulley, attach an effort pan to
it.
3. Slowly add weights in the effort pan. A stage would come when the effort pan just slides
down pulling the box up the plane. Using fractional weights up to a least count of 5 gm, find
the least possible weight in the pan that causes the box to just slide up the plane. Note the
weight in the effort pan. This is force P.
4. Repeat the above steps 1 to 3 by changing the weights in the box for two more sets of
observations.

RESULT:1. The coefficient of friction between mica and wood is -----------2. The coefficient of friction between mica and metal is ------------

________________
Teachers Signature
M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

24

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M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

25

EXPERIMENT NO. 5
MOMENT OF INERTIA
OF
FLYWHEEL

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

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M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics
EXPERIMENT NO.5

27

DATE: ________

MOMENT OF INERTIA OF A FLYWHEEL

AIM
To find moment of inertia of a flywheel.
APPARATUS
The flywheel mounted on ball bearings, stop watch, set of weights, pan, string, meter scale.
THEORY
A flywheel; is a heavy metal wheel attached to the shaft of the prime mover (motor or
engine). Flywheels have most of their mass concentrated on the circumstances, thereby
giving high moment of inertia. We know rotating bodies possess kinetic energy given by the
relation
K.E = 1/2 I2. Hence if moment of inertia I is increased, K.E also increases.
Flywheels thus store the kinetic energy and release it back to the system when required. They
are therefore called as reservoir of energy.
An imported application of a flywheel is in a mechanical press where for a fraction of time
high energy is required for actual punching, shearing or forming. This energy is supplied by
the flywheel. During the longer non active period, the speed of the flywheel is built up slowly
by a low powered motor. Thus the motor is not overloaded and also results in energy saving.
In automobiles, the flywheel is provided by the combustion in the cylinders and provides
energy for the compression stroke in the pistons.

PROCEDURE
1. Wind a string around the shaft of the flywheel. Attach a pan of known weight from the
end of the string. Hold the pan i.e. does not allow the flywheel to rotate.
2. Measure the diameter of the axle with a vernier caliper.
3. Add some weight in the pan and note the total mass m of the pan. Also note the height h
of the base of the pan from the ground.
4. Hold a stop watch and now release the pan. The pan accelerates and gains velocity as it
travels down. Note the time and rotations N1 turned by the flywheel till the pan touches the
ground.
5. When the pan hits the ground it gets detached from the flywheel. The flywheel continues
to rotate. Note the rotations N2 turned by the flywheel from the moment the pan touches the
ground till the flywheel stops.
6. Repeat the above steps by changing the height of the pan from the ground and the moment
weight in the pan for one more set of observations.

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

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OBSERVATION TABLE
1st set

2nd set

SR NO

DESCRIPTION

Radius of axle ,r =

Height of fall , h =

Total mass of pan , m =

kg

kg

No. of rotations made by the flywheel till the

pan touches the ground , N1 =

Nos.

Nos.

No. of rotations made from the moment the pan

touches the ground till the flywheel stops , N2=

Nos.

Nos.

Time taken by the pan to touch the ground , t =

sec

sec

Moment of inertia of flywheel ,I =

kgm2

kgm2

Mean I =

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

29

CALCULATIONS
Rectilinear motion of pan
Taking s = height of fall h, u = 0 and t = time taken by pan to touch the ground.
Use s = ut + 1/2 at2 and find acceleration of pan = ____________ m/s2
Use v = u + at and find velocity of the pan as it strikes the ground. V = _______m/s
Rotation motion of flywheel.
USE = v/r and find angular velocity of the flywheel at the instant the pan to touches the
ground. = ______________r/s
Use the formula to find moment of inertia
I = 2mgh mr22(1 + N1/N2)
2(1 + N1/N2)

RESULT:
Mean moment of inertia of the flywheel is _____________ kgm2

_________________
Teachers Signature
M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

30

Engineering Mechanics

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

31

EXPERIMENT NO.6
COMPOUND PENDULUM

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

32

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M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics
EXPERIMENT NO.

33

DATE: ________

MOMENT OF INERTIA OF THE COMPOUND PENDULUM.

AIM:-To find the moment of inertia of the compound pendulum.
APPARATUS :
A steel rod with holes in it for suspension (bar pendulum), A knife edged fulcrum, stop
watch, meter scale.
THEORY
Compound pendulum is defined as a right body suspended in a vertical plane, from a point on
the body other than centre of gravity. On giving small angular displacements, it oscillates and
perform harmonic motion.

We have

Io=(t2mgb/4) & IG=(IO-mb2)

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

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34

Engineering Mechanics

OBSERVATIONS:Mass of uniform bar,m= ------kg

No. of oscillations
= 20
Length of the bar L
= 1m
ANALYTICALLY,
IG = mL2/12

OBSERVATION TABLE:
Sr.No.

b
(meter)

T
(sec.)

t =T/20
(sec.)

Io=(t2mgb/4)

IG=(IOmb2)

IG
average

1.
2.
3.

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

35

RESULT:Moment of inertia of the compound pendulum (experimental) =

Moment of inertia of the compound pendulum (analytical) =

_________________
Teachers Signature
M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

36

Engineering Mechanics

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail

Engineering Mechanics

M.H.Saboo Siddik College Of Engineering, Mumbai-8

37

By Prof. Shaikh Ibrahim Ismail