Experiment 1: DETERMINATION OF THE FLEXURAL RIGIDITY (EI) OF THE BEAM USING BEAM

BENDING APPRATUS.

Objective: To find the flexural rigidity experimentally and theoretically and make the
comparisons.

Apparatus Required:
1. Beam with hanger
2. Dial gauge
3. Measuring Scale/Tape
4. Vernier calipers
5. Young’s Modulus of Elasticity
6. External loads with hanger

Theory:
When a beam is subjected to two equal overhanging loads at the ends, the beam deflects in a
shape as shown in the figure below. The central upward deflection of the beam is given by:
𝑊𝑎𝐿2
𝑦= ………………………………(1)
8𝐸𝐼

Where,
Y= Upward Central Deflection (cm)
W= Applied load at the ends (kg)
a=Distance of the load from the support (cm)
L= Span of the Beam (cm)
E=Young’s Modulus of elasticity (kg/ cm2)
I=Moment of Inertia of the Beam (cm4)

y
C A B D

L/2
a L a

W W

Fig: Upward Deflection(y) of the beam with two equal loads at the ends.
Procedure:
1. Measure the dimensions of the Cross-section of the beam and Note down the Young’s modulus
of elasticity of Beam.
2. Calculate the Theoretical value of the Flexural rigidity (EI).
3. Repeat the above procedure three times and calculate the average of theoretical value of
flexural rigidity (EI).
4. Mark the midpoint the span of the beam using the scale/tape.
5. Place the dial gauge at the midpoint of the beam and bring the reading to zero.
6. Place the equal loads (0.5kg) at each end and note down the deflections(y) from the dial gauge.
7. Calculate EI using the deflection(y) in the formula given above in eqn(1)
8. Repeat the above steps for additional three equal loads (0.75kg, 1kg,1.25kg)
9. And obtain the average of the calculated flexural rigidity.

Observations and Calculations:

Span of the beam (L) =

Length of the overhanging length (a) =

Young’s Modulus of Elasticity (E) =

Theoretical Flexural Rigidity Experimental Flexural Rigidity

S.N Width Depth Moment Flexural S.N Weight(kg) EI(kg.cm2)
of of of Rigidity(EI)
1
beam(b) beam(d) Inertial(I) In kg.cm2
in cm in cm in cm4 2
1 3
2 4
3

Average theoretical flexural rigidity=

Average experimental flexural Rigidity =

Percentage error between theoretical and experimental=

Result=
Conclusion=
Precautions=
1. Measure the center deflection y very accurately.

2. Ensure that the beam is devoid of initial curvature.

3. Loading should be within the elastic limit of the materials

Experiment 2: DETERMINATION OF HORIZONTAL THRUST OF THREE HINGED ARCH AND
DRAW THE INFLUENCE LINE DIAGRAM FOR HORIZONTAL THRUST.
Objectives:
1. To determine the horizontal thrust of three hinge arch experimentally and theoretically.
2. To draw the Influence line diagram for horizontal thrust of the three hinge arch
experimentally and theoretically.
Apparatus Required:
1. Three hinge arch with hinges at the supports and crown. One end is equipped with roller
and the arch is divided into equidistant points horizontally for the applications of load.
2. Dial gauge
3. External loads with hangers
4. Measuring scale/ tape.
Theory:
A three hinged arch is a statically determinate structure with the axial thrust assisting in
maintaining the stability. The horizontal thrust H in the arch for a number of loads can be
obtained as follows:

W2 C W3
W1

H H
A L B
a1
a2
a3
Taking moment about A

R B  L  W1 a1  W2 a 2   W3 a 3
W1 a1  W2 a 2   W3 a 3
RB 
L
Taking moment about B

W1 ( L  a1 )  W2 ( L  a 2)  W3 ( L  a3 )
RA 
L
Taking the moment of all the forces on left hand side about C, we get

L  L  L
H  r  W1   a1   W2   a 2   R A 
2  2  2
1 1 L  L 
H   [W1 ( L  a1 )  W2 ( L  a 2 )  W3 ( L  a 3 )]  W1   a1   W2   a 2 
r 2 2  2 

1 R L
H   B  W3 a3  
L
(1)
r 2 2

The value of horizontal reaction can be evaluated by Eq. (1).

The influence line of any reaction at a point is a graph showing the variation of load
functions like reactions, moments, shear forces, stress or deflections at a point for various
positions of unit moving load. Therefore, to draw the influence line for H, a unit load of
1kg is placed at varying distance x from either of the supports.

Let a load of 1kg be placed at a distance x from A.

x
RB  Then, taking moment about C for all the forces on R.H.S. of C , we have
L
 L
4r

L/2 L/2

x L
.  H. r  0
L 2 (2)
x
H 
2r
Thus, the Eq. (2) is the equation of a straight line and gives the influence line diagram for
the horizontal reaction H.
Procedure:
1. Balance the self-weight of the arch by placing load on the hanger for horizontal
thrust until the best equilibrium conditions are obtained.
2. Place a three loads on the arch in different chosen positions. Balance these by
placing additional weights on the hanger for horizontal thrust. The additional
weights on the thrust hanger give the experimental value of the horizontal thrust.
3. To obtain the influence line for H, place a load of 1kg in turn on each hanger one
by one and find the balancing weight required on the thrust hanger.
4. Plot the ordinate representing the balancing weights on the load positions as base.
This gives the influence line diagram for horizontal thrust.

Observations and Calculations:

Span of arch, L=
Central rise, h=
Initial load on the thrust hanger for balancing, kg=
Observation table for horizontal thrust.

S.N Load on hanger Total Distance Additional Calculated

member from load on from left load on value of H
roller end thrust hand support thrust (kg)
hanger hanger i.e. H
Set No. Load (cm)
(kg) (kg) (kg)

W1 a1 =
Set I W2 a2 =
W3 a3 =

Observation table for Influence line diagram

1kg load at hanger number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Balancing wt. on thrust

hanger (kg)

Net weights (kg)

Calculated value of influence

line ordinate(kg)

Results:
Conclusions:
Precautions:
1. Put the weights in thrust hanger very gently without a impact or jerk.
2. Measure the distance of loaded points from left hand support accurately.
3. Perform the experiment away from vibration and other disturbances
Experiment 3: STUDY THE HORIZONTAL DISPLACEMENT AND THRUST IN TWO HINGED ARCH.

Objectives:
1. To study two hinged arch for the horizontal displacement of the roller end for a given
system of loading and to compare it with theoretical value.
2. To draw influence line diagram.
Apparatus required:
1. Two Hinged Arch Apparatus
2. Weight’s
3. Hanger
4. Dial Gauge
5. Scale
6. Vernier Caliper.

Theory:

The two hinged arch is a statically indeterminate structure of the first degree. The horizontal
thrust is the redundant reaction and is obtained by using strain energy methods. Two hinged
arch is made determinate by treating it as a simply supported curved beam and horizontal
thrust as a redundant reaction. The arch spreads out under external load. Horizontal thrust
is the redundant reaction is obtained by the use of strain energy method.

Formula: - H = 5WL (a – 2a³ + a4)/8r

Where,

W= Weight applied at end support.

L= Span of two hinged arch.

r= rise of two hinged arch.

a = dial gauge reading

Procedure:

1. Fix the dial gauge to measure the movement of the roller end of the model and keep the
lever out of contact.
2. Place a load of 0.5kg on the central hanger of the arch to remove any slackness and taking
this as the initial position, set the reading on the dial gauge to zero.
3. Now add 1 kg weight to the same hanger and tabulate the horizontal movement of the
roller end. Increase loads in steps of 1 kg up to 5 kg and note down the Dial gauge reading.
4. Plot a graph between the load and displacement (Theoretical and Experimental)
compare. Theoretical values should be computed by using horizontal displacement
formula.
5. To obtain the influence line for H, place a load of 1kg in turn on each hanger one by one
and find the balancing weight required on the thrust hanger.
6. Plot the ordinate representing the balancing weights on the load positions as base. This
gives the influence line diagram for horizontal thrust.

Observation and Calculations:

Horizontal displacement

S.N Central load 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0

(kg)
Observed
horizontal
Displacement
( mm )
 Calculated
horizontal
Displacement
Eq. (4)
Sample Calculation: - Central load (kg) =………..

Observed horizontal Displacement (mm) =

Calculated horizontal Displacement = H = 5WL (a – 2a³ + a4)/8r=…………..

Observation table for Influence line diagram

1kg load at hanger number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Balancing wt. on thrust

hanger (kg)

Net weights (kg)

Calculated value of influence

line ordinate(kg)

Result:

Conclusion and Discussion:

Precautions:

1. Apply the loads gently without any movements.

2. Perform the experiment away from vibration and other disturbances

Experiment 4: DETERMINATION OF HORIZONTAL THRUST OF SYMMETRICAL PORTAL FRAME
Objectives:
1. To obtain by experiment the horizontal component of reaction at the support of a
symmetrical two hinged frame of constant flexural stiffness when it is subjected to the
vertical load at the center of the beam.
2. To verify the obtained horizontal reaction theoretically using moment distribution
method

Apparatus Required:
1. Symmetrical portal frame
2. Dial gauge
3. Measuring scale
4. External loads with hangers

Theory:
A portal frame is a type of the prototype structure which can bear the forces such as axial force,
shear force, bending moment, torsion etc.

Procedure:
1. Apply the stabilizing load in the mid of the beam , set the reading in the dial gauge reading
to zero
2. Use the load of 1 kg in the mid of beam and observe the deflection in the dial gauge
3. Then apply the external loads additional load to the stabilizing loads to bring the
deflection to zero
4. Then note down the total stabilizing load, which is the required horizontal reaction in the
portal frame.
5. Repeat the above procedure for different loads such as 1.5 kg, 2kg, 2.5kg and note down
the corresponding horizontal reactions

Observations and Calculations:

Width of beam=
Thickness of the beam=
Modulus of elasticity=
Applied load(N) Deflection reading at Deflection at the Horizontal
support support in mm Reaction at
support(N)

Results:
 Applied Load(N) Theoretical Experimental difference Percentage error
horizontal Horizontal
reaction(N) Reaction(N)

Conclusion and Discussion:

Precautions:
1. Put the weights in thrust hanger very gently without a impact or jerk.
2. Perform the experiment away from vibration and other disturbances