Experiment 3: Bending Moment Diagram.

Total Marks: 20

Student Name: ________________ Reg. No. ___________ Date: __________

Problem Statement:

To study the shear force and bending moment diagram due to applied transverse load.

Theory:

The bending moment diagrams are helpful in developing an understanding of the internal
reaction forces and moments generated in a beam due to applied transverse load and
moments. In order to determine these internal forces and/or moments, mechanic of
cutting principle, as shown in Figure 1, will be used.

This involves cutting the beam at a point of interest (usually before and after a force
vector). This imaginary cut, enables us to express internal forces and moments in terms
of external forces acting on the beam. This involves separating the beam at the point of
interest into two parts with an imaginary cut. The unknown internal forces and moments
are then expressed as external transverse loads at the separation points.

Figure 1: Mechanics of cutting principle

The transverse loads at the left end are expressed in positive coordinate direction, those
at the right end in negative direction. These conventions can be more easily remembered
if we note that
The shear at any given point of a beam is positive when external forces (loads and
directions) acting on the beam tend to shear off at that point as indicated in Figure 2.

The bending moment at any given point of a beam is positive when the external forces
acting on the beam tend to bend the beam at that point as indicated in Figure 3.

Figure 2: Effect of external force (positive shear and positive bending moments)

Figure 3: Transverse load profiles for a beam

In the event of loading in one plane, a distinction is made between three different cutting
loads.

• Normal force Nx in beam direction. This produces tension/compression in the

beam.
• Shear force Qz at right angles to beam axis. This is responsible for the shear stress
in the beam.
• Bending moment My perpendicular to the loading plane. This produces the
bending stress in the beam.
The unknown transverse loads can be calculated by assuming a state of equilibrium for
the cut-off section of the beam. The equilibrium conditions are as follows for loading in
one plane.
ΣFx = 0, hence Nx can be calculated
ΣFy = 0, hence Qz can be calculated
ΣMy = 0, hence My can be calculated
Whereas the normal force is independent of the other two transverse loads, the following
differential relationship, as shown by equation (1), exists between shear force and bending
moment.
𝑑𝑀𝑦 (𝑥)
𝑂𝑧 (𝑥 ) = (1)
𝑑𝑥

The shear force profile thus indicates the slope of the bending moment curve. The bending
moment profile My(x) and shear force profile Qz(x) of a beam on two supports and
subjected to central loading with a concentrated load F are to be determined and checked
experimentally. The support forces A, B result from the moment equilibrium around the
supports and can be calculated by using equations (2) and (3).

𝐿
∑ 𝑀𝐵 = 0 = 𝐹 − 𝐴𝐿 (2)
2

𝐿
∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0 = 𝐹 − 𝐵𝐿 (3)
2

The shear force is determined by way of the vertical force equilibrium. Cutting the left-
hand beam section free results in the following for the vertical equilibrium condition as
shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Shear Force equilibrium

 ∑ 𝐹𝑍 = 0 = −𝐴 + 𝑄𝑍 (4)

Thus shear force will be,

𝐹
𝑄𝑍 = 𝐴 = (5)
2

The shear force remains constant up to the centre of the beam and then changes its sign
at the point where the load is applied. Taking the moment at the cutting plane for the left
section.

∑ 𝑀𝑦 = 0 = −𝐴𝑥 + 𝑀𝑦 (𝑥) (6)

Thus bending moment will be,

𝐹𝑥
𝑀(𝑥 ) = 𝐴𝑥 = (7)
2
There is a linear increase in the bending moment up to the centre, which then decreases
to zero again on reaching the right-hand support. With substitution on x=L/2, as shown in
Figure 5, the maximum value in the centre is

𝐿 𝐹𝐿
𝑀 (𝑥 = ) = (8)
2 4
At the joint with x=L/3 the value is

𝐿 𝐹𝐿
𝑀 (𝑥 = ) = (9)
3 6

Figure 5: Bending moment profile

Numerical Problem

Q) A simply supported train bridge experiences distributed transverse load whenever a

train passes on it. Analyse and sketch the internal shear force and bending moment of the
bridge using knowledge of beam analysis, if the train has a weight of 10N/cm and the
length of the bridge is measured as 200 m.

Figure 6: Simply Supported Bridge

Experimental Setup

Equipment

The WP 960 Beam on 2 Supports: Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams
apparatus, as shown in Figure 7, allows easy investigation of Bending Moment Profiles
at different loading conditions on a Simply Supported Beam.

Figure 7: WP 960 Beam on 2 Supports

Materials:

1. Beam, 1000mm long with special joint at 366mm

2. Load cell 0 – 100 N for bending moment with pivot
3. Load cell 0 – 50 N for lateral force
4. Support with roller bearings
5. Weight holder, dead weight 1N with weights
6. Load hanger
7. Graduated metal rule

Procedure:

CASE I

1. Position supports 800 mm apart on the lower frame cross member.

2. Center the beam on the supports.
3. Align the beam with the adjusting screws.
4. Take load-cell readings and note down values.
 5. Use load hanger to position load of 20 N in the center of the beam (400 mm from
support).
6. Take readings from both load cells again and note down values in Table 1.

CASE II

1. Position supports 800 mm apart on the lower frame cross member.

2. Centre the beam on the supports.

3. Align the beam with the adjusting screws.

4. Take load-cell readings and note down values.

5. Use load hanger to position load of 2x20 N on beam at a distance of 200 mm

from left and right support.

6. Take readings from both load cells again and note down values in Table 1.

CASE III needs to be designed by students on their own in groups using different loads
and note down the values in Table 1.

Observations:

Shear Force (V) = F/2 = (Gauge 1 – Gauge 2)/2

Bending Moment = V.x

The distance of special joint is 0.266 m

 Table 1: Experimental Data for bending moment-simply supported beam

Internal Bending
Load on Load on
Shear Force Moment
Gauge 1 (N) Gauge 2 (N)
V (N) (N.m)
Case I

Case II

Case III

Result and Conclusion:

1. Fill Table 1 with experimental shear force and bending moment values.

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2. Sketch shear force and bending moment diagram for cases I, II and III.

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3. Compare shear force and bending moment obtained from (a) and experimental
data and calculate percentage error. Fill Table 2 and Table 3 and comment on the
difference.

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 Table 2: Shear Force Comparison table

Parameters Case 1 Case 2 Case 3

Experimental
Value

Theoretical
Value

% error

Table 3: Bending Moment Comparison table

Parameters Case 1 Case 2 Case 3

Experimental
Value

Theoretical
Value

% error