2142391 Engineering Mechanical Laboratory

DEFLECTION OF BEAM

Abstract
If a beam is supported at two points, and a load is applied anywhere on the
beam, the resulting deformation can be mathematically estimated. Due to improper
experimental setup, the actual results experienced varied substantially when compared
against the theoretical values. The following procedure explains how the theoretical and
actual values were determined, as well as suggestions for improving upon the
experiment. The percent error remained relatively small, around 10%, for locations
close to supports. As much as 30% error was experienced when analyzing positions
closer to the center of the beam.

Objectives
1. To measure deflections in a simply supported steel and brass beam
2. To use measured deflections and theory to evaluate the Youngs modulus of
the materials
3. To compare the analytical and experimental values of deflection in the
simply supported and cantilever beam
4. To note the source of error in a typical simply supported and cantilever
beams experiment

1. Introduction & Background

1.1 General Background
If a beam is supported at two points, and a load is applied anywhere on the
beam, deformation will occur. When these loads are applied either longitudinally
outside or inside of the supports, this elastic bending can be mathematically predicted
based on material properties and geometry.

1.2 Determination of Curvature

Curvature at any point on the beam is calculated from the moment of loading
(M), the stiffness of the material (E), and the moment of inertia (I). The following
expression defines the curvature in these parameters as 1/, where is the radius of
curvature.
 1 M
(1.1)
EI
Equation (1.1) does not account for shearing stresses.
Curvature can also be found using calculus. Defining y as the deflection and x
as the position along the longitudinal axis, the expression becomes

d2y
1 dx 2 d2y
(1.2)
dy 2
32
dx 2
1
dx

1.3 Central Loading (Simply supported beam)

Central loading on a beam can be thought of as a simple beam with two
supports as shown below.

Fig. 1 Simply supported beam

Applying equilibrium to the free body equivalent of Fig. 1, several expressions
can be derived to mathematically explain central loading.
Fx 0 Ax 0
L P
M A 0, N C L P 0 N C (1.3)
2 2
P
Fy 0 Ay N C P 0 Ay
2
Fig. 2 act as free body diagrams for the section between AB and BC
respectively.

(a) 0 x L 2 (b) L 2 x L
Fig. 2 Free Body Diagram
 Solving the reactions between AB and BC, equation (1.1) can be expressed as
d 2 y Px L
EI 0 x
dx 2 2 2
2
(1.4)
d y Px PL L
EI 2 + xL
dx 2 2 2
Integrating twice, Equation (4) becomes
Px 3 L
EIy C1 x C2 0 x
12 2 (1.5)
Px3 PLx 2 L
EIy C3 x C4 xL
12 4 2
To determine the constants, conditions at certain positions on the beam can be
applied. Knowing the deflection at each of the supports, as well as the slope at the top of
the curve is zero; the constants can be derived to
PL2 3PL2 PL3
C1 C2 0 C3 C4 (1.6)
16 16 48
Combining Equations (1.5) with (1.6), the expressions for deflection can be
expressed as
Px3 PL2 L
EIy x 0 x
12 16 2
(1.7)
Px3 PLx 2 3PL2 PL3 L
EIy x xL
12 4 16 48 2

1.4 Bending Stress

The bending stress at any location of a beam section is determined by the
flexure formula:
My
(1.8)
I
where:
M - moment at the section
y - distance from the neutral axis to the point of interest
I - moment of inertia
The largest stress at the same section follows from this relation (Equation (8))
by taking y at an extreme fiber at distance c, which leads to:
Mc
(1.9)
I
2. Experiments
2.1 APPARATUS
2.1.1 Simply-supported and Cantilever rectangular beams
2.1.2 Weights
2.1.3 Micrometer
2.1.4 Ruler
2.1.5 Dial Gauges

2.2 PROCEDURE
PART A - SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM
(1) Record the beam dimensions and calculate the moment of inertia (I) using I=bh3/12
(2) Calculate the maximum permissible loads for mid-span, where maximum allowable
stress is ..MPa.
IMPORTANT - Check these calculated maximum loads with instructor before
proceeding with the experiment.
(3) Load the beam at the mid-span. Record the deflection at the point of loading at each
incremental load. Small divisions on the dial gage are .mm. One full revolution
of the dial is .m (. small divisions).
(4) Load the beam at the mid-span in . kg. increments. Record the deflection at the
points along the beam.
PART B- CANTILEVER BEAM
(1) Record the beam dimensions and calculate the area moment of inertia (I).
(2) Calculate the maximum permissible loads for cantilever beam, where maximum
allowable stress is ..MPa.
(3) Load the beam at the free end in . kg. increments. Record the deflection at the
points along the beam.

PART C - THE PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION

(1) Place a single concentrated load at end point and measure the resulting deflection
(1) at the reference point.
(2) Remove the first load, and place a second load at same or another point on the beam
and measure the resulting deflection (2) at the reference point.
(3) Apply both loads simultaneously and measure the resulting deflection (3) at the
reference point. The sum of the single deflection (3) should closely approximate the
total deflection (1 + 2).

2.3 REPORT
2.3.1 Plot the curve of load versus deflection for mid-span loading configurations of the
simply supported beam. Show loads as ordinates and deflections as abscissas.
2.3.2 Determine the values of modulus of elasticity for mid-span loading conditions.
Create a table of the results you obtained for the modulus of elasticity from the simply
supported beam for steel and aluminum beams.
2.3.3 Plot position versus deflection for the simply supported beam and cantilever beam
at many loads.
2.3.4 Show the graph or table of results for the study of principal of superposition.

3. Example of results and discussions

3.1 Results

Fig. 3 Example of results

3.2 Discussions
The theoretical results were not as expected or experienced. There was
significant error between the actual results and theoretical value, especially as the
distance studied approached the midpoint of the beam. Though the difference in inches
was small, the percent error could be as high as 30%.
The main source of error within this experiment occurs due to the improper
testing procedure. As seen in Fig. 4, the theory used within this exercise is based upon a
beam with one fixed support allowing one degree of freedom, a second support
allowing two degrees of freedom, and a central load.
This produces dramatically different results when compared against the actual
setup. When using two knife supports, the setup contains two supports allowing two
degrees of freedom and a central load. This is pictured in Fig. 4. Since both ends are
under-constrained, the analysis for the experiment with the above theory is not accurate.

(a) Theory (b) Experiment

Fig. 4 Discussion the supports
Another cause of error in the theoretical is the effect of gravity on the beam.
With no applied load, the equations above would return a zero result. This is inaccurate
for beams that are not specifically supported such that gravitational factors are
overcome.

3.3 Conclusions
When a load is applied to a beam, either centrally over at another point, the
deflection can be mathematically estimated. Due to the error that occurred in this
exercise, it is clear that margins in safety factors, as well as thorough testing, is needed
when utilizing beam design. It is also important to ensure the scope of the testing
closely models real-world practicality.
 4. Raw data

WORK SHEET FOR BEAM DEFLECTION

CENTRALLY LOADED BEAM
CRITICAL DIMENSIONS:
L = ..m (test length)
W = ..m (width)
t = ..m (thickness)
POSITIONS OF DIAL GAUGES:
X1 = .m X6= ..m
X2 = .m X7 = .m
X3 = .m X8 = .m
X4 = .m X9 = .m
X5 = .m X10 = ..m

MATERIAL .
DEFLECTION DATA
LOAD
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X6 X7 X8 X9 X10
(kg)
 WORK SHEET FOR BEAM DEFLECTION
CANTILEVER BEAM
CRITICAL DIMENSIONS:
L = ..m (test length)
W = ..m (width)
t = ..m (thickness)
POSITIONS OF DIAL GAUGES:
X1 = .m X6= ..m
X2 = .m X7 = .m
X3 = .m X8 = .m
X4 = .m X9 = .m
X5 = .m X10 = ..m

MATERIAL .
DEFLECTION DATA
LOAD
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X6 X7 X8 X9 X10
(kg)
APPENDIX: Deflection of beam