PRACTICAL COPY

ENGINEERING MECHANICS LAB

 List of Experiments

Sr. No. Experiments

1 To plot the layout of the Engineering Mechanics Lab.

2 To determine the surface area and volume of Brick, Cube and Cylinder in SI, CGS,
FPS systems.
3 To determine the center of gravity (centroid) of various objects by analytical solution
and experimental method.
4 To determine the tension in various points of a hanging rope loaded at different
points.

5 To verify the principle of moments.

6 To verify the laws of friction between various surfaces and to find out the coefficient
of friction.

7 To determine the force reactions of simply supported beam experimentally and by

analytical method.
8 To find out forces in TIE and JIB of JIB crane.
9 Determination of moment of inertia of Fly wheel.
 EXPERIMENT NO. 1
Statement:

To plot the layout of the Engineering Mechanics Lab

Purpose:

To acquaint with the various types of equipment available in the lab

To have a bird eye view of all experiments of engineering mechanics lab

List of Apparatus

 Center of gravity Apparatus

 Hanging rope loaded Apparatus
 Principle of moments Apparatus
 Simply supported beam Apparatus
 TIE and JIB crane Apparatus
 Fly wheel Apparatus
 Friction Apparatus

Layout of Lab

Comments:

We have visited the engineering mechanics lab. It is fully equipped with the all apparatus of
engineering mechanics experiments.
 EXPERIMENT#2
Statement:

To determine the surface area and volume of brick, cube and cylinder in CGS, FPS and SI
system of units

Apparatus:

 Steel tape
 Brick
 Cube
 Cylinder

Purpose:

To understand the concept of area, volume and different conversion factors.

Related Theory:

 Surface Area:
Surface area is the area of contact surface with the atmosphere.
 Volume:
The space occupied by a body is called its volume.
 System of Units:
Unit is a standard which is used for the measurement of various physical quantities.
There are different systems of units e.g. SI System, FPS System, and CGS System.
 Conversion Factors:
1. Length:
1 m = 3.281 ft
2. Area:
1 m2 = 10.764 ft 2
3. Volume:
1m3 = 35.311ft 3 = 219.97
Procedure:

Procedure of this experiment is quite simple. We measured the dimensions of brick,

concrete cube and cylinder. The length, width and height of each object are tabulated.
The area of each object is then manipulated from these values. These areas are then
converted from CGS system to SI and FPS systems by using conversion factors. Finally
we measured the length and width of Mechanics Lab.

Precautions

1. Measure dimensions from each end of the objects.

2. Enlist the measured data carefully in respective columns.
3. Use conversion factors carefully.

Comments:

1. The brick given to us was of good quality as it has perfect dimensions.

2. The cube and cylinder have little variation in dimensions in opposite direction so it needs
capping.

10.08 cm

Cube
Observations and Calculations:

Steel cabinet Wooden Cube

Quantity
L = cm, W = cm , H = cm L = cm, W = cm, H = cm

CGS(cm2) SI(m2) FPS(ft2) CGS(cm2) SI(m2) FPS(ft2)

Area of
face A
(L*H)
Area of
face B
(L*H)
Area of
face C
(L*H)
Total Area
2(A+B+C)
Volume
(L*W*H)
 EXPERIMENT#4

Statement:

To determine the tension in various points of a hanging rope loaded at different points.

Purpose:

To compare the experimental and theoretical results and equilibrium of concurrent force system.

Apparatus:

 Flexible Hanging Rope

 Spring Balances
 Weights and Hangers
 Meter Rod and Measuring Tapes

Related theory:

Force:

Action of one body on another body is called force. Its units are Newton (N) and Pounds (lbs) in
SI and FPS systems respectively.

Equilibrium:

“A body is said to be in equilibrium if all the forces and moments applied on it are in balanced
condition”.

Conditions of equilibrium:

There are three conditions of static equilibrium.

∑𝐹𝑥 =0 ∑𝐹𝑦 =0 ∑M=0

Concurrent force system:

“A system of forces in which all the forces are passing through a same point is called concurrent
force system”.
Flexible rope structure:

In design of these structures it is important to know the relation involving tension, span, sag and
length of cables.

These are determined by considering the cable as a body I equilibrium. In analysis of flexible
cables it is assumed that any resistance offered to bending is negligible. The assumption means
that the force in the cable will be along the length of the cable i.e. tensile force.

Behavior of flexible cable:

Procedure:

1. Note the initial reading of spring balance.

2. Now add weight to the hanger and note the final reading.
3. Original reading can be obtained by
Original Reading = Final Reading – Final Readings
4. Repeat the experiment four times and take the corresponding readings.
5. Calculate the analytical result with the help of three conditions of equilibrium.

∑𝐹𝑥 = 0
𝑇2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃2 + 𝑇1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃1 = 0
𝑇2 = 𝑇1 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃1 )/(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃2 )- - - - - - - (1)

∑𝐹𝑦 = 0
𝑇1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃1 + 𝑇2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃2 = 𝑊
𝑇 (cos 𝜃1 )
1
𝑇1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃1 + (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 =𝑤
2 )𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃1

𝑇1 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃1 ) = 𝑊

𝑇1 = 𝑊 /(𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃1 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃2 ) - - - - - - - - - - (2)
Precautions:

1. All the distances should be measured properly.

2. Both the pulleys should be frictionless.
3. While noting the readings spring balances should not be firmly gripped in the hands.

Comments:

The percentage difference between the analytical and experimental reading should not exceed
10%.

Observations and Calculations:

Zero error=0.5T1 Zero error=0.7T2

Sr. W
𝑳𝟏 𝑳 𝟐 H 𝜽𝟏 𝜽𝟐 (lbs) (lbs)
No
(in) (in) (in)
N lbs exp anal %dif exp anal %diff
1
2
3
4
5
 EXPERIMENT # 5
Statement:

To verify the principle of moments

Purpose:
To prove that the body is in equilibrium when sum of all clockwise moments is equal to
the sum of all counter clockwise moments.

Apparatus:

 Weights
 Hangers
 Pulleys
 Shafts
 Measuring Tape

Related Theory:

Moments:

The moment of a force is a measure of its tendency to cause a body to rotate about a
specific point or axis. This is different from the tendency of a body to move or translate in the
direction of force. In order for a moment to develop, the force must act upon the body in such a
manner that the body would again be twisted. This occurs every time a force is applied so that it
does not pass through the centroid of the body. A moment is due to a force not having an equal
and opposite force directly along its line of action.

The magnitude of the moment of the force acting about a point or axis is directly
proportional to the distance of the force form the point or axis. It is defined as the product of
force and the moment arm (d). The moment arm or the lever arm is the perpendicular distance
between the line of action of the force and the center of moments. The center of moments may be
the actual point about which the force causes rotation. It may also be a reference point or axis
about which the force may be considered causing rotation. It does not matter as long as the
specific point is always taken as the reference point the latter case is much more common
situation in structural design problems. A moment is expressed in foot, pound, kip feet, Newton
meters, or kilo Newton meter. The most common way to express a moment is!

Moment = Force × Distance

M= F × d

Principles of Moments OR Varignon’s Theorem:

This theorem states that

“The moment of any force is equal to the algebraic sum of the moments of the
components of that force.”

Observations and Calculations:-

It is very important principle that is often used in conjunction with the principle of
transmissibility in order to solve system of forces that are acting and/or within a structure.

That concept will be illustrated by calculating the moment around the bolt caused by the
100 pound force at point A, B, C, D and E in the illustration.

Since the line of action of the force is not perpendicular to the wrench at A. The force is
broken down into its orthogonal components by inspection. The line of action of 100 pounds
force can be inspected to determine if there are any convenient geometries to aid in the
decomposition of the 100 pound force. The four inch horizontal and the five inch diagonal
measurement near point A should be recognized as belonging to 3-4-6 triangle. Therefore Fx
=4/5(100 pounds) or 80 pounds and Fy= -3/5(100 pounds) or 60 pounds.

Point A:

The line of action of Fx at A passes through the handle of the wrench to the bolt (which
is also the center of the moments). This means that the magnitude of the moment is zero and
therefore the moment due to FAX is zero. FAY at has a moment arm of 20-inch and will tend to
cause the positive moment.

FAY = (60 pounds) × (20 inch) = 1200 pound inch

The total moment caused by the 100 pound force F at point A is 1200 pound inch.

Point B:

At this point 100 point force is perpendicular to the wrench. Thus the total moment due to
force can easily be found without breaking it into components.

FB d = (100 lbs) × (12 inch) = 1200 pound inch

Point C:

The force must once again be decomposed into components. This time the vertical
centers passes through the centre of moments. The horizontal component FCX causes entire
moment.

FC d = (800 lbs) × (15 inch) = 1200 pound inch

Point D:

The force must once again be decomposed into components. Both components will
contribute to the total moments.

FDX d = (80 lbs) × (21 inch) = 1680 pound inch

FDY d = (60 lbs) × (8 inch) = - 480 pound inch

Note that the component Y in this case would create CW or negative moment. The total moment
at D due to the 100 pound force is determined by adding the two component moments. Not
surprisingly this yields 1200 pound inches.

Point E:

Same procedure as that in point D

FEX d = (80 lbs) × (3 inch) = -240 pound inch

FEY d = (60 lbs) × (24 inch) = 1440 pound inch

 The total moment is again 1200 pound inch. We can see at every point the moment
produced by force abut bolt is 1200 lb-in. This is Varignon’s Theorem.

Procedure:

1. Put weights in hangers.

2. Wait for a while, until equilibrium is produced.
3. Now calculate the perpendicular distances from the tip of the hanger to the center of
moment.
4. Now calculate the CW and CCW moment.
5. CW and CCW moments should be equal.

Precautions:

1. The center of moments should be correctly established.

2. The distance should be perpendicular to the line of action of force.
3. The sense of rotation should be noted properly.

Comments:

An error may be generated if the moment arm measurement is faulty i.e. it is not
perpendicular. The pulleys should be frictionless.

Observations and Calculations:-

Clockwise Moments Anti-clockwise Moments

Sr. No. M=Fd M=Fd % diff
F (N) d (mm) F (N) d (mm)
(N-mm) (N-mm)

%diff = (CCW-CW)/CCW×100
 EXPERIMENT # 6

Statement:

To verify the laws of friction between various surfaces and to find out the coefficient of
friction

Purpose:

1. Experimental verification of laws of friction.

2. Experimental determination of coefficient of friction.

Apparatus:

 Adjustable wooden slide board with slide pulley

 Weight Hangers
 Weights
 Wooden slier
 Rope

Related Theory:

Friction:

When surfaces of two bodies are in contact there will be a limited amount of resistance to
sliding between them which is called friction.

Laws of Friction:-

1. The total friction that can be developed is independent of the area of contact. This law is
called coulomb’s law.
The areas of surfaces in contact are different for the above two cases but the friction between
them is same.

2. Friction is directly proportional to the normal force.

3. At low velocity friction is independent of the velocity.

Procedure:

1. Note the initial weight of the hanger and the box.

2. Put some weight in the hanger as applied load (P) and also in the box to increase the
normal.
3. Keep on increasing the weight both in the hanger and in the box till the box starts to
move.
4. Note down both the weights each time before increasing them.
5. Plot a graph between P and N to find the coefficient of friction graphically.
6. Repeat the process for iron and brass boxes and find their coefficient of friction.

F = w sinθ

R = w cosθ

Series 1
Precautions:

1. Increase the loads slowly.

2. Do not put heavy loads at start.
3. For determining the angle ‘ϴ’ take dimensions precisely.

Comments:

Due to shortage of time only friction co-efficient between iron and wood is determined
correctly.

Observations and Calculations:-

Sr. No. P (N) W (N) N=Wcosϴ F= P- Wsinϴ U = F/R Average

1
2
3
4
 EXPERIMENT # 8
Statement:

To find out forces in TIE and JIB of JIB crane.

Purpose:

To verify that the forces in the tie are tensile and the forces in the jib are compressive

Apparatus:

 Jib Crane
 Spring balance
 Weight Hangers
 Weights
 Measuring steel tape

Related Theory:

Force:

Action of one body on another body is called force. Its units are Newton (N) and Pounds (lbs) in
SI and FPS systems respectively.

Equilibrium:

“A body is said to be in equilibrium if all the forces and moments applied on it are in balanced
condition”.

Conditions of equilibrium:

There are three conditions of static equilibrium.

∑𝐹𝑥 =0 ∑𝐹𝑦 =0 ∑M=0

Trigonometric Rules:
Cosine Law:

γ
a = b + c – 2bccosα
2 2 2 b a

b2 = a2 + c2 – 2accosβ

c2 = b2 + a2 – 2bacosγ α β

Sine Law:

A / sinα = B / sinβ = C / sinγ γ

B A

α β

Graphical Method: C

Head to Tail Rule:

It is a graphical method to figure out the resultant of vectors. Vectors are added in such a
manner that the head of first vector is joined with tail second vector. Then head of second vector
is joined with tail of third vector and so on all vectors are joined. The resultant of all vectors is
joined in such a manner that the head of resultant vector join with the head of last vector and tail
of resultant vector joins with the tail of first vector.
F2
R

F1

Procedure:

1. Set the apparatus according to the specified conditions.

2. Note Down the zero error of the spring balance.
3. Apply weights on the hanger.
 4. Observe spring balance reading and geometrical dimensions of the simple jib crane.
5. Note down the final reading of the spring balance.
6. Repeat the above steps by increasing the weight in the hanger.
7. Determine the forces in jib and tie analytically and graphically.

Observations and Calculations

Least Count = _____________

Zero Error = _____________

Sr. Load AB BC AC Force in Tie Force in Jib

α β γ
No. (N) (cm) (cm) (cm) (N) (N)

Precautions

1. Zero error should be calculated at the start of the experiment

2. Avoid sudden heavy load i.e., use uniform load application to find the forces.
3. All the readings should be taken from the center of screws.
4. Do not compress and elongate the spring balance.
 EXPERIMENT # 3
Statement:

To determine the center of gravity (centroid) of various objects by analytical solution and
experimental observations

Purpose:

To compare the Centroid of various objects; determined by experimental observations

and analytical results.

Apparatus:

 Objects of various shapes

 Plumb bob
 Graph papers
 Cutter
 Meter rod etc.

Related Theory:

Center of Gravity:

“Center of gravity lies within or near any object from which the line of action of resultant
of all the gravitational forces passes.”

“It is the point around which the moment of all the gravitational forces completely cancel
out each other.”

Center of mass:

It is the specific point where entire mass of the body is thought to be concentrated.

Centroid:

The geometric center of the body is called centroid.

Significance of Centroid:

1. Total resultant gravitational force act at this point.

2. Entire area is supposed to be concentrated at this point.
3. It is the point at which the body can be supported or stabilized without overturning.

Thus center of gravity, center of mass and the centroid all are physically same but theoretically
different.

Centroids of various geometric shapes:

Centroids of Rectangle:

h A = b.h
G(x1, y1)
X1= b/2 , Y1= h/2
Y1

x
X1

Centroid for Triangle:

h A = 1/2b.h

X1= b/3, Y1= h/3

Y1
x
X1
b
Centroid for Circle and Semi-Circle

A = π r2

X1= 0, Y1= 0

A = (π r2)/2

X1= 0, Y1= 4R/3π

ANALYTICAL CALCULATIONS

PROBLEM NO.1

(251.5mm)
(216mm)

x
(216mm)

PROBLEM NO. 2

(475.5mm)
(297mm)
D= 150mm

x
(299mm)
 EXPERIMENT # 9
Statement:

To determination moment of Inertia of Fly wheel

Purpose:

To measure the energy of a rotating fly wheel and determine the moment of Inertia of the
flywheel

Apparatus:

 Fly wheel mounted on a wall,

 Stop watch,
 Vernier Calliper,
 Thread
 Weights (1/2kgf., 1kgf, 100gmf, 50gmf, 20gmf, 10gmf ),

Related Theory:

The principal of conservation of energy is made use of in determining the M.I. of the fly
wheel. It states that the energy can neither be created nor destroyed though it can be transferred
from one form into any forms in which the energy exist. As the fly wheel revolves due to a
falling weight attached to the axis. The potential energy of the falling weight is equal to the K.E.
of the falling body when it drops off plus the energy stored in the fly wheel at that instant plus
the energy lost in the friction in bearings while the body is descending. Even the energy stored in
the fly wheel is lost in overcoming friction in bearing (after the weight has dropped off) bringing
the wheel to a standstill.

From law of conservation of energy:

Formulae: W*H = Wv2/2g + Iω2 (for negligible bearing friction)

Whereas,
v = u+at
v2 = u2+2aH
 ω = v/r
W= weight falling in N
H = height from which the weight fall in meter
V = Linear velocity in m/s at the end of fall of H
I = Moment of Inertia of fly wheel in kgm2
ω = Angular velocity of shaft in radian/sec.
r = Radius of shaft in m
Therefore, I = 2* (W*H – (Wv2/2g))/ ω2

Procedure:
1. Measure the diameter of the shaft with the help of vernier calliper and find the mean radius of
the shaft(r).
2. Wrap the cotton string round the shaft and suspend weight (W) so that fly can rotate easily.
3. Now marked the height (H) for weight W from centre of mass of Weight W to the earth and
keep it same for different value of W in each observation.
4. Place a weight (W) hold the Pan in which this weight is placed. Release weight (W) and start
the stop watch simultaneously. Stop the watch as soon as the falling weight has touched the level
ground. This gives the time (t).
 5. Repeat the experiment for different values of ‘W’. Repeat the experiment ten times.
Observations:

1. Diameter of shaft = _____________m

2. Radius of shaft (r) = _____________ m

3. Height of fall of weight W marked (H) = ______________m

Sr. Falling Weight (W) in N Time of fall of weight (t) in sec. I = 2* (W*H – (Wv2/2g))/ ω2
No.

Precautions:

1. Note the time accurately to the fraction of a second.

2. Friction in the bearings should be minimum possible.

3. Overlapping of the string should be avoided.

4. Mark the height carefully from the centre of mass of weights to the ground.

Comments:

1. There may be positive or negative error in Vernier calliper.

2. There may be error in recording time intervals (in fraction of seconds).
3. There may be little friction in bearings.