INTRODUCTION

The beam, or flexural member is frequently encountered in structures and machines, and its
elementary stress analysis constitutes one of the more interesting facets of mechanics of
materials. A beam is a member subjected to loads applied transverse to the long dimension,
causing the member to bend. In engineering mechanics, bending characterizes the behavior of
a slender structural element subjected to an external load applied perpendicularly to a
longitudinal axis of the element.

Deflection is defined as the vertical displacement of a point on a loaded beam. The

maximum deflection occurs where slope is zero. The position of the maximum deflection is
revealed by equating the slope equation zero. Next, the value of x is substituted in the
deflection equation to calculate the maximum deflection The maximum deflection y at the
mid span of the beam will be measured. The elastic modulus of the beams material will be
determined from the flexure formula E = MR / I.

Figure: Deflection of beam when load is applied

https://courses.washington.edu/me354a/chap3.pdf