EXPERIMENT NO.

5.1 OBJECTIVES:
To determine the deflection of simply supported beam loaded by
concentrated load at mid-point and hence determine the modulus of Elasticity of
material of the beam.

5.2 APPARATUS:
i. Deflection of beam apparatus with clamps
ii. Hanger and weights
iii. Meter rod
iv. Dial indicator
v. Vernier caliper
Deflection of beam apparatus contains a metal beam and two knife edge supports upon
which the beam is supported for this experiment with the help of clamps arrangement at
the end can be made fixed.

[1] Deflection of beam apparatus. Fig 1

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5.3 THEORY:
5.3.1 BEAMS:
A structural element which is used to support heavy loads in different structures is
called beam. Beam in any structure bears huge load which tries to bend the beam
and beam support the structure by resisting the bending produce by the load. Ability
of the beam to resist the load depends on the type of beam, material of beam and
shape of beam.[2]
Some different types of beams are given below
5.3.2 SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM:
It is supported on the ends which are free to rotate and have no moment resistance.

[3] Figure 2: Simply Supported Beam

5.3.3 FIXED BEAM:

A beam supported on both ends and restrained from rotation.

[4] Figure 3: Fixed Beam

5.3.4 OVER HANGING:

A simple beam extending beyond its support on one end.

[5] Figure 4: Overhanging Beam

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5.3.5 DOUBLE OVER HANGING:
A simple beam with both ends extending beyond its support in both ends.

[6] Figure 5: Double Over Hanging Beam

5.3.6 CONTINUOUS:
A beam extending over more than two supports.

[7] Figure 6: Continuous Beam

5.3.7 CANTILEVER:
A cantilever beam is a beam which is fixed from one end and free at the other end.

[8] Figure 7: Cantilever Beam

5.3.8 TRUSSED:
A beam strengthened by adding a cable or rod to form a truss.

[9] Figure 8: Trussed Beam

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5.4 DEFLECTION OF BEAMS:
In engineering, deflection is the degree to which a structural element is
displaced under a load. It may refer to an angle or a distance. The beams used for
frame work are selected on the basis of deflection, amongst other factors.

Stresses cause beam deflection, which is the bending or twisting of the structural
members due to building loads, movement of people, or changing weather. The force
that is applied, and the stress that is created in the beam.

5.5 PERMISSIBLE LOAD:

Permissible load is the maximum amount of load which can be applied
in the on to the beam it is also called the allowable load. This load shows the strength of
any beam with respect of the load applied on it. It is very important to calculate the
permissible load of all the beams in order to get a safe structure.

5.6 MOMENT OF INERTIA:

The moment of inertia of a beam, which is a constant determined by the
beam's cross-sectional shape and thickness. The moment of inertia is not related to the
length or the beam material.

5.7 BENDING STRESS:

The bending stress at any location of a beam section is determined by the
flexure formula:

σ= Ml/I
M - moment at the section
L - 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.
by taking load at an extreme fiber at distance l,
σ= Ml/I

5.8 ELASTIC MODULUS:

Elastic modulus is the mechanical property of material which is the ratio
of tensile stress and strain. Greater the value of the elastic modulus stiffer the material
is and lower value of elastic modulus means the material deflect a lot at small stresses.
E=σ/ε
Where
E is the Elastic modulus

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σ = stress
ε = strain
Centre load on beam with two fixed supports

yc = WL3 ∕ 192EI

With the load at the center, the deflection at distance a from the fixed
support.
L = length of beam
yc= deflection of beam
W= weight on beam
E = Young's Modulus
I = moment of inertia of beam

5.9 PROCEDURE:
1. Set the deflection of beam apparatus on a horizontal free surface
2. Set the dial indicator at the zero
3. Apply a load of 0.5 lb and measure the deflection using dial indicator
4. Take a set of at least five readings of increasing value of load and then take
readings on unloading
5. Calculate
i. The theoretical value of deflection of beam at mid-span
ii. The % error of theoretical and experimental values of central
deflections

5.10 OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS:

Least count of dial indicator= 0.01 mm

Effective length of beam = 24.6 inch
Breadth of beam= 1.02 inch
Height of beam= 0.21 inch
Modulus of elasticity of material of beam= 1.52*107 psi
Moment of inertia of beam (I=bh3/12) = 8.3*10-4

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 NO.
OF LOAD ACTUAL CENTRAL DEFLECTION THEORETICA PERCENTAG
OBS L E ERROR
W LOADING UNLOADIN AVERA DEFLECTION
.
mm G GE
mm Inch
1 0.5 0.8 0.9 0.0033 0.003 10%
2 1 1.6 1.9 0.0068 0.0061 11.4%
3 1.5 2.6 2.7 0.0104 0.0092 13%
4 2 3.4 3.7 0.014 0.012 12.5%
5 2.5 4.3 4.3 0.0169 0.015 10%

Mean error= 11.38%

5.11 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. The errors are due to following reasons
 Due to sudden loading or unloading.
 Due to error in dial indicator.
 Due to human errors.

5.12 REFERENCES:
1. https://www.green-mechanic.com/2017/01/Deflection-of-Beam-Lab-Report-
pdf.html
2. http://www.clag.org.uk/beam.html
3. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/beams-fixed-both-ends-support-loads-
deflection-d_809.html.
4. "Beam" def. 1. Whitney, William Dwight, and Benjamin E. Smith. The Century
dictionary and cyclopedia. vol, 1. New York: Century Co., 1901. 487. Print.
5. Ching, Frank. A visual dictionary of architecture. New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold, 1995. 8–9. Print.
6. The American Architect and Building News, Vol XXIII. Boston: James R. Osgood
& Co. 1888. p. 159.
7. Ramsay, Angus. "NAFEMS Benchmark Challenge Number 7" (PDF). ramsay-
maunder.co.uk. Retrieved 7 May 2017.

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