APPLIED MECHANICS

Shear Force Measurement of Simply

Supported Beam
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(Sep-Dec 2015)

Introduction:
Beams are structural members designed to support loadings applied
perpendicular to their axes. In general, they are long and straight and
have a constant cross-sectional area. They are often classified as to how
they are supported. In this experiment we're going to find out whether the
shear-force on a cut section equals the sum of the forces acting on the
right or left of the section or not.

THEORY:
L2

L1

W1

W2

W3

L3

RA

RB

Shear force at section X-X is

S.F x-x = W1 + W2 + W3 - RA = R

APPARATUS:

A pair of simple supports.

A special beam with a cut section.

A set of weights with several load hangers.

PROCEDURE:
1. Switch on the digital indicator that is connected to the transducer. For
stability of the reading, the indicator must be switched on 10 minutes
before taking readings.
2. Hang the three load hangers to the beam.
3. Note the reading of the locations of the load hangers, i.e., L1, L2 and L3.
4. Note the indicator reading. If it is not zero, press the tare button on the
indicator.
5. Place a desire load on each load hanger and record the value of W 1, W2
and W3.
6. Record the indicator reading (i.e., shear force at the cut section).
7. Repeat Steps 4 7 for another 4 different sets of loading condition.

Results and Discussion:

Load and its distance from the left
support

W1
(N )

L1
(m)

W2
(N )

L2
(m)

W3
(N )

L3
(m)

Shear
force
Experimen
tal, N

10

30

50

3.76

10

10

30

50

3.94

10

10

10

30

50

5.52

10

10

10

30

10

50

6.30

10

10

30

10

50

7.90

Calculation: 5N loading condition

Fx = 0
Fy = 0
RA 5 5 5 + RB = 0 (Eq 1)
RA 15 + RB = 0 (Eq 2)
MA = 0
5(10) + 5(30) + 5(50) RB (100) = 0
RB = 4.5N
When RB = 4.5N .. Substitute in eq 2
RA 15 + 4.5 = 0
RA = 10.5N
Fx = 0
N=0

Fy = 0
10.5 5 5 5 V = 0
V = - 4.5N
= 4.5N

Shear force -

Shear force -

Experimental (N)

Theoretical (N)

3.76

4.50

3.94

5.00

5.52

6.50

6.30

7.50

7.90

9.00

Shear force diagram

For 5N

For 10N, 5N, 5N

For 5N loading condition, the experimental value of shear force is

3.76N and theoretical value is 4.50N. While conducting the experiment,
several precautionary steps had to be taken. First, avoid parallax error
when taking the readings. Secondly, avoid disturbances from the
surroundings such as wind which can affect the readings. For a better
result, equipment should be in a decent shape.

Conclusion:
The test manages to prove the thesis for which this test was carried
out that the shear-force at the cut section of the beam is equal to the
algebraic sum of the forces acting to the left or right of the section.