EXPERIMENT NO.

AIM:
To verify the equilibrium of coplanar parallel forces with the help of beam reaction apparatus.

.
THEORY
Proposition 1: Condition of equilibrium. (∑magnitude of parallel forces =0)
If a system of coplanar parallel forces acting on a body keeps it in equilibrium then the
algebraic sum of magnitudes of the constituent force of the system is zero.
General concept structure:

Coplanar parallel forces

Equilibrium

Magnitude of parallel forces =0

Proposition 2: condition of equilibrium (moments of all parallel forces @ any point = 0)

If a system of coplanar parallel forces acting of body keeps it in equilibrium , than the
algebraic sum of moments of all the parallel forces about any point is zero
General concept structure:

Coplanar parallel equilibrium ∑Moments of all parallel

Force system Forces @ any point = 0

APPARATUS:
Beam Reaction apparatus, weights, weight hanger, string, meter scale and hooks.

DIAGRAM:
STEPWISE PROCEDURE:
1. Keep the Beam Reaction Apparatus on the table.
2. Measure the length of beam (span of a beam) between centres of two supports and note it
in observations.
3. Measure the length of graduated parts of beam and note it in observations.
4. Determine least count of scale at supporting column indicating reaction of beam and note it
in observations.
5. Note initial reactions as IRA and IRB at support A (left) and B (right) respectively with no load
acting on beam and record it in observations.
6. Apply loads as parallel forces to hooks at any three locations and designating them as W1,
W2 and W3 starting from left. Record magnitudes in observation table.
7. Measure the distances of these parallel forces W1, W2, and W3 from left support as X1, X2,
and X3 respectively. Record distances in observation table.
8. Read the reactions at supports without removing forces W1, W2, and W3. Record them as
final reactions FRA AND FRB at support A (left) and B (right) respectively in observation table.
9. Repeat the step 6, 7 and step 8 by changing magnitudes of forces and their position and take
two more set of readings and record them in observation table.

OBSERVATIONS:
1. Length of Beam (span) =L =.....................mm.
2. Length of each graduated part = L / (No. Of parts) = .............../............=...............
3. Least county of scale on supporting column =..............N
4. Initial reaction at left support A =IRA = ...................N
5. Initial reaction at right support B =IRB = ..................N
Table for calculation of reaction at support

Sr. No. Parallel Distances of Observed reactions at

Forces W1, W2 support in “N”
(loads) in “N” and W3 Support A Support B
from left
support “A”
in mm
W1 W2 W 3 X1 X2 X3 FRA RA=(FRA- FRB RB =
IRA) (FRB-
IRB)
1
2
3

CLACULATIONS:
For Reading no. ....................
Reaction at support “A”, = (FRA –IRA) =.............. - ................ = ..............N
Reaction at support “B”, = (FRB –IRB) =.............. - ................ = ..............N
Algebraic sum of magnitudes all parallel forces:
 - ve
+ ve
∑Magnitude of parallel forces =.....................................................
∑ FY = ........N
Algebraic sum of moment of all parallel forces about point say “P”
Sign convention: Clockwise moments ------ +ve
Anti-Clockwise moments ------- -ve
∑Moments of parallel forces @ point “P” =∑ Mp
∑ Mp =.............................................................
=...............................................................

RESULT:
∑ Fy =.............................................................
∑ Mp =.............................................................

CONCLUSION:
For a system of parallel forces in equilibrium, the algebraic sum of all parallel forces is
........................................................... (equal to zero / nearly equal to zero).

For a system of parallel forces in equilibrium, the algebraic sum of moment of all parallel forces
about any point is........................................................... (equal to zero / nearly equal to zero).