BACHELOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (HONS)

EMB 3243

MECHANICAL MEASUREMENT

DETERMINATION OF DEFLECTION 𝜹 OF A BEAM OF ANY

GIVEN CROSS-SECTION

Name Student I.D. Signature

THANEESHKUMAR 1101173005

Date of Submission: ____________________

INTRODUCTION / THOERY

The deformation of a beam is usually expressed in terms of its deflection from its original
unloaded position and degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load. The
deflection is measured from the original neutral surface of the beam to the neutral surface of
the deformed beam. The configuration assumed by the deformed neutral surface is known as
the elastic curve of the beam.

Beams are the most common structural element which carries load and transmit them to
adjacent columns of support. Beams work by developing shear forces and bending moment
along their length. A simply supported beam is a beam with roller and pin support. When a load
is applied to beam, the deflection of beam will occur. Excessive deflection would cause cracking
of brittle materials within or attached to the beam.

Whenever a beam is loaded, it deflects from its original position. The amount, by which a beam
deflects, depends upon its cross section and the bending moment. In modern design, there are
two design criteria for a beam strength and stiffness.

As per the strength criterion of the beam design, it should be strong enough to resist bending
moment and shear force. But as per the stiffness criterion of the beam design, it should be stiff
enough to resist the deflection of the beam. The deflection of a beam or shaft must often be
limited in order to provide stability, and for beams, to prevent the cracking

Aim:

To determine the deflection of simply supported beam when it is centrally loaded on the mid of
beam.

Objective:

To determine the deflection of the beam subjected to an increasing point load.

Apparatus:

Apparatus consists of a M.S, beam, which is supported on two supports. Apparatus is centrally
loaded.. Actual deflection can be measured by the help of a dial gauge at the point of loading.
Apparatus is supplied complete with weights and supporting stand.

The deformation of a beam is usually expressed in terms of its deflection from its original
unloaded position and degree to which a structural element is displaced under a load. The
deflection is measured from the original neutral surface of the beam to the neutral surface of
the deformed beam.

Safety Guidelines:

Before proceeding to operate the equipment, be fully aware of the dangerous potential hazards
(associated with the particular equipment) that would be present if safety practices were not
performed in accordance with the local standards and regulations of the governing bodies.
Injury would occur to the person operating the equipment through misuse, electric shock,
rotating equipment hazards and lack of cleanliness. Also, be fully aware of all the safety
guideline and instructions specified. Use of appropriate attire, shoes and personal protective
aids insisted as precautionary safety measures.
Experiment Rig.

Figure 1 : Measuring the length of the beam

Figure 2: Setting up the dial Gauge

 Figure 3 and 4: Placing the weight carrier on the beam on placing it at the center of the beam

Figure 5: Placing the load on the weight carrier

Figure 6 : 500g load Figure 7: 1 kg load

PROCEDURE

1. Measure the distance L between the two supports.

2. Note the initial readings of graduated scale.

3. Put load W on the center of the beam.

4. Note readings of deflection y from the dial gauge.

5. Calculate y from the form the formulae.

6. Deflection should be same as obtained analytically and experimentally.

7. Repeat the experiment by taking different values of W.

The instrumentations used

The instrument that is used in this experiment to find out the deflection of the beam is Dial
Gauge. The dial gauge that was used to conduct this experiment has an accuracy of 0.01mm
and a range from 0 – 10mm. Dial gauge is used to checking the flatness of the surfaces and
detecting small differences in the flatness of the beam when the load is added one by one.

A measuring tape is also used to measure the length, width and the thickness of the beam. The
length of beam is 1 m, and the width of beam is 2.3 cm and the thickness of the beam is 0.4 cm.
Meanwhile, the measuring tape is total 8m long and has a accuracy of 0.1 cm .

These were the only instrumentations that were required to conduct the experiment.

Method of measurement

The method of measurement that has been used in this experiment is direct measurements for
both dial gauge and measuring tape, which means the quantity that need to be measured, is
determined directly by reading the scale.

First we need to make sure the gauge holder is rigid, then the dial gauge must be only be
attached by Steam. Next, confirm that the contact Point and Rear Cover are tightly fastened.
Then, make sure Spindle axis is perpendicular to beam surface. After that, adjust the gauge
mount or rotate the bezel to set the gauge to “0” and lastly, slowly move the part while
monitoring the pointer and take reading of the measurement.

For using the measuring tape to measure the length, we need to put the end of the measure at
one end of the beam. After the length stops, take a reading on the tape measure.

It wasn’t necessary for to calibrate the measuring tape and dial gauge in order to conduct this
experiment because the entire instrument was already calibrated and working in good
condition. But there still ways to calibrate the dial gauge manually if needed.

The procedures to manual calibration are: -

1. The dial gauge was set up for calibration manually.

2. The dial gauge was then set up on the calibration tester.

3. A series of Dial Gauge readings were taken in the 0-5 mm range.

4. The micrometer head of the Calibration Tester was set to zero.

5. Holders of Dial Gauge Calibration Tester adjusted so that there is light pressure on the
Spindle of the Dial Gauge.

6. The Dial Gauge was then set to zero.

7. For readings 1.0-2.0mm, an increment of 0.1mm was taken and then recorded.

8. For readings 2.1-4.0mm, an increment of 0.2mm was taken and then recorded.

9. For readings 4.1-5.0mm, an increment of 0.5mm was taken and then recorded.

10. All data have been recorded and is scheduled to perform the analysis.
Result

No. Weight (KG) Deflection Observed Deflection Calculated

(mm) (mm)
1 0.2 0.16 0.15
2 0.4 0.41 0.35
3 0.6 0.62 0.58
4 0.8 0.89 0.87
5 1.0 1.47 1.21
6 1.2 1.85 1.63
7 1.4 2.32 1.98
8 1.6 2.81 2.35
9 1.8 3.41 2.67
10 2.0 3.76 3.01
11 2.2 4.08 3.41
12 2.4 4.36 3.82
13 2.6 4.65 4.10
14 2.8 5.06 4.60
15 3.0 5.41 4.90
16 3.2 5.83 5.48
17 3.4 6.15 5.90
18 3.6 6.53 6.38
19 3.8 6.95 6.89
20 4.0 7.21 7.10
21 4.2 7.34 7.29
22 4.4 7.61 7.41
23 4.6 7.75 7.67
24 4.8 7.91 7.89
25 5.0 8.18 8.03
26 5.2 8.32 8.23
27 5.4 8.56 8.46
28 5.6 8.67 8.63
29 5.8 8.97 8.89
30 6.0 9.03 9.10
Calculating for mean and standard deviation.

Mean Standard Deviation

5.209 2.8276837989186

Data gathered to plot the normal distribution graph from excel:

Standard Deviation increments Data Normalize
-3 -3.274051397 0.001567307
-2.9 -2.991283017 0.002105091
-2.8 -2.708514637 0.00279927
-2.7 -2.425746257 0.003685325
-2.6 -2.142977877 0.004803567
-2.5 -1.860209497 0.006198819
-2.4 -1.577441117 0.007919743
-2.3 -1.294672738 0.010017753
-2.2 -1.011904358 0.01254546
-2.1 -0.729135978 0.015554637
-2 -0.446367598 0.019093707
-1.9 -0.163599218 0.023204792
-1.8 0.119169162 0.027920434
-1.7 0.401937542 0.033260111
-1.6 0.684705922 0.039226746
-1.5 0.967474302 0.045803422
-1.4 1.250242682 0.052950569
-1.3 1.533011061 0.060603874
-1.2 1.815779441 0.068673186
-1.1 2.098547821 0.077042623
-1 2.381316201 0.085572059
-0.9 2.664084581 0.094100072
-0.8 2.946852961 0.102448355
-0.7 3.229621341 0.110427458
-0.6 3.512389721 0.117843658
-0.5 3.795158101 0.124506611
-0.4 4.07792648 0.130237384
-0.3 4.36069486 0.134876402
-0.2 4.64346324 0.138290814
-0.1 4.92623162 0.140380812
1.52656E-15 5.209 0.141084474
0.1 5.49176838 0.140380812
0.2 5.77453676 0.138290814
0.3 6.05730514 0.134876402
0.4 6.34007352 0.130237384
0.5 6.622841899 0.124506611
0.6 6.905610279 0.117843658
0.7 7.188378659 0.110427458
0.8 7.471147039 0.102448355
0.9 7.753915419 0.094100072
1 8.036683799 0.085572059
1.1 8.319452179 0.077042623
1.2 8.602220559 0.068673186
1.3 8.884988939 0.060603874
1.4 9.167757318 0.052950569
1.5 9.450525698 0.045803422
1.6 9.733294078 0.039226746
The Graph of the Data.

To calculate the uncertainties using normal distribution graph:

For 95% confidence value,

1 - α =0.95

α = 0.05

Finding the value for ∑α⁄2 using the normal distribution table,

= 1.96

Finding the uncertainties interval, 𝜇:

[(𝑥) − ∑ 𝛼⁄2 × 𝑆⁄ ≤ 𝜇 ≤ (𝑥) − ∑ 𝛼⁄2 × 𝑆⁄ ]

√𝑁 √𝑁

= [5.2 − (1.96 × 2.82/5.48)] ≤ 𝜇 ≤ [5.2 + (1.96 × 2.82/5.48)]

=4.19 ≤ 𝜇 ≤ 6.208
The precision error of final reading at 95% confidence interval is ± 0.0085

To calculate 95% confidence value for normal distribution graph,

¯x- S_x , ¯x+ S_x

=5.102, 5.298.

To find Systematic Errors:

Instrument Uncertainty (±)

Dial gauge (mm) 0.01

Tape measure (cm) 0.1

The Total systematic uncertainties, 𝐵𝑥 = [(0.01)2 + (52 )] 1/2

𝐵𝑥 = ±5

The Total uncertainties, 𝑊𝑥 = [(𝐵𝑥 )2 + (𝑃𝑥𝑓𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑙 2

)] 1/2

𝑊𝑥 = [(5)2 + (𝑃𝑥𝑓𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑙 2
)] 1/2
Discussion

From the results, it can be seen that the load and deflection are directly proportional. As the
load is raised or added by 200g. The deflection also increases. Vice versa, when the load is
removed, the deflection decreases as well, it can also be noted that the theoretical deflection is
higher than the experimental deflection.

The reason why the theoretical value is very high in relation to the experimental values because
can be due to the errors committed during the lab works well as the effect of limiting factors
such as inaccuracy of readings for more than two decimals places and rounding off the number.
Furthermore, the air pressure or air circulations in the lab where we conducted the experiment
also affect our dial gauge readings, because the surroundings wasn’t calm enough and we
assume that the air circulation may disturb the readings by causing a unstable environment for
the load that were hanging under the beam. Moreover, the inconsistency of the weight of each
load also may affect the reading. For the first 10 reading, we used 200g block load to take the
deflection of the beam and then for the rest of the reading we used 1kg block and 200g block to
find out the deflection of the beam. Due to different size of the block and the defects that
occurs or can be seen the surfaces of load, can causes inconsistency for the deflection reading.

Conclusion

Aim of this experiment, is to determine the deflection of simply supported beam when it is
centrally loaded on the mid of beam. 15 different size of load were used to place at the center
of the beam to find the deflection of the beam and the result were calculated and plotted on
graph. From this experiment it can be that the deflection of the beam increases as load that
places under the beam increases. This shows that the applied load is proportional to
experimental deflection.
Reference

1. Manipal International University. (n.d.). EMb 3251 Mechanical Lab II Laboratary Worksheet.

2. https://www.mathalino.com/reviewer/mechanics-and-strength-of-materials/chapter-6-
beam-deflections