UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

Faculty
Course
Year/
Semester
Session

:
:
:

Engineering & Science

ME, MM, MH, BI, CI, CL
Y1S1, Y1S2, Y1S3

201405

Unit Code
Unit Title
Lecturer

:
:
:

UEME1132
Statics
Ms. Lam Foong Sin

Experiment 2: Shear Force and Bending Moment

Objective:
1. To determine the bending moment and shear force at any section
2. To establish relationship between bending moment and shear force at any section.
Introduction
The shear force (F) in a beam at any section, X, is the force transverse to the beam
tending cause it to shear across the section. The shear force at any section is taken as positive
if the right-hand side tends to slide downwards relative to the left hand portion. The negative
force tends to cause the right hand portion to slide upwards relative to the left.
X
W
F

Shear force F = Load W but in opposite directions

The bending effect at any section X of a concentrated load W is measured by the

applied moment Wx, where x is the perpendicular distance of the line of action of W from
section X. This moment is called the bending moment M.
X

M = Wx

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.

For any value of x, the relationship between load W and shearing force F is :W = dF / dx
And the relationship between shearing force and bending moment M is :F = dM / dx

Apparatus and Materials

1. Shear forces apparatus :- 1 set of 80mm x 50mm x 38mm aluminium section with 2
adjustable span support.
2. 1 unit of shear force dynamometer.
3. 2 sets of weight hangers.
4. 1 set of weights.
5. 2m measuring tape.

Experiments
Shear force and bending moment experiment for concentrated load.
1. Set up the 2 edge supports on the base of the structural test frame at a distance of
800mm from edge to edge.
2. Place the shear force apparatus on the supports.
3. Horizontally align the beam by adjusting the screws.
4. Place the weight hanger in the centre of the beam (400mm from the support).
5. Adjust the screws to repeat horizontal beam alignment.
6. Zero the shear force and bending moment dynamometers.
2

7. Place the weights as given in table below and note the shear force and bending.
8. When placing each weight make sure horizontal beam alignment is carried out and the
dynamometers are zeroed.
9. Calculate the percentage error for each set of reading.

Weight

Force

(g)

(N)

Shear
Force
experiment

Shear Force

calculation

error

Bending

Bending

moment

moment

experiment

calculation

%
error

Lever arm height = 100mm

Shear force and bending moment experiment for symmetrical load

10. Set up the 2 edge supports on the base of the structural test frame at a distance of
800mm from the edge to edge.
11. Place the shear force apparatus on the support.
12. Horizontally align the beam by adjusting the screws.
13. Place the weight hangers at a distance of 100mm from the supports.
14. Adjust the screws to repeat horizontal beam alignment.
15. Zero the shear force and bending moment dynamometers.
16. Place the weights as given in the table below and note the shear force and bending
moment values.
17. When placing each weight make sure horizontal beam alignment is carried out and the
dynamometers are zeroed.
18. Calculate the percentage error for each set of reading.

Weight

Force

(g)

(N)

Shear
Force
experiment

Shear Force

calculation

error

Bending

Bending

moment

moment

experiment

calculation

Lever arm height = 100mm

Discussion and conclusion

Comment on the difference in reading between the experimental value and the calculated
value for both shear force and bending moment.

%
error