UEME 1132 STATICS

DATE: 16 JUN 2016

NAME

COUR
ID
SE
Lee Kok Feng
CL
15057
35
Leong Mun Kin
CL
15052
74
TAN YI XIANG
CL
15034
31

Ong See Han

CL

Liew Jia Ni

CL

Lai Zheng
Yuan

CL

Title

15016
88
15022
52
15037
25

Shear force & Bending Moment

Objective

To determine the bending moment and shear force of any section.

Introduction:
A beam is a horizontal structural element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by
resisting bending. When an external force exerted on a beam, the force will transferred
internally along the beam which known as shear force. Shear force exist as positive sign
when right hand side tends to slide downwards relative to the left, shear force exist as
negative sign when right hand side tends to slide upwards relative to the left.

Positive Shear

CutW
sec

Negative Shear
M

Shear force, v = Load, W but in opposite directions

Positive Bending Moment

Negative Bending Moment

Bending moment is a resultant moment at a side of the beam. The bending moment is
balanced by an equal and opposite moment exerted by the material of the beam at X,
called the moment of resistance. The bending moment is positive if its effect makes the
beam to sag at the section considered. If the moment tends to make the beam bend
upward or hog at the section, it is negative.

Materials & apparatus:

Procedure:
Part A:
1) 2 edge support on the base of the structural test frame placed between the distances
of 810mm from edge to edge.
2) Shear force apparatus placed on the supports.
3) The beam aligned horizontally by adjusting the screws.
4) A weight hanger placed on the center of the beam which has the distances of
405mm.
5) Horizontal beam alignment step repeated by adjusting the screw.
6) Zero the shear force and bending moment dynamometers.
7) A weights placed to the weights hanger and the shear force and bending reading
observed and recorded.
8) The experiment repeated by using different weights and ensure that horizontal beam
alignment is carried out and dynamometers are zeroed.
Part B:
1) 2 edge support on the base of the structural test frame placed between the distances
of 810mm from edge to edge.
2) Shear force apparatus placed on the supports.
3) The beam aligned horizontally by adjusting the screws.
4) 2 weight hangers placed at a distance of 100m from the supports.
5) Horizontal beam alignment step repeated by adjusting the screw.

6) The weights placed to the weights hangers and the shear force and bending reading
observed and recorded.
7) The experiment repeated by using different weights and ensure that horizontal beam
alignment is carried out and dynamometers are zeroed.

Result:
Part A:
Weight(N
)

Shear
Force(N)
experiment

Shear
Force(N)
calculation

%
error

Bending
Force(N)

Bending
Moment(Nm
) experiment

5
10
15
20

-2.2
-4.0
-6.5
-8.3

-2.5
-5.0
-7.5
-10.0

12.0
20.0
13.3
17.0

3.4
16.8
10.2
13.6

0.60
1.19
1.79
2.38

Bending
Moment(Nm
)
calculation
0.68
1.35
2.03
2.70

%
error

12.0
11.9
11.8
11.9

*Shear force, v are assumed opposite direction to the W, -ve value means v have same direction with W

Distance at the weight hangers from left support

: 0.405m

Distance at the cut section from left support

: 0.27m

Lever arm height

: 0.175m

Part B:
Weight(N
)

Shear
Force(N)
experiment

Shear
Force(N)
calculation

%
error

Bending
Force(N)

Bending
Moment(Nm
) experiment

5
10
15
20

0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0

2.5
5.0
7.4
9.5

0.44
0.88
1.29
1.66

Distance at the weight hangers from supports

: 0.1m

Distance at the cut section from left support

: 0.27m

Bending
Moment(Nm
)
calculation
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00

%
error

12.5
12.5
13.7
16.9

Lever arm height

: 0.175m

Dynamometer reading:
Bending Force exp = Balance reading (g) / 1000 * 9.81
Bending Moment exp = Bending force * Lever arm height
Shear Force exp = Force reading.

Calculation:
Theoretical value:
Part A:

0.27m
M

Ra = Rb --------

to
2Ra = W
Ra = W/2
Fy = 0
v = Ra
v = W/2

0.405m

Rb

Ra

Ra + Rb = W

--------

v = -W/2, assume downward shear force is negative

Mcounterclockwise = Mclockwise
= Fd, F=Ra=W/2, d= 0.27m
= 0.135W

Reaction force, Ra, Rb

Part B:

0.1m
W2

W1 0.1m

M
Rb

Ra

Ra = Rb -------Ra + Rb = 2W -------to
2Ra = 2W
Ra = W

Fy = 0
v = Ra W
v=0
Mcounterclockwise = Mclockwise
= Fd, F= Ra=W, d =0.27m

= 0.1W

Error Analysis:

Percentage error (Shear force) =

Shear force(calcu)Shear force (exp)

100
Shear force (calcu)
%

Part A:

W= 5N
Percentage error =

2.5(2.2)
100 % = 12.0%
2.2

W= 10N
Percentage error =

5 .0(4.0)
100 % = 20.0%
5.0

W= 15N
Percentage error =
W= 20N

7.5(6.5)
100 % = 13.3%
7.5

Percentage error =

10.0(8.3)
100 % = 17%
10.0

Percentage error (Bending moment) =

Bending moment( calcu)Bending moment (exp)

Part A:

W= 5N
Percentage error =

0.680.59
100 % = 12%
0.68

W= 10N
Percentage error =
W= 15N

1.351.19
100 % = 11.9%
1.35

100
Bending moment (calcu)
%

Percentage error =

2.031.79
100 % = 11.8%
2.03

W= 20N
Percentage error =

2.702.38
100 % = 11.9%
2.70

Part B:

W= 5N
Percentage error =

0.50.44
100 % = 12.5%
0.5

W= 10N
Percentage error =

1.000.88
100 % = 12.5%
1.00

W= 15N
Percentage error =

1.501.29
100 % = 13.7%
1.50

W= 20N
Percentage error =

2.0 01.66
100 % = 16.9%
2.00

Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagram:

Part A: Simple beam - Concentrated beam at center

Shear Force Diagram

Shear Force(N)

0
-2

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9

-4

Length(m)

Cut section, x = 0.27m

Bending Moment Diagram

Bending MOment(Nm) 0.5

Length(m)

When W= 5N
Max shear force = 2.5N
Max bending moment= 1.0Nm

Part B: Simple beam Two equal concentrated loads symmetrically placed

Shear Force Diagram

Shear Force(N)

0
-5

0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9

-10

Length(m)

Cut section, x = 0.27m

Bending Moment Diagram

Bending MOment(Nm) 0.2

Length(m)

When W= 5N
Max shear force = 5N
Max bending moment= 0.5Nm

Discussion:

In this experiment, a simple beam used to calculate shear force and bending moment at the certain
point of beam. The shear force measured from the experiment are negative values due to the
assumption of shear force is opposite to the direction of load. There are several internal forces
involves in this experiment which is necessary to balance the external force. These forces are
reaction force, shear force, bending moment. Reaction force, R is the upward force that is equal to
t1he weight but act in opposite direction. Shear force, v is the unaligned force pushing one part of a
body in one direction and another part is pushing to opposite direction. Bending moment, M is the
moment applied by external force which cause the element to bend.
From shear force and bending moment diagram, bending moment and shear force can be observed
at each section of the beam. In part A, simple beam of concentrated load at center, shear force
distributed evenly in two opposite directions. Shear force is zero at the center of the beam. Bending
moment increase from zero at left support and reached maximum at the center then decrease to
zero when its reached right support. In part B, simple beam of two equal load at symmetrically
placed, shear force distributed evenly in two opposite directions. Shear is zero between two loads.
The actual result and theoretical result of shear force and bending moment are different. Percentage
error in this experiment is below 20%. There are some error result moderate percentage error. The
load used in this experiment is concentrated load which means the load distributed over a point.
However, the load is distributed while applying force while will affect the shear force. The beam and
load is shaking during the experiment result the reading of dynamometer keep changing. Human
error such as parallax error during the step of placing load at marked point. Screwing or unscrewing
the beam also affect calibration of the dynamometer.
There are several precaution need to keep in mind to reduce percentage error in this experiment.
Make sure that the beam is stable then take the readings. The mass of the hanger must be reduced
to avoid additional force acting on it. The reading of the shear force dynamometer must be stable
before it is taken. Make sure that in screwing or unscrewing your hand must not disturb the balance
level. Neither put heavy loads first nor over load the beam.
There are some applications of bending moments and shear diagrams are always used by
structural engineers. They obtain the informations of bending moment and use it during work. In

steel beam design, bending moment tells the structural engineer what is the lightest shape I can
use to carry this bending moment. Steel stirrups are always placed at concrete beams.
Nowadays, engineers have to know how the bending moments and shear look like if they do a
moment frame in concrete or steel. Bending moments are always used for the engineers to do
the building, design bridges or boats.
Conclusion:

The greater the load, the greater the bending moment and shear force. The bending moment is
maximum while shear is equal to the zero.

References:
1) Shear Force and Bending Moment. (n.d). Retrieved from
http://www.codecogs.com/library/engineering/materials/shear-force-and-bendingmoment.php
2) America Wood Council. (2007). Beam Design Formulas with Shear and Moment Diagrams.
Structural Analysis R.c Hibbeler 6th Edition. Washington: American Forest & Paper
Association.