Introduction

A continuous beam is a statically indeterminate multi span beam on hinged

support. The end spans may be cantilever, may be freely supported or fixed supported.
At least one of the supports of a continuous beam must be able to develop a reaction
along the beam axis.

The statically determinate primary system may be obtained by elimination of

constraints considered as redundant. The most intuitive primary system is a simply
supported beam, obtained by elimination of internal supports and elimination the
constraint developing bending moment in the first fixed support. The most effective
primary system for continuous beam is proposed by Clapeyron. His primary statically
determinate system is obtained by elimination of the constraints which prevent mutual
rotation of two neighbouring sections over the supports.

When all the moments of the supports are known, one may proceed with the
determination of bending moments within the spans, the shear forces and reactions
developed at each support. These computations will be carried out assuming that each
span is a simply supported beam and it acted upon both by the applied loads and the
moments of the supports just determined.
THEORY
Whenever a beam is loaded, it deflects from its original position. The amount, by
which a beam deflects, depends upon its cross-section and the bending moment. In
modern design offices, there are two design criteria for a beam (a) Strength and (b)
Stiffness.

As per the strength criterion of the beam design, it should be strong enough to resist
bending moment and shear force. But as per the stiffness criterion of the beam design,
it should be stiff enough to resist the deflection of the beam.

Consider a simply supported beam AB of length l and carrying a point load W at the
center of the beam C. From the geometry of the figure, we find that the reaction at A.

RA = RB = W / 2

Consider a section X at a distance x from B. We know that the bending moment at

this section

MX = R B . x = W. x
2
2
EI d y = W. x (i)
d2x 2

Where E is the modulus of elasticity of the beam material and I is the moment of
inertia of the beam.

Integrating the above equation,

EI dy = W. x2 + C1 (ii)
dx 4

Where C1 is the first constant of integration. We know when x = 1 , dy = 0

2 dx

Substituting these values in equation (ii),

EI dy = W. x2 _ W. x2 (iii)
dx 4 16
Integrating the equation (iii) once again,

EI . y = W. x3 _ W. l2 x + C2 (iv)
12 16
Where C2 is the second constant of integration. We know that when x = 0, y = 0.

Substituting these values in equation (iv), we get C2 = 0.

EI . y = W. x3 _ W. l2 x (v)
12 16
This is the required equation for the deflection, at any section, by which we can get
the deflection at any point on the beam. A little consideration will show, that
maximum deflection occurs at the mid-point C. Thus, for maximum deflection,
substituting x = l /2 in equation (v),

EI . y = W. (l/2)3 _ W. l2 (l/2)
12 16

= W l3 _ W l3 = W l3
96 32 48

Or yc = _ W l3 ( Minus sign means that the deflection is downwards)

48EI

= W l3
48EI

Objective

 The objective due to experiment of reaction of a continuous beam is ;-

1) To determine the reaction of a two-span continuous beam.
2) To determine either by doing an experiment or by using a formula will get
more accurate answer.
3) To understand the concept of continuous beam.
4) To finish by the time frame given.
5) To memorise the formula given.
Reference
 https://www.academia.edu/3671106/Shear_Force_Bending_Moment_Deflection_
Beams_Strut_Apparatus_Test

 https://www.slideshare.net/yashdeepnimje/deflection-of-simply-supported-beam-
and-cantilever

 https://www.shambhaviimpex.com/deflection-of-beam-apparatus.html

 http://www.p-a-hilton.co.uk/products/HSM1-Deflection-of-Beams-Apparatus

Appendix
THEORY:
Whenever a beam is loaded, it deflects from its original position. The amount, by
which a beam deflects, depends upon its cross-section and the bending moment. In
modern design offices, there are two design criteria for a beam (a) Strength and (b)
Stiffness.

As per the strength criterion of the beam design, it should be strong enough to resist
bending moment and shear force. But as per the stiffness criterion of the beam design,
it should be stiff enough to resist the deflection of the beam.

Consider a simply supported beam AB of length l and carrying a point load W at the
center of the beam C. From the geometry of the figure, we find that the reaction at A.

RA = RB = W / 2

Consider a section X at a distance x from B. We know that the bending moment at

this section

MX = R B . x = W. x
2
2
EI d y = W. x
(i)
d2x 2

Where E is the modulus of elasticity of the beam material and I is the moment of
inertia of the beam.

Integrating the above equation,

EI dy = W. x2 + C1
(ii)
dx 4

Where C1 is the first constant of integration. We know when x = 1 , dy = 0

2 dx

Substituting these values in equation (ii),

EI dy = W. x2 _ W. x2
(iii)
dx 4 16

Integrating the equation (iii) once again,

EI . y = W. x3 _ W. l2 x + C2
(iv)
12 16
Where C2 is the second constant of integration. We know that when x = 0, y = 0.

Substituting these values in equation (iv), we get C2 = 0.

EI . y = W. x3 _ W. l2 x
(v)
12 16

This is the required equation for the deflection, at any section, by which we can get
the deflection at any point on the beam. A little consideration will show, that
maximum deflection occurs at the mid-point C. Thus, for maximum deflection,
substituting x = l /2 in equation (v),

EI . y = W. (l/2)3 _ W. l2 (l/2)
12 16

= W l3 _ W l3 = W l3
96 32 48

Or yc = _ W l3 ( Minus sign means that the deflection is downwards)

48EI

= W l3
48EI