FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, ARTCHITECTURE & BUILT

ENVIRONMENT

LABORATORY MANUAL
EM 102

ENGINEERING STATICS

Lecturer/Instructor: _________________________________________

Name: __________________________________________________
Student ID: ______________________________________________
Course: _________________________________________________

JANUARY 2012

EM102 | Engineering Statics

EXPERIMENT 1 - WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM

Objective
This experiment enables the students to understand the geometry of vector
decomposition and relate the concept to practical applications.
Learning Outcome
Upon completion of experiment, student is able to determine the perpendicular and
parallel components of a force vector on an inclined plane.
Introduction
Spring scales are designed to measure the force acting perpendicular to their surface
and are deliberately insensitive to shear forces. Thus, the scale will read different
weight weights for the same load if the inclination of the scale is changed. One can
show the trigonometric relationship between the angle of inclination and the triangle
formed by the weight vector and its components in as much detail as desired.

If the angle of inclination () is taken from the horizontal, the equations are given as
w = w cos

w|| = w sin

The weight loss is observed as the difference between the weights measured on a
flat floor versus the normal component at the inclination.

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EM102 | Engineering Statics

Material Apparatus
Scale, ramp or any inclined surface.
Experimental Procedure
1. Read off the weight with the scale flat on the floor.
2. Place the load on a ramp and read the weight again.
3. Repeat procedure (2) with different angles.
4. Repeat procedures (1) to (3) with different weights applied.
Results and Discussion
Weight at flat surface: ________ kg
Height (m)

Length (m)

Angle of
inclination

Weight (kg)

Load (N)

Weight (kg)

Load (N)

Weight at flat surface: ________ kg

Height (m)

Length (m)

Angle of
inclination

1. Determine the relationship between the angle of inclination and the weight vector.
2. Compare both result that obtain by using the calculation method and polygon
method (choose either set of the data).

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EM102 | Engineering Statics

EXPERIMENT 2 - TRIANGULAR FORCES

Objective
This experiment enables the students to investigate an equilibrium system by
combining different forces.
Learning Outcome
Upon completion of experiment, student is able to prove the concept of equilibrium and
vector addition of force both experimentally and theoretically.
Introduction
An important difference between scalar and vector quantities is how we combine or
add the vectors and scalars. Scalar addition is done by using ordinary arithmetic while
vector addition is slightly different, due to the direction nature of the vector quantity.

F2
F1

F3

The force table demonstrates the vector addition, where the point of action of the
three individual forces in equilibrium is exactly in the middle of the table. The
magnitude of the individual forces from the suspended weights and the angle of each
force vector are determined. In the equilibrium state, the sum of the three individual
forces are given by
F1 + F2 + F3 = 0
Material Apparatus
Force table, cords, pulleys, a small ring and masses.

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EM102 | Engineering Statics

Experimental Procedure
1. Place the force table on a flat surface.
2. Attach the pulleys bracket to the desired angles and tighten the knobs.
3. Ensure the pulleys are able to turn smoothly by adjusting the screws at both sides
of the bracket. Do not over tighten nor loosen the screws.
4. Tie the three cords to the ring and place the ring to the center of the protractor.
5. Pass each of the cord over a pulley. Tie a loop at the end of each cord and suspend
a mass hanger from each loop.
6. Load each mass hanger with the desired masses and observe the movement of ring.
7. Adjust the pulley bracket to maintain the system in equilibrium. The system is not
in equilibrium position if the ring touches the center rod.
8. Repeat procedures (5) to (7) with different angles and masses applied.
Results and Discussion
F1

F2

F3

60g

0o

60g

120o

60g

240o

100g

0o

60g

120o

60g

240o

100g

0o

60g

120o

60g

80g

0o

80g

90o

Equilibrium
(Yes/No)

Yes
225o

Yes
Yes
Yes

1. Sketch the vector diagram by using the above data.

2. Compare both result that obtain by using the calculation method and graphically
method (choose either set of the data in equilibrium).

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EM102 | Engineering Statics

EXPERIMENT 3 - INCLINED PLANE

Objective
This experiment enables the students to determine the static coefficient of friction ( s)
between two surfaces.
Learning Outcome
Upon completion of experiment, student is able to measure the static coefficient of
friction (s) between two surfaces.
Introduction
Friction is the force that resists the relative motion of one surface in contact with
another. There are two type of friction: statics and kinetic. In this experiment, we are only
interested with the static frictional force, the force required to start the object moving.
The static frictional force is given by
Fs = sN
where s is the static coefficient of friction and N is the normal force (reaction force).
Material Apparatus
Inclined Plane Apparatus (LS-12006), specimen (aluminum, steel, brass and wood),
cords, pulleys and masses.
Experimental Procedure
1. Place the apparatus on table, set the plane in 10o.
2. Choose a specimen, identify the material, weight the specimen (R) and record in
the table.
3. Place the specimen on the plane, somewhere at the mid span.
4. Attach a cord to the specimen and pass the cord over the pulley. Suspend a mass
hanger onto the end the cord.
5. Balance the specimen without sliding down the plane by adding load onto the
hanger. Record the loads required.
6. Repeat the procedures (2) to (5) by using specimen of different material.
7. Set the plane in 25o and repeat the procedures (2) to (6).
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EM102 | Engineering Statics

Results and Discussion

Angle of response: ________
Trial

Aluminum
R (N)

F (N)

Steel
R (N)

F (N)

Brass
R (N)

F (N)

Wood
R (N)

F (N)

1
2
3
Average
s

Angle of response: ________

Trial

Aluminum
R (N)

F (N)

Steel
R (N)

F (N)

Brass
R (N)

F (N)

Wood
R (N)

F (N)

1
2
3
Average
s

1. Determine the relation between the static coefficient of friction (s) and the angle
of inclination ().
2. Compare the static coefficient of friction (s) of different surfaces.

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EM102 | Engineering Statics

EXPERIMENT 4 - CENTER OF GRAVITY

Objective
This experiment enables the students to verify the center of gravity for both
symmetrical and non-symmetrical shapes.
Learning Outcome
Upon completion of experiment, student is able to find and compare the center of
gravity experimentally and theoretically.
Introduction
The center of gravity is a point where the weight distribution of the object is
concentrated. It is the point in any object about which it is in perfect balance no
matter how it turned or rotated around the point. The center of gravity can be defined as
the average of positions weighted by mass,
Material Apparatus
Drawing board, springs, masses
Experimental Procedure
1. Prepare the flat shapes (symmetrical and non-symmetrical) by using manila cards.
2. Suspend a particular flat shape (object) on the pin provided on the board.
3. Suspend the weighted cord on the same pin. Mark the position of the weighted
cord by taking a point at either end.
4. Suspend the object on a different point and repeat procedures 2 to 3.
5. Repeat procedure 4 to confirm the intersection. The intersection implies the center
of gravity for the particular flat shape.
6. Repeat the experiment by using different flat shapes.
Results and Discussion
1. Compute the center of gravity by using theoretical calculations.
2. Compare both values obtained by using the theoretically and experimentally.

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EM102 | Engineering Statics

EXPERIMENT 5 - STATICS FRICTION

Objective:
In this lab, you will make some basic measurements of friction. You will measure the
coefficients of static friction between several combinations of surfaces using an
inclined plane between three of the combinations of surfaces.
This experiment enables the students to determine the static coefficient of friction ( s)
between specimens of different materials on different surface using the angle of
repose method.
Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of experiment, student is able to
1. Measure the static coefficient of friction

(s) between various specimens on

different plane surfaces given the mass and normal force.

2. Find the relations between the static coefficient of friction (s) with repose angle,.

Introduction
The coefficient of static friction s can be measured experimentally for an object
placed on an inclined plane (a.k.a. ramp, a.k.a. hill). The coefficient of static friction is
related to the critical angle c for the ramp, at which the object just begins to
slide. Using what we have covered in class, you can derive this relationship
yourself! At this critical angle, static friction preventing the object from sliding down
the hill is exactly equal to the component of the objects weight along the hill. If the
component of the weight along the hill were just a little greater, it would overcome
friction, and the object would start to slide down.

Material Apparatus:
Inclined Plane Apparatus (LS-12006), specimen (aluminium, steel, brass, wood),
plane surface (steel and plastic), cord, pulley and weight blocks (10g, 20g, 50g, 100g).

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EM102 | Engineering Statics

Experimental
Procedure: PART I
1. Place the apparatus as shown in Figure 1 on table. Make sure it is leveled.
2. Choose a specimen, identify the material, weigh the specimen (R) and calculate it
in recording it into the table.
3. With plane in the horizontal position, place the specimen somewhere at the mid
span.
4. Attach a cord to the specimen and pass the cord over the pulley. Suspend a mass
hanger onto the end the cord.
5. At first, balance the specimen without sliding across the plane by adding load onto
the hanger gradually.
6. Once the specimen is in equilibrium, add weight blocks onto the hanger gradually
until the specimen just starts to move. Record the weight in Newton.
7. Repeat the procedures (2) to (6) three times to compute the average Frictional
Force, F and Normal Force, R.
8. Repeat the procedures (2) to (7) by using specimens of different materials.
9. Repeat step (8) on different surfaces and record your findings.
10. Given, Fs = sR. Compute the static coefficient of friction, s.
PART II
11. Repeat steps 1-3.
12. Slowly raise the horizontal plane until the specimen just starts to slide. Note the
angle, .
13. Repeat the procedures (7) and (8) by using specimens of different materials.
14. Repeat procedure (13) on different surfaces and record your findings.
15. Given, s = Tan . Compute the static coefficient of friction, s.

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EM102 | Engineering Statics

Figure 1

Results/Finding:
PART I
1.

1.1 Steel surface

Trial

Aluminium
R (N)

F (N)

Steel
R (N)

F (N)

Brass
R (N)

F (N)

Wood
R (N)

F (N)

1
2
3
Average
s

1.2 Plastic surface

Trial

Aluminium
R (N)

F (N)

Steel
R (N)

F (N)

Brass
R (N)

F (N)

Wood
R (N)

F (N)

1
2
3
Average
s

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EM102 | Engineering Statics

PART II
2.
2.1
Trial

Steel Surface
Aluminum

Steel

Brass

Wood

Aluminum

Steel

Brass

Wood

1
2
3
Average
s

2.2

Trial

Plastic Surface

1
2
3
Average
s

Discussions:
3. Compare the values of the static coefficient

of friction (s) obtained in two

experiments above and explain.

4. Determine the relation between the static coefficient of friction (s) and the angle
of inclination ().
5. Compare the static coefficient of friction ( s) of different surfaces and explain the
differences.
6. Prove that s = Tan . Include a diagram of all the forces on the specimen as it
slides down the inclined plane.

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