STUDY OF REACTIVE FORCES IN COMPOUND BEAM

Aim : Verification of EQUILIBRIUM of coplanar parallel forces Compound Beam

Theory :
Equilibrium:

A body is said to be in equilibrium when all active and reactive forces acting on
the body balance each other, defined by the equations/Conditions of equilibrium as
below

∑Fx = 0

Fy = 0

M @ any support point = 0

Free Body Diagram (FBD) : An isolated view of a body showing all active and reactive
forces acting on it is called FBD.

Object : To determine the support reactions of a isimply supported beam and

compound beam for different applied loads at different locations and verify it
analytically.

Apparatus : Beam reaction Apparatus, weights on hangers, 1m scale.

Procedure :
1. Support the Compound Beam on digital balance and hangers as shown in
sketch.
2. Adjust the digital balance to zero reading.
3. Set up the compound beam as shown. Take the readings and repeat the process
as for simple beam, including the readings for balance at C and weights and their
distances on lower beam. (Taking care that measure L1, L2 from support A and
L3 & L4 from support D)
4. Repeat the procedure for changing loads and distances.
5. Take minimum five set of observations for Compound Beam .
Experimental set up of Compound Beam Reaction
Apparatus

DIGITAL
BALANCE

WOODEN BEAM

STRING

WEIGHTS
Free Body Diagram of Compound Beam
RA RB
LAB =1000mm

L1
L2
RD
W1 W2 RC
LCD= 1000mm
500m
m
L4
L3

W3 W4
 Observation Table:

COMPOUND BEAM

Span of beam AB = 1000mm

(Span is horizontal distance between supporting points A & B on beam)

Span of Beam LCD = 1000 mm

LAC = 500 mm

Sr L1 L2 L3 L4 W1 W2 W3 W4 RC(N) RA (N) RB (N) % Error

No (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (N) (N) (N) (N) Exp Ana Exp Ana Exp Ana RA RB RC

(N) (N) (N)

1 300 900 700 300 19.6 19.6 19.6 14.7 18.1 18. 25. 24. 33. 32. 4.22 2.29 .16

13 21 745 35 585
2 200 600 500 300 9.81 9.81 14.7 19.6 12.9 13. 18. 18. 14. 14. 1.88 .998 2.49

23 74 387 32 463
3 150 750 650 250 14.7 9.81 14.7 14.7 13.8 13. 20. 21. 15. 16. 3.06 2.35 4.13

23 9 56 79 17
4 100 800 500 100 24.5 29.4 29.4 29.4 17.2 17. 36. 36. 35. 34. .16 1.75 2.49

64 69 75 41 79
5 300 900 700 200 14.7 19.6 14.7 19.6 13.5 14. 18. 19. 29. 29.1 3.17 .934 4.99

21 74 355 43 55

Calculations
First solve the beam CD, by considering it`s FBD.

As per the beam in equibrium,

∑Fx = 0

Fy = 0

M @ any support point = 0

Since no force is acting along X-axis,

 ∑Fx = 0 is redundant equition

Taking moment about @ D

∑M = RC x LCD - W3 x L3 - W 4 x L4 = 0

W 3 x L3 + W 4 x L4

RC = ----------------------------------------------------

LCD

Solving beam next,

The reaction RC at C will act as a downward load for a beam AB.

∑ Fy = RA + RB + W1 + W2 + W3 = 0 ----- (1)

Taking moment @ A

M @ any axis point = 0

∑M = - W1 x L1 - W2 x L2 - RC x LAC - RB x LAB = 0 ----- (2)

W1 x L1 + W2 x L2 + RC x LAC

RB = ------------------------------------------------------------

LAB

From equation (1)

∑Fy = W1 + W2 + RC - RA - RB = 0

RA = W1 + W2 + RC - RB
 Sources of errors :
1. zero error of the compression balances must be taken in to account

2. Weight should not be put on the beam with jerk.

3. Beam should be kept at the center of weighting pan.

Result / Conclusion :
With the above experiment we can verify reactive forces in a compound beam

Checklist for expected minimum submission :

1. Proportional, neat and labeled sketch of Simple beam showing experimental

setup of Beam apparatus, digital balances at A and B.
2. FBD and calculation for each reading
3. Conclusion and sources of errors listed
4. Practical application of beam

Note: This is mention of minimum required submission only. Extra information,

sketches, knowledge upgrading notes, presentation, relevant internet collections etc
added to submission work deserves due weightage.

References :
1. Vector Mechanics for Engineers, by F. P. Beer and E. R. Johnson, McGraw-Hill
publication
2. Engineering Mechanics by R. C. hibbeler, Pearson Education
3. Engineering Mechanics by S. P. Timoshenko and D. H. Young, McGraw Hill
publication

Comments of faculty member (after checking)

Signature with Date of Checking

Prepared By Checked By Approved By

Name : Name : Name :
Dhiraj Kumar Singh