Applied Mechanics

Lab Report
BSc Mechanical Engineering
Technology UET Lahore KSK Campus

Name Liaquat Ali

Registration No 2018-BET-MECH-12
Department Mechanical Engineering
Table of Contents
Practical No 1 ................................................................................................................................................ 2
Apply two equal concurrent coplanar (Forces) vectors on the “Force Triangle” apparatus to measure
their results and verify it by sketching the triangle rule and parallelogram law and show that
parallelogram becomes a rhombus when drawing according to the scale on paper............................... 2
Practical No 2 ................................................................................................................................................ 5
Apply two unequal concurrent coplanar (Forces) vectors on the “Force Triangle” apparatus to
measure their results and verify it by sketching the triangle rule and parallelogram law and show that
parallelogram becomes a rhombus when drawing according to the scale on paper............................... 5
Practical No 3 ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Apply more than two equal concurrent coplanar (Forces) vectors on the “Funicular polygon force
apparatus” to measure their results and verify it by using the Cartesian coordinate system. ................ 8
Practical No 4 .............................................................................................................................................. 11
Apply more than two unequal concurrent coplanar (Forces) vectors on “Funicular polygon force
apparatus” to measure their results and verify it by using the Cartesian coordinate system. .............. 11
Practical No 5 .............................................................................................................................................. 14
To demonstrate the working of a Toggle joint mechanism and find its mechanical advantages. ........... 14
Practical No 6 .............................................................................................................................................. 17
To measure the moment of inertia of the flywheel. ................................................................................ 17
Practical No 7 .............................................................................................................................................. 19
To determine Grashaf conditions and Grubler equation for Four bar mechanism. ................................. 19
Practical No 8 .............................................................................................................................................. 22
To Study the slider crank mechanism by graphing the crank angle with respect to slider displacement.
................................................................................................................................................................ 22
Practical No 9 .............................................................................................................................................. 24
Measure experimentally forces in the loaded truss and compare with the theoretical values................. 24

1
 Practical No 1
Title:
Apply two equal concurrent coplanar (Forces) vectors on the “Force Triangle” apparatus
to measure their results and verify it by sketching the triangle rule and parallelogram law
and show that parallelogram becomes a rhombus when drawing according to the scale
on paper.

Objectives:
 To find the resultant of two forces experimentally and verify it theoretically
 To apply triangle and parallelogram law successfully
 To verify that the resultant vector of equal forces is the diagonal of a rhombus

Theory:
Law of parallelogram state that if two equal forces act on a body then the resultant will be the diagonal
of parallelogram if two forces taken as the sides of parallelogram and the law of triangle state that if two
forces acting on a body then the results will be the last side of triangle if two forces took as the side of
the triangle.

Apparatus:
1. Force triangle Apparatus
2. Threads
3. Pulleys
4. Center ring
5. Weights of different capacities
6. Wight hangers

2
Procedure:
1. First of all, attach the thread on the three pulleys on the force triangle.
2. Ensure that the pulleys should have frictionless as much as possible for better performance.
3. Attach center ring on the top of the force triangle.
4. Set one pulley as a reference and other attach with an angle of 120 degrees between them and
they made an angle of 30 degrees with x-axis on the force triangle.
5. Attach load on two sides of hangers.
6. According to the position of the thread attach the load weight on the third side to balance the
ring on the center of the table.
7. Change the values of the weights and try the experiment up to six times.
8. Add a 0.5N load of hanger for each reading.
9. Write down all the readings on the table and find out the percentage error of each reading for
better performance.
10. Draw each component of force as a side of a triangle and parallelogram and then try to calculate
the resultant.
11. For theoretical resultant we apply the conditions of equilibrium that are below;
∑Fx = 0 , ∑Fy = 0
-F1x + F2x = 0 F1y + F2y – Ry = 0
-F1cos30° + F2cos30° = 0 F1sin30° + F2sin30° = Ry
here F1 = F2 (Rx=0) Ry = F1sin30° + F2sin30°
Theoretical value of resultant;
R = √𝑹2𝑥 + 𝑹2𝑦

12. For Calculate the % error We used the following formula.

Theoretical − Experimental
% Error = × 100
Theoretical

Observations and calculations

Observations F1(N) F2(N) Resultant % error
Theoretical Experimental
1 2.5 2.5 2.5 3 20
2 5.5 5.5 5.5 6 9.09
3 10.5 10.5 10.5 11.5 8.69
4 15.5 15.5 15.5 17 9.67
5 17.5 17.5 17.5 18 2.85

3
Graph for Theoretical and experiment values
20 18
18 17

16
Theoretical values

14
11.5
12
10
8 6
6
4 3

2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Experimental values

Comments:
Some error is happened due to friction in pulleys and also because of not proper
calibration.

4
 Practical No 2
Title:
Apply two unequal concurrent coplanar (Forces) vectors on the “Force Triangle”
apparatus to measure their results and verify it by sketching the triangle rule and
parallelogram law and show that parallelogram becomes a rhombus when drawing
according to the scale on paper.

Objectives:
 To find the resultant of two unequal forces experimentally and verify it theoretically
 To apply triangle and parallelogram law successfully
 To verify that the resultant vector of equal forces is the diagonal of a rhombus

Theory:
Law of parallelogram state that if two equal forces act on a body then the resultant will be the diagonal
of parallelogram if two forces taken as the sides of parallelogram and the law of triangle state that if two
forces acting on a body then the results will be the last side of triangle if two forces took as the side of
the triangle.

Apparatus:
1. Force triangle Apparatus
2. Threads
3. Pulleys
4. Center ring
5. Weights of different capacities
6. Weight hangers

5
Procedure:
1. First of all, attach the thread on the three pulleys on the force triangle.
2. Ensure that the pulleys should have frictionless as much as possible for better performance.
3. Attach center ring on the top of the force triangle.
4. Set one pulley as a reference and other attach with an angle of 130 degrees between them and
they made an angle of 25 degrees with x-axis on the force triangle.
5. Attach load on two sides of hangers.
6. According to the position of the thread attach the load weight on the third side to balance the
ring on the center of the table.
7. Change the values of the weights and try the experiment up to six times.
8. Add a 0.5N load of hanger for each reading.
9. Write down all the readings on the table and find out the percentage error of each reading for
better performance.
10. Draw each component of force as a side of a triangle and parallelogram and then try to calculate
the resultant.
11. For theoretical resultant we apply the conditions of equilibrium that are below;
∑Fx = 0 , ∑Fy = 0
-F1x + F2x = 0 F1y + F2y – Ry = 0
-F1cos25° + F2cos25° = 0 F1sin25° + F2sin25° = Ry
here F1 = F2 (Rx=0) Ry = F1sin25° + F2sin25°
Theoretical value of resultant;
R = √𝑹2𝑥 + 𝑹2𝑦

12. For Calculate the % error We used the following formula.

Theoretical − Experimental
% Error = × 100
Theoretical

Observations and calculations

Observations F1(N) F2(N) Resultant % error
Theoretical Experimental
1 1.5 2 1.47 1.5 2.04
2 2.5 3 2.32 2.5 7.75
3 4.5 5 4.01 4.5 12.21
4 9.5 10 8.24 9.5 15.25
5 11 10.5 9.5 11.5 26.65

6
Graph for Theoretical and experiment values
14
11.5
12
9.5
10
Theoretical values

6 4.5
4 2.5
1.5
2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Experimental values

Comments:
Air friction, as well as friction of pulleys, cause to get accurate reading also due to
apparatus problems.

7
 Practical No 3
Title:
Apply more than two equal concurrent coplanar (Forces) vectors on the “Funicular
polygon force apparatus” to measure their results and verify it by using the Cartesian
coordinate system.

Objectives:
 To resolve by experiment any suitable combination of three static co planer forces and to
compare the resultant with graphical solution obtain by drawing a triangle polygon of force
diagram.
 To study the equilibrium of more than two coplanar-concurrent forces and the associate
polygon of forces.
 To study the equilibrium of coplanar non-concurrent forces acting on a body.

Theory:
Law of the polygon of forces states that if a number of forces acting on the body and we combine these
forces as a side of the polygon then the closing side which direction is against the other sides will be the
resultant of the polygon.

Apparatus:
1. Funicular polygon Apparatus
2. Ropes
3. Pulleys
4. Center ring
5. Weights of different capacities
6. Weight hangers

8
Procedure:
1. First of all, attach the thread on the four pulleys on the force triangle.
2. Ensure that the pulleys should have frictionless as much as possible for better performance.
3. Attach center ring on the top of the force triangle.
4. Set one pulley as a reference and other attach with an angle of 120 degrees between them and
they made an angle of 30 degrees with x-axis on the force triangle.
5. Attach load on three sides of hangers.
6. According to the position of the thread attach the load weight on the fourth side to balance the
ring on the center of the table.
7. Change the values of the weights and try the experiment up to five times.
8. Add a 0.5N load of hanger for each reading.
9. Write down all the readings on the table and find out the percentage error of each reading for
better performance.
10. Draw each component of force as a side of a polygon and find it resultant theoretically.
11. For theoretical resultant we apply the conditions of equilibrium that are below;
∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0
-F1x + F2x + F3x = 0 F1y + F2y + F3y – Ry = 0
-F1cos30° + F2 + F3cos30° = 0 F1sin30° + F2 + F3sin30° = Ry
here F1 = F2 (Rx=0) Ry = F1sin30° + F2 + F3sin30°
Theoretical value of resultant;

R = √𝑹2𝑥 + 𝑹2𝑦

12. For Calculate the % error We used the following formula.

Theoretical − Experimental
% Error = × 100
Theoretical

Observations and calculations

Observations F1(N) F2(N) F3(N) Resultant % error
Theoretical Experimental
1 1 1 1 2 2.5 25
2 1.5 1.5 1.5 3 3 0
3 2 2 2 6 4 33
4 2.5 2.5 2.5 7.5 6 33
5 4 4 4 11.5 7.5 25

9
Graph for Theoretical and experiment values

Experimental
8
7.5
7

6 6

4 4

3 3
2.5
2

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Comments:
The friction of pulleys causes to get accurate reading also due to apparatus
problem and some other technical issues.

10
 Practical No 4
Title:
Apply more than two unequal concurrent coplanar (Forces) vectors on “Funicular
polygon force apparatus” to measure their results and verify it by using the Cartesian
coordinate system.

Objectives:
 To resolve by experiment any suitable combination of three static co planer forces and to
compare the resultant with graphical solution obtain by drawing a triangle polygon of force
diagram.
 To study the equilibrium of more than two coplanar-concurrent forces and the associate
polygon of forces.
 To study the equilibrium of coplanar non-concurrent forces acting on a body.

Theory:
Law of the polygon of forces states that if a number of forces acting on the body and we combine these
forces as a side of the polygon then the closing side which direction is against the other sides will be the
resultant of the polygon.

Apparatus:
1. Funicular polygon Apparatus
2. Ropes
3. Pulleys
4. Center ring
5. Weights of different capacities
6. Weight hangers

11
Procedure:
1. First of all, attach the thread on the four pulleys on the force triangle.
2. Ensure that the pulleys should have frictionless as much as possible for better performance.
3. Attach center ring on the top of the force triangle.
4. Set one pulley as a reference and other attach with an angle of 120 degrees between them and
they made an angle of 30 degrees with x-axis on the force triangle.
5. Attach load on three sides of hangers.
6. According to the position of the thread attach the load weight on the fourth side to balance the
ring on the center of the table.
7. Change the values of the weights and try the experiment up to five times.
8. Add a 0.5N load of hanger for each reading.
9. Write down all the readings on the table and find out the percentage error of each reading for
better performance.
10. Draw each component of force as a side of a polygon and find it resultant theoretically.
11. For theoretical resultant we apply the conditions of equilibrium that are below;
∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0
-F1x + F2x + F3x = 0 F1y + F2y + F3y – Ry = 0
-F1cos30° + F2 + F3cos30° = 0 F1sin30° + F2 + F3sin30° = Ry
here F1 = F2 (Rx=0) Ry = F1sin30° + F2 + F3sin30°
Theoretical value of resultant;

R = √𝑹2𝑥 + 𝑹2𝑦

12. For Calculate the % error We used the following formula.

Theoretical − Experimental
% Error = × 100
Theoretical

Observations and calculations

Observations F1(N) F2(N) F3(N) Resultant % error
Theoretical Experimental
1 2 1.5 2.5 3.75 4 6.6
2 2.5 2 3 4.75 5.5 15.78
3 3 2.5 3.5 5.75 6.5 13
4 3.5 3 4 6.75 7.5 11
5 4 3.5 4.5 7.75 9.5 22

12
Graph for Theoretical and experiment values

Experimental value
10 9.5

9
8 7.5
6.5
THEOROTICAL VALUE

7
6 5.5

5 4
4
3
2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
EXPERIMENTAL VALUE

Comments:
The friction of pulleys causes to get accurate reading also due to apparatus
problem and some other technical issues.

13
 Practical No 5
Title:
To demonstrate the working of a Toggle joint mechanism and find its mechanical
advantages.

Objectives:
 To find the mechanical advantages of the Toggle joint mechanism theoretically and
experimentally.

Theory:
(1) Toggle joint apparatus:
Toggle joint apparatus is a device which use to evaluate forces within a toggle joint mechanism.
(2) Working:
The load is applied to two pairs of links by hanger suspensions from their connection points. One
end of the links is pivoted to a base, and another end is able to move sideways on low friction
ball bearing wheel
(3) Application:
Using a toggle joint mechanism, we can carry more load than effort.
(4) Mechanical advantage:
Mechanical advantage is the ratio of the force produced by a machine to the force applied to it.

Apparatus:
1. Toggle joint mechanism apparatus
2. Weights
3. Hangers
4. Meter rod

14
Procedure:
1. First of all, set the toggle joint apparatus on the horizontal surface.
2. Then find out the zero error in the load balance.
3. Apply the load on the apparatus and find out the effect of load reading the value on the scale.
4. After that find out the height of the thread in between the two inclined rodes.
5. Then find out the length of the apparatus that also effected through the applied load.
6. Put all the values on the table taken the same units of load and effect.
7. Do all the above procedures almost 5 times.
8. Find out the mechanical advantage as theoretical values and experimental values using the
given formulas.
(Mechanical advantage)
1-Theoretical 2-Experimental
(D/4𝐻) (L/𝐸)
9. For Calculate the % error We used the following formula.

Theoretical − Experimental
% Error = × 100
Theoretical

Observations & calculations:

Sr. Load(L) Effort(E) Height(H) Length Mechanical advantages %Errors
No. (N) (N) (cm) (D)
(cm) Theoretical Experimental
value value

1- 3.36 5.5 17 40.5 0.59 0.61 1.6%

2- 5.56 10.5 16 41.0 0.64 0.52 13%
3- 11.72 15.5 15.5 41.5 0.66 0.75 13%
4- 14.45 20.5 15 42.0 0.70 0.70 0%
5- 17.8 25.5 14.5 42.5 0.73 0.69 5.4%
6- 21.12 30.5 14 43 0.76 0.69 11.8%

15
Graph for Theoretical and experiment values:

Experimental Value
0.8
0.7
THEOROTICAL VALUES

0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
EXPERIMENTAL VALUES

Comments:
Some errors occur due to the zero error of the scale and also because of the horizontal position
of the apparatus.

16
 Practical No 6
Title:
To measure the moment of inertia of the flywheel.

Objectives:
 To measure the moment of inertia of the flywheel.
Theory:
1. Flywheel:
The flywheel is used to store rotational energy when the supply of energy is more than
required, and delivery when the requirement of energy is more than the supplied.
2. Moment of inertia:
A quantity expressing a body's tendency to resist angular acceleration, which is the sum
of the products of the mass of each particle in the body with the square of its distance

from the axis of rotation.

Apparatus:
1. Flywheel apparatus
2. Thread
3. Stopwatch
4. Weight hanger
5. Weight
6. Steel bar

17
Procedure:
1. First of all, attach the thread with the hanger.
2. After that measure the distance of thread with the help of a steel bar.
3. Roll the thread on the flywheel and then attach the weight on the hanger which attaches with
the thread.
4. Grip the stopwatch on your hand and then leave the load and start stopwatch and note the time
until weight gets hit on the ground.
5. Meanwhile again start to the stopwatch and note down the time until flywheel came on their
rest position.
6. Put all the values on the table
7. Do all the above procedures almost 5 times.
8. Calculate the value of a, F and Fa we use the value of (fr=0.5N).
9. Using all the values find out the value of the moment of inertia for each value.
10. For use to find out moment of inertia is given below:
Moment of inertia=Far2/a

Observations & calculations:

Sr no Weight Mass H t(s) t(rs) a=2h/t2 F Fa=F-Fr I=Far2/a
(N) (Kg) (m) (m/s2) =m(g-a) (N) (N.m.s2)
1 1 0.010 0.94 10 27 0.0188 0.98 0.48 0.287
2 2 0.203 0.94 8 104 0.0094 1.98 1.48 0.442
3 3 0.305 0.94 7 124 0.0282 2.98 2.48 0.494
4 5 0.509 0.94 6 132 0.0471 4.96 4.46 0.533
5 8 0.815 0.94 4 150 0.1171 7.74 7.24 0.588

Graph for Theoretical and experiment values:

Moment of Inertia
0.7
0.588
0.6 0.533
0.494
Moment of Inertia

0.5 0.442

0.4
0.287
0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Value of Fa

18
 Practical No 7
Title:
To determine Grashaf conditions and Grubler equation for Four bar mechanism.

Objectives:
 Degree of freedom of Four bar Mechanism
 To Satisfy Grashaf condition

Theory:
1. Four bar Mechanism:
Four bar mechanism is simply a linkage of four bodies caller bar that is connected with
the loop by four joints.
2. Four bar Mechanism Application:
This is also known as mechanical linkage used in bicycle, locking pliers, oil well pumps,
internal combustion engines, etc.
3. Degree of freedom:
The degree of freedom is equal to the number of independent displacements.
4. Gashaf of equation condition:
Degree of freedom=3(L-1)-2J
5. Grumbler Equation:
S+L ≤ P+Q

Apparatus:
1. Four bar Mechanism apparatus
2. Steel rule

19
Procedure:
1. First of all, we set the apparatus on the horizontal position.
2. Then we measure all the distance between the joints.
3. We put the value on the grumbler equation (S+L ≤ P+Q).
4. Gashaf of equation condition also evaluate using the given formula
Degree of freedom=3(L-1)-2J
5. After doing all the above procedures rotate the crank and note down the value of
rotation in the table.
6. According to the crank rotation, we note down the value of rocker displacement on the
table.
7. Do the same procedure almost 4 to 5 times and put the value on the table.

Observation and calculations:

From this formula, we can find degree of freedom.
DOF = 3 (L-1) – 2 J
In this experiment, we know “L” is link and “J” is joint.
Link = 4 Joint = 4
DOF = 3 (4-1) – 2 (4)
DOF = 1
Similarly, Grashof condition is,
S+L≤P+Q
40 + 175 ≤ 70 +150
215 ≤ 220

Sr, No Crank Rotation Rocker Displacement=Q

1 20 6
2 30 9
3 40 14
4 50 18
5 60 24

20
Graph for Theoretical and experiment values:
30

24
25
ROCKER DISPLACEMENT

20 18

14
15

9
10
6

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
CRANK DISPLACEMENT

Comments:
1. In the apparatus there are some friction problems because of this, we face a little bit of
problems during the experiment.
2. Using the apparatus we experimentally observe the four bar mechanisim.

21
 Practical No 8
Title:
To Study the slider-crank mechanism by graphing the crank angle with respect to slider
displacement.

Objectives:
 To Study the slider-crank mechanism by graphing the crank angle with respect to slider
displacement.

Theory:
1. Slider Crank Mechanism:
A slider-crank mechanism is a four-link mechanism with three revolution joints. The
rotation of the crank decided the displacement of the slider.
2. Application:
Slider crank mechanism simply uses in engines where we got the rotatory motion of the
crankshaft from the connecting rod reciprocating motion.

Apparatus:
1. slider crank mechanism
2. Steel rule

22
Procedure:
1. Set the apparatus on the horizontal position.
2. First of all set the crank angle as zero for reference
3. Rotate the crank and note down the angle of the crank on the table.
4. According to the crank angle note down the slider displacement and put it on the table.
5. Do all the above procedures almost four to five times.

Observation and calculations:

Sr,No Crank Angle(Q) Slider Displacement(D)
1 0 0
2 60 18.5
3 120 54.5
4 180 69
5 240 54.5
6 300 19.5
7 360 0

Graph for Theoretical and experiment values:

80
69
70

60 54.5 54.5
Rocker Displacement

50

40

30
18.5 19.5
20

10
0 0
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Crank Shaft

Comments:
1. In the apparatus, there are some friction problems that cause the problem.
2. During the experiment we observe the about rotary and reciprocating motion.

23
 Practical No 9
Title:
Measure experimentally forces in the loaded truss and compare it with the theoretical
values.

Objectives:
 Measure experimentally forces in the loaded truss and compare it with the theoretical
values.

Theory:
1. Roof truss apparatus:
The basic roof truss consists of two rafters or struts and a restraining tie. Both rafters are pivoted
at their apex. The other end of one of the rafters is pivoted to a free-standing base, whilst the
remaining rafter end runs on ball bearings along a track.
2. Application:
Trusses are used in a broad range of buildings, mainly where there is a requirement for
very long spans, such as in airport terminals, aircraft hangers, sports stadia roofs,
auditoriums, and other leisure buildings. Trusses are also used to carry heavy loads and
are sometimes used as transfer structures.

Apparatus:
1. Roof truss apparatus
2. Steel rule
3. Dial caliper
4. Different weights

24
Procedure:
1. First of all, put the roof truss apparatus in the horizontal position.
2. Measure the truss member lengths and note down them.
3. Apply the load in the center of the apparatus using the hook.
4. Check the value of anvil spacing using the dial caliper.
5. Increase the load and note down the value of anvil spacing using the dial caliper.
6. Do the same procedure for almost three different types of load and note down it on the
separate table.

Observation and calculations:

Table (1)
Frame members AB (mm) AC (mm) BC (mm)
Length (mm) 44.2 59 44.2
Initial anvil spacing 6.2 17 9.08
(mm)
Loaded anvil spacing 6.04 17.22 9.03
(mm)
Depletion (mm) -0.16 0.22 -0.05
Table (2)
Frame members AB (mm) AC (mm) BC (mm)
Length (mm) 44.2 59 44.2
Initial anvil spacing 6.2 17 9.08
(mm)
Loaded anvil spacing 6.71 17.4 8.16
(mm)
Depletion (mm) 0.51 0.4 -0.98
Table (3)
Frame members AB (mm) AC (mm) BC (mm)
Length (mm) 44.2 59 44.2
Initial anvil spacing 6.2 17 9.08
(mm)
Loaded anvil spacing 5.36 18.74 8.02
(mm)
Depletion (mm) -0.84 1.74 -1.06
Comments:
1. During the measuring of the anvil, space dial gauge must be aligned with the same position as
member.

25
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