UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL No Dokumen No Isu.

/Tarikh
MALAYSIA MELAKA SB/MMSB2/BMCS2333/5 3/12-12-2007

SOLID MECHANICS 2
No Semakan/Tarikh Jumlah Mukasurat
Deflection Of Cantilevers And Built-In 2 4
Beams

OBJECTIVE
To understand and describe the deflection behaviors of cantilevers and built-in beams.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this laboratory session the students should be able to
1. Identify the different reaction between cantilever and built in beam.
2. Apply the deflection formula among the types of beam support.
3. Determine the relationship between beam’s deflection and applied load

THEORY
In deflection of a cantilever experiment, we will of a cantilever subjected to an increasing point
load. We will repeat this for three different examine the deflection materials to see if their
deflection properties vary.

WL3
The deflection of a cantilever = (1)
3EI

where, W = Load (N)

L = Distance from support to position of loading (m)
E = Young’s modulus for cantilever material (N/m2)
I = Second moment of area of the cantilever (m4)

In deflection of a built-in beam experiment, we will examine the deflection of a built-in beam
subjected to an increasing point load. This means we can find out the relationship between the
deflection and the length of the beam.
The maximum deflection occurs at the mid-span of beam

WL3
Maximum deflection = (2)
192 EI

where, W = Load (N)

L = the length of beam (m)
E = Young’s modulus for cantilever material (N/m2)
I = Second moment of area of the cantilever (m4)

APPARATUS
Figure 1 shows the apparatus of Cantilevers and Built-in beams experiment. It consists of a
backboard with a digital dial test indicator. The digital dial test indicator is on a sliding
bracket, which allows it to traverse accurately to any position along the test beam. Two rigid
clamps mount on the backboard and can hold the beam in any position. Two knife-edge
supports also fasten anywhere along the beam. Scales printed on the backboard allow quick
and accurate positioning of the dial test indicator, knife-edges and loads.

1
 Fixing holes
Fixing holes
Scale
Scale
Moveabledigital
Moveable digital
dialtest
dial testindicator
indicator

Clamp
Clamp
Moveable
Moveable
knife edge
knife-edge
U U-section
section Scale
channel
channel
Moveable
Moveable
knife edge
knife-edge
Fixing
Fixingholes
Knife-edge Clamp
Knife edge Clamp holes
Figure 1
load hanger
load
Figure 1 The beam apparatus

PROCEDURES
The Deflection of Cantilevers and Built-in beams experiment fits into a Test Frame. Figure 2
shows the Deflection of Cantilevers and Built-in beams experiment in the Test Frame.

Before setting up and using the equipment; always:

1. Visually inspect parts including electrical leads for damage or wear.
2. Check electrical connections are correct and secure.
3. Check all components are secure and fastenings are sufficiently tight.
4. Position the Test Frame safely.
5. Never apply excessive loads to any part of the equipment

Digital dial
Digital dial test
test indicator
indicator
on sliding bracket
on sliding bracket
Specimen
Specimen Securing
Securing
beam
Beam thumbscrews
thumbscrews

9898mm
mm

Clamp
Clamp Hanger
Clamp and Moveable
Hanger and Clamp
Moveable Mounting
(2 off)
(2 off) masses Knife-edge mounting
masses knife-edge Hole
(2 (2
off)
off) holes

Figure 2 The Test Frame of Beam

2 Apparatus
EXPERIMENT 1 DEFLECTION OF A CANTILEVER
In this experiment, we will examine the deflection of a cantilever subjected to an increasing
point load. We will repeat this for three different materials to see if their deflection properties
varied.

200
2 0 0mm
mm

Figure 3 W Set-up of cantilever beam F ig u re 3

1. Using a vernier gauge, measure the width and depth of the aluminum, brass and steel test
beams. Record the values next to the results tables for each material and use them to
calculate the second moment of area I .
2. Remove any clamps and knife-edges from the backboard. Set up one of the cantilevers as
shown in Figure 3.
3. Slide the digital dial test indicator to the position on the beam shown in Figure 3, and lock
it using the thumbnut at the rear. Slide a knife-edge hanger to the position shown.
4. Tap the frame lightly and zero the digital dial test indicator using the ‘origin’ button.
5. Apply masses to knife-edge hanger in the increments as shown in Table 1a
6. Tap the frame lightly each time you add the masses. Record the digital dial test indicator
reading for each increment of mass in Table 1a.
7. Repeat the procedure for the other two materials and record in the Table 1b and 1c
respectively.
8. Calculate the theoretical deflection for each beam and record your results in each
respective table.

EXPERIMENT 2 DEFLECTION OF A BUILT-IN BEAM

In this experiment, we will examine the deflection of a built-in-beam subjected to an increasing
point load. We will repeat this for three different materials to see if their deflection properties
vary.
1. Using a vernier gauge, measure the width and depth of the aluminum, brass and steel, test
beam. Record the values next to the result table and use them to calculate the second
moment of area, I .
2. Remove any clamps from the backboard. Setting length between supports L up to
maximum length of beam, set up the beam as shown in Figure 4.
3. Slide the digital dial test indicator into center of the beam and lock it using the thumbnut at
the rear.
4. Slide a knife-edge hanger to the center position of the beam length.
5. Tap the frame lightly and zero the digital dial test indicator using the ‘origin’ button.
6. Apply masses to the knife-edge hanger in the increments shown in the results table. Tap the
frame lightly each time, and record the digital dial test indicator reading for each
increment of mass in Table 2a.

3
 l = 400mm
L
Figure 4 : Built-in beam setup

W
W

Figure 4 Built-in setup with L = 600 mm

7. Repeat the above procedures for the other two materials and record in the Table 2b and
2c respectively.
8. Calculate the theoretical deflection for each beam and record the results in each
respective table.