Bending Strains in Beams

OCdt. Reitsma

16 March 2016

Abstract
Youngs modulus for aluminum was determined to be (6.40 0.36) x 1010 Nm-2 by measuring
the deflection of an unfixed, straight, rectangular beam supported at two points under different
loads from 50 g to 750 g. Additionally, the nature of the second mass moment of a beam was
explored to see how the stiffness versus mass ratio of a beam could be increased.

Introduction
The purpose of this lab is to determine Youngs Modulus for aluminum and compare the
stiffness of a beam in different orientations.
By comparing the deflection, d, of an unfixed beam supported at two points versus an
applied load, the stiffness of the beam can be determined.

The deflection of the beam is modeled by the equation

mg L3
d=
48YI
(1)
d is deflection of the beam (m)
m is mass of load upon the beam (kg)
g is acceleration due to gravity (ms-2)
L is the length of the beam (m)
Y is Youngs modulus of the beam material (Nm-2)
I is the mass moment of inertia of the beam (m4)
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Figure 1. Beam at rest versus loaded beam

Young modulus is a constant for each linear elastic solid material; in other words, a
constant for a uniform straight piece of solid material that the deforms under stress,
but returns to its original state when the stress is released. Youngs modulus is the
ratio between stress (Nm-2) and strain (proportional deformation [unitless]) with the
equation
Stress
Y=
Strain
(2)
The planar moment of Inertia, I, depends upon the beams cross sectional dimensions and
orientation to the applied force.
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Figure 2. Dimensions for calculating I

I can be calculated
A3 B
I=
12
(3)
Where A and B are in m and I is in m4.

Linearization
Equation (1) can be put into the form y=mx+b
g L3
d=
48 YI
m (4)
x-axis: Mass (kg)
y-axis: deflection (m)

Therefore, Youngs Modulus can be calculated

g L3
Y=
48 I slope
(5)
Equipment
Aluminum beam (with small hoop attached) #6
T & O Dial indicator ( 5x10-6 m)
Mass set and hangar
(50.005) g
(100.007) g
(200.01) g
(500.02) g
(1000.03) g
(2000.04) g
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(5000.07) g
Optical Bench: 0.01 m
Clamp

Procedure
The supports for the beam were set up on the optical bench 1.00 m apart. The beam was placed
atop the supports with its hoop centered facing down. Using the clamp, the dial indicator was
connected to the optical bench so that the dial was immediately above the beams hoop and so
that the dials depression gauge was slightly depressed by the beam. The initial depression of the
gauge was noted so that the difference could be calculated when the load was added. Then, the
mass hanger was hooked onto the beams hoop and the deflection was determined. The weight of
the load was increased by 50 g increments up to 750 g and the deflection was measured at each
increment. The weights were then decreased by 50 g increments down to 50 g and the deflection
was measured at each increment.

Results

L = (1.00 0.01) m
A = (0.01295 0.00005) m
B = (0.02550 0.00005) m

m m d (x10-5 m) dTot
(x10-3 kg) (x10-3 kg) (x10-5 m)

Trial 1 Trial 2 avg

50 0.02 3.1 3.2 3.15 0.55

100 0.04 7.3 7.1 7.20 0.60

150 0.05 10.5 10.4 10.45 0.55

200 0.07 13.9 14.0 13.95 0.55

250 0.06 17.7 17.2 17.45 0.75

300 0.08 21.0 20.7 20.85 0.65

350 0.09 24.0 24.2 24.1 0.60

400 0.11 27.5 27.2 27.35 0.65

450 0.10 31.9 32.0 31.95 0.55

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500 0.12 35.0 34.9 34.95 0.55

550 0.07 38.0 38.3 38.15 0.65

600 0.09 41.8 41.2 41.5 0.8

650 0.10 44.8 45.0 44.9 0.6

700 0.12 48.5 47.9 48.2 0.8

750 0.11 51.9 51.9 51.9 0.5

Table 2. Results from measuring deflection vs. mass of load

Figure 3 shows the relationship between the deflection of the beam and the mass of the load and
it is clear that this is a linear relationship.
From Figure 3, the slope was calculated to be (6.91 0.18) x 10-4 mkg-1 using a least squares fit.
Using Equation (5), Y was calculated to be (6.40 0.36) x 1010 Nm-2.

Discussion
Youngs Modulus for aluminum was determined to be (6.40 0.36) x 1010 Nm-2. This is lower
than the known value of 7.0 x 1010 Nm-2 (Encylopdia Brittanica, 2015, para. 3) though this
could be a factor of previous stress and damage to the aluminum beam. The percent error is (8.6
0.5)% so the model can be considered accurate. A least squares fit was used for determining
the slope of Figure 2 because an LSF is definitive value and, unlike a max or min slope, is not
eyeballed by the experimenter. In addition to linearizing deflection vs load, Equation (4) shows
that deflection is inversely proportional to the mass moment of the beams cross-section. This
indicates that the stiffness of the the beam would be greater if it was oriented so that A was
greater than B on a rectangular beam where A is parallel to the applied force and B is
perpendicular. Additionally, theoretical calculations showed that a hollow beam of roughly the
same mass as the beam used in this experiment could have a greater mass moment than the beam
used, and would therefore be stiffer. This property is exploited for construction commonly with
I-beams whose increased strength to mass ratio in comparison to a solid steel beam is also on
account to the second moment of area (Wilson, 2011, para. 4) which is used in this lab to
calculate I.

Conclusion
Youngs Modulus for aluminum was determined to be (6.40 0.36) x 1010 Nm-2. Additionally,
the second moment of area should be optimized to maximize the stiffness versus mass ratio of a
beam.

References
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The Editors of Encyclopdia Britannica. (2015, January 22). Young's modulus. Retrieved March
15, 2016, from http://www.britannica.com/science/Youngs-modulus

Wilson, M., Dr. (2011, November 15). Bending of beams. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from
http://sci.waikato.ac.nz/physicsstop/2011/11/bending-of-beams.shtml

Serway, Jewet, Physics for Scientists and Engineers 6th ed., 2004, p.373-374

Appendix

Mass moment: From Equation (3)

A=(0.01295 0.00005) m B=( 0.02550 0.00005) m
3
A B
I=
12
3
0.01295 m (0.02550)


I =
B 3 A
+
B A )
I=I
0.00005 m 0.00005 m
4.615 1 09 m4 [ +3( )]
I = 0.02550 m 0.01295 m
I=6.3 1 011
I =( 4.615 0.063)1 09 m 4

Youngs Modulus: From Equation (5)

4 m
L=(1.00 0.01)m I =(4.615 0.063)1 09 m 4 slope=( 6.91 0.18) 10
kg
2
g=9.80 m/ s
g L3
Y=
48 I slope
1.00 m 3

(9.80 m/s 2)
Y =
3 L slope I
Y =Y ( + + )
L slope I
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m
0.18 4
10 N 0.01 m kg 0.063 m
Y =(6.40 1 0 )[3( )+ + ]
m2 1.00 m m 4.615 m4
6.91
kg
N
Y =0.36 1 010 2
m
N
Y =(6.40 0.36) 1 010 2
m