UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA

Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS

STATICS/DYNAMICS LABORATORY
LAPORAN MAKMAL/LABORATORY REPORT
Kod M/Pelajaran/ ENGINEERING
BDA 17001
Subject Code LABORATORY I
Kod&TajukUjikaji/
Code & Title of Experiment
KodKursus/ Seksyen/Section
Course Code
No. K.P / I.C No.
Kumpulan/Group
NamaPelajar/Name of No. Matrik
Student
Lecturer/Instructor/Tutors 1.
Name 2.
NamaAhli Kumpulan/ No.
Penilaian / Assesment
Group Members Matrik
1. Teori / Theory 10 %
Keputusan /
2. 15 %
Results
Pemerhatian
3. 20 %
/Observation
Pengiraan /
4. 10 %
Calculation
Perbincangan /
5. 25 %
Discussions
TarikhUjikaji / Kesimpulan /
15 %
DateULASAN PEMERIKSA/COMMENTS
of Experiment Conclusion
TarikhHantar / Rujukan /
5%
Date of Submission References
JUMLAH / TOTAL 100%

COP DITERIMA/APPROVED
STAMP
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

COURSE INFORMATION

COURSE TITLE: ENGINEERING LABORATORY I (BDA 17001)

TOPIC 3: EQUILIBRIUM OF A RIGID BODY

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.

2. OBJECTIVES

The objective of this experiment is to show the totals of distributed load may
be considered as equivalent concentrated load acting on the beam at the
centre of gravity and the reactions of the support for the beam can be
calculated by applying the principle of moments.

3. LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this topic, the students will be able to display basic skills and
knowledge of equilibrium of rigid body using laboratory equipments, analyze
observable data obtained from equilibrium of rigid body experiment properly,
work effectively in a group through laboratory experiment and presentation,
and demonstrate comprehension of the general ideas of the topic through
written report that comply with specified standards.

4. 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

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Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

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 symmetrical load, so the beam
supports load is:

1
Total of Distributed Loading
2

It can be illustrated as below:

Figure 1: Distributed Load

4.1 ADDITIONAL THEORY

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 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

5. EQUIPMENTS

Table 1: Beam Reactions Equipment List

No. Apparatus Label Qty.
1 Beam assembly EX8 1
2 Spring P20 1
3 Nuts 3
4 Adjustable hooks P6 3
5 Lightweight hook 0.1N P11 4
6 Spring balances 10N P8 2
7 Load Set 2N, 5N P7 5
8 Weight hooks 20g P10 3
9 Distributed load EX8A 2

6. PROCEDURES

1. Secure the mounting panel in the vertical position as shown in

Figure 2.
P6 P6 P6

P7 P10

Figure 2: Equipment Setup

2. Adjust the centre hook until the hole in the centre of the beam
lines up with the 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 and hang
over the remaining two adjustable hooks.
4. Adjust the balance support hooks so that the large hole in the
centre of the beam coincides with hole (Step 2) and the beam is
horizontal. (Set the balance scales to zero).

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 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

5. Measure and record the weight of concentrated load EX8A by

using digital scales. Change the unit from grams to Newton.
6. Set up the beam and load as shown in Figure 3.3a.
7. Place the load 5N to 0.1N weight hook as shown in Figure 3.3a.
After that, record the reading of spring balances Ra and Rb.
8. Set up the beam and load as shown in Figure 3.3b until 3.3i.
Then record the reading of spring balances Ra and Rbfor each
diagrams..
9. Note: After each load is applied in the tests described above the
hooks 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 only
to the load.

6.1 TESTING FIGURES

All dimensions are in millimetres (mm) and all weights are in Newton (N).

5.1 N

EX 8A EX 8A

250 150 100 100 150

250

RA RB RA RB
Figure 3a Figure 3b

5.1
2.1 2.1 5.1
EX 8A EX 8A

150 100 100 150 50 100 100 250

RA RB RA Figure 3d RB
Figure 3c
2.1 2.1

EX 8A EX 8A EX 8A

50 100 100 100 150 50 100 100 100 100 50

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RA RB 6 RA RB
 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Figure 3f Figure 3g

5.1
2.1 2.1 2.1
EX 8A EX 8A EX 8A EX 8A

50 100 100 100 50 50 50 25 100 25 100 50 50 50 50 50

RA RB RA RB
Figure 3h Figure 3i

0.1 N

Figure 4

Consider the beam loaded by the force W. This indicates a point load (Fig. 4)
and is applied to the beam by adding weights to a weight hook and hooking
into hole in the lower row of the beam.

EX 8A

Figure 5

Distributed load (Fig. 5) was applied to the beam by placing the groove over
the top edge of the beam.

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Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Figure 6

This indicates a reaction at a support (Fig. 6) and is measured with a spring

balance hooked into the hole in the top row of the beam.

7. RESULTS

1. Record experimental result in Table 2.

2. Calculate the forces at support Ra and Rbtheoretically for each test.
[Show calculation method]
3. Calculate the total forces (Ra + Rb) for both experimental and
theoretically.[Show calculation method]
Table 2: Results

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 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Weight of EX8A :2.66 N

* Data sheet must approved by the instructor

Comparison
Experimental value Calculated value (theory)
Test
Ra Rb Ra + Rb Ra Rb Ra + Rb Same /
(N) (N) (N) (N) (N) (N) Not same

Figure
2.55 2.55 5.10 2.55 2.55 5.10 Same
3.1

Figure
2.65 2.65 5.30 2.66 2.66 5.32 Not same
3.2

Figure
5.15 5.15 10.30 5.21 5.21 10.40 Not same
3.3

Figure
5.90 2.15 8.05 5.91 3.39 9.30 Not same
3.4

Figure
3.15 2.15 5.30 3.19 2.12 5.31 Not same
3.5

Figure
4.40 5.05 9.45 4.45 5.06 9.51 Not same
3.6

Figure
2.50 6.95 9.45 3.70 6.33 9.70 Not same
3.7

Figure
6.55 5.95 12.5 6.90 7.97 14.87 Not same
3.8

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 UNIVERSITI TUN HUSSEIN ONN MALAYSIA
Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

8. CALCULATION

Figure 3.1

Ra = Rb = P/2
When P = 5.1,
P/2 = 5.1/2
= 2.55

Figure 3.2

Ra = Rb =2(EX8A) . (2C+B)
2(L)
= 2(2.66) . (2(150)+200)
2(500)
= 5.32 .(500)
1000
= 2.66

Figure 3.3

Ra = Rb = P/2
When P = 5.1,
P/2 = 5.1/2
= 2.55

Ra = Rb = 2(EX8A) . (2C+B)
2(L)
= 2(2.66) . (2(150)+200)
2(500)
= 5.32 .(500)
1000
= 2.66

Ra = Rb = 2.55 + 2.66 = 5.21

Figure 3.4

Ra = P1 (l - a) + P2(l - b) + P3C
L
=2.1(500 - 50) +2.1(500 -150) + 5.1(250)
500
= 5.91

Rb = P1a + P2b + P3(l - c)

l
= 2.1(50) + 2.1(150) + 5.1(500 - 250)

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Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

500
= 3.39

Figure 3.5

Ra = w1a(2l - u) + w2c2
2l
= 2.66(2(350) + 100)+ 2.66(2(150)+100)
2(500)
= 3.192

Rb= 2.66 (2(250) + 100) + 2.66 (2(50) + 100)

1000 1000
= 2.66 (600) + 2.66 (200)
1000 1000
= 1.596 + 0.532
= 2.128

Figure 3.6

Ra = 2.1(500 - 250) + 2.1(50) + 2.66(2(350) + 100)+ 2.66(2(150)+100)

500 2( 500)
= 1.26 + 3.19
= 4.45

Rb = 2.1(250) + 2.1(450) + = 2.66 (2(250) + 100) + 2.66 (2(50) + 100)

500 1000 1000
= 2.94 + 2.128
= 5.06

Figure 3.7

Ra = 2.1(50) + 2.1(150) + 2.66(2(250)+100) + 2.66(2(50)+100)

400 800
= 3.705
Rb = 2.1(250) + 2.1(450) + 2.66(2(250)+100) + 2.66(2(50)+100)
400 800
=6.335

Figure 3.8

Ra = 5.1(100) + 2.1(50) + 2.66(2(50)+100) + 2.66(2(275)+100)

250 500
= 6.9
Rb = 5.1(150) + 2.1(300) + 2.66(2(100)+100) + 2.66(2(50)+100)
250 500
=7.974

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Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

9. OBSERVATIONS

In the figure 3.1, the load of 5.1N was added at the middle of beam
with distance 250mm from the left and right. Then we found that the reading
of Ra and Rb are equal.
In the figure 3.2, the two distributed load were put at the middle of the
beam with distance 150mm from the spring balance both side. Then we
found that the reading of spring balance of spring balance Ra and Rb are
equal but a little bit different with reading in figure 3.1 .
In the figure 3.3, the load of 5.1N and two distributed load were put at
the middle of beam. Then, we found that the reading of Ra and Rb are equal
and it is greater than reading in the figure 3.1 and 3.2 .
In the figure 3.4, the load of 2.1N was put at distance 50mm and
150mm from Ra and the load of 5.1N at 250mm from Rb. Then, we found
that the reading of spring balance Ra is larger than Rb. It is mean that the
beam is not in the equilibrium.
In the figure 3.5, the two distributed load were put at 50mm from Ra
and 150mm from Rb. Then, we found that the reading of Ra is larger than
Rb. It is mean beam is not equilibrium because the load of Ra more than Rb.
In the figure 3.6, the two load of 2.1N were put at middle of beam and
it was 50mm from Rb and the load of two distributed load were put at the
50mm from Ra and150mm from Rb. Then we found that the reading of Rb is
larger than Ra. It is mean that the beam is not in equilibrium where the load
Rb larger than Ra.
In the figure 3.7, the spring balance of Rb was changed. Rb was put at
100mm from the end of right side but the Ra remain unchanged. When the
load of two 2.1N were put at middle of distributed load and 50mm to the right
of Rb. The load of two distributed load were put at the 50mm from Ra and
50mm to the left of Rb. Then we found that the reading of Rb is larger than
Ra.
In the figure 3.8, spring balance Rb remains unchanged as figure 3.7
but spring balance Ra changed to 150mm from end of left side. First
distributed load was put 25mm from left side of Ra. While second distributed
load was put 50mm from left side of Rb. Then, the load of 2.1N was put
50mm from right side of Rb. We found that the reading of Ra is larger than
Rb.

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Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

10. DISCUSSIONS

1. Discuss the value of Ra, Rb and (Ra + Rb) obtained.

The value of Ra and Rb was obtained based on the equilibrium of the

beam. The value of Ra and Rb are equal when the beam in
equilibrium and vice versa. Furthermore, the value of (Ra + Rb)
obtained based on the value Ra and Rb. The larger the value of (Ra +
Rb) the larger the value of Ra or Rb or both.

2. Compare experimental and theoretical value. If not same, why?

Most of the values of experimental and theoretical value are not same.
This is because some error happened when the experiment was
conducted. Firstly, wind error where when we take the reading of
spring balance, the reading was moved up and down so the reading
obtained not too accurate. Secondly, apparatus error where most of
the apparatus that we used in this experiment is old apparatus, so the
reading also not too accurate. For example of apparatus error is the
elasticity of spring balance was decreased, so the reading obtained
must higher than original reading.

3. Explain how are the steps to study and analyze a beam. What
must be known first before we study a beam?

The steps to study and analyze a beam areanalyzing the weight of the
beam and the distances between hole-to-hole. First thing we must
know before we study a beam is that we know the law of rigid body
and all its equation.

10.2 QUESTIONS

1. What is the principle used to obtain the value of Ra and Rb?

Force balance and momentum balance.

2. 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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Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

3. What type of load would be carried by the beam supporting the roof if
a heavy snow fall lay on a flat roof?

Point or concentrated load.

11. CONCLUSION

Deduce conclusions from the experiment. Please comment on your

experimental work in terms of achievement, problems faced throughout the
experiment and suggest recommendation for improvement

From the experimental work, experimental value for figure 3.1 is same
as theoretical value but the rest of figure are not same.
During handle this experiment, we have problems.Firstly, wind error
where when we take the reading of spring balance, the reading was moved
up and down so the reading obtained not too accurate. Secondly, apparatus
error where most of the apparatus that we used in this experiment is old
apparatus, so the reading also not too accurate. For example of apparatus
error is the elasticity of spring balance was decreased, so the reading
obtained must higher than original reading.
To overcome this problem, windows and fans must turn off to avoid
error during reading and replace old apparatus with new one to get an
accurate reading.

12. REFERENCES

-ENGINEERING MECHANICS STATICS TENTH EDITION R. C.

HIBBELER.

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