MECHANICS OF

MATERIALS LAB (ME-205L)

EXPERIME N T # 5
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
HITEC UNIVERSITY, TAXILA
 E X P E RIMENT # 5

• Deflection in FIXED BEAM

 LAB INSTRUCTORS

• Lecturer Muhammad Mahad Shah (Section A & B)

• Lecturer Hafiz Ahmad (Section C & D)
• Lab Attendant Mansoor Ahmad
 AIMS & O B J E C T I V E S
• AIM
• To compare the values of theoretical and actual deflection in a Fixed Beam subjected to a
Concentrated Load at its center.

• OBJECTIVES
• Calculate theoretical deflection in beam using mathematical formula
• Measure actual deflection in beam using Dial Gauge
• Calculate the Percentage Error between theoretical and actual deflection
• Present your findings in a Lab Report with table, calculations, graph & discussion
 F I X E D BEAM
• A rigid structural element which with both ends fixed in such a way so that there is no
rotation at the fixed ends, and the slope at the supports is zero.
 D EFLECTIO N IN F I X E D BEA M

• Deflection in a Fixed Beam (for a point load at the center) is maximum at the center:
 E X P E RIMENT - SETUP

• Apparatus
• Metal Beams (mild steel, brass, aluminium)
• Dial Gauge
• Meter Rod
• Vernier Caliper
• Weights
• Clamping Mechanism

• General Setup
 EXPERIME N T - P R O C E D U R E
• Clamp the beam in the clamping mechanism in the fixed-beam manner.
• Measure the beam’s length, breadth and height using Meter Rod and Vernier Caliper.
• Adjust the dial gauge at the center of the beam.
• Add weights to the beam’s center and note the respective deflection (against the increasing
loads).
 E X P E RIMENT – PRO C E D U R E (CONTD.)

• After noting the deflection of maximum load, decrease the loads and note the
respective Unloading Deflection.

• Take the average of the Loading and Unloading Deflections to attain the Actual
Deflection.
• Calculate the theoretical maximum deflection using standard formula.
• Compare the Theoretical & Actual Deflections by calculating their respective
Percentage Errors.

• Repeat the experiment for beams of different materials.

EXPERIMEN T - TABLE
 E X P E RIMENTAL VALUES
Material Load (N) Deflection (mm)
Loading Unloading
Mild Steel 1 0.05 0.07
2 0.11 0.1
3 0.16 0.18
4 0.22 0.22
Brass 1 0.1 0.09
2 0.21 0.21
3 0.29 0.3
4 0.45 0.45
Aluminium 1 0.15 0.17
2 0.29 0.33
3 0.41 0.42
4 0.68 0.68
 MATERIAL PROPERTIES

• Young’s Modulus (E) is used in calculating Theoretical Deflection.

• Young’s Modulus for the materials used in this experiment:

• Mild Steel: 200 G Pa
• Brass: 110 G Pa
• Aluminium: 70 GPa
 DIMENSIONS O F T H E BEA M

• Beam’s dimensions are used in • Breadth and Height are used to calculate the
calculating the Theoretical Deflection MOMENT OF INERTIA

Length L = 880 mm
Breadth (or width,W) b = 22 mm
Height (or thickness, t) h = 6 mm
 ACTUAL V S . THEORETICAL DEFLEC TIO N

• Objective of the experiment is to compare the Actual Deflection with the Theoretical
Deflection in the Fixed Beam
• Percentage Error provides a numerical comparison between the actual and
theoretical deflection in the beam

% 𝐸𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 −𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 × 100

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

• Ideally, Error should be as small as possible

 LAB R EP ORT

• The lab report should include the following:

• Dimensions and Moment of Inertia
• Filled Table (for all three materials)
• Graph
• Load (y-axis) vs. Actual Deflection (x-axis)
• Slope of Graph (Load / Deflection)
• Discussion
• Learning experience from the experiment
• Commentary on the behavior of the Fixed Beam, taking into account various factors including
different materials, changing dimension, comparison of theoretical & actual deflection and
possible causes of error and its mitigation
• Comments on the graph and its trend
 ATTENTION!
• Please go through the Video Lectures provided.
• Lab Reports must be made and submitted individually.
• Take special care regarding UNITS, so as not to mess up your calculations.
• The Lab Report should be of 3 pages:
• 1 Page for Calculations and Table
• 1 Page for Observations / Discussion
• 1 Page for Graph
• The Lab Report can be typed or hand-written:
• The graph can be hand-drawn or made in software.
• Hand-written report must be neat, legible and well-scanned.
• For typed report, the font size should be 12 (14 for Headings).
• Your lab report must include a Title Page.
• The lab report should be submitted as a PDF.
 ADDITIONAL – BEHAVIOR O F F I X E D BEAM

• Behavior of Fixed Beam under Concentrated Load at center:

• Shear Force & Bending Moment Diagrams
• Formulae for Deflection, Slope, Shear Force & Bending Moment
ADDITIONAL – BEHAVIOR O F F IX E D BEAM (C O NTD.)
 CONCLUSION

• Thank you!

• Any Questions?