Course: Engineering Mechanics Laboratory

Date:

Experiment # 3
Verification of Lami’s Theorem

Aim : To verify Lami’s theorem using Jib Crane apparatus

Apparatus : Jib Crane, Weights, Measuring Scale, Tape

Expt. Length of Tie (LT)

A
Set-up :
Spring Tie
Balance
Jib
Length
Vertical
of
Post
Vertical
Post Spring Pan
(LV) Balance
Length of
Jib (LJ)

Platform

Figure 3.1 Jib Crane set-up

Figure 3.1 shows photograph of the Jib Crane assembly. It consists of a rigidly placed
vertical post which is supported by a supporting member. The bottom end of the post is
connected with an inclined member called as Jib. The top of the Jib and the post are held
together with a chain, called as Tie, to form a triangle.

The Jib and the Tie members are respectively compression and tension carrying
members. Hence, they are fitted with a compression and tension spring balances,
respectively. The Jib Crane is loaded by adding weights in the pan. When loaded, the
assembly represents a coplanar concurrent force system of three forces. The forces in the
jib and tie can be obtained by applying Lami’s Theorem. The forces can also be obtained

graphically.

3.1 | P a g e
Course: Engineering Mechanics Laboratory

Theory : Lami’s theorem states that, “If three coplanar forces acting on a particle, keeps it in

equilibrium, then each force is proportional to the sine of the angle between the other two
forces.” The theorem represents the equilibrium of three forces acting on a rigid body, if they
intersect at a single point.

Consider a coplanar concurrent force system in equilibrium as shown in Figure 3.2.

P2 P1

2 kN

Figure 3.2
To obtain unknown P1 and P2 Equilibrium Equations and Lami’s Theorem can be used.

Using Equilibrium Equations Using Lami’s Theorem

Y
P2 120⁰ P1
P2 120⁰ P1

C C
40⁰ 20⁰
X 130⁰
130⁰ 110⁰ 110⁰

2 kN 2 kN

∑ Fx = 0
P1 Cos 20 – P2 Cos 40 = 0
∑ Fy = 0

P1 Sin 20 + P2 Sin 40 - 2 = 0 ∴ P1 = 1.77 kN

∴ Solving the above two equations,
P2 = 2.17 kN
we get

P1 = 1.77 kN
P2 = 2.17 kN

3.2 | P a g e
Course: Engineering Mechanics Laboratory

Consider the loaded jib crane assembly shown in Figure 3.1, in equilibrium under the effect of
weight in the pan. Let LV, LT and LJ be the lengths of Vertical Post, Tie and the Jib, respectively.
It is known that whenever a body is in equilibrium, every particle on the body is in equilibrium.
Figure 3.3 (a) shows the Free Body Diagram (FBD) of the point A. Various forces acting on the
point A are, namely, the weight (W = weight of pan + weight added in pan), the force in the Tie
(PT) and the force in the Jib (PJ).

PJ LT
A
(180 - )
PT
( - ) (180 - ) LV
LJ

(a) (b)
Figure 3.3 (a) Free body diagram of the connection A, and
(b) Determination of angles , and

Knowing the weight W, analytically the forces PT and PJ can be obtained by applying
Lami’s theorem, i.e.,

PT W PJ
Sin(180 - α) Sin(180 - β) Sin(α- β) (3.1)

where, , and are expressed as

LV2 +LJ2 – L2T

α = Cos -1
(3.2a)
2LV LJ

LT2 +LJ2 - L2V

β = Cos -1
(3.2b)
2LT LJ

LV2 +LT2 - L2J

γ = Cos -1
(3.2c)
2LV LT

The forces in the Tie and Jib can also be obtained graphically by extending the discussion
in the preceding paragraph. As the lengths of the three sides of the Jib Crane are known, the
directions of the forces can be obtained by drawing (to the length scale, for e.g. 1 cm = 1/20
units) the three sides, respectively, as shown in Figure 3.3(a).

3.3 | P a g e
Course: Engineering Mechanics Laboratory

n
LT c o PT
b m
c

LV W
LJ PJ

a l
(a) (b)

Line b-c = Direction of force PT

Line a-c = Direction of force PJ
Figure 3.4 (a) Determination of the directions of forces PT and PJ, (i.e. Space Diagram)
(b) Vector Diagram

As the weight (W) acting at the point (or corner A) and its direction is known, the same
can be represented graphically (to the force scale, for e.g., 1 cm = 10 N) by line o-l as shown
in Figure 3.4(b). Then, lines o-m and l-n are drawn parallel to lines b-c and a-c (of Figure
3.4(a), respectively, to intersect at point c. The lengths o-c and l-c converted to force scale are
the magnitudes of the forces PT and PJ, respectively.

Procedure : i) Measure length of the post (LV).

ii) Note initial readings on the spring balances in the jib and tie without loading the pan.

iii) Place a load (W) on the pan and note final readings on the spring balances of the jib and
tie. Subtract initial readings from this to get the forces in the jib and tie. Also, measure the
lengths (LT) and (LJ).

iv) Repeat above procedure with different weights.

3.4 | P a g e
 Course: Engineering Mechanics Laboratory

Observation Table:
Initial reading in Jib = _____________ (gm-f)
Initial reading in Tie = _____________ (gm-f)

Experimental forces Analytical forces Graphical forces in

Set Length of members Forces in (gm-f)
Load Angles (Deg) Forces in (gm-f)
# (cms) (gm-f)
applied
LJ LT Jib (PJ) Tie (PT) Jib (PJ) Tie (PT) Jib (PJ) Tie (PT)
(gm-f) LV
1
2
3
4

3.5 | P a g e
Course: Engineering Mechanics Laboratory

Sample : [Show sample calculations of the analytical solution for any one set of readings and compare with the
Calculations corresponding graphical and analytical solution.]

Discussion : [The students shall write down their observations about the practical in this section. They shall also write
down any difficulties faced while performing the practical. Moreover, they shall also write down
suggestions (if any) in improving the practical.]

Result(s) & :

Conclusion(s)

Precautions : i) Weights should be added gently.

ii) Apparatus should be well-lubricated.