DEPARTMENT OF MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, PESHAWAR

MtE-222L Mechanics of material LAB, 4th Semester

Student Name: Syed Suleman Ayub

Registration Number: 19pwmct0678

Lab No. 8:

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Comments:

Course Instructor: Engr. Wahad Ur Rahman

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 DEPARTMENT OF MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, PESHAWAR
MtE-222L Mechanics of material LAB, 4th Semester

Lab No: 08
Title: Maximum stress and strain analysis of a cantilever beam, fixed beam, and simply supported
beam with point and uniformly distributed Load using COMSOL Multiphysics.

Objectives of this lab:

 To study the detail theory of maximum stress developed in the beams with different loading
conditions.
 To find the maximum stress developed in cantilever fixed-fixed and simple supported beams
with point load and UDL.
 To numerically study the effect of different parameters on the maximum stress cantilever, fixed-
fixed and simple supported beams with point load and UDL
 To perform the stationary analysis of cantilever, fixed-fixed and simple supported beams for
finding the maximum stress.

Equipment/tools:
a) COMSOL Multiphysics software
b) Matlab/Excel

Theory:
First we will discuss the objectives of this lab, that is, what will we have achieved at the end of
this lab. The objectives of this lab are discussed below.
In this lab we will try to gain as much knowledge as possible about how to find maximum stress
and strain in a beam due to uniformly distributed load and point load. We understand the different
outcomes when we change the parameters. We will perform a stationary analysis of the beam in
COMSOL Multiphysics and find different outcomes.

Introduction:
Beams:
A beam is a horizontal structural member in a building to resist the lateral loads applied to the beams
axis. The structural member which resists the forces laterally or transversely applied to the (beam) axis
is called a beam.
In it, the loads are acting transversely to the longitudinal axis, which produces the shear
forces and bending moment. The lateral load acting on beams are the main cause bending of the beam.
They are responsible to transfer a load from the slab to the column.
It is the major component of building structures. It mainly use in construction of bridges, trusses, and
other structures which carry vertical load. It is a structure member which cross section is much smaller
compare to its length and undergoes lateral load.

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Purpose of beams
It is a structural element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by resisting its bending forces.
They are made of steel or reinforced concrete (RCC) or steel. We use it in structure to;
● Resist loads
● Counter bending moment and shear forces.
● Connect the structure together.
● Provide a uniform distribution of loads.
In the beam, the different reinforcements were used having different purposes such as
● Support bars – These bars are located in the top portion of the beam and just function to hold
the stirrups in place.
● Main Bars – Provide to carry loads (Moments).
● Stirrups – To counter the shear stresses (shear force).
They are generally characterized by their profile (shape, cross-section, length, material).  This member
of RCC structures is placed horizontally to carry the load and counter both bending and shear stresses.
According to its requirement, different beams use in different conditions like fix beam, cantilever beam
etc.

CLASSIFICATION OF BEAMS:
Generally, beams are classified by the shape of their cross-section, by their length and by their
equilibrium conditions.
ACCORDING TO THE SUPPORT CONDITIONS:
SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAMS:
A simply supported beam is supported at both ends. These beams are mostly used in general
construction. Supported freely to rotate at the two ends on walls or columns. Have no moment
resistant at support.

Figure 8.1: Simply Supported beams

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CONTINUOUS BEAMS:
A beam that has more than two supports this kind of beam is called continuous beams. Two or more
than two supports are used between these beams and these beams are similar to the simply supported
beams. Supported on two or more vertical supports. It is considered as a more economical beam as
compared to others. The beam over which both sides have an overhanging called double overhanging
beam.

Figure 8.2: Continuous Beams

FIXED BEAMS:
A beam that is fixed at both ends is called a fixed beam. Fixed beams are not allowed the vertical
movement or rotation of the beam. In this beam, no bending moment will produce. Fixed beams are only
under the shear force and are generally used in the trusses and like other structures. Both ends of the
beam rigidly fixed with supports.

Figure 8.3: Fixed Beams

CANTILEVER BEAMS:
A beam that is fixed at one end and free on the other end is called an overhanging beam. These beams
carry loads of both shear stress and bending moment. These beams are generally used in the bridge
trusses and another structural member. It’s one end is fixed in-wall or column and the other side is free.
In cantilever, the tension zone is located at top and compression in the bottom

Figure 8.4: Cantilever beam

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OVERHANGING BEAM:
A beam that is supported by two points but on the third point is hanging or not support it is called an
overhanging beam. It is a combination of the cantilever and the simply supported beam. Its
ends extend beyond the columns or walls. The overhanging portion in unsupported or may locate both
sides of the beam.

Figure 8.5: Overhanging Beams

Loading Conditions:
Point load or concentrated load
Point load or concentrated load, as name suggest, acts at a point on the beam. If we will see practically,
point load or concentrated load also distributed over a small area but we can consider such type of
loading as point loading and hence such type of load could be considered as point load or concentrated
load.
Following figure displayed here indicates the beam AB of length L which will be loaded with point load
W at the midpoint of the beam. Load W will be considered here as the point load.
For Point Load max deflection formula is: PL^3/3EI

Figure 8.6: Point Load

Uniformly distributed load:

Uniformly distributed load is the load which will be distributed over the length of the beam in such a
way that rate of loading will be uniform throughout the distribution length of the beam. 

Uniformly distributed load is also expressed as U.D.L and with value as w N/m. During determination
of the total load, total uniformly distributed load will be converted in to point load by multiplying the
rate of loading i.e. w (N/m) with the span of load distribution i.e. L and will be acting over the midpoint
of the length of the uniformly load distribution.

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Let us consider the following figure, a beam AB of length L is loaded with uniformly distributed load
and rate of loading is w (N/m).
For uniformly distributed load the max deflection formula is;
Max Deflection = WL^4/8EI

Figure 8.7: Uniformly Distributed Load

Stresses in a Beam:
Whenever an external force is applied on a body then a resisting force is induced in the body. This
resisting force acting per unit area of the body is called stress. Under equilibrium condition this resisting
force is equal to the applied load. So the stress is also defined as the ratio of applied force to the cross
sectional area on which this external force is applied. The force applied on the body is called load.
Stress = (resisting force)/(cross sectional area) = R/A
Beams develop normal stresses in the lengthwise direction that vary from a maximum in tension at one
surface, to zero at the beam’s midplane, to a maximum in compression at the opposite surface. Shear
stresses are also induced, although these are often negligible in comparison with the normal stresses
when the length-to-height ratio of the beam is large. The procedures for calculating these stresses for
various loading conditions and beam cross-section shapes are perhaps the most important methods to be
found in introductory Mechanics of Materials, and will be developed in the sections to follow. The
determination of stress distributions of beams in necessary for determining the level of performance for
the component. In particular, stress-based failure theories require determination of the maximum
combined stresses in which the complete stress state must be either measured or calculated.
Stress in a beam= P*L/Z.
P= Applied load
L = length of the beam
Z = Section modulus
Z= (2*I)/h
I = moment of inertia
I = (width * height^3) / 12
When a force is applied to the beam, the rectangles deform.

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The tops of the upper row of rectangles are shortened, and the bottoms of the lower row of rectangles are
elongated. Thus, we see that the top of the beam is in compression and the bottom of the beam is in
tension.
Notice that the middle of the beam is in neither tension nor compression. This is called the neutral axis.
The bending stress at the neutral axis is zero.

Tensile Stress:
The stress-induced in a beam when it is subjected to two equal and opposite pulls is called tensile stress.
Due to the tensile stress there is an increase in the length of the body and decrease in the cross section
area of the body. Tensile stress is a type of normal stress, so it acts at 90 degree to the area.

Compressive Stress:
The stress which induced in a beam when it is subjected to two equal and opposite pushes is called
compressive stress. Due to the compressive stress, there is a decrease in the length and increase in the
cross section area of the body. Compressive stress is also a type of normal stress and so it also acts at 90
degree to the area.

Figure 8.8: Stress types

Strain in a Beam:
When an external force is applied on the body then some change in dimension of the body takes place.
The ratio of this change in the dimension of the body to the original dimension is called strain. Strain is
a dimensional less quantity as it is the ratio of change in dimension to the original dimension. The strain
is denoted by the letter ‘e’.
Strain = change in dimension/ original dimension
Strains may be divided into normal strains and shear strains on the basis of the forces that cause the
deformation.

Normal Strain:
A normal strain is caused by forces perpendicular to planes or cross-sectional areas of the material, such
as in a volume that is under pressure on all sides or in a rod that is pulled or compressed lengthwise.

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 Figure 8.9: Strain

A beams tensile strength is determined in the laboratory by pulling on a specimen until it breaks. While
the test is conducted, both the stress and strain are recorded. The maximum stress that the specimen can
withstand is called the ultimate strength of that particular material. From a design stand-point, we are
mainly interested in the stress where the material stops behaving elastically.

In-Lab Task:
Stress and strain analysis of a cantilever beam, fixed beam, and simply supported beam with point and
uniformly distributed Load using COMSOL Multiphysics. Find the variation in stress and strain by
varying Applied load and Length of the beams.

Solution:
First i made the three beams i.e. Cantilever Beam, Fixed-Fixed Beam and Simply Supported Beam in
COMSOL Multiphysics. The complete steps for modeling a and simulation are given below.

Steps of COMSOL Multiphysics modeling and simulation:

The steps for modeling and simulation of the structure that we will make in COMSOL Multiphysics
are given below. We will follow each step and make an iron Cantilever beam. Then we will apply some
force and simulate the model. We will just have an overview of how COMSOL works and what can we
do with it.
● Setup model environment
● Select physics
● Select study
● Creating geometry
● Adding material
● Initial and boundary conditions
● Creating mesh
● Select study type
● Run simulation
● View results

Start Model Environment:

When you start multisim you will see the two options, a model guided by the Model Wizard or
start from a Blank Model as shown in the fig 8.10.

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 Figure 8.10 Model Wizard

For our project we will select model wizard. The Model Wizard will guide you in setting up the
space dimension, physics, and study type in a few steps.

Select the space dimension:

Start by selecting the space dimension for your model component: 3D, 2D Axisymmetric, 2D,
1D Axisymmetric, or 0D, shown in fig 8.11.

Figure 8.11: space dimension

For our model we will select 3D.

Select Physics:
Now, add one or more physics interfaces. These are organized in a number of physics branches
in order to make them easy to locate. These branches do not directly correspond to products. When
products are added to your COMSOL Multiphysics installation, one or more branches will be populated
with additional physics interfaces.
For our model we will select shell and solid mechanics in structural mechanics and add them. We can
add multiple interfaces as shown in fig 8.12.

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 Figure 8.12: Select Physics

After adding the interfaces press study.

Solid mechanics:
The Solid Mechanics interface is intended for general structural analysis of 3D, 2D, or
axisymmetric bodies. In 2D, plane stress or plane strain assumptions can be used. The Solid Mechanics
interface is based on solving Navier's equations. This results such as displacements, stresses, and strains
are computed.

Select Study:
Select the Study type that represents the solver or set of solvers that will be used for the
computation. We will select a study related to our model. For our model we will select stationary
analysis for displacement measurement as shown in fig 8.13. Finally, click done.

Figure 8.13: Select Study

Creating Geometry:
After selecting study we will be directed to the main page where we create the model. The Home
tab contains buttons for the most common operations for making changes to a model, running
simulations, and for building and testing applications. Examples include changing model parameters for
a parameterized geometry, reviewing material properties and physics, building the mesh, running a
study, and visualizing the simulation results.

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There are standard tabs for each of the main steps in the modeling process. These are ordered from left
to right according to the workflow: Definitions, Geometry, Materials, Physics, Mesh, Study, Results,
and Developer. Contextual tabs are shown only if and when they are needed, such as the 3D Plot Group
tab, which is shown when the corresponding plot group is added or when the node is selected in the
model tree.
Model tabs are used for very specific operations, when other operations in the ribbon may become
temporarily irrelevant. An example is the Work Plane modal tab. When working with work planes, other
tabs are not shown, since they do not present relevant operations. The interface of COMSOL is shown in
fig 8.14.

Figure 8.14: Creating Geometry

Now right click geometry and select block as shown in fig 8.15.

Figure 8.15: Block

In the settings block you can change the size, shape, position and other features of the model. Set width,
depth and height as 1m, 0.2m and 0.02 respectively as shown in fig 8.16.

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 Figure 8.16: Parameters

Now add material. The material section is on the right side. Add Structural steel as shown in fig 8.17.

Figure 8.17: Material

Now select the initial and boundary conditions. Right click solid mechanics in model builder and select
boundary and fixed constraint as shown in fig 8.18.

Figure 8.18: Boundary and constraint selection

Now change load type to Total load. Set z component to any load type you want. Here we set it to 10 as
shown in fig 8.19.

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 Figure 8.19: Load

Now right click on Mesh in model builder and select build all as shown in fig 8.20.

Figure 8.20: Mesh

Now select the desired study and compute it. Right click study in model builder and select compute. I
followed the same steps as above and made fixed-fixed beam and simply supported beam. The beams
are shown in fig 8.21 (a), 8.21(b).

Figure 8.21(a): Cantilever beam

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 Figure 8.21(b): Fixed-Fixed Beam

Cantilever Beam:
The deflection in the beam by varying each parameter is given below.

Point Load:
Varying Applied Load:
In the fig 8.22 below we see that with increasing the applied load the deflection in the beam
increases.

Figure 8.22: Varying load

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Varying length:
In the fig 8.23 below we see that with increasing the length of the beam, the deflection in the
beam increases.

Figure 8.23: Varying length

Uniformly Distributed Load:

Varying Applied Load:
In the fig 8.24 below we see that with increasing the applied load the deflection in the beam increases.

Figure 8.24: Varying load

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Varying length:
In the fig 8.25 below we see that with increasing the length of the beam, the deflection in the beam
increases.

Figure 8.25: Varying Length

Fixed-Fixed beam:
The deflection in the beam by varying each parameter is given below.

Point Load:
Varying Applied Load:
In the fig 8.26 below we see that with increasing the applied load the deflection in the beam increases.

Figure 8.26: Varying Load

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Varying length:
In the fig 8.27 below we see that with increasing the length of the beam, the deflection in the beam
increases.

Figure 8.27: Varying Length

Uniformly Distributed Load:

Varying Applied Load:
In the fig 8.28 below we see that with increasing the applied load the deflection in the beam increases.

Figure 8.28: Varying Load

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Varying length:
In the fig 8.29 below we see that with increasing the length of the beam, the deflection in the beam
increases.

Figure 8.29: Varying Length

Simply Supported beam:

The deflection in the beam by varying each parameter is given below.

Point Load:
Varying Applied Load:
In the fig 8.30 below we see that with increasing the applied load the deflection in the beam increases.

Figure 8.30: Varying Load

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Varying length:
In the fig 8.31 below we see that with increasing the length of the beam, the deflection in the beam
increases.

Figure 8.31: Varying Length

Uniformly Distributed Load:

Varying Applied Load:
In the fig 8.32 below we see that with increasing the applied load the deflection in the beam increases.

Figure 8.32: Varying Load

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Varying length:
In the fig 8.33 below we see that with increasing the length of the beam, the deflection in the beam
increases.

Figure 8.33: Varying Length

Post-lab tasks:
Write Lab Report with complete solution of the given problem.
References:
What is Beam ? it's 5 Different Types, Sizes & Purposes (civilclick.com)
What is Beam? What are main Types of Beams - mech4study
Beam Stress & Deflection | MechaniCalc
Stress, Strain and Deflection (parash.xyz)

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