Experiment 5: Analysis of deflection under transverse

loading- The case of simply supported beam.

Total Marks: 20

Student Name: ________________ Reg. No. ___________ Date: __________

Problem Statement:

To study the slope and deflection of the beam at any given point due to applied transverse load.

Theory:

A simply supported beam is the simplest arrangement of the structure in which the beam is
supported at each end without constraining rotation. Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of
a simply supported beam.

Figure 1: Simply Supported Beam

Deflections in beams:

Figure 2, shows a simply supported beam with a point load acting at its mid-point.

Figure 2: Cantilever beam-Boundary Conditions

Governing differential equation for the elastic curve of a beam is given by

𝑑2 𝑦 𝑀
= (1)
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼
Where y is the deflection of the beam, M is the bending moment, E is the Elastic Modulus and
I is the 2nd moment of area.

Moment calculations for the beam are carried out considering the free-body diagram in
Figure 3.

Figure 3: Free Body Diagram

For the beam segment shown in Figure 3, the equation of moment is

𝑀𝑜 = 𝑀1 − 𝐴𝑦 (𝑥 ) = 0
𝐹
𝑀1 = (𝑥 ) (2)
2
Substituting equation (2) in equation (1) gives,

𝑑𝑦 1 𝐹𝑥 𝐹 𝑥2
= ∫ 𝑑𝑥 = [ + 𝑐1 ] (3)
𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝐼 2 2𝐸𝐼 2

1 𝐹𝑥 𝐹 𝑥2 𝐹 𝑥3
𝑦= ∬ 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = ∫[ + 𝑐1 ] 𝑑𝑥 = [ + 𝑐1 𝑥 + 𝑐2 ] (4)
𝐸𝐼 2 2𝐸𝐼 2 2𝐸𝐼 6

Equation (4) can be used to determine the deflection of the beam at any point if the constants
c1 and c2 are determined.

Boundary conditions are applied to the above equation as follows.

Boundary condition 01

At 𝑥 = 0; 𝑦 = 0

𝑐2 = 0

Boundary condition 02

𝐿 𝑑𝑦
At 𝑥 = (2) ; 𝑑𝑥 = 0
 𝐹𝐿2
𝑐1 = −
16

Substituting the values of constants 𝑐1 and 𝑐2 in equation (4), the equation for the deflection of
a beam loaded at its centre with a single force is given by equation (5).

𝐹𝐿3 𝑥 𝑥3
𝑦(𝑥 ) = [3 − 4 ] (5)
48𝐸𝐼 𝐿 𝐿3
𝐿
The maximum deflection is at the centre of the bar (𝑥 = 2 ) and it is given by equation (6).

𝐹𝐿3
𝑦= (6)
48𝐸𝐼
Experimental Setup
Equipment

The WP 950 Deformation of Straight Beams apparatus, as shown in Figure 4, allows

for a broad spectrum of experiments on the deformation of a bending bar.

Figure 4: WP 950 Deformation of Straight Beam

Materials:
1. Stable frame
2. Load weights
3. Articulated supports
4. Dynamometers
Assumptions:

1. The material under consideration is elastic and isotropic.

2. The normal deflection is very small compared to the length of the beam.
3. Cross section of the beam is uniform.
4. Internal strain energy of the member only accounts for bending moment deformations.
Procedure:

1. Fasten the support pillar to the frame.

2. Clamp the bar in the support pillar.
3. Place the rider on the bar and lock in the required position.
4. Attach the dial gauge to the frame with the holder in such a way that the tracer pin is
touching the flattened part of the rider bolt.
5. Set the dial gauge to zero with the bar unloaded. To do so, adjust the holder and rotate
 the scale for precise adjustment.
6. Suspend the load weight at the end of the beam, read the deflection on the dial gauge
and note down the readings in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3.

Figure 5 shows experimental setup of Cantilever beam.

Figure 5: Experimental setup of Cantilever beam

Specifications:

 Length of the bar, 𝐿 = 1000𝑚𝑚

 Width of the bar, 𝑤 = 20𝑚𝑚
 Height of the bar, ℎ = 6𝑚𝑚
 Steel bar, 𝐸 = 210𝑘𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
 Brass bar, 𝐸 = 97𝑘𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
 Aluminum bar, 𝐸 = 69𝑘𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
Calculations:

Table 1: Deflection in Steel Bar

Case 1 (Steel Bar)

Length = 800 mm Load = 20 N
Position Measured Deflection (mm) Calculated Deflection (mm) % error
x=0
x = 100
x = 200
x = 300
x = 400
x = 500
x = 600
x = 700
x = 800

Table 2: Deflection in Brass Bar

Case 2 (Brass Bar)

Length = 800 mm Load = 20 N
Position Measured Deflection (mm) Calculated Deflection (mm) % error
x=0
x = 100
x = 200
x = 300
x = 400
x = 500
x = 600
x = 700
x = 800
 Table 3: Deflection in Aluminium Bar

Case 3 (Aluminum Bar)

Length = 800 mm Load = 20 N
Position Measured Deflection (mm) Calculated Deflection (mm) % error
x=0
x = 100
x = 200
x = 300
x = 400
x = 500
x = 600
x = 700
x = 800

Results and Conclusion:

a) Calculate percentage error between measured and calculated values. What reasons
could have led to difference in both values.
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b) Draw a curve of measured deflection and calculated deflection against length of beam.
Comment on the behavior of curve.
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 c) Which beam deflects more at the application of load. What can you deduce from the
experiment about these different materials.
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d) State the boundary conditions for the cantilever beam shown below at x = 0 and x = L.

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e) State the boundary conditions for the simply supported beam shown below at x = 0, x
= L/2 and x = L.

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