OBJECTIVES

EQUIPMENT/INSTRUSTMENT USED
 Measuring tape
 Simply supported beam
 Vernier Caliper
 Weights
 Scale reading

Figure 1: Weights Figure 2: Measuring tape Figure 3: Vernier Caliper

Figure 4: Simply Supported beam under point load

Figure 5: Dial gauge

THEORY OVERVIEW
Abstract
Members that are slender and support loadings that are applied perpendicular to their
longitudinal axis are called beams. In general, beams are long, straight bars having a constant
cross-sectional area. Often, they are classified as to how they are supported. For example, a
simply supported beam is pinned at one end and roller supported at the other. A beam is a
member subjected to loads applied transverse to the long dimension, causing the member to
bend. Deflection refers to the deformed shape and position of a member subjected to bending
loads. Because of the applied loadings, beams develop an internal shear force and bending
moment that, in general, vary from point to point along the axis of the beam. The aim of this
experiment was to observe the deflection of a simply supported beam with concentrated point
load on the middle of the beam. We also calculated the reactions at the support’s RA and RB. To
derive the deflection formula.

Figure 1: Free body diagram of the beam

Equilibrium of forces in the vertical direction with upwards acting forces being positive gives;
𝑅𝐴 + 𝑅𝐵 = 𝑊
Therefore
𝑅𝐴 = 𝑊 – 𝑅𝐵
Equilibrium of moments about left support with clockwise moments being positive gives
− 𝑅2 𝐿 + 𝑊𝑎 = 0
𝑅2 𝐿 = 𝑊𝑎
𝑎
𝑅2 = 𝑊
𝐿
Where
𝐿
𝑎=
2
Hence
𝑎
𝑅𝐴 = 𝑊 − 𝑊
𝐿
𝐿−𝑎
𝑅𝐴 = 𝑊 ( )
𝐿
Equation for bending moments is obtained as;
For region 0 < x < a
𝑀(𝑥) = 𝑅𝐴 𝑥
𝐿−𝑎
𝑀(𝑥) = ( ) 𝑊𝑥 ………………………..(1.1)
𝐿

For region a < x < L

𝑀(𝑥) = 𝑅𝐴 𝑥 − 𝑊(𝑥 − 𝑎)
= (𝑅𝐴 − 𝑊)𝑥 + 𝑊𝑎
𝐿−𝑎
= (𝑊 ( ) − 𝑊𝑥 + 𝑊𝑎
𝐿
𝑎
𝑊𝑥 − 𝑥𝑤 − 𝑊𝑥 + 𝑊𝑎
𝐿
𝑊𝑎
𝑊𝑎 − 𝑥
𝐿
𝑥
𝑀(𝑥) = 𝑊𝑎 (1 − 𝐿 )……………………….(1.2)

At 𝑥 = 𝑎
𝑊
𝑀(𝑎) = 𝑀_ max = 𝑊𝑎 (1 − )
𝐿
Deflection equation is given as;
𝑑2𝑦 𝑀
=
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑊𝑥 𝐿−𝑎
= [ ] For 0 <x <a
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼 𝐿

Obtaining deflection equation y(x) by direct integration

𝑑𝑦 𝑙 𝐿−𝑎
= [ 𝑊𝑥 2 ] + 𝐶𝐴
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼 2𝐿
𝑙 𝐿−𝑎
𝑦(𝑥) = ( 𝑊𝑥 3 ) + 𝐶𝐴 𝑥 + 𝐶𝐵
𝐸𝐼 6𝐿
The boundary condiction for this beam are:
𝑑𝑦
= 0 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝑎 (i)
𝑑𝑥

𝑦 = 0 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0 (ii)
𝑦 = 0 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝐿 (iii)
Applying (i), we get
 −(𝐿 − 𝑎)(𝑊𝑎2 )
𝐶𝐴 =
2𝐿𝐸𝐼
Applying (ii) we have
−(𝐿 − 𝑎)𝑊𝑎2
𝐶𝐴 =
2𝐿𝐸𝐼
Substituting for the contrants deflection equations reduces to
(𝐿 − 𝑎)𝑊𝑥 3 (𝐿 − 𝑎)𝑊𝑎2 𝑥
𝑦(𝑥) = −
6𝐸𝐿𝑖𝐿 2𝐸𝐼𝑙
(𝐿−𝑎) 𝑥 3 𝑎2 𝑥
𝑦(𝑥) = ( − ) (1.3)
𝐸𝐼𝑙 6 2
𝐿
For simply support with central point load i.e. 𝑎 = 2 the maximum deflection occurs at
the center. Substituing a and x in the above expression gives:
𝑊𝐿3
𝑦𝑐 =
48𝐸𝐼
Introduction
Procedure:
1. We measured the distance between support A and B.
2. We then noted the initial reading on the dial gauge which we found to be 0.03mm
3. We loaded the weight on the center of the beam and found reaction at A and B.
4. We then calculated the theoretical value of deflection/bending from the formula.
5. The % error was calculated between the observed and the theoretical bending values.
6. The experiment was repeated for various loads.
7. We plotted the graph of load vs deflection
OBSERVATION & CALCULATION
DATA:
 Material of the beam is = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙
 Length of the beam, l mm 600𝑚𝑚
 Thickness of the beam, t mm = 2.67𝑚𝑚
 Breadth of the beam, b mm = 25.18𝑚𝑚
𝑏𝑡 3 (25.18𝑚𝑚)(2.67𝑚𝑚)3
 Moment of Inertia of the beam, I = = = 39.94𝑚𝑚4
12 12
106 𝑁
 Modulus of elasticity of beam material, E = 2.0 ∗ 𝑚𝑚2

OBSERVATION TABLE:
S/N Weight on Bending Bending % Error
beam, W (N) observed, y calculated,
(mm) yc (mm)
1 5 0.16 0.28 42.9
 2 10 0.31 0.56 44.6
3 15 0.47 0.85 44.7
4 20 0.64 1.13 43.4
5 25 0.82 1.41 41.8

Load against deflection for a simply supported beam

1.6

1.4 y = 0.0566x - 0.003

1.2
Deflection (mm)

1
Observed Bending
0.8 y = 0.033x - 0.015
Theoretical Bending
0.6 Linear (Observed Bending)

0.4 Linear (Theoretical Bending)

0.2

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Load (N)

Sample Calculation: % Error

|0.16 − 0.28|
% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = ∗ 100 = 42.9%
0.28
Bending values
𝑊𝑙 3
𝑦=
48𝐸𝐼
(5)(6003 )
𝑦1 = = 0.28
106 𝑁 4)
(48) (2 ∗ ) (39.94𝑚𝑚
𝑚𝑚2
(10)(6003 )
𝑦2 = = 0.56
106 𝑁 4)
(48) (2 ∗ ) (39.94𝑚𝑚
𝑚𝑚2
(15)(6003 )
𝑦3 = = 0.85
106 𝑁 4)
(48) (2 ∗ ) (39.94𝑚𝑚
𝑚𝑚2
 (20)(6003 )
𝑦4 = = 1.13
106 𝑁 4)
(48) (2 ∗ ) (39.94𝑚𝑚
𝑚𝑚2
(25)(6003 )
𝑦5 = = 1.41
106 𝑁 4
(48) (2 ∗ ) (39.94𝑚𝑚 )
𝑚𝑚2
RESULTS
The data suggests that there is a positive correlation between deflection and load for a simply
supported beam. As far as errors go, there was a significant % error between the measured and
calculated values.
PRECAUTIONS
 Ensured that we avoided parallax error when reading the measurements on the dial gauge.
 We made sure to measure the thickness of the beam material at 3 different points and
took the average.
 Apply the load without putting any extra weight on the beam
CONCLUSION
From the load vs. deflection graph, it is clearly observed that deflection was more in the
theoretical results and that the correlation between deflection and load was observed.