School of Engineering

Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

EXPERIMENT OVERVIEW
An angled specimen is used in this experiment to study the unsymmetrical bending of a
cantilever beam.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The aim of this experiment is to construct a Mohr’s Circle to calculate values of the
experimental principal second moments of area (also referred to as moment of inertia)
and then compare the principle second moments to the theoretical values.

This will be done by completing the following objectives:

1. Tabulating the deflections in the U and V directions for the different head angles.
2. Establishing gradients of U and V against the pulling mass for each head angle.
3. Constructing a Mohr’s Circle by plotting the values of dU/dP versus dV/dP.
4. Calculating the principal second moment of area using the Mohr’s Circle and
comparing these values to the theoretical values.

THEORY
Figure 1 shows a cantilever beam with a load applied at the free end. The beam has two
principle axes, x and y, about which pure bending can take place. The principle axes
passes through the centroid of the section but do not necessarily coincide with the
arbitrary geometrical axes of the section.

Figure 1: Cantilever schematic and notation

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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

If applying a moment about one of the principle axis then the beam will deflect in that
direction only and the simple bending formula can predict the deflection. However, if
the moment is at an angle to either of the axes then the beam will bend about both of
the axes. The free end deflection will have two components - one in the direction of
pull (U) and at right angles (V).
If the aim is to predict the magnitude of the deflections, then it would be necessary to
resolve the moment into components acting about the principal axes. This leads to the
following formulae (standard texts outline the derivation):

𝐹𝐿3 1 1 𝐹𝐿3 1 1
𝑈= [𝐼 + 𝐼 ] + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 [𝐼 − 𝐼 ] (Equation 1)
6𝐸 𝑥 𝑦 6𝐸 𝑦 𝑥

𝐹𝐿3 1 1
𝑉= 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 [ − ] (Equation 2)
6𝐸 𝐼 𝐼𝑦 𝑥
where:
F = Force (N)
L =Effective length of the specimen (m),
E =Young's modulus (GNm-2 ) )

U =Deflection in the direction of pull (m),

V = Deflection at right angles to the pull (m),
e = Angle of pull (θ) )

IX, IY = Principal second moments of area (m4). )

A common method of reading off the cantilever deflections for various angles is to
construct a Mohr's Circle. The Mohr's Circle is an excellent graphical method, which is
covered in Mechanics 2. To construct a Mohr's Circle of deflections, the principal second
moments of area (IX and IY), need to be known. In this experiment, the Mohr's Circle in
reverse is used to establish the values of the principal second moments of area from
deflections measured off the equipment in each direction (U and V). These principal
second moments of area can then be compared to the theoretical values.

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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

Figure 2: Mohr’s circle of deflections to find the principal second moments of area.

PROCEDURE
1. Loosen the two rearward facing thumbscrews on the indicator bosses, turn the
indicators inward to contact the inner two datum pegs and lock off the
thumbscrews. This sets the 90° angle between the two indicators.
2. Select one of the three specimens (angle specimen, u-section specimen and
rectangular specimen) and fit it into the bottom chuck.
3. Fit the top of the specimen into the top chuck in the same relative position,
ensuring that the specimens are set squarely and all of the screws are tight.
4. Fit the extension piece to the bottom chuck, hook the cord onto the groove and
pass it over, sliding the pulley.
5. Undo the top chuck hand wheel and rotate the specimen. When the chuck
'clicks' into the correct position, tighten the hand wheel.
6. Ensure that the indicators have about 10 - 11 mm forward and 2 - 3 mm
backward travel in this position; if not, loosen the indicator top screw and slide
the indicator to the correct position, retighten the screw.
7. Tap the frame sharply to reduce the effect of friction and zero the indicators.
Apply loads in 100 g increments, up to a maximum of 500 g on the end of the
cord.
8. Ensure the cord remains parallel to the lines on the plate below.
9. Tap the frame sharply after adding each load. Record the resulting deflections
(left and right) in a table (see Appendix § 1.0 for an example) under the 'Head
angle: 0°' title.

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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

10. Undo the top chuck hand wheel, rotate the specimen clockwise 22.5° (i.e. to the
next location) and tighten.
11. Adjust the indicators, if required, and then repeat the loading procedure,
recording the results under 'Head angle: 22.5°' in a table (see Appendix § 1.0).
12. Repeat the procedure, at increments of 22.5°, until the specimen has rotated
180°.

The following table may be useful in converting the masses used in the experiments to loads.
Table 1: Grams to Newtons conversion table
Mass (g) Load (Newtons)
100 0.98
200 1.96
300 2.94
400 3.92
500 4.90

13. With all the tables complete, resolve the left and right indicator readings
into the U and V directions using the following formulae:

(𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡+𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡)
𝑈= (Equation 3)
√2

(𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡−𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡)
𝑉= (Equation 4)
√2

Take note of the signs as these values can be negative.

14. Plot graphs of U and V (mm) versus the pulling mass, P (in grams) for each head
angle.
15. Establish gradients of dU/dP and dV/dP on each graph noting the results in
Table 1 (in mmg-1). Convert these values into fundamental units of mN-1.
16. Use this data to construct a Mohr's Circle by plotting the values of dU/dP versus
dV/dP for each head angle. The points should form a circle; if distorted draw a
circle that encompasses most of the points or draw two circles and average
them.
17. Calculate the principal second moments of area using the Mohr's Circle and the
following formulae:
𝐿3
𝐼𝑋 = (Equation 5)
3𝐸(𝑂𝐶+𝑅)
𝐿3
𝐼𝑌 = (Equation 6)
3𝐸(𝑂𝐶−𝑅)

Alternatively, the equations may be reversed depending on the orientation of

the section:
𝐿3
𝐼𝑋 = (Equation 5)
3𝐸(𝑂𝐶−𝑅)
𝐿3
𝐼𝑌 = (Equation 6)
3𝐸(𝑂𝐶+𝑅)
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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

where:
L = Effective length of the specimen (m),
E =Young's Modulus (69 GNm-2 for aluminium),
OC = Distance from origin to centre of Mohrs Circle (mN-1)
R = Radius of Mohr 's Circle (mN-1).

18. Repeat the procedure for the other two specimens as required.

THEORETICAL PRINCIPAL SECOND MOMENTS OF AREA

To calculate the theoretical principal second moments of area is straightforward in some cases,
and more complex in others. Figure 3 shows the orientation of the arbitrary and principle axes
for the three test sections. For the rectangular and 'U' sections the principal axes are parallel and
perpendicular to the arbitrary axes A and B which would normally be used to calculate the
second moment of area (IA and IB).

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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

Figure 3 Orientation of the arbitrary and principle axes for the three test sections

This means that the second moments of area, IA and IB, are equal to the principal second
moments (IX and IY) because the principal axes always lie along the axes of symmetry of a
section.

The theoretical values for the principal second moments of area for the rectangular and 'U'
sections are calculated in the normal way.

Finding the principal second moments of area is more complex when, either the axis of
symmetry do not coincide with the A and B axes, or the section is not symmetrical. For instance,
through inspection, the 'L' section used in the experiment has its axis of symmetry at 45ᴼ to the
A and B axes, and so IA and IB are not the principal second moments of area. When sections have
no symmetry, for example an unequal 'L' or a 'Z', it is not possible to determine through
inspection where the principal axes lie.

Refer to the Appendix (§ 2.0) for further information on calculating the principal second
moments of area.

MOHR'S CIRCLE
In both these cases, a Mohr's Circle can be used to find the principal second moments of area
and the position of their axis in relation to the arbitrary axes A and B.

To construct a Mohr's Circle follow the steps below and refer to Figure 4.

 Measure the dimensions of the 'L' section and use an appropriate method (refer to
Appendix (§ 2.0)) to calculate IA, IB and IAB (the product moment).
 Set up the horizontal and vertical axes for the second moments and product moments
respectively.
 Plot IA and IAB to give a point X and IB and –IAB to give a point Y. Join points X and Y to give
point C. With the centre C and the radius CY draw a circle.
 The two points where the circle crosses the horizontal axis are the values of the principal
second moments of area IX and IY.
 Join the points X and Y and measure the angle from the horizontal axis (in the case of an
equal 'L' section, this should be a vertical line i.e. 90°). The position of the principal axes
in relation to the axes A and B = measured angle/2 (i.e. 45° for an equal 'L' section).

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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

Figure 4: Mohr's circle for second moments of area

This method applies to any section regardless of complexity as long as the IA, IB and IAB values
can be calculated.

Compare the theoretical values to the experimental values and comment on the accuracy of
your results.

Give possible reasons for any discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental values
either in terms of the analysis or in the equipment. Is the graphical Mohr's Circle method truly
accurate? If not how could it be made more so?

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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

APPENDIX

§ 1.0: Example of table of results

Table 2: Experimental results for unsymmetrical bending of an angle section

Head angle:
Load (g) Left (dial) Right (dial) U V
0
100
200
300
400
500

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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

§ 2.0: Calculating the principal second moments of area (also referred to as moment of
inertia)

The aim of the experiment is to calculate the principal second moments of area (also
referred to as moments of inertia) Ix and Iy of the section of interest and compare it to
the experimental values. In order to achieve this, several theories need to be
considered. These theories are covered in Mechanics 1 and Mechanics 2.

Figure A1 shows the graphical representation of the cross section of the L-shaped beam.

Note where, b= 12 mm and t=1.75 mm.

Figure A1

The procedure to calculate the principle moment of inertia Ix and Iy (with the centroid
as the origin and rotated 45o anti clockwise from the arbitrary axes A’B’) is as follows :

1) Determine the coordinates of the centroid with respect to the arbitrary system
axis (A,B).
2) Calculate the moment of inertia about the A and B axes (IA, IB and IAB).
3) Using the parallel axes theorem, translate the axes (A,B) to (A’,B’), located at the
centroid and calculate IA’,IB’ and IA’B’.
4) Plot the Mohr’s circle representing the A’B’ axes system in order to calculate Ix
and Iy.

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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

Considering each of the above in turn:

1) Determining the centroid of a symmetrical L-shape beam:

Note: x̄=ӯ (a symmetrical shape)

Figure A2

2) Calculating the moment of inertia IA, IB and IAB:

In order to calculate the moment of inertia about the A and B axes, the L shape cross-
section can be divided into 2 rectangles (A1 and A2), as shown above in Figure A2.

The corresponding formula for a rectangle’s moment of inertia about an axis passing
through its edge (or the rectangle’s moment of inertia about an axis passing through its
base) is shown in Figure A3.

Figure A3

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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

The example shows the second moment of area of A1 about the B-axis.
For the second moment of area of A2 about the B-axis, apply the same procedure.
The total moment of area about the B-axis is calculated as follows: IB = IA1/B + IA2/B
Due to symmetry IA=IB

The product of inertia of an L-shape cross section about an axes passing through the
edge is calculated as follows:
IAB = t2*(2b2-t2)/4

3) Calculating the moment of inertia IA’,IB’ and IA’B’

The arbitrary axes A and B can be translated to the centroid using the parallel axes
theorem. This method allows shifting the axes from one point to another with only one
restriction, keeping the axes parallel to each other.

IA’= IA- (total area * ӯ 2)

IB’= IB- (total area * x̄2)
IA’B’= IAB- (total area * x̄ * ӯ)

Note IA’=IB’ due to symmetry

4) Calculating the principle moments of inertia: Ix and Iy (plotting the Mohr’s circle)

In order to calculate Ix and Iy, the values of IA’, IB’ and IA’B’ calculated in part 3) will be of
use.

One method to calculate Ix and Iy is to draw a Mohr’s circles by plotting the values of the
moments of inertia against the corresponding product of inertia. In other words, the
Mohr’s circle can be drawn by plotting a circle that encompasses the following two
points:

Point A’ is at the coordinates (IA’; +IA’B’)

Point B’ is at the coordinates (IB’; -IA’B’)

The detailed plotting procedure is shown in Figure A4.

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 School of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Experiment AM2.2 Unsymmetrical Bending Version: January 2019
of a Cantilever Beam

Figure A4

In real life A’B’ should be rotated by an angle theta () = 45o. In order to
represent theta () on the Mohr’s circle, the value should be doubled. In other
words both A’ and B’ should be rotated 90o.

As previously mentioned IA’ = IB’ which implies that A’ and B’ should be

symmetrical with respect to the horizontal axis.

From the Mohr’s circle, the Ix and Iy values (the horizontal component of points x
and y) can be calculated as follows:

Ix= |IA’| - |IA’B’|

Iy= |IA’| + |IA’B’|

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