Mechanics of Materials

LAB REPORT

Haseeb Khawaja | 2013-ME-125 |

Table of Contents
Experiment#01 1-6
Experiment#02 7-

PAGE 1

Lab Session # 02
Experiment # 1
To determine the slope and deflection of a
simply supported beam subjected to concentrated loading at midpoint.

Theory:

Beams:
A beam is a long straight prismatic structural member in the
shape of a bar that is objective to bear lateral load at various
sections of the beams along the length of the beam. If load is
lateral only shear stress will be produced and bending moment.
Beam when loaded is subjected either to a shear force or bending
moment.
Shear force is responsible for shear stresses produced in the beam
and shear force is defined as the force which tends to shear off
different layers of the beam and can be calculated by the algebraic
sum of all the forces including the external applied loads and all the
resulting reactions on either side of the section considered.
Bending moment is defined as the deflection produced in the beam
due to the action of two equal and opposite couples.
Types of beams w.r.t supports:
1. Simply supported beams.
2. Cantilever beams.
3. Fixed beams.
4. Overhanging beams.
5. Double overhanging beams.
6. Trussed beams.
7. Continuous beams.

Simply Supported beams:

A simply supported beam is just that - the most simple arrangement of
the structure. The beam is supported at each end, and the load is
distributed in some way along its length. There is more to the application
of this than might first appear, but it's the starting point for analysis. But it
all stems from a beam supported at the ends and having to bear a load
PAGE 2

distributed in some way along its length. Simply-supported describes the

constraints imposed on the beam by its foundations. A simply supported
beam cannot have any translational displacements at its support points,
but no restriction is placed on rotations at the supports.
Formulas for Centre loading:

Simply supported at both ends and loading at midpoint:

Stress between each support and the load:

Stress at the Centre:

S=

S=

Wx
2z

Wl
4z

The deflection between each support and the load:

The maximum deflection occurs at the load:

y=

y=

Wx
2
2
(4 x 3l )
48 EI

W l3
48 EI

Equtaions used:
1. Deflection
Theoratical deflection

PAGE 3

Deflection at any distance x

2

W x(3 L 4 x )
y th=
48 EI

Deflection at mid span

y L/ 2=

w L3
48 EI

Experimental deflection

Deflection at any distance x

Dial gauge
Deflection at mid span
Dial gauge

2. Slope
Theoratical

At any distance x
2

w(3 L 4 x )
th=
48 EI

At mid span

L/ 2=0

Experimental
Only at distance x not at mid span

y
x
()
=tan1

PAGE 4

Apparatus:

Steel beam/bar.

Dial gauges.

Meter rod

Vernier Calipers.

Pin Supports.

Simply Supported beam apparatus.

Procedure:
1- Measuring the dimensions of beam by vernier calliper.
2- Measuring the length of beam between supports.
3- Adjusting the position of adjustable dial guage according to choice.
4- Adjusting the dial guages at zero position.
5- Applying weight gradually and measuring the deflection at each state .
6- Deflection is observed at both guages.
7- Note the deflections for both loading and unloading the beam from both
the
gauges.

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

L= 31.9375 in
d= 0.1328 in
b= 1.0156 in
x= 8 in
L.C (gauge)= 0.001in

I=

b d3
12

1.01560.13283
= 1.98x 104 4
12

PAGE 5

Table:
Sr
No
#

Load
appli
ed

Deflection at
midpoint
y * 10

Deflection at x

Slope at x

y * 10-3

10-3

in

Radian

-3

(W)
lb

In
Exp

Th

Exp

Th

Exp

Th

0.5

61

63

62

60

5.0
8

45

47

46

40.
7

13.0
2

5.7
5

4.16

37.
4

11
6

12
6

12
1

12
0

2.5
4

83

90

81.
5

81.
4

6.26

10.
8

8.33

29.
1

1.5

18
1

18
4

18
2

17
7

3.1
1

12
9

13
1

13
0

13
0

6.55

16.
2

12.5

29.
9

24
0

24
0

24
0

24
1

1.6
9

17
0

17
0

17
0

17
0

4.44

21.
2

16.6
8

27.
4

Specimen calculation:

W L3
y th(at midspan)=
48 EI

2.031.9375
48301061.98104

2
2
Wx ( 3 L 4 x )
y th ( at any distance )=
48 EI

= 0.241 in

[
82 ( 331.937524102 ) ]
=
6
4
483010 1.9810

= 0.176 in

2
2
W ( L24 x 2) = [ 2( 31.9375 48 ) ]
d
= 16.68* 103 rad
th= ( y th)=
6
4
dt
16 EI
3010 161.9810

PAGE 6

exp=

tan

(y/x) = tan

%age Error [ At ( x ) ]=

24110
8

thexp
x100 =
th

=21.2410 rad

0.2410.176
100 = 27.4%
0.241

Results and discussion:

The weight of hanger is not considered in the experiment which can

cause error due to presence of preloading.
Dial gauges must be set properly to zero.
Dial gauges must be read horizontally in front of the face.
Lengths must be measured accurately.
Loads must be applied and removed with a gentle hand so that it
does not include any impact force.

Experiment#02
To determine slope and deflection of a fixed beam subjected to a loading
at mid-point.

Theory:
A fixed beam is a type of beam which is fixed at its both ends and thus
resisting translatory motion as well as rotating motion . Thus fixed beam is
a indeterminate kind of beam.

Apparatus:

Steel beam/bar.

Dial gauges.

Meter rod

Vernier Calipers.

PAGE 7

Fixed supports.

Beam holding apparatus.

Procedures:
1- Measuring the dimensions of beam by vernier calliper.
2- Measuring the length of beam between supports.
3- Adjusting the position of adjustable dial guage according to choice.
4- Adjusting the dial guages at zero position.
5- Applying weight gradually and measuring the deflection at each state .
6- Deflection is observed at both guages.
7- Note the deflections for both loading and unloading the beam from both
the
gauges.

OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

L= 31.9375 in
d= 0.1328 in
b= 1.0156 in
x= 8 in
L.C (gauge)= 0.001in
3

bd
I=
12

= 1.01560.1328 = 1.98x 104 4

12

Table:
Sr
No
#

Load
applie
d

Deflection at
midpoint
y * 10

Deflection at x

Slope at x

y * 10-3

-3

(W)
lb

in
Exp

in
Th

Exp

Radian
Th

Exp

Th

PAGE 1

0.5

1
3

1
5

14

13.
2

7.9

14.2

5.77

2
8

3
0

29

26.
5

9.4
3

15.
5

1
7

16.2
5

14

16

11.6
3

1.5

4
3

4
4

43.
5

39.
7

9.4
3

24

2
5

24.5

21

16.6

17.5
4

5
8

6
0

59

53

11.
3

33

3
5

34

28

21.4

24.3
5

2.5

7
3

7
3

73

66

10.
6

42

4
2

35

20

30

42

PAGE 2

PAGE 3