Small Porch Swing

Project Report
Mechanics of Material-2

Submitted By
Usman Umer
Muhammad Faizan Zafar
Saad bin Sarfraz

Bme-143021
Bme-143036
Bme-143004

Requested By

Dr. Waqas Akbar Lughmani

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
Capital University of Science and Technology
Islamabad.

2nd, January, 2016

Abstract

Today, adjustment in small living areas is a big problem for people. People have desired
to place a swing set in their homes. Therefore we design an economically cheap small porch
swing set in which three different designs are analyzed having different dimensions by keeping
the same material. The main focus is on size and factor of safety. As factor of safety is directly
related to cost. So we have selected design 1 because it is most suitable as small porch swing set
because its factor of safety is 2.93 which is comparatively cheap as compare to design 2 having
factor of safety 3.26 and design 3 having factor of safety 3.14. Apart from that we calculated
shear force and moment and from shear force and bending moment diagram, we get the max
shear force and max bending moment. By this we calculate max shear stress using shear formula
and max bending stress using flexure formula. The state of stress is also calculated at different
points in each design. We also calculated deflection in the beams for each design and then check
that the max deflection is within the limit or not. We also find the max amplitude for the swing
for each design.

Contents

1.0

Problem Statement................................................................................................ 4

2.0

Literature Review................................................................................................. 4

3.0

Introduction......................................................................................................... 7
Loads.............................................................................................................. 7

3.1
3.1.1

Concentrated load (point load)..........................................................................7

3.1.2

Distributed Load............................................................................................ 7

3.1.3

Couples......................................................................................................... 7

3.1.4

Reactions...................................................................................................... 8

3.1.5

Deflections..................................................................................................... 8

4.0 Criteria and Constraints............................................................................................. 8

5.0

Design and Analysis............................................................................................... 9

5.1

Design 1........................................................................................................... 9

5.2

Design 2 and Design 3....................................................................................... 17

6.0

Discussion and Conclusion.................................................................................... 17

7.0

Contribution........................................................................................................ 18

8.0 References............................................................................................................ 19
9.0 Appendixes........................................................................................................... 20

1.0 Problem Statement

We have assigned a project by our instructor to design a small porch swing and analyze it
using the three different designs of the different dimension by keeping the material same in all
three design. After that we have to choose best design among three.

2.0 Literature Review

Beam may be defined as member whose length is large in comparison with its thickness
and is loaded with transverse loads or couples that produce significant bending effects Beams are
so common in engineering structures that their importance cannot be overemphasized. In
engineering structures members that are oriented such that their lengths are horizontal are
considered beams. Beams are also used in machine parts, for example, the armature shaft in a
generator may be considered as a simply supported beam carrying a uniformly distributed load
over a portion of its length. [1]
The beam cannot have any translational displacements at its support points, but no
restriction is placed on rotations at the supports. Based on the type of loading i.e. point load,
uniformly distributed load and uniformly varying load the deflection and stress values has been
measured. The deflected distance of a member under a load is directly related to the slope of the
deflected shape of the member under that load. While the beam gets deflected under the loads,
bending moment occurs in the same plane due to which stresses are developed. [2]

Beams are generally classified according to their geometry and manner in which they are
supported. Geometrical classification includes such features as the shape of cross-section,

whether the beam is straight or curved and whether the beam is tapered or has a constant cross
section. On the manner in which they are supported, the beams may readily be classified as
cantilevers, simply supported, overhanging, continuous and fix-ended beam. Beams can be
further classified according to the type of load they are carrying, for example, a cantilever beam
carrying a uniformly distributed load may be classified as a uniformly loaded cantilever beam.
[3]
We will consider a geometrically nonlinear beam problem by numerically and
experimentally analyzing the large deflections of a cantilever beam of linear elastic material,
under the action of an external vertical tip load at the free end and a uniformly distributed load
along its length (its own weight). Under the action of these external loads, the beam deflects into
a curve called the elastic curve. If the thickness of the cantilever is small compared to its length,
the theory of adequately describes the large, nonlinear displacements due to the external loads.
[4]
Generally when a beam having an arbitrary cross-section is subjected to transverse loads,
the beam will bend. In addition, twisting and buckling may be present and a problem that
includes the combined effects of bending, twisting and buckling can become a complicated one.
The internal reactions in any cross section of the beam may consist of a resultant normal force, a
resultant shear force or a resultant couple. In order that we may examine bending effects alone,
we will restrict the loading to one for which the resultant normal and shear forces are zero on any
section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam. [5]

The zero shear force implies that the bending moment is the same at every cross-section
of the beam, that is dm/dx = 0 this may be visualized by considering the beam to being loaded
by only pure couples at its ends remembering that these couples are assumed to be applied in the
plane of symmetry. Under these conditions the beam is said to be in pure bending and the plane
of symmetry is called plane of bending. [6]

Material
Low Carbon
steel
High strength
steels
Heat treated
carbon steels

Density
( g/cm3)

Yield Strength
(MPa)

7.84

Youngs
Modulus
(GPa)
205

7.87

210

310

7.90

206

305

370

3.0 Introduction
Porch swing is a swinging, conventionally painted wood, bench-like seat intended primarily
for adults. The swing's suspension chains are permanently mounted to the porch ceiling; and the
seat is typically large enough to seat about three people, with an armrest at each end. Porch
swings are an alternative to using rocking chairs or gliders outdoors.

3.1 Loads
Any force that is transmitted to a body from another body by means of direct contact over
an area on the surface of the first body is a load due to body contact. Loads may be classified as
follows:

3.1.1 Concentrated load (point load)

This is a load whose area of contact is relatively small compared to the total area over the
entire length of the beam.

3.1.2 Distributed Load

This is a load whose area of contact is large relative to the length of the beam. Distributed
loads may further be classified as linearly varying or uniformly distributed loads depending on
the manner in which the load vary along the length of the beam. [7]

3.1.3 Couples
Couple is a turning moment applied at a particular point along the beam span. This
turning moment can be achieved by using mechanism for application of parallel forces whose
directions of action are opposite but are separated by a distance called moment arm. [8]

3.1.4 Reactions
As response to applied loads, the beam and the supports react by an internal force which
is opposite to the applied loads in order to remain in equilibrium. The reactions at the supports
give rise to an internal shear force which acts at every section of the beam. To maintain its
equilibrium, the beam reacts to turning effect of external loads in form of internal bending
moments which vary along the position of the beam. [9]

3.1.5 Deflections
In deformed position; the axis of the beam which was initially in a straight longitudinal
line assumes some particular shape which is called deflection curve. The vertical distance
between a point in neutral axis and corresponding a point in the deflection curve is called
deflection at that point. In developing the theory determining deflection of a beam, it is assumed
that shear strain do not significantly influence the deformation. The deflection at any point along
the beam span is function of bending moments and property of beam material and cross section.
[10] In the theory section of this report; deflection y(x) equation is developed and is given in
differential

form

as:-

d2y/dx2 =M/EI

4.0 Criteria and Constraints

For the formulation of swing set we define the geometry of the structure, loads and
support reactions of swing set. At the start, we idealize the 3D swing set into 2D structure to
assume the total width and other parameters of swing set. The total width of swing set is 3.5
meters and other measurements are within the range of swings total width. At the beginning
of analysis, we assumed that the steel beam, chain, rods (either rectangular or cylindrical) of
swing and overall structure is perfectly straight. The welded joints of isosceles right

triangular shapes having thickness of 10mm each are fixed at the top four corners of
structure to avoid friction.
The calculation constraints are based on beam instead of column. The distributed loading
of beam is converted into concentrated load. The factor of safety plays a major role for
selection of design, because factor of safety is directly related to cost. Apart from that the
swing amplitude will also calculated for the limited area in porch.

5.0

Design and Analysis

5.1

Design 1

Shear force and bending moment

Uniform distributed load= 67.689N/m (see figure 3)
MB=0
-Ay*3.5+981*2.94+236.91*1.75+981*0.56=0
Ay=1099.4N= By
Now from section A-C (see figure 9 and 10)
Fy=0
1099.4-V=0
V=1099.4N
M=0
M-1099.4x=0
M=1099.4x
At x=0
M=0
At x=0.56
M=615.7N.m
From section C-D

Fy=0
1099.4-981-V=0
V=118.4N
M=0
-1099.4x+981(x-0.56) +M=0
M=118.4x+549.36
At x=0.56
M=615.7Nm
At x=1.75
M=756.6N.m
From section D-E
Fy=0
1099.4-981-236.91-V=0
V=-118.51N
M=0
-1099.4x+981(x-0.56) +236.91(x-1.75) +M=0
M=-118.51x+963.95

At x=1.75
M=756.6N.m
At x=2.94
M=615.53N.m
From section D-E

Fy=0
1099.4-981-236.91-981-V=0
V=-1099.51N
M=0
-1099.4x+981(x-0.56) +236.91(x-1.75) +981(x-2.94) +M=0

M=-1099.51x+3848.1
At x=2.94
M=615.53N.m
At x=3.5
M=0 Nm

Normal Stress
=F/A=W/A
= 236.91/0.1*0.065
= 36.447kPa
Factor of safety
all=150MPa
Now Factor of safety is
F.O.S= UTS/ all
=440MPa/150MPa
F.O.S=2.93
Moment of inertia
For outer rectangle
I=1/12bh3
B=w=65mm (see figure 7)
H=l=100mm
I1=1/12(65) (100)3
=5.41*10-6m4

For Inner rectangle

I=1/12bh3
b=w=65mm-13mm=52mm

h=l=100mm-13mm=87mm
I2=1/12(52) (87)3
=2.85*10-6m4
Ix=I1-I2
=5.41*10-6m4-2.85*10-6m4
=2.56*10-6m4

For outer rectangle

I=1/12bh3
B=w=100mm
H=l=65mm
I1=1/12(100) (65)3
=2.28*10-6m4

For Inner rectangle

I=1/12bh3
b=w=100mm-13mm=87mm
h=l=65mm-13mm=52mm
I2=1/12(87) (52)3
=1.02*10-6m4
Iy=I1-I2
=2.28*10-6m4-1.02*10-6m4
=1.260*10-6m4

Max. Bending Stress

max=My/I
Y=100/2mm=50mm

Ix=2.56*10-6m4
Mmax=756.6N.m
max=756.6(50*10-3)/2.56*10-6
=14.8MPa

Max shear stresses

At point A

(see figure 8)

Ix=2.56*10-6m4
Vmax=1099.4N
Q=Ayy- =50-6.5=43.5mm
Q = (13*65) (43.5mm)
Q = 3.67*10-5m3
= VQ/It
= (1099.4) (3.67*10-5)/ (2.56*10-6) (65mm)
= 0.242 MPa
At point B
Ix=2.56*10-6m4
Vmax=1099.4N
Q=Ayy- =50-6.5=43.5mm
Q = (32.5*13) (43.5mm)
Q = 1.8375*10-5m3
= VQ/It
= (1099.4) (1.8375*10-5)/ (2.56*10-6) (13mm)
= 0.61 MPa
At point C
Ix=2.56*10-6m4
Vmax=1099.4N

Q=Ayy- = 18.5mm
Q = (32.5*13) (43.5) + (37*13) (18.5mm)
Q = 2.727*10-5m3

= VQ/It
= (1099.4) (2.727*10-5)/ (2.56*10-6) (13mm)
= 0.90 MPa

Max. Amplitude of swing

Tan = Perp/Base
Tan 30 = A/5.6
A= 3.23ft

Max. Deflection in Beams

Using singularity function
W=-67.689x-00+1099.4x-0-1-981x-0.56-1-981x-2.94-1
V= w dx
= -67.689x1+1099.4x0-981x-0.560-981x-2.940
M= V dx
= -67.689/2x2+1099.4x1-981x-0.561-981x-2.941
EI= M dx
= -67.689/6<x>3+1099.4/2<x>2-981/2<x-0.56>2-981/2<x-2.94>2+c1
EIV= M dx
= -67.689/24<x>4 +1099.4/6<x>3-981/6<x-0.56>3-981/6<x-2.94>3+c1x+c2
Using Boundary Conditions
At x=0, V=0
EI (0) = -67.689/24(0)4+1099.4/6(0)3-981/6(0-0.56)3-981/6(0-2.94)3+c1(0)+c2
c2= -4183.605

At x=3.5, V=0
EI (0) = -67.689/24(3.5)4+1099.4/6(3.5)3-981/6(3.5-0.56)3-981/6(3.5-2.94)3+c1(3.5)4183.605
c1= 266.946
E= 205GPa (Low Carbon Steel)
I= 2.56*10-6m4
EI= 5.24*105Nm2
Max Deflection
=0

at center x=3.5/2= 1.75m

EIVmax = -67.689/24(1.75)4 +1099.4/6(1.75)3-981/6(1.75-0.56)3-981/6(1.75-2.94)3

+266.946(1.75)-4183.605
Vmax = -5.269*10-3m
|Vmax|< L/250
L/250= 3.5/250
=0.014m
5.269*10-3<0.014

Calculation of Forces in String

W=1962N
W/2/2= 490.5N

From Ground
L1= 1.7ft
L2=8-1.7=6.3ft
L/=6.3-0.7= 5.6ft
L3=1ft
(hyp)2= (perp)2+(base)2
hyp= ((5.6)2+(1)2)1/2
hyp= 5.68ft
tan= perp/base
= tan-1(1/5.6)
= 10.120
= 90-10.12
= 79.88
Fy = 490.5N (see figure 6)
F = Fy/sin
=490.5/sin (79.88)
F = 498.251N
Fx = Fcos
= 498.251cos (79.88)
Fx = 87.541N
F= ((Fx) 2+ (Fy) 2)1/2
= ((87.541)2+ (490.5)2)1/2
F=498.245N

5.2

Design 2 and Design 3

Design 2
Design 3

Design 2
Design 3

6.0

Max
Shear
Force
(N)
1771.1
983.55

Max
Moment
(Nm)

Normal
Stress
(kN/m2)

1771.1
1475.325

31.24
41.03

Max Deflection
(m)

1.34*10-3
-2.28*10-3

58.620
63.40

Factor Moment
of
of Inertia
Safety Ix
(m4)
3.26
2.56*10-6
3.14
3.341*10-6
Forces in
String
Fx
(N)
239.09
220.83

Iy
(m4)

Max
Bending
Stress
(MPa)
34.5
19.87

Max Shear
Stress at
point A,B,C
(MPa)
0.39,0.97,1.45
0.11,0.30,0.50

Fy
(N)

F
(N)

392
441

459.16
493.20

Max.
Amplitude
of Swing
(ft)
3.23
3.23

1.260*10-6
1.247*10-6

Discussion and Conclusion

To conclude that we have selected design 1 as our final design. The design 1 is more

stable as compare to the other two design. The factor of safety of design 1 is 2.93 and the factor
of safety for design 2 and 3 are 3.26 and 3.14. But the increase in factor of safety increases the
cost of the design. In design 2 we use cantilever beam. Although its factor of safety is more as
compare to design 1, but at maximum amplitude of swing it may collapsed and so we not
selected this design. Another drawback of design 2 is that the beam also move as the swing move
to its maximum amplitude. So design 2 is unstable. In design 3, there are two parallel rods
attached at the bottom of the structure, and the two bottom horizontal rods are also parallel to the
swing having certain length, and it should not exceed its limit. But if the swing moves to its max
amplitude then there is a chance that these rods will lift from one side and so it will be unstable.
Also, design 3 have larger factor of safety which increases its cost. So, we not selected it.

7.0

Contribution
The contribution of each member is given below

Name
Saad Bin Sarfraz
Muhammad Faizan Zafar
Usman Umer

Contribution
Design 2
Design 3
Design 1

8.0 References
[1] C. N. a. A. B. . T. Bele ndez, "Large and Small deflections of a cantilever

beam,," Eur. J.Phys.,, pp. 371-379, 2002,.

[2] R. Ballarini, " "The Davinci-Euler-Bernoulli Beam Theory?",," Mechanical
Engineering Magazine Online,, 2003.
[3] S. Timoshenko, History of strength of materials, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1953.
[4] S. a. D. Y. Timoshenko, Elements of Strength of Materials,, 5th ed.
[5] T. E. R. Ashis Kumar Samal, "Analysis of Stress and Deflection of Cantilever
Beam and its Validation using ANSYS,," Int. Journal of Engineering Research and
Applications,, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 119-126, January 2016.
[6] C. N. a. T. B. . A. Bele ndez, "Experimental study of the bending of a
cantilever beam,," pp. 42-45, 2001.
[7] J. M. Gere and S. P. Timoshenko, Mechanics of Materials, 4th ed., Boston: PWS
Publishing Company, 1997.
[8] W. C. Young and R. G. Budynas, Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain, 7th ed.,
New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002.
[9] W. A. Nash, Schaum's Outlines of Theory and Problems of Strength of Materials,
2nd ed., New York: McGraw-Hill, 1987.
[10 F. W. Riley and L. D. Sturges, Engineering Mechanics: Statics,, New York: John
]
Wiley & Sons,, 1993.

9.0 Appendixes

Figure 1 Design 1 of Small Porch Swing

Figure 2

Beam Front View (Design 1)

Figure 3

Figure 4

Beam (Design 1)

Side View (Design 1)

Figure 5 Swing Chain Side View (Design 1)

Figure 6

Forces in Chain (Design 1)

Figure 7

Figure 8

Moment of Inertia Calculation (Design 1)

Shear Stress Distribution (Design 1)

Figure 9

Figure 10

Shear Force Diagram (Design 1)

Bending Moment Diagram (Design 1)

Figure 11

Figure 12

Design 2 of Small Porch Swing

Front View of beam (Design 2)

Figure 13

Figure 14

Design 3 of Small Porch Swing

Front View of Beam (Design 3)