Engineering Mechanics Lab Manual
Engineering Mechanics Lab Manual
EXPERIMENT NO. 1
Theory: Law of polygon of forces states that, “If a number of Coplanar, concurrent forces are
acting on a body and if they are represented in magnitude and direction by the sides of a polygon
taken in order then the line joining the beginning of the first force and end of the last force
represents the resultant in magnitude and direction.
This law is verified by keeping a point at rest by number of forces acting on it. Consider the
system of concurrent coplanar forces acting at a point „O‟ as shown in figure
Apparatus:
Universal force table , Detachable pulleys, Ring with five strings, weight hangers, slotted
weights and sprit level.
Stepwise Procedure:
11. Repeat step 7 by changing any one or two pulley positions and take three sets of
observations.
12. Draw force polygon for each reading by choosing suitable scale on graph paper.
Precautions:
Observations:
F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F5 θ1 θ2 θ3 θ4 θ5 θ5
From from
Graph graph
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Sample Calculations:
θ4=…….Degrees, θ5=…….Degrees.
Result:
Conclusion:
1. Ideal conclusion is that the force polygon must be closed figure for the system in
equilibrium
2. If the force polygon is not closed figure the probable reason of error is due to
……………………………………………….…( Error of manipulation / instrumental
error / error of observation)
EXPERIMENT NO. 2
Theory: Principle of moment: If the given system of force is in equilibrium, algebraic sum of
moments about any point is equal to zero.
Procedure:
2) Adjust the screw of the balance and make long arm horizontal
4) Suspend known weight W at convenient point along the long arm and note its distance from
fulcrum (D).
7) Similarly change the value of W and D and repeat the same procedure.
Observation Table:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Sample Calculations:
Sample Calculations:
Conclusion:
EXPERIMENT NO .3
In this experiment we can understand the nature of stresses in different members of jib
crane. Also concept of „compressive force‟ and‟ tensile force‟ becomes more transparent.
Students also compare the results analytically, experimentally and graphically.
Theory:
Jib crane consist of three members namely jib ,post and tie. Post is fixed member
supported on base. A jib is hinged at the base of post. The other end of jib bears a pulley, which
carries a rope called tie. The rope tied at the post carries a load. The forces in tie and jib can be
measured by spring balances provided on them.
If three forces acting at a point are in equilibrium, they can represented ,in magnitude and
direction ,by three sides of triangle taken in order. When the load is applied the tensile force in
tie and compressive force in jib are measured. The lengths of tie, jib and post are measured. The
law is verified by drawing triangle of forces.
When W is applied to hook, the rope gets pulled and jib gets compressed. Thus the rope
is in tension and jib is in compression. Vertical load W thus gets distributed in the rope and the
jib. The point of suspension P is in equilibrium under the action of three forces, load W
,compressive force in jib and tension in rope from the system of these three forces, a triangle of
forces can be drawn by measuring length of members to same scale. Forces in members are
required to be in proportion to length.
Procedure:
8) The forces in tie and jib were found graphically by drawing triangle of forces for given
load.
9) The experiment values of forces were verified with those obtained from graphical
construction.
Observation table:
Sample Calculations:
Sample Calculations:
Sample Calculations:
Results:
EXPERIMENT NO. 4
VERIFICATION OF EQUILIBRINM OF PARELLEL FORCES
Preamble:
In this experiment we can understand the basic condition of equilibrium .These basic
condition of equilibrium will be useful in analysis or design of beams in further study.
Aim:
Theory:
Beams are provided in structure used for residential buildings or public buildings.
Usually these beams carry transverse loads which are parallel forces .The beams transfer the
load to the columns which supports the beams. For a beam to be in equilibrium there is a definite
relationship between the forces and the reactions given by the supporting columns.
Apparatus:
A graduated wooden beam, two compressive spring balances, hangers ,weights etc.
Stepwise Procedure:
7. Measure the distances of these parallel forces W1 ,W2 and W3from left support as X1 ,X2
and X3 respectively.Record distances in observation table.
8. Read the reactions at supports without removing forces W1 ,W2 and W3. Record them as
final reactions FRA and FRB at support A (left ) and B (right) respectively in observation
table.
9. Repeat the step 6,step 7 and step 8 by changing magnitudes of forces and their position
and take two more set of readings and record them in observation table.
Observations :
Observation table:
Sr. No. Parallel forces (loads) in Distances of W1 ,W2 and Observed reactions at support in
„N‟ W3 from left support A in „N‟
Cm
Support A Support B
W1 W2 W3 X1 X2 X3 FRA RA= FRB RB=
(FRA - (FRB –
IRA) IRB)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sample Calculations:
Sample Calculations:
Sample Calculations:
Sample Calculations:
Results:
1 RA
RB
2 RA
RB
3 RA
RB
4 RA
RB
EXPERIMENT NO. 5
SIMPLE SCREW JACK
Title–
Calculate the mechanical advantage, velocity ratio, efficiency and establish law of
machine for “Simple Screw Jack”.
Prior Concepts–
Displacement, velocity, lifting machine, load, work input, work output, lifting force.
New Concepts –
Gear mechanism of simple screw jack, velocity ratio, mechanical advantages, efficiency,
reversibility of machine, simple screw jack.
Proposition 1:Machine
Any lifting machine has the principle of overcoming a greater force called load by means of
comparatively a smaller force called effort.
Velocity Ratio =
The mechanical advantage (MA) occurring from arrangement of different parts of lifting
machine is expressed as the ratio of load lifted and corresponding effort required to lift it.
Proposition 4: Efficiency
Efficiency =
Apparatus :
Working model of screw jack, load hanger, set of weights (1,2,5,10,20 kg), slotted
weights (10, 50,100,500 gm), meter scale, vernier scale etc.
Stepwise Procedure –
1. Observe the model of simple screw jack. Identify various components such as disc, Pitch
of screw, vertical spindle, heavy metal body, internal threading, loading platform, guide
pulley, arrangement for applying effort and load.
2. Set up the machine, attach heavy load (Say 100N) and find corresponding effort (P) by
gradually increasing the magnitude so that when effort moves down, load W just starts
moving up. Mark the motions of diagram, then remove the effort (P) and observe whether
the load moves down or not hence check the reversibility of machine.
3. Apply the load (Say 50,150,200,250,300N) on the disc.
4. Apply the effort for above loads on the effort pan and increase it gradually till effort just
moves downwards and load it simultaneously.
5. Record the observation of load and corresponding effort in observation table.
6. Measure the circumference of disc with the help of string and meter scale, measure pitch
of the screw by using vernier scale.
7. Record this observation of loads and efforts in observation table.
8. Compute all the columns of observation table.
9. Plot the graph of load against effort and Y-intercept.
10. Establish the law of machine P=mW + C
11. Also plot the graph of load against mechanical advantage.
Observations –
=----------------------
Observation Table –
Sr Load (W) Effort (P) MA Velocity Efficiency Ideal Effort Effort lost in
No. N N M.A = Ratio ɳ=(MA/VR) (Pi =W/VR) friction
W/P (VR) X 100 N Pf=P-Pi
N
Sample Calculations –
For Reading No…………..
Mechanical Advantage = Load/Effort = W/P
MA = ………………. /……………..
= (………………../…………….) X 100
= …………… %
=……………………………………………………………
=……………………..%
Pf = P-Pi = ……………………….=……………………..
Law of Machine :
From the graph of load and effort, Consider any two points on it having
=……………
P = (…………W + ……………) N
Result -
Conclusion –
EXPERIMENT NO. 6
COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION
TITLE:
PRIOR CONCEPT:
NEW CONCEPTS :
Frictional force, limiting frictional force, normal reaction, coefficient of friction, angle of repose.
Proposition 1: Friction
The resistance offered to motion when one surface slide or tends to slides over the surface is
called as friction. It is called as frictional force or frictional resistance or force of friction. Thus,
when body moves or tends to move tangentially with respect to the surface, on which it rest, the
interlocking property of projecting particles opposes the motion.
The maximum value of force of friction that can be developed between two bodies in contact
when the body is just on the point of motion over the other is called limiting friction or limiting
frictional force.
The reaction which is at 90˚to the plane of motion is known as normal reaction.
In static equilibrium; the total friction that can be developed is directly proportional to the
normal reaction (R) and depends upon the nature of surfaces in contact and independent of extent
of area of contact.
In limiting equilibrium for two surface in contact, the ratio of limiting forces to normal reaction
is a constant known as coefficient of friction.
APPARATUS:
Adjustable horizontal plane apparatus with the pulley at one end, wooden boxes with different
bottom surfaces, set of weights(100, 200,500 gm), slotted weights (2,5,10,20,50,100,200gm),
spirit level, pan, etc.
STEPWISE PROCEDURE :
1. Arrange the set of experiment with plane in horizontal position (Ө= 0˚).
2. Observe that as applied force goes on increasing by adding weights in the pan(P), the
frictional resistance developed opposing the motion of box also goes on increasing.
(P = wt. of pan + wt. in pan).
3. Take the box with wooden bottom surface and record the weight of empty box.
4. Put some weight in the box and note down Weight „W‟(wt. of empty box + wt. put in the
box).
5. Take the weight of empty pan.
6. Put some weight in the pan and increase it gradually till the box is just on the point of
motion.
7. Record the value of “P” (wt. of pan + wt. put in pan).
8. Take such four readings by changing the weight„W‟ and finding corresponding value of
force “P”.
9. Find the value coefficient of friction (µ) for each reading and average value of it.
10. Take the box of another surface and repeat the steps 3 to 8.
11. Compare the value of coefficient of friction (µ) for different surfaces in contact.
OBSERVATIONS :
OBSERVATION TABLE :
W1 =
W2 =
W3 =
W4 =
W1 =
W2 =
W3 =
W4 =
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS :
For Reading No………………
F = P and R = W
µ = P/W
= ………………….
= ………………….
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS :
RESULT:
CONCLUSION :
EXPERIMENT NO. 7
Objective:
This experiment is to help learners determine the centre of gravity of irregular objects.
Theory:
The force of gravity acts on all bodies on earth. Every bit of mass in a body has weight. The
whole weight seems to be concentrated at a point inside or outside the body. This point is the
centre of gravity of the body. The weight of a body or object acts through its centre of gravity.
Definition:
The Centre of gravity of an object is the point through which the total weight ofthe body can
be considered to act.
The point where the total mass of the body seems to act is the centre of gravity. The
centre of gravity of all bodies can be determined by balancing the body on a knife edge or by
suspension with a plumb line from several points. In most cases, the centre of gravity of a body
lies in the body itself, but in few cases such as the horse-shoe magnet, the retort stand, Bunsen
burner, wine glass and conical flask, the centre of gravity lies outside.
Figure 1: Diagrams showing (a) irregular lamina with centre of gravity in the body (b) an
irregular lamina with the centre of gravity within the body.
For the centre of gravity to lie outside the body itself, as shown in Figure 1(b), the body will
balance at any point along a vertical line passing through the centre of gravity of the body.
1. Manufacturers often try to make their goods with the centre of gravity as low as possible
in order to make them very stable. This is more common when it is the narrow part of the
body that is intended for use, for example the retort stand, Bunsen burner, wine
glass, conical flask, etc. They do this by making the goods heavy at the bottom
and giving them a broad base.
2. A tight rope walker often carries a weighted pole or an umbrella to help keep his centre
of gravity very low and vertically above the rope.
3. It helps in the designing of vehicles such as cars and buses by keeping their
centre of gravity very low. This is done by placing the engine very low in the car.
4. Knowledge of the importance of keeping a low centre of gravity helps passengers
in small boats realise that standing up in order to change seats can be dangerous
as this raises the centre of gravity and can make the boat less stable
Equipment/ Materials:
Cardboards of different shapes ,thread, nail, pencil, rule/straight edge, load (e.g. stone, wood,
etc)
Other requirements:
Stepwise Procedure:
3. Suspend the object to swing freely on a needle or nail through one of the holes created
4. Attach a plumb line to the needle or nail and mark its position on the cardboard with the help
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining holes, marking the positions of the plumb-
lines carefully.
6. Locate the intersection of the three lines drawn; this indicates the centre of gravity of
the object.
EXPERIMENT NO.8
AIM :
To find moment of inertia of a flywheel.
APPARATUS :
The flywheel mounted on ball bearings, stop watch, set of weights, pan, string, meter
scale.
THEORY :
A flywheel; is a heavy metal wheel attached to the shaft of the prime mover (motor or
engine). Flywheels have most of their mass concentrated on the circumstances, thereby giving
high moment of inertia. We know rotating bodies possess kinetic energy given by the relation ,
2
K.E = Iω
Hence if moment of inertia I is increased, K.E also increases. Flywheels thus store the
kinetic energy and release it back to the system when required. They are therefore called as
„reservoir of energy‟.
STEPWISE PROCEDURE :
1. Wind a string around the shaft of the flywheel. Attach a pan of known weight from the
end of the string. Hold the pan i.e. does not allow the flywheel to rotate.
2. Measure the diameter of the axle with a verniercaliper.
3. Add some weight in the pan and note the total mass „m‟ of the pan. Also note the
height „h‟ of the base of the pan from the ground.
4. Hold a stop watch and now release the pan. The pan accelerates and gains velocity as it
travels down. Note the time and rotations „N1‟ turned by the flywheel till the pan touches the
ground.
5. When the pan hits the ground it gets detached from the flywheel. The flywheel
continues to rotate. Note the rotations „N2‟ turned by the flywheel from the moment the pan
touches the ground till the flywheel stops.
6. Repeat the above steps by changing the height of the pan from the ground and the
moment weight in the pan for one more set of observations.
OBSERVATION TABLE:
2 Height of fall , h = m m
Mean I =
Sample calculations:
Rectilinear motion of pan
Taking s = height of fall h, u = 0 and t = time taken by pan to touch the ground.
Use
2
s = ut + at
and find acceleration of pan =…………………… m/s2
Use
v = u + at
and find velocity of the pan as it strikes the ground. V = ……………….m/s
Rotation motion of flywheel.
USE
ω=
and find angular velocity of the flywheel at the instant the pan to touches the ground.
ω = ……………….r/s
Use the formula to find moment of inertia
I=
Sample calculations:
Sample calculations:
RESULT:
Mean moment of inertia of the flywheel is _____________ kgm2
EXPERIMENT NO. 9
COMPOUND PENDULUM
Consider a rigid body of mass „m‟ suspended from point „O‟(other than „G‟) on it. Let „b‟ be the
distance between O and G . The rigid body is now disturbed from its equilibrium position such
that the line OG which was initially vertical , now makes angle „θ„ with the vertical.
- mg.sin θ x b = IOα
Therefore ,
IOα + mg.sin θ x b =0
Also α = =ӫ
Therefore,
IO ӫ + mgθ.b = 0
Or
ӫ+ .θ=0
Comparing above equation with standers differential form of SHM equator which is
ӫ p2 θ =0
We have ,
Io= (t2mgb/4π)
Observations:
OBSERVATION TABLE:
1.
2.
3.
Sample calculations:
Sample calculations:
RESULT:-
Moment of inertia of the compound pendulum (experimental) =……………………
Moment of inertia of the compound pendulum (analytical) =………………………
EXPERIMENT NO. 10
(The students are expected to use drawing sheets for above experiment)