TABLE OF CONTENT

NO.

CONTENT

PAGE

1.0

OBJECTIVE

2.0

THEORY BACKGROUND

3.0

APPARATUS

4.0

PROCEDURE

5.0

RESULTS

6.0

CALCULATION

7-8

7.0

DISCUSSION

9-10

8.0

CONCLUSION

11

9.0

REFERENCES

12

1.0 OBJECTIVE
i.

To determine the reaction of a two-span continuous beam.

ii.

To determine the supporting force.

iii.

To describe the behaviour of continuous composite beams

iv.

To explain the use of rigid-plastic analysis

v.

To determine internal moments and forces

vi.

To derive plastic resistance moments.

vii.

To find the shear force diagram and bending moment diagram for a given
continuous beam.

2.0 THEORY BACKGROUND

Typical reaction at the support of a continuous beam is as shown below. A beam is a
horizontal structural element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by resisting
bending, bending moments are the bending forces induced to the material as a results
of external load/s and due to its own weight over the span. We are now ready to define
a continuous beam is a beam that is supported by more than two supports
Continuous are mainly used in high risk structures like bridges and buildings as the
supports are strong enough to withstand heavy loads. The following are some of the
advantages and disadvantages of continuous beams (just to name the few),
Advantage/s:
1. Has more vertical load capacity can support a very heavy load/s
2. Deflection at the middle of the span is minimal as opposed to simple supported
beams.
Disadvantage/s:
1. Difficult analysis and design procedure

3.0 APPARATUS
Please refer to attachment for arrangement for experimental set up.

The apparatus comprise of

1. A support frame

4. Beam specimen

2. 3 Nos.reaction support pier

5. A meter ruler to measure the span of

the beam

3. 2 Nos.Load hangers
6. A set of weights

4.0 PROCEDURE
1.Switch on the display unit to warm up the limit
2.Clamped the reaction piers to the support frame using the plate and bolt supplied with
the apparatus and at predetermine distant between the supports
3.Place the beam specimen between the two cylindrical pieces of each support.
Tightened the two screws at the top of each support with your fingers.
4.Fix the load hanger at the position where the beam is to be loaded.
5.Connect the load cell from the support pier to the display unit,each load cell occupying
one terminal on the display.
6.Beginning with channel 1 record the initial reading for each channel.
7.Place a suitable load on the load hanger and note the reading of each load cell. This
represents the reaction at each pier.
8.Increase the load on the load hanger at suitable increments and for each increment
record the pier reaction.

5.0 RESULTS
Left-Hand span of beam,LL = 500 mm
Right-Hand span of the beam,LR = 1000 mm
Distance of load from left-hand support,XL = 250 mm
Distance of load from the right-hand support,XR = 750 mm

Table 1 : Reaction At The Support

Load On LL

Load On LR

Support Reaction

Left

Middle

Right

0.8

-15

16.9

0.7

-14.3

17.3

1.0

-13.6

17.2

0.9

-12.9

17.6

1.8

-11.6

17.4

1.6

-10.1

18.2

Total Support Reaction = 33.9

6.0 SAMPLE CALCULATION

1) 3 (0.8+ (-15.0)+16.9)

4) 6 (0.9+(-12.9)+17.6)

=3 2.7

=6 5.6

=0.3

=0.4

(0.3/3)x100

(0.4/6)x100

=10%

=6.7%

2) 4 (0.7+ (-14.3)+17.3)

5) 8 (1.0+(-8.6)+17.4)

=4 3.7

=8 7.6

=0.3

=0.4

(0.3/4)x100

(0.4/8)x100

=7.5%

=5%

3) 5 (1.0+ (-13.6)+17.2)

6) 10- (1.6+(-10.1)+18.2)

=5 4.6

=10- 9.7

=0.4

=0.3

(0.4/5)x100

(0.3/10)x100

=8%

=3%

LL(N)

LR(N)

W=LL+LR/2 (N)

1.5

2.5

1. 5W/12 = 5(1.5)/12=0.625 , 22W/16 = 22(1.5)/16=2.063 , 5(1.5)/12 = 0.625

3.313 3 = (0.313/3)x100
=10.4%

2. 5(2)/12 = 0.833 , 22(2)/16=2.75 , 5(2)/12=0.833

4.416 4 = (0.416/4)x100
=10.4%

3. 5(2.5)/12 = 1.042 , 22(2.5)/16 = 2.4375 , 5(2.5)/12 = 1.042

5.5215 5 = (0.5215/5)x100
= 10.43%

4. 5(3)/12 = 1.25 , 22(3)/16 = 4.13 , 5(3)/12 = 1.25

6.63 6 = (0.63/6)x100
= 10.5%

5. 5(4)/4 = 1.67 , 22(4)/16 = 5.5 , 5(4)/12 = 1.67

8.84 8 = (0.84/8)x100
= 10.5%

6. 5(5)/12 = 2.08 , 22(5)/16 = 6.375 , 5(5)/12 = 2.08

1.035 10 = (1.035/10)x100
= 10.35%

7.0 DISCUSSION
a) Draw the beam and indicate the positions and direction of load. Give all important
dimensions.
LL

XL

LR

XR

b) Derive the reactions at supports.

c) Using the tabulated data,
1. Plot the graph of reaction against load for each support
2. Draw the best-fit-curve through the plotted points.
3. Using the slope of the graph, calculate the percentage error between the experimental and
theoretical reaction.

Average reaction against average load

10

8.0 CONCLUSION
1. If the material of the beam is changed from steel to aluminum, how does this effect
the support reaction. Give the reasons for your answer.
2. If a thinner beam is used, how does this effect the support reaction, Give the reasons
for your answer.
3. How does the experimental reactions compare with the theoretical.
4. State the possible factors that might have influenced your results and possible means
of overcoming it.

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9.0 REFERENCES
i.

Continuous

Beam

Scribd

Read

Unlimited

Books

www.scribd.com/doc/126224087/10-4-1-Continuous-Beam-I
ii.

iii.

10.4.1 - Continuous Beam

https://www.scribd.com/doc/126224087/10-4-1Continuous-Beam-I
BEHAVIOUR OF CONTINOUS BEAMS
http://virtual-labs.ac.in/labs/CEVL/CEVL04BSA/Data%20files/03%20Continuous%20beams.pdf

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