UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA CENTRE FOR DIPLOMA STUDIES
LABORATORY REPORT
COURSE NAME ENGINEERING LABORATORY I
TITLE OF EXPERIMENT EQUILIBRIUM OF A RIGID BODY
COURSE CODE DAM 13601 GROUP
SECTION
LECTURER'S NAME
GROUP MEMBERS MATRIC ASSESSMENT
1 Cognitive - PLO1
2 Objectives 2.5 %
3 Additional Theory 5.0 %
4 Discussions 10.0 %
5 Conclusions & Recommendation
10.0 % DATE OF EXPERIMENT
DATE OF SUBMISSION References 2.5 %
EXAMINER COMMENTS TOTAL (PLO 1) 30.0 %
Psychomotor - PLO5
Apparatus 5.0 %
Procedures 10.0 %
Observations 10.0 %
Results 5.0 %
Calculation / Graphs
10.0 %
Questions 10.0 %
APPROVAL STAMPS TOTAL (PLO 5) 50.0%
* Detailed components for results of experiment. Changes are subjected to the form of experimental results obtained. ** The assessment rating guidelines in the TOS of report must be used together when conducting the evaluation.
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB
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EXPERIMENT 2
EQUILIBRIUM OF A RIGID BODY
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this experiment, students should be able to understand the concept
of principle of moments and apply the principle to solve the beam reaction
calculation. The moments theory can help to predict the reaction forces due to a
load at different positions along a beam.
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Beams are structural members which offer resistance to bending due to applied
loads. Most beams are long prismatic bars, and the loads are usually applied
normal to the axes of the bars. Beams are undoubtedly the most important of all
structural members, so it is important to understand the basic theory underlying
their design. There are two types of beam which is beam has more one supports
than needed to provide equilibrium is statically indeterminate and other one is
beam supports reactions can calculated by the methods of static alone are called
statically determinate. To determine the support reactions for a beam, the load
deformation properties in addition to the equations of static equilibrium should be
considered. This experiment will show that by applying Principle of Moment, the
reactions of the beam at each support can be calculated.
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2.2 THEORY
A beam is a horizontal member of a structure which rests on supports (often walls
or columns) and spans an open space. If a beam rests on two supports without
any ‘fixing down’ devices, it is said to be SIMPLY SUPPORTED. If load is placed
on the beam and covers a very short length of the beam, it is called
a POINT or CONCENTRATED load, but if the load is spread over an appreciable
length of the beam it is called a DISTRIBUTED load. If the supports are placed
each end of a beam and the beam is symmetrically loaded, the weight carried at
each support (called the REACTIONS) must be half the total weight on the beam,
as this experiment will show.
Beams which are not symmetrically loaded must still carry the total load at the
supports, but the proportion of the total weight carried by each support will depend
on the weight of each individual load and the position which is occupies along the
beam. A beam may also be subjected to a moment load, M. Imagine that the
beam from the left support and right support has a symmetry load, so the beam
supports load is:
1
2 × Total of Distributed Loading
It can be illustrated as Figure 1.
Figure 1: Distributed load diagram
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2.3 OBJECTIVES
* The objective of the experiment is the reason for which student completing the experiment. Refer
from learning outcomes.
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(2.5 marks)
2.4 ADDITIONAL THEORY
* The additional theory or information must be related to the topic. Please DO NOT simply copy
the theory from lab manual or handout given.
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(5 marks)
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2.5 APPARATUS
* Generally, explain the experimental set up or operation of the system, together with the function
of main components of the apparatus. Attach picture.
(5.0 marks)
Table 1: Beam Reactions Equipment List
No Apparatus Qty
1 Work Panel 1
2 Spring balance brackets with fixings 2
3 Balance stubs with fixings 2
4 Spring Balances 2
5 Beam Balance 1
6 Weight Hangers (10g) 5
7 Weight (10g) 120
Figure 2: Experiment Setup A
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Figure 3: Experiment Setup B
2.6 PROCEDURES
* Describe a systematic procedure of the experiment including the specimen or component,
equipment, and/or methods used. Please DO NOT simply copy the procedure from a lab manual
or a handout given. Student may construct a flow chart for this procedure and attach relevant
image for every important steps.
(10 marks)
Setup A (Point Load Along the Beam)
1. Secure the Work Panel in the vertical position as shown in Figure 2.
2. Adjust the centre hook until the hole in the centre of the beam lines up with
the work panel board hole.
3. Attach the Spring Balance to the upper holes at each end of the beam with
their scales at the ends furthest from the beam. Lift off the Weight Hanger
from the beam but leave one hook at the furthest left hole of the beam (it
will share the same hole as that used by the Spring Balance). Set distance
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB
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A = 0 m and distance to the last hole B = 0.36 m. The length (L) is then
0.36 m. Set the balance scales to zero while it supports the beam’s weight.
4. Place the load 49 × 10 g masses to Weight Hanger A and B, giving a total
(W) of 500 g (4.9 N) on the weight hanger. Adjust the Balance Stubs to
make the beam level. After that, record the reading of spring balances Ra
and Rb.
5. Set up the beam and load apparatus as in Table 2. Move the load from left
to right. Then record the reading of spring balances Ra and Rb.
Note: After each load is applied in the tests described above the weight hanger
supporting the spring balances must be moved so that the beam returns to its
original position, i.e., centre in line with hole (Step 2) and horizontal. The weight
of beam will then be supported by the centre spring and the reactions on the
spring balances will be due to the load only.
Setup B (Uniformly Distributed Load)
1. Secure the Work Panel in the vertical position as shown in Figure 3.
2. Adjust the centre hook until the hole in the centre of the beam lines up with
the work panel board hole.
3. Attach the Spring Balance to the upper holes at each end of the beam with
their scales at the ends furthest from the beam. Lift off the Weight Hanger
from the beam but leave the five hooks at five evenly spaced positions
along the beam. The length (L) is then 0.36 m. Set the balance scales to
zero while it supports the beam’s weight.
4. Place the load 4 × 10 g masses to each Weight Hanger, giving a total (W)
of 50 g on each Weight Hanger and an overall uniformly distributed load
(UDL) of 250 g. Add the five Weight Hangers to the hooks. After that,
record the reading of spring balances Ra and Rb.
5. Set up the beam and load apparatus as in Table 3. Then record the reading
of spring balances Ra and Rb.
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2.7 OBSERVATIONS
* Observe the behavior of subjects that are in a controlled environment. Record any qualitative
observations and notes on the changes to the experimental parameter. Student must be able to
distinguish the different between observations and procedures as well as the results of
experiment.
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(10 marks)
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2.8 RESULT
*Record all experimental data resulting from the experiment and present the results by using
tables, graphs, figures and/or images. List separately all pertinent mathematical equations
followed by a sample of calculation for each. Use the recorded data from the experiment when
performing the calculations.
Table 2: Experimental and theory results (Setup A)
Point Load Along the Beam Load W = 500 g = 4.9 N
L = 0.36 m
A (m)
B (m)
Experimental value Calculated value (theory) Comparison
Ra (N)
Rb (N)
Ra + Rb
(N) Ra (N) Rb (N)
Ra + Rb
(N) Same / Not
same
0.00 0.36
0.06 0.30
0.12 0.24
0.18 0.18
0.24 0.12
0.30 0.06
0.36 0.00
Table 3: Experimental results (Setup B)
Uniformly Distributed Load
Load 1 (g)
Load 2 (g)
Load 3 (g)
Load 4 (g)
Load 5 (g)
Total Load (g)
Total Load (N)
Ra (N)
Rb (N)
Ra + Rb (N)
50 50 50 50 50
100 100 100 100 100
150 150 150 150 150
200 200 200 200 200
250 250 250 250 250
(5 marks)
APPROVED BY
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2.9 CALCULATION
1. Calculate the forces at support Ra and Rb theoretically for Setup A and
Setup B (show calculation method).
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(5 marks)
2. Calculate the total forces (Ra+Rb) for both experimental and theoretically
(show calculation method).
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(5 marks)
Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DAM) STATICS LAB
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2.10 DISCUSSIONS
1. Discuss the value of Ra, Rb and (Ra + Rb) obtained.
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(3 marks)
2. Compare experimental and theoretical value for the point along the beam.
If not same, why?
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(3 marks)
3. If the weight of the beam was an important factor to be considered, how
would you include it in a calculation?
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(4 marks)
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2.11 QUESTIONS
1. Explain the sum of the reaction forces for the point along the beam,
irrespective of where the load is.
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(3 marks)
2. Consider the case where UDL runs from directly under the support to the
centre of the beam. Where could you consider the load to be concentrated?
Would Ra and Rb be equal?
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(3 marks)
3. What type of load would be carried by the beam supporting the roof if a
heavy snow fall lay on a flat roof?
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(4 marks)
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2.12 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
* Summarize the findings of the experiment, which must include the results of the experiment and
the conclusions must respond to the objectives of the experiment that have been specified.
Comment on the error or problems faced throughout the experiment and suggest recommendation
for the improvement.
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(10 marks)
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2.13 REFERENCES
* Provide at least five (5) relevant references – three from the books and the other two from any
other resources.
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(2.5 marks)