EXPERIMENT 1 : PROPPED CANTILEVER BEAM

(SUPERPOSITION METHOD)

Introduction
The superposition method makes a highly attractive analytical procedure for obtaining accurate
mathematical solutions to plate vibration problems. This textbook aims to provide a powerful
analytical technique. It begins with a thorough introduction to the superposition method as it applies
to free vibration of thin isotopic rectangular plates, and describes procedures for handling vast
families of realistic practical plate vibration problems. These include orthotropic plates, point-
supported plates and plates with in-plane forces. The reader is subsequently introduced to utilization
of the superposition method for the analysis of thick Midline plates as well as transverse-sheer-
deformable laminated plates. Particular emphasis is placed on plate free vibration analysis, with a list
of pertinent publications attached to each chapter. The text aims to provide a comprehensive,
illustrated description of the means of exploiting the superposition method and to provide readers with
the ability to prepare their own computer schemes and analyse any plate vibration problem on interest.




Objective
To determine the reaction of propped cantilever beam using superposition method.
Apparatus
Apparatus Diagram
A support frame

A pair of moment measuring support
(support type SJ5)

A load hanger

2 dial gauge (0.01 resolution with 10mm
stroke)


Beam specimen with constant depth and
width throughout its length

A meter ruler to measure the span of the
beam

A set of points load and distribution loads



Procedure
1. Bolt the two support (SJ%) to the support frame using the plate and bolt supplied with
the apparatus. The distance between the two supports should be equal to the span of
the beam to be tested.
2. Measure width and depth of specimen and note the readings (take measurement at 3
location and record the average reading)
3. Place the beam specimen on to the support.
4. Fix the load hanger at the mid-span of the beam.
5. Fixed the dial gauge to each support so that the aluminium tube is in a vertical
direction and the end of the dial gauge stroke touches the aluminium tube.
6. Tie a cord through the hole at the bottom side of the aluminium tube of the left
support and pass it through the pulley.
7. Place a load hanger at the end of the cord.
8. Zero the dial gauge reading.
9. Place a suitable load on the load hanger at the centre of the beam and note the
resulting dial gauge reading on the left support.
10. Add small weights to the load hanger at the end of the cord to make the dial gauge
reading zero or close as possible to zero.
11. Record the load at the mid-span and at the end of the cord.
12. Increase the load at mid-span and repeat 9 to 12.
13. When the desired maximum load is reached, decrease the loading on the load hanger
at the same increments as above until loads is removed from the load hanger.


Results
Beam specimen dimension Readings
Span of tested beam, L (mm) 530mm
Distance of applied load from the left support(mm) 265mm



Table 1
Applied load
Point load (N)
Load at pulley Fixed End
Moment Exp.
W*220
(Nmm)
Fixed End
Moment
Theory
(Nmm)
Increasing
Load (N)
Decreasing
Load (N)
Average
Load, W (N)
1 0.6 0.5 0.55 121 -106
2 1.3 1.2 1.25 275 -196.1
3 1.9 1.8 1.85 407 -296.8
4 2.4 2.4 2.4 528 -397.5

Table 2
Applied load
Distribution
Load (N)
Load at pulley Fixed End
Moment Exp.
W*220
(Nmm)
Fixed End
Moment
Theory
(Nmm)
Increasing
Load (N)
Decreasing
Load (N)
Average
Load, W (N)
0.6 1.8 1.8 1.8 396 -212.00
1.2 3.0 3.0 3.0 660 -4525.06
1.8 4.1 4.1 4.1 902 -626.99
2.4 5.2 5.2 5.2 1144 -840.05

DISCUSSION
In this experiment about the superposition method for point load and distribution load we use
1N, 2N, 3N and 4N point load to make the experiment. Before the point load is hanging at the
beam we must check the dial gauge reading is at 0. We must divide the beam into two
sections with same length to put the point load at the beam. After put the point load at the
hanger we have to balance the end of the cord with the suitable load. The same thing does for
the distribution load but distribution load is for all beams do not have to divide by two
sections. The distribution load we use 0.6N/mm, 1.2N/mm 1.8N/mm and 2.4N/mm for the
experiment. Superposition method we must use Macaulay method to find moment and the
slope deflection, yb1 and yb2. The calculation must be does for distribution load and point load
for all load. The moment is in N/mm if distribution load and N for point load. We must do the
graph to know the per cent between the theory data and the experiment data to know the
experiment is good and satisfied.












CONCLUSION

In the conclusion we get the result the theory and experiment have different more than 10%.
So the data is not in good condition. The different between the theory data and the
experiment for the point load data not have many different. Beside that the different data
between theory and experiment for distribution load have many different. The fixed end
moments are reaction moments developed in a beam member under certain load conditions
with both ends fixed. A beam with both ends fixed is statically indeterminate to the 3
rd

degree, and any structural analysis method applicable on statically indeterminate beams can
be used to calculate the fixed end moments.
Many structural analysis methods including the moment distribution method, slope deflection
method and the matrix method make use of the fixed end moments.
The results of experiment with theory is not the same as there are many factors that affect the
current experiment, especially environment experiment. Set up tool also influence the
outcome of experiment and dial gauge readings during self-completion tool not getting the
value 0. Source that caused the error percentage is around condition noisy. Factors affecting
the wind out of the air around the dial gauge readings.


REFERENCE
http://www.scribd.com/doc/89643978/Structure-Lab-3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantilever
https://engineering.purdue.edu/~ce474/Docs/Beam_Examples02.pdf