DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

TECHNOLOGY
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Doornfontein Campus

Title: Experiment 3: Shear Force in a Beam

By

Mpho Matheta
223084928

A Semester 2 Report submitted

in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the module

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS [STRMIB1]

B. ENG TECH (BENG(TECH))
Engineering: Mechanical

LECTURER: Mr. OJ. Kaelo

Date: 19/09/2023
 PLAGIARISM DECLARATION

1. I am aware that plagiarism involves using someone else's thoughts, words,

creations, or other works as one's own. I am aware that plagiarism encompasses
both verbatim copying and the extensive use of someone else's ideas without
appropriate attribution (including the appropriate use of quotation marks). I am
aware that using information obtained from printed sources or the Internet in this
manner constitutes plagiarism.

2. I am aware of the moral wrongness of plagiarism.

3. I am aware that I need to correctly cite my research. I abided by the guidelines for
reference, citation, and the usage of quote marks as outlined in the departmental
guide.

4. Paraphrased or summarized information from other sources has been properly

cited and referenced.

5. Any data, figures, or tables taken from external sources have been appropriately
acknowledged and referenced.

6. My sole effort is this assignment. I understand that it's improper to duplicate an

assignment entirely or partially from another person and that submitting the same
work to many people will be considered plagiarism.

7. I have never let anyone to replicate my work and present it as their own, and I
never will in the future.

Name: Mpho Matheta Student #: 223084928

Signed ………………………………. Date: 09 September 2023

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the lab personnel Mr Williams Thali for his assistance with
this experiment and for demonstrating how to utilize the provided equipment and
guiding us through the experiment. I also want to express my gratitude to the lab
staff for making the experiment's purpose and required steps clear. They helped
us do the experiment and collect the recordings, and they were able to assist me
with the experiment that I did not understand.

I would like to thank my friends which happen to be 2nd and 3rd year students
which helped me in making my lab report since I was totally clueless. I would also
like to thank our tutors AP Dhliwayo, L Nickson, LB Seabata and KT Senyolo who
have thoroughly explained the experiments to us and took us through the
experiment step by step also for providing their previous lab reports which helped
provide me the picture of what I need to do.

Lastly, I would like to thank the sources found online and the textbooks found in
the library which helped me in the theory or background part.

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Table of Contents
THEORY/BACKGROUNDS .................................................................................................. 4
FORMULAS ............................................................................................................................. 5
APPARATUS ............................................................................................................................ 7
PROCEDURE ........................................................................................................................ 11
RESULTS................................................................................................................................ 11
DISCUSSION ......................................................................................................................... 15
CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................... 16
REFERENCES....................................................................................................................... 17

List of Figures
Figure 1: SHEAR FORCE OF A BEAM EXPERIMENT STRUCTURE FRAME .......... 5
Figure 2: APPARATUS............................................................................................................ 7
Figure 3: APPARATUS............................................................................................................ 8
Figure 4: APPARATUS............................................................................................................ 9
Figure 5: APPARATUS.......................................................................................................... 10
Figure 6: SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM 1 ............................................................................ 13
Figure 7: SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM 2 ............................................................................ 13
Figure 8: SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM 3 ............................................................................ 14
Figure 9: SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM 4 ............................................................................ 14
Figure 10: SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM 5 .......................................................................... 15

List of Tables
TABLE 1: RESULTS ............................................................................................................. 12

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OBJECTIVE OF THE EXPERIMENT

• Determining a shear force and comparing it to an experimental value.

• The Shear Force in a Beam experiment aims to examine and comprehend how
shear forces are distributed over the length of a loaded beam.
• Verify Theoretical Concepts: Examine the experimental findings in comparison
to theoretical computations based on mechanics principles, such as equilibrium
equations and shear force diagrams. This supports the theoretical ideas and
equations they represent.
• Examine how various types of loads, such as point loads, distributed loads, or a
mix of loads, affect the shear force distribution along the beam. Understanding
the connection between applied loads and internal forces is aided by this.

THEORY/BACKGROUNDS
The Shear Force in a Beam experiment's theory and background are based on structural
mechanics and statics principles. For engineering design and structural analysis, it is
crucial to comprehend how shear forces develop and change inside a loaded beam (Beer,
Johnston and DeWolf, 2006)
Equilibrium: The experiment is based on static equilibrium principles, specifically the
equilibrium of forces. The vector sum of all forces operating on an item (in this case, a
beam section) must be zero for it to continue to stay in equilibrium, according to Newton's
first law. This is essential knowledge for comprehending how external loads counteract
internal shear forces (Meriam and Kraige, 2002)
In a typical shear force in a beam experiment, different loads are applied to the beam, the
resulting shear forces are measured at various points, and shear force diagrams are
created. Participants get a deeper grasp of how shear forces originate within loaded
beams and how they are used for structural analysis and design by contrasting
experimental results with theoretical calculations. This experiment is crucial to the
teaching of structural engineering and to real-world applications (Hibbeler and Nolan,
1997)
The Shear Force in a Beam definitions and terminology:
• Support – Refers to a structural component or mechanism that prevents a beam,
column, or an entire structure from moving or shifting.
• Acquisition – Phrase used to describe the act of acquiring something, usually
through a conscious effort or activity, in many settings.
• Gauge – Refer to a measuring instrument or device used to determine the
dimensions, size, thickness, or quantity of an object or substance.
• Hanger – A hanger can be a device or structure used to suspend or support
something.
• Increments - Refers to small, typically equal, and measured amounts by which
something is increased or changed.

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 • Tabulate - To arrange and present data or information in a systematic and
organized manner, typically in the form of tables, charts, or lists.

The following figure (Figure 1) displays the similar schematic design The Structure Test
Frame (STR3) Hardware with the Shear Force Beam utilized for this experiment for
understanding purposes. It provides some components labelled in their positions.

Figure 1: Shear Force of a beam experiment structure frame.

FORMULAS

The general equation to calculate the Shear Force.

𝑊 .𝑎
𝑆𝑓 =
𝑙
Where:
W = Weight (load applied to the beam in Newton
a = Distance from the left support to the load (not the cut) in metres
l = Total length between two reactions in metres

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To determine the Weight (N).
𝒘 = 𝒎𝒈
Where:
m = Mass (kg)
g = Gravitational Acceleration (m/s2).

To determine the length from the left support to where the weight is
hanged (a).
𝒂=𝑳−𝑫−𝒅
Where:
L = Total Length.
D = Distance from Right Support to the cut.
D = Distance between the hanged weight and the cut.

To find the percentage error.

|𝑬 − 𝑻|
% 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
|𝑻|

Where:
E = Experimental Value
T = Theoretical Value

To Find Reaction A:

𝑹𝑨 × [(𝒍 − 𝒂) + 𝒂] = 𝑾 × (𝒍 − 𝒂)
Where:
a = The length from the left support to where the weight is hanged.
l = Total length
W = Weight

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To Find Reaction B:

𝑹𝑩 × [𝒂 + (𝒍 − 𝒂)] = 𝑾 × (𝒂)
Where:
a = The length from the left support to where the weight is hanged.
l = Total length
W = Weight

APPARATUS

Figure 2: APPARATUS

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 Cut

ROLLING PIVOT
BEAM

PIVOT

Digital Force
Display

Figure 3: APPARATUS

8
 HANGER

500g Mass

400g Mass
300g Mass

200g Mass

100g Mass

Figure 4: APPARATUS

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 SECURING
THUMBSCREW

Supporting Reaction

Figure 5: APPARATUS

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 PROCEDURE
1. The equipment was set up such that the cut was 40 mm from the right support.
2. The force gauge was zeroed afterwards the weights were hung.
3. The total distance between two supports was measured (Total l).
4. A mass hanger with 100 g mass was placed at 50 mm from the cut and then the force
was measured.
5. The procedure was repeated with 100g mass increments until 500g.
6. The distance from the left support to the mass hanger was measured (Measure a).
7. Results were tabulated as follows:

RESULTS

Mass, Weight, N Measured Calculated Percentage Reaction A Reaction B

kg Shear Shear Force Error (%) (RA) N (RB) N
Force (N) (N)
0.1 𝒘 = 𝒎𝒈 0.6 N 𝒂=𝑳−𝑫−𝒅 % 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 𝑹𝑨 × [(𝒍 − 𝒂) + 𝒂]
= 𝑾 × (𝒍 − 𝒂)
𝑹𝑩 × [𝒂 + (𝒍
− 𝒂)] = 𝑾 × (𝒂)
|𝑬 − 𝑻|
= (𝟎. 𝟏) 𝒂
= 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 − 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓
= a = 0.25m a = 0.25m
|𝑻|
× (𝟗. 𝟖𝟏) × 𝟏𝟎𝟎% l = 0.44m l = 0.44m
𝒂 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 𝒎
= 0.98 N =
|𝟎. 𝟔 − 𝟎. 𝟓𝟓𝟔𝟖| 𝑹𝑨 × (𝟎. 𝟏𝟗 + 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓)
= 𝑾 × 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗
𝑹𝑩 × (𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 + 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗
= 𝑾 × 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓
𝑾 .𝒂 |𝟎. 𝟓𝟓𝟔𝟖|
𝑺𝒇 = × 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗𝑾 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝑾
𝒍 𝐑𝐀 = 𝐑𝐁 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝑺𝒇 = 7.76%
𝟎. 𝟗𝟖 × 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗 × 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖
𝐑𝐀 = 𝐑𝐁 =
= 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝑹𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟐𝟑𝟏𝟖𝟐 𝑵 𝑹𝑩 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟓𝟔𝟖𝟐 𝑵
𝑺𝒇 = 0.5568 N

𝟎. 𝟏𝟗𝑾 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝑾
0.2 𝒘 = 𝒎𝒈 1.2 N 𝒂 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 𝒎 % 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓
𝐑𝐀 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝐑𝐁 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝑾 .𝒂 |𝑬 − 𝑻|
= (𝟎. 𝟐) =
× (𝟗. 𝟖𝟏) 𝑺𝒇 = |𝑻| 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗 × 𝟏. 𝟐 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟏. 𝟐
𝒍 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝐑𝐀 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝐑𝐁 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒

= 1.96 N 𝑺𝒇 𝑹𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟏𝟖𝟏𝟖𝟐𝑵 𝑹𝑩 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟖𝟏𝟖𝟐 𝑵

|𝟏. 𝟐 − 𝟏. 𝟏𝟏𝟑𝟔|
𝟏. 𝟗𝟔 × 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 =
= |𝟏. 𝟏𝟏𝟑𝟔|
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%

𝑺𝒇 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟏𝟑𝟔 N = 7.76%

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 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗𝑾 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝑾
0.3 𝒘 = 𝒎𝒈 1.7 N 𝒂 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 𝒎 % 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓
𝐑𝐀 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝐑𝐁 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝑾 .𝒂 |𝑬 − 𝑻|
= (𝟎. 𝟑) =
× (𝟗. 𝟖𝟏) 𝑺𝒇 = |𝑻| 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗 × 𝟏. 𝟕 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟏. 𝟕
𝒍 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝐑𝐀 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝐑𝐁 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒

= 2.94 N 𝑺𝒇 |𝟏. 𝟕 − 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕𝟎𝟓| 𝑹𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟑𝟒𝟎𝟗𝟎 𝑵 𝑹𝑩 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟔𝟓𝟗𝟏 𝑵

𝟐. 𝟗𝟒 × 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 =
= 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕𝟎𝟓
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%

𝑺𝒇 = 1.6705 N = 7.77%

𝟎. 𝟏𝟗𝑾 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝑾
0.4 𝒘 = 𝒎𝒈 2.3 N 𝒂 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 𝒎 % 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓
𝐑𝐀 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝐑𝐁 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝑾 .𝒂 |𝑬 − 𝑻|
= (𝟎. 𝟒) =
× (𝟗. 𝟖𝟏) 𝑺𝒇 = |𝑻| 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗 × 𝟐. 𝟑 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟐. 𝟑
𝒍 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝐑𝐀 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝐑𝐁 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒

= 3.92 N 𝑺𝒇 |𝟐. 𝟑 − 𝟐. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟐| 𝑹𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟗𝟑𝟏𝟖𝟐 𝑵 𝑹𝑩 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟎𝟔𝟖𝟐 𝑵

𝟑. 𝟗𝟐 × 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 =
= |𝟐. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟐|
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%

𝑺𝒇 = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟐 N = 3.27%

𝟎. 𝟏𝟗𝑾 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝑾
0.5 𝒘 = 𝒎𝒈 2.9 N 𝒂 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 𝒎 % 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓
𝐑𝐀 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝐑𝐁 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝑾 .𝒂 |𝑬 − 𝑻|
= (𝟎. 𝟓) =
× (𝟗. 𝟖𝟏) 𝑺𝒇 = |𝑻| 𝟎. 𝟏𝟗 × 𝟐. 𝟗 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟐. 𝟗
𝒍 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝐑𝐀 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒
𝐑𝐁 =
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒

= 4.9 N 𝑺𝒇 |𝟐. 𝟗 − 𝟐. 𝟕𝟖𝟒𝟏| 𝑹𝑨 = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟓𝟐𝟐𝟕𝟑 𝑵 𝑹𝑩 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟒𝟕𝟕𝟑 𝑵

𝟒. 𝟗 × 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 =
= |𝟐. 𝟕𝟖𝟒𝟏|
𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%

𝑺𝒇 = 𝟐. 𝟕𝟖𝟒𝟏 N = 4.16%

Table 1

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SKETCH OF THE SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM
(a) For W=0.98N

Figure 6: SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM 1

(b) For W=1.2N

Figure 7: SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM 2

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(c) For W=1.7N

Figure 8: SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM 3

(d) For W=2.3N

Figure 9: SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM 4

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 (e) For W=2.9N

Figure 10: SHEAR FORCE DIAGRAM 5

DISCUSSION

Our main goal in doing this experiment was to learn more about the distribution of
shear forces along a loaded beam. A simply supported beam, a typical structural
component in many engineering applications, was utilized in the design.

The shear force distribution is directly impacted by how we distributed the weight on
the beam. The sum of the vertical forces and moments acting on the beam should be
zero in accordance with the concepts of static equilibrium. This is mathematically
represented as:
ΣFy = 0 (Sum of vertical forces is zero)
ΣM = 0 (Sum of moments of any point is zero)
These equations help determine how shear forces vary along the length of the beam.
We compared our experimental findings to theoretical calculations based on structural
engineering theories to validate them. The following are well-known formulae for the
shear force distribution in a simply supported beam with a point load:

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 𝑾 .𝒂
𝑺𝒇 =
𝒍
Where:
W = Weight (load applied to the beam in Newton
a = Distance from the left support to the load (not the cut) in metres
l = Total length between two reactions in metres.
The little differences between our experimental results and this theoretical prediction
can be attributed to measurement mistakes and material characteristics.

We came into some potential causes of inaccuracy during the experiment, including
calibration issues with the measuring equipment and load application uncertainties. The
little discrepancies between our experimental and theoretical results could have been
caused by these sources of inaccuracy.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our experiment effectively showed how shear forces are distributed
within a beam that is only partially supported when it is subjected to a point load. The
results closely matched theoretical predictions, highlighting how crucial it is for
structural engineers to comprehend shear forces. Designing secure and safe structures
requires an understanding of this information.

I advise using more accurate measurement tools and taking differences in material
qualities into account to increase the accuracy of such investigations. To further
understand structural behavior, future study might examine shear force distributions
for various beam types, loads, and boundary conditions.

Throughout the experiment, safety procedures were meticulously followed to avoid

mishaps or equipment damage. Securing the beam and weight, using the proper PPE,
and adhering to laboratory safety procedures were some of these safeguards.

In conclusion, the results of our shear force in a beam experiment closely matched
theoretical predictions and offered useful insights into the behavior of loaded beams.
This information supports the theoretical underpinnings of structural engineering and
its real-world applications.

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REFERENCES

Ballermann, B.J., Dardik, A., Eng, E. and Liu, A., 1998. “Shear stress and the
endothelium”. Kidney International, 54, pp.S100-S108.

Beer, F.P., Johnston Jr, E.R., DeWolf, J. and Mazurek, D.F., 2001. Stress and strain–
Axial loading. Plant J, ed. Mechanics of Materials, 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill,
pp.48-57.

Beer, F., Johnston Jr, E., DeWolf, J., & Mazurek, D. (2006). “Deflection of beams".
Mechanics of materials.

Beer, F.P., Johnston Jr, E.R., DeWolf, J.T. and Oler, J.W, 2002. "Mechanics of
Materials": Pure Bending.

Hibbeler, R.C. and Nolan, G., 1997. Structural analysis. Upper Saddle River^ eNew
Jersey New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Structural Analysis (9th Edition)

Meriam, J. L., and L. G. Kraige.,2002,"Engineering Mechanics Statics

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