TITLE : Bending moment.

INTRODUCTION

A length of material support horizontally at two points in such a way that it will carry
vertical loads is called a beam. The loading perpendicular to its axis causes bending and
in most cases transverse shearing. In the simplest example the loads and supporting
reactions act in a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis, and the beam has a
rectangular cross section.
The loads and the support reactions are the external forces acting on the beam and they
must be in equilibrium. But in order to study the strength of the beam it is necessary to
know how the these external forces affect it. As the theory shows, the mathematical
method is to assume the beam is cut into two parts by a transverse section and then to
examine the equilibrium of each part. To maintain equilibrium it is evident that certain
forces must be introduced at the cut, and when the cut is not there these same forces exist
internally in the material of the beam.
Bending moment is the algebraic sum of the moments of the forces to the left or to the
right of section taken about the section. Bending moments are considered positive when
the moment on the left portion is clockwise and on the right anticlockwise. This is
referred to as a sagging bending moment as it tends to make the beam concave upwards.
A negative bending moment is termed negative.

Figure 1.
Referring Figure 1, a beam is considered resting on supports at A and B and supporting a
load P. if the beam is cut by a vertical section XX, each part must be in equilibrium for
the beam to remain in equilibrium.

Figure 2

Referring Figure 2, if the self weight of the beam is neglected, any external forces acting
on part (A) to preserve the equilibrium must be transmitted from part (B) across the
section X-X and vice versa. The action of part (A) on part (B) must be also equal and
opposite to that of (B) and (A) so that equilibrium can be achieved.
The load is also solely vertical and in the plane of the beam, there cannot be horizontal
reactions, so equilibrium yields two conditions:
a.
b.

Vertical equilibrium
Equilibrium of moments

Referring Figure 2, for equilibrium of moments take an axis as shown in the section X-X
to eliminate Qx. Then, use the sign convention given for part (A) of the beam
Internal moment for part (A) ,
Mx = RAa
and for part (B) of the beam,
Mx = RBb P (b - )
It can be easily be proven that both parts have the same value of internal moment by
substituting RB as followed
RA + R B = P

Mx = (P RA)b P(b - )
= Pb RAb Pb - P
= RAb + RA(a + b)
= RAa

TEXT BOOK
Bending moments in beams and bending moments diagrams are dealt with in the
following reference:
Structural Mechanics by Durka, Morgan & Williams

LIST OF PARTS
The standard set of items supplied (HST. 111) consists of:
3 - HST.905 Load hangers

1 - HST.9a

Bending moment beam assembly

2 - HST.906 Stands

1 - HTB.1

Text book

1 - 6mm

Allen key

The weight set (HST. 111W) required for this experiment is 2 x 10 N, 1 x 5 N and 1 x 2
N.

APPARATUS

Bending moment beam

assembly

(A)

(B)

150mm
hanger

Stand

The experimental beam is in 2 parts, the smaller left hand part being (A) and the larger
right hand part being (B). At the section normal to the beam axis where they join a pair of
ball bearings pinned in (B) fits in half housings fixed in (A), thus forming a frictionless
hinge. A moment of resistance about the hinge is provided by an under slung spring
balance which acts at a lever arm of 150mm.
Two end bearings on stands support the beam, and several stirrup shaped load hangers
can be threaded onto the 2 parts of the beam.
A spirit level is provided to help set up the beam. However, it is generally sufficient to
line up parts (A) and (B) by eye, and to re-align them by adjusting the screw on the
spring balance each time the load is altered.

OBJECTIVES
1. To comprehend the action of the moment of resistance within the beam.
2. To measure the bending moment at a normal section of a loaded beam and to compare
it with the theoretical value.

PROCEDURE
Part 1
1. The beam supports have been fixed at 900mm span is examined and the beam is
positioned so that the bearing pin in part(B) is 300 mm from the left hand support
A
2. The first load hanger is placed 100mm from A, the second hanger placed in the
groove just to the right of the section which is 300mm from A while the third
hanger is placed 300mm from B.
3. The two parts of the beam is aligned using the adjustment spring
4. The initial no load reading is noted and recorded
5. Then, a 10N load is placed on the first hanger.
6. The beam is realigned and the balance reading is recorded
7. Step 6 is repeated by moving the 10N load to the second and third hanger
8. .Steps 5 to 7 are repeated by replacing the 10N load with a 20N load
Part 2
1. Without altering the position of load hangers from part 1, a 5N load is placed on
the second hanger.
2. The beam is aligned using the adjustment spring and the balance reading is
recorded.
3. Then 10N loads are added to the first and the third hangers.
4. The beam is realigned and the balance reading is recorded.
5. Then, the third hanger is moved to 400mm from B.
6. The beam is realigned and the new no load reading is recorded.
7. The arrangement is altered by placing 5N load on the first hanger and 12N load
on the third hanger for one balance reading and the readings after realigning the
beam are recorded.
8. Step 7 is repeated by moving the 10N load from the third to the second hanger.
9. The results are recorded in the table.

RESULTS AND CALCULATION

Table 1.(Part 1)

Balance Reading ( N ) / Net force ( N ) for load at

Load ( N )
0

18 / -

18 / -

18 / -

10

23 / 5

32 / 14

26 / 8

20

28 / 10

46 / 28

32 / 14

Theoretical Bending Moment ( Nmm ) /Experimental Bending

Moment ( Nmm) for load at
10

667 / 750

2000 / 2100

1000 / 1200

20

1333 / 1500

4000 / 4200

2000 / 2100

Part 1 : Calculation( Theoretical Value For Bending Moment)

(a) 1)W1 = 10N
W2 = 0N
W3 = 0N
MA = 0 (Clockwise direction +ve)
10(100) 900RB = 0
RB =

V = 0
RA + RB 10 = 0
RA +

N 10 =0

RA =

To the left of section X-X

Bending moment, MX = RA (300) 10(200)
= 666 Nmm
667 Nmm

2)

W1 = 20N
W2 = 0N
W3 = 0N
MA = 0 (Clockwise direction +ve)
20(100) RB (900) = 0
RB = 2 N
V=0
RA + RB 20 = 0
RA + 2 20 =0

RA = 17 N

To the left of section X-X

Bending moment, MX = RA (300) 20(200)
= 1333 Nmm
1333 Nmm

(b) 1 ) W1 = 0N
W2 = 10N
W3 = 0N
MA = 0 (Clockwise direction +ve)
10(300) RB (900) = 0
RB = 3 N
V=0
RA + RB 10 = 0
RA + 3 10 = 0
RA = 6 N

To the left of section X-X

Bending moment, MX = RA (300)
= 6 (300)
= 2000 Nmm
2.) W1 = 0N

W2 = 20N
W3 = 0N
MA = 0 ( Clockwise direction +ve)
20(300) RB (900) = 0
RB = 6 N
V=0

RA + RB 20 = 0
RA + 6 20 = 0
RA = 13 N
To the left of section X-X
Bending moment, MX = RA (300)
= 13 (300)
= 4000 Nmm
c) 1.) W1 = 0N

W2 = 0N
W3 = 10N
MA = 0 ( Clockwise direction +ve )
10(600) RB (900) = 0
RB = 6 N

V=0
RA + RB 10 = 0
RA + 6 10 = 0
RA = 3 N
To the left of section X-X
Bending moment, MX = RA (300)
= 3 (300)
= 1000 Nmm

2.) W1 = 0N

W2 = 0N
W3 = 20N
MA = 0 ( Clockwise direction +ve)
20(600) RB (900) = 0
RB = 13 N
V=0
RA + RB 20 = 0

RA + 13 20 = 0
RA = 6 N

To the left of section X-X

Bending moment, MX = RA (300)
= 6 (300)
= 2000 Nmm
Part 1 : Calculation ( Experimental Value For Bending Moment )
(a) i.) W1 = 10N
W2 = 0N
W3 = 0N
Bending Moment, MX = (23-18) x (150)
= 5 (150)
= 750 Nmm
ii.) W1 = 20N

W2 = 0N
W3 = 0N
Bending Moment, MX = (28-18) x (150)
= 10(150)
= 1500 Nmm

(b) i.) W1 = 0N
W2 = 10N
W3 = 0N
Bending Moment, MX = (32-18) x (150)
= 14 (150)
= 2100 Nmm
ii.) W1 = 0N
W2 = 20N
W3 = 0N
Bending Moment, MX = (46-18) x (150)
= 28 (150)
= 4200 Nmm

(c) i.) W1 = 0N
W2 = 0N
W3 = 10N
Bending Moment, MX = (26-18) x (150)
= 8 (150)
= 1200Nmm

ii.)W1 = 0N

W2 = 0N
W3 = 20N
Bending Moment, MX = (32-18) x (150)
= 14 (150)
= 2100 Nmm

Part 2
a)Table 2 (300mm from B)
Load ( N ) at

Bending Moment ( Nmm )

Balance
Reading ( N )

Net Force
(N)

Theoretical

Experimental

18

26

1000

1200

10

10

36

18

2667

2700

Balance
Reading ( N )

Net Force
(N)

Theoretical

Experimental

b)Table 3 (400mm from B)

Load ( N ) at

Bending Moment ( Nmm )

19

12

32

13

1933

1950

10

36

17

2600

2550

Part 2 : Calculation (Theorical Value For Bending Moment)

(a) i.) W1 = 0N
W2 = 5N
W3 = 0N
MA = 0 (Clockwise direction +ve)
5(300) RB (900) = 0
RB = 1 N
V=0
RA + R B 5 = 0
RA + 1 5 = 0
RA = 3 N
To the left of section X-X
Bending moment, MX = RA (300)
= 3 (300)
= 1000 Nmm

ii.) W1 = 10N
W2 = 5N
W3 = 10N
MA = 0 (Clockwise direction +ve)
10(100) + 5(300) + 10(600) RB (900) = 0
RB = 9 N
V=0
RA + RB 10 5 10 = 0
RA + 9 10 5 10 = 0
RA = 15 N
To the left of section X-X
Bending Moment, MX = RA (300) 10(200)
= 2666 Nmm
2667 Nmm

(b)i.)

W1 = 5N
W2 = 0N
W3 = 12N
MA = 0 (Clockwise direction +ve)
5(100) + 12(500) RB (900) = 0
RB = 7 N
V=0
RA + RB 5 12 = 0
RA + 7 5 12 = 0
RA = 9 N

To the left of section X-X

Bending moment, MX = RA (300) 5(200)
= 1933 Nmm
1933 Nmm
ii.) W1 = 5N
W2 = 10N
W3 = 2N
MA = 0 (Clockwise direction +ve)
RB (900) 5(100) 10(300) 2 (500) = 0
RB = 5N

V=0
RA + RB 10 5 2 = 0
RA + 5 10 2 5 = 0
RA = 12N
To the left of section X-X
Bending moment, MX = RA (300) 5(200)
= 2600 Nmm

Part 2 : Calculation (Experiment value for Bending Moment)

(a) i.) W1 = 0N
W2 = 5N
W3 = 0N
Bending Moment, MX = (26-18) x (150)
= 8 (150)
= 1200 Nmm
ii.) W1 = 10N
W2 = 5N
W3 = 10N
Bending Moment, MX = (36-18) x (150)
= 18 (150)
= 2700 Nmm

(b) i.) W1 = 5N
W2 = 0N
W3 = 12N
Bending Moment, MX = (32-19) x (150)
= 13 (150)
= 1950 Nmm
ii.) W1 = 5N

W2 = 10N
W3 = 2N
Bending Moment, MX = (36-19) x (150)
= 17 (150)
= 2550 Nmm

Bending Moment Diagram

Part 2
a) i.)
900 mm
600 mm
300 mm
100 mm
1
A

RA

W2

W1

W3

RB

1. To the left of section 1-1

MAC = RA
MAC =
At A, x = 0, hence

At C,x = 300 mm

MAC = (

MAC = (

MAC = 0

= 1000Nmm

To the right of section 2-2

MCB = RB (y)
MCB =

At B, y = 0, hence

At C, y = 600mm

MCB = (

MAC = (

=0

=1000Nmm

Bending Moment Diagram

0

Length (mm)
400
600

200

800

1000

0
Moment (N mm)

200
400
600
800
1000
1200

ii.)

RA

W1

W2

To the left of section 0-0

MAW1 = RA
MAW1 =

W3

RB

At A, x = 0, hence
MAW1 = (

MAW1 = 0

To the left of section 1-1

MW1C = RAx W1(x - 100)
x 10(x - 100)

MW1C =
MW1C =

x +1000

At W1, x = 100mm
MW1C =

(100) +1000

MW1C =
1556 Nmm
To the left of section 2-2
MCW3 = RAx W2(y - 300) W1(y - 100)
x 5(y - 300) 10(y 100)

MCW3 =
MCW3 =

x +2500

At W2, x = 300mm
MCW3 =

(300) +2500

MCW3 =
MW1C 2667 Nmm
To the right of section 3-3
MW3B = RBy
MW3B =

At RB, y = 0mm

MW3B =

(o)

At W3, y = 300mm
MW3B =

300

MW3B = 2833 Nmm

b) i.)

Part 2
900 mm
500 mm

300 mm
100 mm
1
A

2
3

RA

W2

W3

RB

MW3B

1. To the left of section 1-1

MW1C = RAx W1(x - 100)
MW1C =

x 5(x - 100)

MW1C =

x +500

At W1, x = 100mm
MW1C =

(100) +500

MW1C =
MW1C 978 Nmm
To the right of section 2-2
MCW3 = RBy W3(y 400)

MCW3 =
MCW3 =

y 12(y - 400)
y +4800

At W3, y = 400mm
MCW3 =

(400) +4800

MCW3 =
MW1C 2889 Nmm
To the right of section 3-3,
MRBW3 =

At B, y = 0 mm
MCW3 =
MCW3 =

(0)

ii.)

0
0
RA

1
W1

W2

3
W3

RB

To the left of section 0-0

MAW1 = RA
MAW1 =
At A, x = 0, hence
MAW1 =
MAW1 = 0 Nmm
To the left of section 1-1
MW1C = RAx W1(x - 100)
MW1C =
MW1C =

x 5(x - 100)
x +500

At W1, x = 100mm

MW1C =

(100) +500

MW1C =

To the left of section 2-2

MCW3 = RAy W2(x - 300) W1(x - 100)
MCW3 =

x 10(x - 300) 5(x 100)

MCW3 =

x +3500

At W2, x = 300mm
MCW3 =

(300) +3500

MCW3 =
To the right of section 3-3
MW3B = RAy
MW3B =

At W3, y = 400 mm
MW3B =

x(400)

= 2000 Nmm
At B, y = 0mm
MW3B =

x0

MW3B = 0 Nmm

Bending Moment Diagram

0
0

Moment (Nmm)

500
1000
1500
2000
2500

100

200

300

Length (mm)
400
500
600

700

800

900

1000

DISCUSSION
Percentage Difference =

x 100%

Average Percentage Difference =

Part 1
Load

Theoretical Bending

Experimental

Percentage Difference

Average

(N)

Moment (Nmm)

Bending Moment

(%)

Percentage

(Nmm)

Difference

W1

W2

W3

W1

W2

W3

W1

W2

W3

10

667

2000

1000

750

2100 1200

12.44

5.00

20.00

20

1333

4000

2000

1500 4200 2100

12.53

5.00

5.00

10.00

Part 2(A)
Load (N)
W1

W2

Bending Moment (Nmm)

W3

Percentage

Average

Theoretical

Experimental

Difference

Percentage

Value

Value

(%)

Difference

1000

1200

20.00

10

10

2667

2700

1.24

10.62

Part 2 (B)
Load (N)
W1

W2

Bending Moment (Nmm)

W3

Percentage

Average

Theoretical

Experimental

Difference

Percentage

Value

Value

(%)

Difference

12

1933

1950

0.88

10

2600

2550

-1.92

0.52

From the experiment, the average percentage error between the theoretical value and the
experiment value for experiment part 1 is 10.00% , part 2 (A) is 10.62% , and part 2(B) is
0.52 %. The value obtained from the experiment is considered acceptable if it is within
the range of < 20 %. The experimental result obtain from part A shows a significant
different from theoretical due to lots of errors happened during the experiment conducted.
Besides, part 2 experiment shows a low percentage difference of error because of error is
less likely happen upon the experiment conducted. Anyway, errors are happened on these
two part of experiment.

Random error is happened during the process of realigning the beam.These error
can be redueced by taking several reading and calculate the average value.

External disturbance such as wind produce by fan will cause the hanger to
oscillate.This experiment should conduct in closed surrounding to avoid any
disturbance.

Scale of spring is not high sensitivity and it is rusted. This error can be overcome
by replacing a new spring with a higher sensitivity.

The friction exists on the hinge of the beam but in experiment value it is ignore.
By applying some lubricant it can reduce the friction.

Lastly,the beam should be replace to a new one as it is not stable when the load is
loaded on it.

CONCLUSION
The statement which stated that the bending moment of a cut section is equal to the
algebraic sum of the moment action to the right or left of the section is proven through
the calculation. The action moment of the resistance within the beam is comprehended.
Both the theoretical and experimental bending moment at a normal section of loaded
beam is calculated and compared.The overall percentage different between theoretical
and experimental for part 1 experiment is 10.00%, part 2(A) is 10.62% and part (B) is
0.54% .