Experiment #6: Bending Moment in a Beam

Faculty of Engineering and Computing: School of Engineering

Engineering Mechanics Lab 1 (MEE2018)

Due Date: November 14, 2024

 Abstract
On October 28, 2024 the Bending Moment in a Beam Experiment was done. The objectives of

this laboratory exercise were to comprehend the action of moment of resistance in a beam, to

measure the bending moment at a normal section of a loaded beam and to check its agreement

with theory by converting strain readings to force readings per millimeter. The apparatus used

were weights, level, beam apparatus and P4121 Data Acquisition Interface by Cussons

Technology which had the least count of 1µε. The procedure of the experiment was done in 3

parts. Part one was executed by leveling and setting the span of the beam to 900mm, and placing

3 weight hangers at different intervals. The distance from the centerline of the strain gauges on

the cantilever to the point of application of the load on the cantilever was then measured. The

strain readings were then taken by placing 10N and 20N weights on W1, W2 and W3 in specific

orders. In Part 2, the load hangers were kept in their original positions and a 5N and 10N loads

were placed on the weight hangers. After taking their strain readings, the procedure was repeated

with the load hangers in different positions and with different loadings. Finally, part 3 was done

by placing the load hangers at 100mm, 3000mm and 500mm. The beam was levelled, and

different weights were added to the weight hangers and the strain readings were recorded. This

then led to the calculation of the Bending Force, Experimental and Theoretical Bending

Moments and their Percentage Differences. The calculated values for the experimental and

theoretical bending moments had an average percentage difference of 27.5%. However, there

was one instance in part 3 where there was a 200% difference due to experimental errors.

Nevertheless, the low values for the percentage differences shows that the theory for the

experiment was true, which states that if a beam is cut by a vertical section, then the beam should

remain in equilibrium if both parts are in equilibrium.

 Table of Contents

Results ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Table showing Results for Part 1………..………………………………………………….

Table showing Results for Part 2…………………………………………………………...

Table showing Results for Part 3…………………………………………………………...

Discussion………………………………………………………………………………………….

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………

References ………………………………………………………………………………………..

Appendix B

Raw Data Sheet…………………………………………………………………………….

Appendix C

Sample Calculations………………………………………………………………………..

List of Tables

Table 1

Showing Table of Results for Part 1 ……………………………………………………….

Table 2

Showing Table of Results for Part 2………………………………………………………..

Table 3

Showing Table of Results for Part 3……………………………………………………….

 Results

Table 1 showing Table of Results for Part 1

LOAD Strain Reading (µε) and Bending Force (N)

(N) W1 W2 W3

Strain Bending Strain Bending Strain Bending Force

Reading (µε) Reading (µε) Reading (µε)
Force Force

0 -0000 0 -0000 0 -0000 0

10 +0103 3.065 +0330 9.806 +0171 5.081

20 +0199 5.913 +0656 19.494 +0330 9.806

Bending Moment (N.mm)

Experimental Theoretical Experimental Theoretical Experimental Theoretical

10 459.15 667 1,470.9 2001 762.15 1002

% Difference = 36.91 % Difference = 30.54 % Difference = 27.19

886.95 1334 2,924.1 3999 1,470.9 1998

20 % Difference = 40.26 % Difference = 31.05 % Difference = 30.39

 Table 2 showing Table of Results for Part 2

Loading (N) Strain Bending Experimental Bending Theoretical Bending %

Force (N) Difference
Reading Moment (N.mm) Moment (N.mm)

(µε)

0 -0000 0 0 0 0

W2 = 5 +0165 4.903 735.45 999 30.39

W1=W3=10, W2=5 +0433 12.867 1,930.05 2680 32.53

W2 = 2 +0075 2.229 334.35 399 17.63

W1=15, W3=10, W2=2 + 0405 12.035 1,805.25 2400 28.29

Span:W1=100 W3= 600

W2 = 7 +0236 7.013 1,051.95 1401 28.46

W1=10, W3=12, W2=7 +0493 14.650 2,197.5 3000 30.88

Span:W1=150,W3= 750

Table 3 showing Table of Results for Part 3

Loading Strain Bending Experimental Theoretical %

(N) Reading Force Bending Moment Bending Moment Difference

(µε) (N) (N.mm) (N.mm)

0 +0018 0.535 80.25 0 200

W1=5, W3=12 +0347 10.311 1,546.65 1934 22.26

W1=5, W2=10, W3=2 +0447 13.283 1,992.45 2600 26.46

 Discussion

The bending moment is the internal moment or torque that causes the beam to bend and is caused

by external loads acting on the beam. On a planar beam all forces, shear, axial and bending

moment, act in the same plane when loads are applied. For this experiment, concentrated loads

were used on a simply supported beam. Concentrated loads are loads that act at a single point.

The bending moment refers to the internal moment that resists the bending of a beam due to

external loads. The bending moment varies along the length of the beam and depends on the type

of loading and the position where it is applied. When the load was doubled in part 1 of the

experiment, the bending moment was also doubled. This occurred because to counteract the

additional load, the internal bending moment needed to increase due to the direct proportionality

between load and bending moment. The average percentage difference between the experimental

and theoretical bending moments was 25.7%. The differences were due to several factors

including sources or error in the experiment such as incorrect load application. For some

instances, the load hanger may have shifted without the experimenters being aware. This may

have affected the overall bending moment distribution through the beam. To minimize this error,

ensure the load hangers are in their correct positions before taking their readings. Another error

could be Imperfect Boundary Conditions. Theoretical models typically assume idealized

boundary conditions such simple supports or fixed ends. Boundary conditions might differ due to

slight misalignment, imperfect clamping, or the flexibility of support structures. This may have

affected how the beam reacted to the loads.

 Conclusion

The theory of the experiment states that if a beam is cut vertically, then for the beam to remain in

equilibrium, both parts must be in equilibrium. Any extra forces acting on one part must be

transmitted to part B across the section and vice versa to retain equilibrium. The experiment

verified this theory. This can be seen in the calculation where when the load increased the

bending moment also increased.

 References

Hibbeler, R.C. (2021). Engineering Mechanics – Statics (15th ed.). Pearson