THERMODYNAMICS AND MATERIAL

ENGINEERING LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT 4: BENDING MOMENT

Group members: 1) Soo Ming Huey (A16KT0397)

2) Wan Sarah Qistina Bt. Wan
Ahmad Sofian (A16KT0453)

Subject code: SKKK 2711- Thermodynamics &

Material Engineering Laboratory
Section: Section 03 (Group 6)
Lecturer’s Name: PM Dr. Lee Chew Tin
Date of experiment: 12th March 2018
Date of submission: 19th March 2018

1.0-OBJECTIVES
 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

The main objective of this introductory experiment was being successfully achieved which was
to study the property of material (bending moment at a normal section) when the beam was
subjected to different loads. In this context, the action of moment of resistance in a beam was
comprehended to check its agreement with the theory.

2.0- ABSTRACT
A structural element which is designed and used to withstand high loads of structure
and other external loads is called as beam. There are many different types of beam like
cantilever beam, simple supported beam and overhanging beam. The beam will be induced
with external load which will put on the load hanger and it will bend after the load is put on.
The spring balance is adjusted each time after the load is altered until it reaches the balancing
level. The ability of the beam to resist the load depends on the type of beam, material of beam
and geometry (shape and dimension of beam.) In our case, simple supported beam is applied
which it has supports at its both ends but does not face any moving of moment resistance.
Thus, it is noted that for a simply-supported beam, the bending moments at the ends of
frictionless hinge will always be equal to zero. When an external load or the structural load
applied in beam is large enough to displace the beam from its present position, then that
deflection of beam from its resent axis is called ‘bending of beam’. In other words, bending
moment is the product of force applied on beam, F times with the distance between the point of
application of force and fixed end of the beam,d. Bending moment (F x d) is represented by the
standard unit of N.m or N.mm. [1] After that, the percentage error between experimental and
theoretical bending moment is also calculated. Throughout this experiment, it is observed that
the experimental value of ultimate load is lower than that of the theoretical load, for each of the
cross-sections tested. The difference of the experimental values from the theoretical values is
due to some errors that occur during the experiment.

3.0- INTRODUCTION

Each beam is simply supported on vertical supports which can be easily moved to create
varying support positions and beam spans. At the ‘cut’ section, bearings in one beam will
straddle a vertical bearing track in the mating beam. This ensures free vertical movement for
monitoring shear forces. Although beam bending is permitted, it is counteracted by
the bearings and a tension spring which supported horizontally from underneath the beams.
When the beam is loaded, the force will cause the beam to bend and undergo vertical

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

displacement. These effects are due to the vertical components of forces acting perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of the beam. The vertical displacement tends to shear the beam. Shear
force is defined as the pair of internal forces at any portion in a structural member that are
formed to resist relative movement of the load at that point to maintain equilibrium. Any beam
must be designed in such as a way that it can resist internal shear force and bending moments.
[2] Another important consideration in beam design is the amount of load it can carry.
Therefore, in order to design a beam for maximum efficiency, it is critical to determine the
internal shear forces and bending moment distribution along the beam. This is accomplished by
constructing shear and bending moment diagram to calculate bending moment in a section. The
application of these two diagrams is that the deflection of a beam can be easily determined
using the moment area method. Other than that, these diagrams can be used to easily determine
the type, size, and material of a member in a structure so that a given set of loads can be
supported without any structural failure.

4.0- THEORY
Internal stresses and strains are created when a beam is loaded by forces or couples.
Internal stress is used to express the loading in terms of force applied to a certain cross-
sectional area of an object. While strains is known as the amount of deformation in the
direction of the applied force divided by the initial length of the material. We first must find the
internal forces and internal couples that act on cross sections of the beam in order to determine
these stresses and strains. As an illustration, consider a cantilever beam acted upon by a vertical
force P at its free end in Figure 1a. Now imagine that we cut through the beam at a cross
section mn located at distance x from the free end and isolate the left hand part of the beam as a
free body in Figure 1b. The free body is held equilibrium by the force p and by the stresses that
act over the cross section; all we know is that the resultant f these stresses must be such as to
maintain equilibrium of the free body selected. [3]
P

n
x

(a)

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

(b)

M V

(c)

Figure 1: Bending Moment of a Beam

As the load is solely vertical and in plane of the beam there cannot be horizontal reactions, so
the equilibrium yields two conditions:

1. Vertical equilibrium.
2. Equilibrium of moments.

The resultant to a shear force v acting parallel to the across section and a bending couple of
moment M is reduced. This is because the load P is transverse to the axis of the beam, no axial
force exists at the cross section. Both the shear force and bending couple act in the plane of the
beam, which means that that the moment vector for the couple is perpendicular to the plane of the
figure. The moment of the bending couple is called bending moment M. Stress resultants are
shear forces and bending moments, like axial forces in bars and twisting couples in shafts.

The left-hand part of the beam in the directions shown in Fig 1-2b is the shear force and
bending moment which are assumed to be positive. However, the right-hand part of the beam
in Fig 1-2c shows the reverse direction of the same stress resultant.

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

Shearing Force
X
Qx

(A) (B)
+ve +ve

X
RA RB

Figure 2: Vertical Equilibrium of Moment

There must be a shearing force Qx acting as shown in Figure 2 and equal to -RA in
vertical equilibrium of part (A). However, the shearing force Qx, evidently acts as shown and
has the value of RA-P in vertical equilibrium of part (B). The sign convention must be used to
clarify. The normal one are shown. Which leads to the –ve values above.

Bending Moment

Qx P l

MX MX
+v
+ve (A) (B) e

RA a b RB
Figure 3: Equilibrium of Moment

For equilibrium of moments take an axis as shown (Figure 3) in the section XX to

eliminate Qx. Then using the sign convention given:

For part (A) of the beam: MX = RA .a

While for part (B) of the beam: MX = RB .b – P (b - l)

They will have the same value by substituting for RB and Pl as follows,
MX = -b (P- RB) + Pl

= -b. RA + RA (a + b)

= RA .a

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

5.0- APPARATUS

The experimental beam we used is coded with model of ‘HST9 Shear Force in a Beam’ and it
is divided into parts, the smaller being (A) and the larger (B). At the section normal to the beam
axis where they joint a pair of ball bearing pinned in (B) fits in half housings fixed in (A) thus
forming a “frictionless” hinge. A moment of resistance about the hinge is provided by an under
slung spring balance which acts at a lever arm of 150mm. Two end bearings on stands support
the beam, and several stirrup shaped load hangers can be threaded onto the two part of the
beam. To introduce a load hanger at the joint between part (A) and (B) the beam comes apart so
that the hanger can be threaded on. It is generally sufficient to line up parts (A) and (B) by eye,
and to re-align them by adjusting the screws on the spring or spring balance each time a load is
altered. [5]

6.0- PROCEDURE
This experiment was divided into two parts. In the first part of the experiment, the beam
was being set up so that the bearing pin in part (B) is 300mm from the left hand support and
600mm to the right hand support as shown in Figure 4 below. One load hanger was positioned
on the middle of the smaller part (A) of the beam, one on the larger part (B), and the third one
at the joint just over the bearing pin (in the groove provided).Once the loads were loaded, the
beam was made horizontally by tightening or releasing the underslung spring below it,
according to the green bubble in the spirit level so that it was always in central position.

 Then, two parts of the beam were aligned using the adjustment on the spring balance and
the initial reading was noted. After that, 10N (1kg) weight was hang on part (B), the beam was
re-aligned and the new reading on the spring balance was noted. The difference between the
two readings was the effect of applying the 10N (1kg) weight on the beam. Next, the distance
from this weight to the right hand support was recorded. The procedure was repeated using the
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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

hanger over the pin, and then the hanger on the part (A). Finally, the whole procedure was
repeated using 20 N (2kg) load.

Figure 4: Bending moment at C (Mc) for loading

In second part of the experiment, the three load hangers were positioned as desired, the
beam was aligned and the initial reading of the spring balance was noted. After that, some
weights (masses) were hanged on all three hangers, the beam was re-aligned and the new
balance reading was noted. Finally, the experimental steps with a different span between
supports, with the load hangers in different positions and with different loadings were repeated
as the time permits as shown in figures below:

Figure 5: Bending moment, Mc for loading

Figure 6: Bending moment, Mc for various loading

7.0- RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

Part 1
Load Balance Reading (N)/ Net force (N) for load
(N) at
P1 P2 P3
Percentage error (%)=
0 18 / 0 18 / 0 18 / 0
(Experimental−Theoretical shear force)
10 24 / 6 32 / 14 26 / 8 Theoretical shear force
20 26 / 8 40 / 22 30 / 12 x 100 %

Bending moment (N.mm) and theoretical

value
10 900 / 667 2100 / 2000 1200 / 1000 34.93 5.00 20.00
20 1200 /1333 3300 / 4000 1800 / 2000 9.98 17.50 10.00
Table 1: Bending moment at C (Mc) for loading shown
Part 2 (a):
Loading Balance Net Bending Bending Percentage error (%)=
(N) reading forc moment moment
(N) e (N.mm) (Theoretical (Experimental−Theoretical shear force)
(N) value) Theoretical shear force
(N.mm) x 100 %
0 18 0 0 0 0
P2=5 22 4 600 1000 40.00
P1=P3=10, P2=5 30 12 1800 2666.67 32.50

Table 2: Bending moment, Mc for loading shown (superposition)

Part 2 (b):

Loading Balance Net Bending Bending Percentage error (%)=

(N) reading forc moment moment
(N) e (N.mm) (Theoretical (Experimental−Theoretical shear force)
(N) value) Theoretical shear force
(N.mm) x 100 %
0 18 0 0 0 0
P1=5, P3 =12 28 10 1500 1933.33 22.41
P1=5, P2 =10, 31 13 1950 2600.00 25.00
P3=2
Table 3: Bending moment, Mc for various loading shown

Part 1: Bending moment or Fnormal at C for each load distance

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

Condition 1:- Load at P1 = 10N, repeated with P2 & P3

When the system is in equilibrium, Force action = total load on the beam [4]

+ ∑Fy = 0, in which RA + RB = 10N

⸫ ∑Fy = RA + RB -10N = 0 -------------------(1)

Assume that the moment at A in anti-clockwise direction= 0

+ ∑MA = 0

-10N (100mm) + RB (900mm) = 0

RB = 1.111N

Rearranging eqn (1), thus: RA = 10N – RB

= 10 – 1.111
= 8.889 N
+ ∑Fy = RA-V1=0
RA =V1 = 8.89N

A M1 + ∑MA = - (8.89)(x) + M1 = 0
M1 = 8.89x
V1
RA x
Substitute: 0 mm ≤ x ¿ 100 mm
⸫ 0 N.mm ≤ M1¿889 N.mm

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

P1 + ∑Fy = RA – 10 –V2 = 0
V2 = 8.89 – 10 = -1.67 N
A M2
+ ∑MA = -10N (100mm) + RB(x) +M2 =0
RA V2
x -10(100) + 1.11x + M2 = 0
RB
M2 = 1000 – 1.11x
Substitute: 100 mm ≤ x ¿ 900 mm
889 N.mm ≤ M2 ¿ 1 N.mm
Mc = 1000 – 1.11(300) = 667 N.mm

Graph 1: Bending moment diagram for P1=10N

M1 = +889N.mm
M(N.mm)
Mc = +667N.mm

M2 = +1N.mm

0 x(mm)
100mm

900mm

2) When P2= 10N

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

900mm

300mm

C
A B

RA P2= 10N RB

Calculation:
Assume the system is in equilibrium,

+ ∑Fy = RA+RB-10=0
RA = 10- RB
Assume the total moment at A=0
+ ∑MA = -10(100) + RB (900) = 0
RB = 3.33N
RA = 6.67 N

+ ∑Fy = RA-V1=0
RA=V1 = 6.67N

A Mc
+ ∑MA = - (6.67)(x) + Mc = 0
V1
RA Mc = 8.89x
x
Substitute: 0 mm ≤ x ¿ 300 mm
⸫ 0 N.mm ≤ MC¿2001 N.mm

P2
+ ∑Fy = RA – 10 –V2 = 0
A M2
V2 = 6.67 – 10 = -3.33 N

RA V2
x + ∑MA =-10N (300mm) + RB(x) +M2 =0
-10(300) + 3.33x + M2 = 0
M2 = 3000 – 3.33x
Substitute: 300 mm ≤ x ¿ 900 mm
⸫ 2001 N.mm ≤ M2 ¿ 3 N.mm

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

Graph 2: Bending moment diagram for P2= 10N

MC = + 2001N.mm
M(N.mm)

M2 = +3N.mm

0 x(mm)
300mm

900mm

3) When P3= 10N

900mm

600mm

C
A B

RA P3= 10N RB

Calculation:
Assume the system is in equilibrium,

+ ∑Fy = RA+RB-10=0
RA = 10- RB
Assume the total moment at A=0
+ ∑MA = -10(600) + RB (900) = 0
RB = 6.67 N
RA = 3.33 N

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

+ ∑Fy = RA-V1=0
RA =V1 = 3.33N
M1
V1 + ∑MA = - (3.33)(x) + M1 = 0
RA x
M1 = 3.33x
Substitute: 0 mm ≤ x ¿ 600 mm
⸫ 0 N.mm ≤ M1¿1998 N.mm
When x= 300, Mc= 3.33(300) = 1000N

+ ∑Fy = RA – 10 –V2 = 0
P3 V2 = 3.33 – 10 = -6.67 N
M2
+ ∑MA =-10N (300mm) + RB(x) +M2 =0
RA V2
x -10(600) + 6.67x + M2 = 0
M2 = 6000 – 6.67x
Substitute: 600 mm ≤ x ¿ 900 mm
⸫ 1998 N.mm ≤ M2 ¿ -3 N.mm
Graph 3: Bending moment diagram for
load P3 =10N

M1 = + 1998N.mm
M(N.mm)

Mc = +1000N.mm

0 x(mm)
600mm

900mm

M2 = -3N.mm

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

4) Repeat by changing the load to P1= 20N

900mm

100mm

C
A B

RA RB
P1= 20N

Calculation:
Assume the system is in equilibrium,

+ ∑Fy = RA+RB-20=0
RA = 20- RB
Assume the total moment at A=0
+ ∑MA = -20(100) + RB (900) = 0
RB = 2.22N
RA = 17.78 N

+ ∑Fy = RA-V1=0
RA =V1 = 17.78N

M1 + ∑MA = - (17.78)(x) + M1 = 0
V1 M1 = 17.78x
RA
x
Substitute: 0 mm ≤ x ¿ 100 mm
⸫ 0 N.mm ≤ M1¿ 1780 N.mm
P1

M2 + ∑Fy = RA – 20 –V2 = 0
V2 = 17.78 – 20 = -2.22 N
RA V2
x
+ ∑MA =-20N (100mm) + RB(x) +M2 =0
-20(100) + 2.22x + M2 = 0
M2 = 2000 – 2.22x
Substitute: 100 mm ≤ x ¿ 900 mm
⸫ 1780 N.mm ≤ M2 ¿ 20 N.mm

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

Graph 4: Bending moment diagram for P1=20N

M1 = +1780 N.mm
M(N.mm)
Mc = +1334 N.mm

M2 = +20N.mm

0 x(mm)
100mm

900mm

5) When P2= 20N

900mm

300mm

C
A B

RA P2= 20N RB

Calculation:
Assume the system is in equilibrium,

+ ∑Fy = RA+RB-20=0
RA = 20- RB
Assume the total moment at A=0
+ ∑MA = -20(300) + RB (900) = 0
RB = 6.67 N
RA = 13.33 N

+ ∑Fy = RA-V1=0
RA =V1 = 13.33N
Mc
V1
RA + ∑MA = - (3.33)(x) + Mc = 0
Page 15 of 30
Mc = 13.33x
 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

P2
M2 + ∑Fy = RA – 20 –V2 = 0

RA V2 = 13.33 – 20 = -6.67 N
x V2

+ ∑MA = -20N (300mm) + RB(x) +M2 =0

-20(300) + 6.67x + M2 = 0
M2 = 6000 – 6.67x
Substitute: 300 mm ≤ x ¿ 900 mm
⸫ 3999 N.mm ≤ M2 ←3 N.mm
Graph 5: Bending moment diagram for
load P2 =20N

Mc = +3999N.mm
M(N.mm)

0 x(mm)
300mm

900mm

M2 = -3N.mm

6) When P3= 20N

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

900mm

600mm

C
A B

RA P3= 10N RB

Calculation:
Assume the system is in equilibrium,

+ ∑Fy = RA+RB-20=0
RA = 20- RB
Assume the total moment at A=0
+ ∑MA = -20(600) + RB (900) = 0
RB = 13.33 N
RA = 6.67 N

+ ∑Fy = RA-V1=0

M1 RA = V1 = 6.67N
V1
RA x + ∑MA = - (6.67)(x) + M1 = 0
M1 = 6.67x
Substitute: 0 mm ≤ x ¿ 600 mm
0 N.mm ≤ M1¿ 4002 N.mm
When x= 300, Mc= 6.67(300)= 2001N
P3
M2 + ∑Fy = RA – 20 –V2 = 0

RA V2 V2 = 6.67 – 20 = -13.33 N
x

+ ∑MA=
= -20(600) + 13.33x + M2 = 0
M2 = 12000 – 13.33x
Substitute: 600 mm ≤ x ¿ 900 mm
⸫ 4002 N.mm ≤ M2 ¿ 3 N.mm

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

Graph 6: Bending moment diagram for P3=20N

M1 = +4002N.mm
M(N.mm)

Mc = +2001N.mm

M2 = +3N.mm

0 x(mm)
600mm

900mm

Part 2:
A) Bending moment Mc with superposition load

900mm

600mm

300mm

100mm

C
A B

RA RB
P1 P2 P3

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

1) When P1=5N,
900mm

300mm

C
A B

RA RB
P2= 5N

Calculation:
Assume the system is in equilibrium,

+ ∑Fy = RA+RB-5=0
RA = 5- RB
Assume the total moment at A=0
+ ∑MA = -5(300) + RB (900) = 0
RB = 1.67N
RA =3.33 N
+ ∑Fy = RA-V1=0
RA =V1 = 3.33N
Mc
V1 + ∑MA = - (3.33)(x) + Mc = 0
RA
x
Mc = 3.33x
Substitute: 0 mm ≤ x ¿ 300 mm
⸫ 0 N.mm ≤ MC¿1000 N.mm

+ ∑Fy = RA – 5 –V2 = 0
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P2 V2 = 3.33 – 5 = -1.67 N
 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

M2

RA V2
x

Graph 7: Bending moment diagram for load P2 =5N

MC = + 1000 N.mm
M(N.mm)

0 x(mm)
300mm

900mm

M2 = -3N.mm

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

2) When P1 = P3 =10N and P2 = 5N

900mm

600mm

300mm

100mm

C
A B

RA RB
P1= 10N P2= 5N P3= 10N

Calculation:
Assume the system is in equilibrium,

+ ∑Fy = RA+RB-5-10-10=0
RA = 25- RB
Assume the total moment at A=0
+ ∑MA = -5 (300) -10(100) – 10(600) + RB (900) = 0
RB = 9.444N
RA = 15.556 N

+ ∑Fy = RA-V1=0
RA = V1 = 15.56N

M1 + ∑MA = - (15.56)(x) + M1 = 0

RA
V1 M1 = 15.556x
x
Substitute: 0 mm ≤ x ¿ 100 mm
⸫0 N.mm ≤ M1 ¿ 1556 N.mm
P1

+ ∑Fy = RA – 10 –V2 = 0
V2 = 15.556 – 10= 5.556 N
Mc

RA + ∑MA = -10(100) – 5.556x + MC = 0

x V2
MC = 1000 + 5.556x Page 21 of 30

Substitute: 100 mm ≤ x ¿300 mm

 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

P1 P2
+ ∑Fy = RA – 10 – 5 – V3 = 0
V3 = 15.56 – 15 = 0.56 N
M3

RA x V3 + ∑MA = -10(100) – 5(300) - 5.56x + M3 = 0

M3 = 2500 + 0.56x
Substitute: 300 mm ≤ x ¿ 600 mm
⸫ 2668 N.mm ≤ M3 ¿ 2836 N.mm

P1 P2 P3

M4

V4
RA x

+ ∑Fy = RA – 10 – 5 – 10 – V4 = 0
V4 = 15.56 – 25 = -9.44 N

+ ∑MA = -10(100) – 5(300) – 10(600) + 9.44x + M4 = 0

M3 = 8500 – 9.44x
600 mm ≤ x ¿ 900 mm
2836 N.mm ≤ M3 ¿ 4 N.mm
Graph
8: Bending moment diagram at load P2=5N and P1=P3=10N

MC = +2668N.mm M3 = +2836N.mm
M(N.mm)

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

M1 = +1556N.mm

M4 = +4N.mm

x(mm)
100mm
300mm
600mm

900mm
Part 2B: Bending moment Mc with various load
900mm

500mm

300mm

100mm

C
A B

RA RB
P1 P2 P3

1) When P1 = 5N and P3 = 12N

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

900mm

500mm

100mm

C
A B

RA RB
P1 = 5N P3 = 12N

Calculation:
Assume the system is in equilibrium,

+ ∑Fy = RA+RB-5-12 =0
RA = 17- RB
Assume the total moment at A=0
+ ∑MA = -5(100) -12(500) – 10(100) + RB (900mm) = 0
RB = 7.22 N
RA = 9.78 N

+ ∑Fy = RA-V1=0
RA = V1 = 9.78N
M1
+ ∑MA = - (9.78)(x) + M1 = 0
V1
RA x
M1 = 9.78x
Substitute: 0 mm ≤ x ¿ 100 mm
⸫ 0 N.mm ≤ M1 ¿ 978 N.mm

+ ∑Fy = RA – 5 –V2 = 0
P1
V2 = 9.78 – 5= 4.78 N
M2

RA + ∑MA = -5(100) – 4.78x + M2 = 0

x V2
M2 = 500 + 4.78x
Substitute: 100 mm ≤ x ¿ 500 mm
⸫ 978 N.mm ≤ M2 ¿2890 N.mm
Mc = 500 + 4.78(300) = 1933.33N.mm

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

P1 P3

M3

RA x V3

+ ∑Fy = RA – 12 – 5 – V3 = 0
V3 = 9.78 – 17 = -7.22 N

+ ∑MA = -12(500) – 5(100) + 7.22x + M3 = 0

M3 = 6500 – 7.22x
500 mm ≤ x ¿900 mm
2890 N.mm ≤ M3¿ 2 N.mm

Graph 9: Bending moment diagram for load P1=5N and P3=12N

MC = +1933.33 N.mm M2 = +2890N.mm

M(N.mm)

M1 = +978N.mm

M3 = +2N.mm

100mm
x(mm)
300mm

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 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

500mm
900mm

2) When P1 = 5N P2= 10N and P3 = 2N

900mm

500mm
300mm

100mm

C
A B

RA RB
P1= 5N P2= 10N P3= 2N

Calculation:
Assume the system is in equilibrium,

+ ∑Fy = RA+RB-5-10-2=0
RA = 17- RB
Assume the total moment at A=0
+ ∑MA = -5 (100) -10(300) – 2(500) + RB (900) = 0
RB = 5 N
RA = 12 N

+ ∑Fy = RA-V1=0
RA =V1 = 12N

M1 + ∑MA = - (12)(x) + M1 = 0
V1 + ∑Fy
RA x M1 == 12x
RA – 5 –V2 = 0
V2Substitute:
= 12 – 5 =07mm
N ≤ x ¿ 100 mm

+⸫ 0 N.mm
∑M≤A =
M-5
1 ¿ 1200 N.mm
(100) – 7x + MC = 0
MC = 500 + 7x
P1 Substitute: 100 mm ≤ x ¿300 mm
Page 26 of 30
⸫1200 N.mm ≤ MC ¿2600 N.mm
 EXPERIMENT 4: [ BENDING MOMENT]

Mc

RA V2
x

P1 P2
+ ∑Fy = RA – 10 – 5 – V3 = 0
M3
V3 = 12 – 15 = -3 N

RA x V3
+ ∑MA = -5(100) – 10(300) + 3x + M3 = 0
M3 = 3000 - 3x
Substitute: 300 mm ≤ x ¿ 600 mm
⸫ 2600 N.mm ≤ M3 ¿ 2000 N.mm

P1 P2 P3

M4

V4
RA x

+ ∑Fy = RA – 10 – 5 – 2 – V4 = 0
V3 = 12 – 17 = -5 N

+ ∑MA = -5(100) – 10(300) – 2(500) + 5x + M4 = 0

M3 = 4500 – 5x
500 mm ≤ x ¿ 900 mm
2000 N.mm ≤ M3 ¿ 0 N.mm

Graph 10: Bending moment diagram at load P1=5N, P2=10N and P3=2N
MC = +2600N.mm
M(N.mm)
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MP3 = +2000N.mm

MP1 = +1200N.mm

100mm x(mm)
300mm
500mm

900mm

8.0-DISCUSSION

Load (N) Bending moment (N.mm) at

P1 P2 P3
10 900 2100 1200
20 1200 3300 1800
Ratio between doubled 0.75 0.7 0.67
load of 10N and 20N
Table 4: Relationship between the doubled load and bending moment
According to the experimental results as shown in table 4 above, when the load was
doubled, the bending moment is not double for each position in part 1 of experiment. This
might due to the occurrence of experimental errors which will be further discussed. However,
in fact, the ratio with which there is an increase and decrease in the value of theoretical bending
moment is equal to the ratio with which there is an increase and decrease in the value of
applied load. Therefore, we can say that when the load was doubled, the value of bending
moment will become double too.
Besides, the comparison between the experiment and theoretical bending moments can
be made using either a ratio or percentage error as the formula below:

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Bending moment exp . −Bending momment theo

Percentage error= | Bending moment theo |x 100%

From the calculated percentage error (%) in table 1,2 and 3, it is observed that the
percentage difference between experimental and theoretical bending moment ranged from the
lowest of 5% up to the highest of 40%. Only three of the percentage errors fall in the usual
range of below 10%. This deviation of the experimental values from the theoretical values is
due to some errors that occur during the experiment. The errors which might have occurred
include:

1) Parallax errors occur when the eyes of observes are not in perpendicular to the meniscus
level when taking the readings of spring balance and the distance of the loads.
2) The spring balance was not sensitive to sense minor changes in weights applied, causing
inaccurate readings on the spring balance.
3) Another error that may occur is the moving of the hangers while changing the loads. When
changing the load, the beam is not in perpendicular and the hanger will not stay statically at
the original position but will move due to the gravitational force.
4) The pressure exerted by hands on the table results the surface of table is not flat. Hence, the
equilibrium of the beam has deviated from the real equilibrium.
5) The error may occur when the flowing of surrounding air which can affects the equilibrium
of the beam.
Thus, in order to avoid errors and get more accurate results, there are some precautions that
must be taken throughout the experiment, which include:

1) Readings should be taken where the eyes are positioned in the perpendicular line with the
scale of spring balance to avoid parallax error.
2) Use more sensitive bending moment device to measure the net force.
3) The position of the hangers should be fixed while changing the loads.
4) The hands should avoid contact with the table while adjusting the spring balance in order to
get the real beam equilibrium.
5) The beam must be horizontally by tightening or releasing the underslung spring below it,
according to the green bubble in the spirit level so that it was always in central position to
ensure equilibrium.

9.0- CONCLUSION
This experiment result is verified with the theory. Although there are the existences of
slightly deviation between the theoretical and experimental values, but the calculated
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percentage errors were small and only fall below 40% which can be accepted and quite a
success.  The little difference between the values is due to human error which cannot be
minimize due to the human capabilities limitation.  It is concluded that bending moment is
directly proportional to the load applied which means that when the load increases, the bending
moment will also increase. Moment diagram can be easily drawn if we know shearing force
diagram. The area under shearing force diagram is the value for bending moment. Distribution
of loads will give a slope line for bending moment diagram.

10.0- REFERENCES
1) Bending moment and deflection of beam; http://www.green-
mechanic.com/2017/01/bending-moment-in-beam-lab-report-pdf.html
2) Shearing force in beams experiment;
https://www.scribd.com/document/263390031/Experiment-Shearing-Forces
3) Theory of Bending Moment; Makmal Ternodinamik & Kajidaya Bahan laboratory manual
4) Calculations of shear force and bending moment;
http://www.iitg.ernet.in/scifac/qip/public_html/cd_cell/chapters/CD-Cell.pdf
5) Standard Procedure of HST9 model beam; http://www.p-a-hilton.co.uk/products/HST9-
Shear-Force-in-a-Beam

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