Experiment No.

5
“To determine the reactions of simply supported beam.”

1 Objective:
i. To understand the working of simply supported beam.
ii. To understand and verify the necessary and sufficient conditions for equilibrium (i.e.
∑ F=0∧∑ M =0 ¿¿
2 Apparatus:
i. Simply supported beam
ii. Meter Rod
iii. Weights
iv. Hangers
v. Spring balance

3 Introduction:
In this experiment we will learn the working of simply supported beam. We will also the
necessary conditions required for a body to remain in equilibrium i.e. ∑ F=0∧∑ M =0 and
will verify these conditions for simply supported beam.

4 Theory:
4.1 Beams:
4.1.1 Definition:
“Beams are horizontal structural components used to support lateral loads.”
OR
“A beam is a structural element that primarily resists loads applied laterally to the beam's axis.
Its mode of deflection is primarily by bending. The loads applied to the beam result in reaction
forces at the beam's support points. The total effect of all the forces acting on the beam is to
produce shear forces and bending moments within the beam, that in turn induce internal
stresses, strains and deflections of the beam. Beams are characterized by their manner of
support, profile (shape of cross-section), length, and their material.”
Beams are traditionally descriptions of building or civil engineering structural elements, but any
structures such as automotive automobile frames, aircraft components, machine frames, and
other mechanical or structural systems contain beam structures that are designed to carry
lateral loads are analyzed in a similar fashion.[1]

Fig. 1: Beams [4]

4.1.2 Overview:
Historically beams were squared timbers but are also metal, stone, or combinations of wood
and metal such as a flitch beam. Beams can carry vertical gravitational forces but are primarily
used to carry horizontal loads (e.g., loads due to an earthquake or wind or in tension to resist
rafter thrust as a tie beam or (usually) compression as a collar beam). The loads carried by a
beam are transferred to columns, walls, or girders, which then transfer the force to adjacent
structural compression members and eventually to ground. In light frame
construction, joists may rest on beams.
In carpentry, a beam is called a plate as in a sill plate or wall plate, beam as in a summer
beam or dragon beam

4.1.3 Types of beams:

4.1.3.1 On the basis of geometry:
On the basis of geometry, there are following types of beams
i. Straight Beams
ii. Tapered Beams
iii. Curved Beams

4.1.3.1.1 Straight Beams:

“Beam with straight profile is called straight beam.”
 Fig. 2: STRAIGHT BEAMS [5]

4.1.3.1.2 Curved beams:

“Beam with curved profile is called Curved beam.”

Fig. 3: CURVED BEAM [6]

4.1.3.1.3 Tapered Beams:
“Beam with tapered cross section is called tapered beam.”

Fig. 3: TAPERED BEAMS [7]

4.1.3.2 On the basis of equilibrium conditions:
On the basis of equilibrium conditions, there are two types of beams:
i. Statically determinate beam
ii. Statically indeterminate beam

4.1.3.2.1 Statically determinate beams:

“Statically determinate beams are those beams whose reactions can be determined using
equilibrium conditions.”

4.1.3.2.2 Statically indeterminate beams:

“Statically indeterminate beams are those beams whose reactions cannot be determined using
equilibrium conditions alone.” [2]

4.1.3.3 On the basis of loads:

On the basis of loads there are following types of beams:
i. Simply supported beam
ii. Overhanging beam
iii. Cantilever beam
iv. Continuous beam
v. Fixed beam

4.1.3.3.1 Simply supported beam:

“A beam supported on the ends which are free to rotate and have no moment resistance is
called Simply supported beam.”
OR
“A simply supported beam is a type of beam that has pinned support at one end and roller
support at the other end. Depending on the load applied, it undergoes shearing and
bending. It is the one of the simplest structural elements in existence.”
4.1.3.3.2 Overhanging beam:
“A simple beam extending beyond its support on one end is called Overhanging beam.”
OR
“An overhanging beam is a beam that has one or both end portions extending beyond its
supports. It may have any number of supports. If viewed in a different perspective, it appears as
if it is has the features of simply supported beam and cantilever beam.”

Fig. 5: OVERHANGING BEAMS [9]

4.1.3.3.3 Cantilever beam:
“A projecting beam fixed only at one end is called Cantilever beam.”
OR
“A cantilever beam is fixed at one end and free at other end.”

Fig. 6: CANTILEVER BEAMS [10]

4.1.3.3.4 Continuous beam:

“A beam extending over more than two supports is called Continuous beam.”
OR
“A continuous beam has more than two supports distribute d throughout its length.”

Fig. 7: CONTINUOUS BEAM

4.1.3.3.5 Fixed beam:
“A beam supported on both ends and restrained from rotation is called Fixed beam.”
OR
“As the name suggests, fixed beam is a type of beam whose both ends are fixed.”[3]

Fig. 8: FIXED BEAM [11]

4.1.3.4 On the basis of geometry:

On the basis of geometry, there are following types of beams:
i. Square beam
ii. I beam
iii. C beam
iv. T beam

Square beam
I beam

C beam T beam
Fig. 9[12]
5 Procedure:
i. First of all, balance the simply supported beams using spring balance from both of its
ends.
ii. Put three weights on the beam at different positions and balance the beam.
iii. Measure the length of beam and the distance of each weight from one end of the beam
marked as A using meter rod.
iv. Now increase the weights and note the reactions on spring balance.
v. Repeat the experiment several times.

6 Observations and Calculations:

Table 1: Loads and reactions on simply supported beam

Sr. No. Loads Lengths Reactions Percentage

(lb) (inch) (lb) Error
W1 W2 W3 L1 L2 L3 L Ra Rb Ra Rb In Ra In Rb
(exp (exp) (th) (th)
)
1. 0.25 0.25 0.2 3.5 12.5 21. 24 0.5 0.5 0.368 0.38 37.8 29
5 2
2. 0.75 0.75 0.7 3.5 12.5 21. 24 1.5 1.5 1.08 1.16 37.9 29
5 2
3. 1.25 1.75 1.7 3.5 12.5 21. 24 2.5 3.5 2.11 2.63 18.4 32.6
5 2
4. 2.25 1.75 2.7 3.5 12.5 21. 24 3.5 3.5 3.08 3.66 13.5 4.6
5 2
Mean error in Ra=26.9% and Mean error in Rb=23.8%

7 Comments:
The difference between the experimental and theoretical values show that there is some error
in the experiment which may be due to
i. Human error
ii. Parallax error
iii. Poor calibration of Spring balance
iv. Zero error in spring balance etc.

8 References:
[1] “Beam” def. 1 Whitney, William Dwight and Benjamin E. Smith. The century dictionary and
cyclopedia vol.1. New York: Century Co.,1901.487. Print
[2] The American Architect and Building news, Vol. XXII. Boston: James R. Osgood & Co. 1888. P.
154
[3] Ramsay, Angas. “NAFEMS Benchmark Challenge number 7”. ramsay-maunder.co.uk.
Retrieved 7 May,2017
[4] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDhdrDM9goUIVPyC_X7w-
SEodqCZrZsqFDux1fXXCTcfmXuvA-
[5]http://slideplayer.com/5172312/16/images/5/
Deformation+of+Straight+Beam+under+Pure+Bending.jpg
[6] http://jwrdesign.com/house-42/
[7] http://www.scielo.br/img/revistas/lajss/v8n2/a03fig01.jpg
[8] http://leancrew.com/all-this/images2015/20150818-Simply%20supported%20beam.png
[9] https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-47dc5edd9e63b6e6cd17b05433e83079
[10] https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-422b83fb66c6c09f500e8d1a569693e9-c
[11] http://www.dailycivil.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/cantilever-beam1.jpg
[12] https://4.imimg.com/data4/CE/LV/MY-3827150/i-beam-500x500.jpg