UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL
ENGINEERING
EXPERIMENT NUMBER: 1
LAB GROUP NUMBER: D Sub-group C
GROUP MEMBERS:
NYAHUMA TINASHE L
MARIGA
MATHEW
ZINYAMBI MUNASHE
MUJURU MARTIN
MUKAKA TONDERAI
MADONDO MILLVINA
MUZIKABABA SITHOLE
NHEMACHENA NIGEL K

R143394X
..
R159630A
..
R158257X
..
R158276F
...
R151156R

R151831C

R158254G

R158286J

DATE CARRIED OUT: 24 March 2016

MEMBER RESPONSIBLE FOR SUBMISSION: NYAHUMA TINASHE L
SUBMISSION DATE 7 April 2016
RESPONSIBLE ACADEMIC: ENG I MADANHIRE

1.TITLE
Central deflection of a beam subjected to 4 point loading
OBJECTIVES:
a.To show that the beam deflection is directly proportional to the load (W).
b.To determine the modulus of elasticity E of the beam material(s) from
the central deflection and to compare the values with standard ones.
THEORY:
In four-point loading, a load system of equal weights is supplied
symmetrically on equal overhangs.
A beam subjected to four-point loading has a constant bending moment M
between supports and is bent into a circle of radius R.
If equal weights of W N are applied at distances x meters from the supports,
the bending moment M is given by:
W = Mx
D
W
B

Referring to the diagram, the intersecting chords theorem gives;

(AB)(BC) = (DB) (BE).(2)
If the distance between supports is L and central deflection then
L
L
x
= [R+(R-)]
(3)
2
2

( )

()

and neglecting orders of small quantities:

2
L
L
2
=2R ,from which R = 8
2

( )

(4)

Let us consider the pure bending equation:

M
I

Where:

E
R

(5)

I = the second moment of area for the beams section m4.

E = the modulus of elasticity of the beams material N/m2.
Now substituting equation (1) ,(4) and I=bd3/12
Into equation (5), the expression

W=

2 Eb d3
3 L2 x

that is W=k

(6)

W =k is a linear function of the beams deflection , and k is the gradient of

the straight line.
Therefore plotting W against gives a straight line passing through the
origin and all the parameters in k are kept constant.
APPARATUS:

A.DIAL GUAGE
B.WEGHTS
CSTEEL RULE
D..HANGER
E..TABLE

MEASURING DEVICES:
Vernier calipers.
PROCEDURE:
1.L and x were kept constant and several values of were measured using
the dial gauge which was placed vertically at the mid span of the beam.
2.The dial gauge was initially set to zero.
3.The apparatus were tapped lightly before each gauge reading was taken in
order to reduce friction effects.
4.The steps 1,2and 3 were repeated for two more beams.

RESULTS:
MATERIAL A(mild steel).
Width

b =0.02498m

Height d =0.0052m
Overhang x =0.1m
Fixed length L =1.0m

Mass
m / kg
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6

Load
W/N
0.981
1.962
2.943
3.924
4.905
5.886

Deflection
1 /mm

2 / mm

av / mm

0.23
0.45
0.68
0.91
1.13
1.37

0.23
0.45
0.68
0.90
1.13
1.37

0.23
0.45
0.68
0.90
1.13
1.37

1 /mm

2 / mm

av / mm

0.12
0.24
0.36
0.47
0.60
0.71

0.14
0.24
0.36
0.47
0.60
0.71

0.13
0.24
0.36
0.47
0.60
0.71

av /
10^-3m
0.23
0.45
0.68
0.9
1.13
1.37

MATERIAL B(mild steel)

Width b =0.02498m
Height d =0.0062m
Overhang x =0.1m
Fixed length L =1m

Mass
m / kg
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6

Load
W/N
0.981
1.962
2.943
3.924
4.905
5.886

Deflection
av /
10^-3m
0.13
0.24
0.36
0.47
0.60
0.71

MATERIAL C(mild steel)

Width b =0.02498m
Height d =0.0031m
Overhang x =0.1m
Fixed length L =1m
Mass

Load

m / kg

Deflection

W/N

0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6

0.981
1.962
2.943
3.924
4.905
5.886

1 /mm

2 / mm

av / mm

1.01
1.962
2.943
3.924
4.905
5.886

1.01
2.11
3.09
4.12
5.16
5.58

1.01
2.12
3.09
4.12
5.11
5.58

av /
10^-3m
1.01
2.12
3.09
4.12
5.11
5.58

CALCULATIONS:
For Material A:

W=

2 Eb d3
3 L2 x

But gradient =

2 Eb d
2
3L x

Gradient =(y2 -y1/x2-x1)

Gradient =

(1.37;5.886)(0.45;1.962).

(5.886-1.962)/(1.37-0.45) =4.305

Therefore E = gradient (3L2x)/2bd3

E = 183849287

For Material B:

W=

2 Eb d3
3 L2 x

But gradient =

2 Eb d
2
3L x

Gradient = (y2 -y1/x2-x1)

(0.6; 0.6)(0.24;0.24)

Gradient = 1
Therefore E = gradient (3L2x)/2bd3
E = 25195544.98

For Material C:

W=

2 Eb d3
3 L2 x

But gradient =

2 Eb d
2
3L x

Gradient =(y2 -y1/x2-x1)

(5.1;0.6)(2.1;0.4).

Gradient =

(0.6-0.24)/(5.1-2.1)
=0.1232

Therefore E = gradient(3L2x)/2bd3
E = 183849287
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:
Material
A
B
C

Calculated value

183849287
2519554.98
183849287

Standard value 106

196-210
196-210
196-210

POSSIBLE ERRORS IN THE EXPERIMENT.

Type of Error
How it can be Prevented
Zero error
The gauge must be zeroed
before any reading is
commenced
Uneven gauge deflection
The apparatus base should be
tapped lightly before each
reading is taken.
Error of parallax on the
Make sure that readings are
vernier calipers and the
taken at right angles to the
gauge scale
reading

CONCLUSION:
The graphs produced is a linear function of deflection against weight and it
shows that the weight is directly proportional to deflection. There is
considerable deviation from the standard values due to the errors in the
experiment.