Lab Report 02

Experiment 01
Objective
To determine the support reactions for different loading conditions on a
simply supported beam.

Apparatus
Beam Reaction Apparatus
Test Beam
Measuring Tape
Spirit Level
Set of Weights with Load Hangers
Two Spring Balances

Diagram
W2 W3
W1

A B

L1
Ra Rb
L2
L3
L

Procedure
1. First of all keep the spring balances (supports) at the two ends of the beam to make it simply
supported.

2. Measure the length L of the beam between two supports with the help of a meter
rod/measuring tape/scale.

3. The end positions of the beam where springs balances are attached are named as A and B.

4. Note down the reactions Ra and Rb for no load conditions.

 Lab Report 02

5. Now apply loads W1, W2 and W3 at distances of L1, L2 and L3 from end A.

6. Note down the reactions Ra and Rb of these loads.

7. Keep on increasing the weights (W1, W2 and W3) distances i.e. L1, L2, L3 and note the
corresponding reactions Ra and Rb.

8. Taking out the average of the experimental reactions in loaded and unloaded case will give out
the reaction values. These will be the final experimental reactions.

9. Now find out theoretical reactions using the equilibrium equations.

F 1 . x1 + F 2 . x 2+ F 3 . x 3
Rb=
L

Ra=F 1 + F2 + F 3Rb

10. Compare the experimental readings with theoretical readings.

Observations & Calculations

Sr Experim Experim Experi Experi Theore

ental ental mental mental tical
Lengths
# Reactio Reactio Reacti Reacti Reactio
Loads ns ns ons ons ns
(Loadin (Unload
R a 1+ R a 2 R b 1+ R b 2
g) ing)
2 2

(N) (mm) (N) (N) (N) (N) (N)

W1 W2 W3 L1 L2 L3 L Ra1 Rb1 Ra2 Rb2 Ra)exp Rb)exp Ra)th Rb)th

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Graph:
Lab Report 02

Draw a graph between Resultant force position from one end of beam
(x) and the Experimental Support Reactions (Ra)exp & Rb)exp)

Comments

Questions

Q1: Define the different types of loading?

Q2: What is zero error?

Q3: What are the conditions of Equilibrium of a body?