Experiment 5: Deflection of Beams

Report done by
Aumar Al-Meshhadany
40102507

For
ENGR 244(DI-X)

Course given by
Dr. Ehab Ahmed

Concordia University
3/31/2021
Table of Contents
1. LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................................. 3
2. LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................ 4
3. OBJECTIVE ......................................................................................................................................... 5
4. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 6
5. PROCEDURE ....................................................................................................................................... 8
5.1. Simply Support beam ............................................................................................................ 8
5.2. Cantilever Beam.................................................................................................................... 8
6. RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................. 9
6.1. Simply Supported Beam ....................................................................................................... 9
6.1.1. Derivative of the elastic curve .............................................................................................. 9
6.1.2. Theoretical deflection ........................................................................................................... 9
6.1.3. Tabulation of theoretical and experimental values ............................................................. 10
6.1.4. Estimation of E from the experimental values of deflection ............................................... 11
6.1.5. Plot of theoretical and experimental values of deflection ................................................... 12
6.2. Cantilever Beam.................................................................................................................. 12
6.2.1. Calculation of the theoretical values of deflection .............................................................. 12
6.2.2. Tabulation of the theoretical and experimental values of deflection .................................. 13
6.2.3. Determination of the values of E with the measured deflection ......................................... 13
6.2.4. Plot of the experimental and theoretical deflections ........................................................... 14
7. DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................................... 15
7.1. Comparison of Theoretical and Experimental Values for Both Beams .............................. 15
7.2. Comparison of E values ...................................................................................................... 16
REFERENCE.............................................................................................................................................. 17
ANNEX ...................................................................................................................................................... 18

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 1. LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 : Deflection of a Beam ...................................................................................................... 6

Figure 2 : Theoretical and Experimental Values of Deflection .....Error! Bookmark not defined.
Figure 3 : Theoretical and Experimental Values of Deflection .................................................... 12
Figure 4 : Experimental and Theoretical Deflection of L/2 .......................................................... 14

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 2. LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Theoretical and experimental values of deflection ......................................................... 10

Table 2 : Average experimental and theoretical value of Modulus of Elasticity (E) of different
material ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Table 3 : Theoretical and Experimental Values of Deflection ..................................................... 13
Table 4 : Experimental Values of Modulus of Elasticity .............................................................. 14
Table 5 : Average experimental values of E Compared to Theoretical Values of E .................... 14
Table 6: Accuracy of Both Beams with L/2 Deflection ............................................................... 15
Table 7 : Comparison of E Values ................................................................................................ 16

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 3. OBJECTIVE

We must evaluate the load deflection relationship of a simply supported and cantilever

beam. Also, we must determine the modulus of elasticity of different metals.

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 4. INTRODUCTION

In engineering, the term deflection refers to the movement of a beam or node from its

original position due to forces and loads applied to the beam [1]. It can also occur due to the

weight of the structure itself. A deflection could create a bending over a beam (see figure 1).

Figure 1 : Deflection of a Beam

We can observe that the beam has moved away from its original point. It is very important for an

engineer to have knowledge about deflection because there is a limit of tolerance of how a much

a beam can be deflected. Therefore, it is important to know the value of curvature of deflection

which is given by:

𝑃
𝑦= (𝑥 3 − 3𝐿𝑥 2 )
6𝐸𝐼

6
Where,

𝑃 = 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑

𝐸 = 𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑦

𝐼 = 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠

𝐿 = 𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚

𝑥 = 𝐿𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑

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 5. PROCEDURE

5.1. Simply Support beam

The experimental starts by measuring the cross section of each beam. Once this is done,

we position the specimen on the testing machine by making sure the center of the beam and the

line of action of the load coincide. We then position the two deformation gauges to measure the

vertical deflection at the center and at the quarter point of the beam span. Finally, we load the

beam in increments of 200 N to 1000 N without ever exceeding 1000 N. We must record the

deflection with a precision of 0.01 mm. The procedure is the same for the brass, steel, and

aluminum.

5.2. Cantilever Beam

We measure the length, width and height of the beam. We then zero the deflection

display gauge. The load hanger must be placed at the free end of the beam. We then measure the

deflection at 𝑥 = 𝐿 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 0.5𝐿 for load increments of 100g up to a maximum load of 500g.

The procedure is repeated for the other cantilever beam.

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 6. RESULTS

6.1. Simply Supported Beam

6.1.1. Derivative of the elastic curve

1 𝑑2 𝑦
=
𝜌 𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑀(𝑥)
=
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑀(𝑥)
=
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑀(𝑥)
∫ =∫ 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼

𝑑𝑦 1
= ∗ (𝑀𝑥 + 𝐶1 )
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼
1
∫ 𝑑𝑦 = ∫ 𝑀𝑥 + 𝐶1
𝐸𝐼

1 𝑀𝑥 2
𝑦= ( + 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2 )
𝐸𝐼 2

𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 0 & 𝑦 = 0, 𝐶2 = 0

−𝑀(𝐿)
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 𝐿 & 𝑦 = 0, 𝐶1 =
2

1 𝑀𝑥 2 𝑀𝐿𝑥
𝑦= ( − )
𝐸𝐼 2 2

6.1.2. Theoretical deflection

𝐹 𝑥 3 𝐿2 𝑥
𝑦= ( − )
4𝐸𝐼 3 4

𝐹 ∗ 𝐿3
𝑦1 = −
2 32 ∗ 𝐸𝐼

3 ∗ 𝐹𝐿3
𝑦1 = −
4 256 ∗ 𝐸𝐼

𝑏 ∗ ℎ3
𝐼=
12

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*Calculations will only be done for the first load of brass since the calculations are all the same

of the different loads and difference material.

(0.01939) ∗ (0.01269)3
𝐼𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 = = 3.302033153 𝑥 10−9 𝑚4
12

200 200 ∗ 0.4553

𝑦𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠,𝑥=1/2 = ∗( ) = −1.698023 𝑥 10−3 𝑚
(105 𝐺𝑃𝑎) ∗ (𝐼𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑠𝑠 ) 32

6.1.3. Tabulation of theoretical and experimental values

Table 1: Theoretical and experimental values of deflection

Experimental Deflection (m)

Loads
Brass Steel Aluminum
(N)
x = L/2 x = L/4 x = L/2 x = L/4 x = L/2 x = L/4
200 0.0061 0.0016 0.0068 0.005 0.00193 0.00133
400 0.00322 0.0023 0.00133 0.00107 0.00386 0.00265
600 0.0048 0.00348 0.00203 0.00152 0.00586 0.00404
800 0.00645 0.00465 0.0027 0.00206 0.00765 0.00542
1000 0.00806 0.0059 0.00334 0.0025 0.00949 0.00669
Theoretical Deflection (m)
Loads
Brass Steel Aluminum
(N)
x = L/2 x = L/4 x = L/2 x = L/4 x = L/2 x = L/4
- - - - - -
200
0.001698 0.000636758 0.000890185 0.000333819 0.00240047 0.000900175
- - - - -
400
0.003396 0.001273517 0.001780369 0.000667638 0.00480093 -0.00180035
- - - - -
600
0.005094 0.001910275 0.002670554 0.001001458 -0.0072014 0.002700526
- - - - - -
800
0.006792 0.002547034 0.003560738 0.001335277 0.00960187 0.003600701
- - - - - -
1000
0.008490 0.003183792 0.004450923 0.001669096 0.01200234 0.004500876

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6.1.4. Estimation of E from the experimental values of deflection

*Calculations are done only for the first try and mid-point since all of the others follow the same
steps.

(1 𝑜𝑟 3) ∗ 𝐹 ∗ 𝐿3
𝑦1𝑜𝑟1/4 =
2 (32 𝑜𝑟 256) ∗ 𝐸𝐼

(1 𝑜𝑟 3) ∗ 𝐹𝐿3
𝐸=−
(32 𝑜𝑟 256)𝐼 ∗ 𝑦1/2

200 ∗ 0.4553
𝐸𝐹=200,𝑥=1/2 = − = 2.923 𝑥 1010
32 ∗ 𝐼 ∗ −0.0061

Table 2 : Average experimental and theoretical value of Modulus of Elasticity (E) of

different material

Material E experimental (GPa) E theoretical (GPa)

Brass 95 105
Steel 217 200
Aluminum 87 70

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6.1.5. Plot of theoretical and experimental values of deflection

Theoretical and Experimental

deflection at mid-span
0.015000
Brass_Theoretical
0.010000

0.005000 Brass_Experimental
Deflection (m)

0.000000 Steel_Theoretical
0 500 1000 1500
-0.005000
Steel_Experimental

-0.010000
Aluminum_Theoretical
-0.015000
Load (N)

Figure 2 : Theoretical and Experimental Values of Deflection

6.2. Cantilever Beam

6.2.1. Calculation of the theoretical values of deflection

*Calculations will only be done for the first load of brass since the calculations are all the same
of the different loads and difference material.
𝑃
𝑦= (𝑥 3 − 3𝐿𝑥 2 )
6 ∗ 𝐸𝐼
0.98
𝑦𝑃=0.98𝑁,𝑥=𝐿 = (0.252 − 3 ∗ 0.25 ∗ 0.252 ) = −0.00029065 𝑚
6 ∗ 105 ∗ 109 ∗ 5.23 ∗ 10−11

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6.2.2. Tabulation of the theoretical and experimental values of deflection

Table 3 : Theoretical and Experimental Values of Deflection

Theoretical Deflection (m)

Loads Brass Steel Aluminum
(N) x = L/2 x=L x = L/2 x=L x = L/2 x=L
- -9.3009E- - - -
0.98 -0.00104491
0.00029065 04 0.000140088 0.000448283 0.00032653
- -1.8602E- - - -
1.96 -0.00208982
0.00058131 03 0.000280177 0.000896566 0.00065307
- -2.7903E- - -
2.94 -0.0009796 -0.00313473
0.00087196 03 0.000420265 0.001344849
- -3.7204E- - - -
3.92 -0.00417964
0.00116261 03 0.000560354 0.001793132 0.00130614
- -4.6504E- - - - -
4.9
0.00145327 03 0.000700442 0.002241414 0.00163267 0.005224549
Experimental Deflection (m)
Loads Brass Steel Aluminum
(N) x = L/2 x=L x = L/2 x=L x = L/2 x=L
0.98 0.00046 0.00131 0.00023 0.00064 0.00045 0.00147
1.96 0.00078 0.00237 0.00041 0.00121 0.00092 0.00276
2.94 0.00123 0.00353 0.00063 0.00181 0.00134 0.00407
3.92 0.00152 0.00472 0.00084 0.0024 0.00179 0.00548
4.9 0.00193 0.00587 0.00098 0.00303 0.00221 0.00685

6.2.3. Determination of the values of E with the measured deflection

*Calculations will only be done for the first load of brass since the calculations are all the same
of the different loads and difference material.

𝑃
𝑦= (𝑥 3 − 3𝐿𝑥 2 )
6 ∗ 𝐸𝐼
𝑃
𝐸= (𝑥 3 − 3𝐿𝑥 2 )
6 ∗ 𝑦𝐼

0.98
𝐸𝑃=0.98,𝑥=𝐿 = (𝐿3 − 3𝐿3 ) = |−74.499𝑥109 | 𝑃𝑎
6 ∗ 0.00131 ∗ 5.23𝑥10−11

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Table 4 : Experimental Values of Modulus of Elasticity

E experimental (GPa)
Loads (N) Brass Steel Aluminum
x = L/2 x=L x = L/2 x=L x = L/2 x=L
0.98 66 75 122 140 51 50
1.96 78 82 137 148 50 53
2.94 74 83 133 149 51 54
3.92 80 83 133 149 51 53
4.9 79 83 143 148 52 53

Table 5 : Average experimental values of E Compared to Theoretical Values of E

Material E experimental (GPa) E theoretical (GPa)

Brass 78 105
Steel 140 200
Aluminum 52 70

6.2.4. Plot of the experimental and theoretical deflections

Figure 3 : Experimental and Theoretical Deflection of L/2

Experimental and Theoretical

Deflection of L/2
0.003
Brass_Theoretical
0.002
Deflection (m)

0.001 Brass_Experimental

0 Steel_Theoretical
0 2 4 6
-0.001
Steel_Experimental
-0.002
Load (N)

Figure 4: Experimental and Theoretical Deflection of L/2

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 7. DISCUSSION

7.1. Comparison of Theoretical and Experimental Values for Both Beams

Table 6: Accuracy of Both Beams with L/2 Deflection

Accuracy
Material Brass Steel Aluminum Average
Simple Beam 89 82 80 84
Cantilever Beam 74 68 73 72

We can observe that the average accuracy of the simple beam is of 84% and the

cantilever beam is of 72%. Since the accuracy depends on the theoretical and experimental

deflection values, we must look at the formulas. In both formulas, the Modulus of Elasticity, the

moment of inertia, and the load are the factors that make the deflection vary. The Modulus of

Elasticity varies from one material to another; meaning the accuracy will depend on the type of

material. Since we can predetermine the same load for the different beams, we can conclude it

won’t play a role in the changing of accuracy. Finally, the moment of inertia depends on the

configuration of the beam; meaning it will indeed change the accuracy. To summarize, the

accuracy will depend on the type of material and the beam configuration.

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 7.2. Comparison of E values

Table 7 : Comparison of E Values

E experimental
Material E experimental (GPa) Simple E theoretical (GPa)
Cantilever(GPa)
Brass 95 78 105
Steel 217 140 200
Aluminum 87 52 70

The experimental values of Modulus of Elasticity are all different from the theoretical

values. This could be explained by the big difference of values between the load and the other

values such as the deflection and the moment of inertia. Indeed, in both beams, the denominator

is extremely small compared to the numerator. For example, for every variation of 0.01 N for the

same deflection, the value of Modulus Elasticity for cantilever beam is 4.56 GPa approximately.

This shows that a simple error of 0.01 N in the reading could result a mistake of 4.56 GPa for the

Modulus of Elasticity. To show you how of a big difference the E value could be compared to

the error done in reading, we will give you an example with the brass of a cantilever beam. We

know the difference in E value of the brass between the experimental and theoretical is 27 GPa.

If divided by 4.56 GPa, it will give an error of reading of 0.0592 N. Therefore, it means we were

off from the theoretical value by simply 0.0592 N which is 6.04 g. In other words, a simple

difference of 6.04g could give us a 27 GPa difference.

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 REFERENCE

[1] What is Deflection?, SkyCiv. Accessed on: March 31, 2021. [Online]. Available:
https://skyciv.com/docs/tutorials/beam-tutorials/what-is-deflection/

ENGR 244 – Mechanic of Materials – ONLINE LABORATORY - Experiment 5: Deflection of

Beams – DATA SHEET – Lab Section: DI, FI & LI

ENGR 244 – Mechanic of Materials – ONLINE LABORATORY – Experiment 5: Deflection –

Experiment Description.

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ANNEX

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