Scope of Experiment: Our goal was to measure and verify theoretical data on the deflection of a simply loaded beam

and cantilever. Using the data from the cantilever we were to verity Maxwell s reciprocity theorem and superposition theorem as well. Our apparatus included a simply supported beam, weight plates, micrometer, dial gauge (1 revolution is 0.1in of deflection.) For the beam portion of the lab we setup a dial gauge to measure deflection both at mid-span and at quarter-span loaded each with 5 pound steps and measured the deflection twice with two different people took the average to generate our data in the graphs, all to obtain measurements and compare with theoretical measurements obtained by using equations. Due to malfunctioning equipment we were unable to perform the cantilever portion of the experiment as well as Maxwell s and superposition theorem. Theories:

is deflection brought on by a load P , E is the material property(strength) of the beam

M - moment at the section y - distance from the neutral axis to the point of interest I - moment of inertia

Apparatus, Technique, Sketches: