Experiment 2

Title: Determination of flexural rigidity of beam under lateral loading

Objective:
Determination of flexural rigidity of beam under lateral loading

Theory:
Flexural rigidity is the resistance offered by the beam to bending. It can also be defined as the
force couple required to bend a non-rigid structure by one unit of curvature. Flexural rigidity
is an important material property to be considered while designing structural members as it
denotes the ability of a material to bend. Flexural rigidity (EI) is the product of the modulus
of elasticity and moment of inertia. It is inversely proportional to the deflection of the beam
under a given load. The higher the flexural rigidity will be the deflection.

Apparatus:
Simply supported beam with equal overhang on both sides, weights, hanger, dial gauge,
measuring scale.

Figure 3: Simply Supported Beam with Overhangs

Working of dial gauge:

Dial gauge is a device which is used to measure small linear displacements. It works on the
principle that when the cylindrical rod (plunger) touching the surface of sample moves
upward a reading is shown in the dial gauge with the help of needle which rotates on a
graduated scale, which corresponds to the distance moved by the plunger. The reading is
obtained by the vertical movement of plunger and internal gear arrangements which rotate the
measurement needle in the dial gauge.
Procedure:
 1. Measure the width and thickness of the beam and calculate the theoretical value of EI
and note it down.
2. Measure the main span and overhang span of the beam with a scale.
3. By applying equal loads at the free ends of the overhang beam, find the central
deflection y by measuring the dial gauge reading. Tabulate the load and deflection
values.
4. Repeat the above steps with different loads.
5. Calculate the experimental flexural rigidity for all readings and compare the it with
the theoretical value.

Observations:
Least count of dial gauge is 0.01mm.

Results/Calculations:

Length (L):700 mm or 0.7m

Width (b):25mm or 0.025m
Thickness (t):3mm or 0.03m
Moment of inertia I:1/12*b*t3=1/12*0.025*0.003=5.625*10-11 m4
Material:Steel
Modulus of elasticity, E: 200 GPA= 2* 1011 Pa

S.NO LOAD Displacement Average Theoretical Experimental Error

(N) (mm) Displacement EI EI(Pa.m4) (%)
(mm) (Pa.m4)

1 5 2.90 2.875 15.978 42.02%

2.85

2 10 5.50 5.650 16.261 44.54%

5.80

3 15 9.35 9.225 11.250 14.939 32.79%

9.10

4 20 12.14 12.345 14.884 32.30%

12.55

Therefor EI experimentally would be= (15.978+16.621+14.939+14.884)/4=15.6055

Conclusions:
● By using overhanged beam the bending moment is decreased at everywhere in the
beam.
● As the Flexural Rigidity increases the deflection at midspan or at anywhere decreases
as compared to the beam of lower Flexural Rigidity.

Precautions:
1. Measure the center deflection y very accurately.
2. Ensure that the beam is devoid of initial curvature.
3. Loading should be within the elastic limit of the materials.

Remarks:
The flexure of the plate depends on
1. The plate's elastic thickness
2. The elastic properties of the plate
3. The applied load or force

-
Questions:
Q1.Draw the shear force and bending moment diagram of the beam shown in Figure 3
Q2. Draw the deflection curve of the beam shown in Figure 3.

Ans.

Q3.Derive the expression for deflection at the mid-point of the beam shown in Figure 3.
Ans.

Q4. Is it preferable to have overhangs for a simply supported beam of length L?

Ans. Yes, it is preferable to have overhangs provided to reduce the uniaxial moment in a
column which makes the column economical. Support near the overhang portion has left span
moment which causes the uniaxial bending of the column. Overhanging portion reduces this
moment is the advantage.

Q5. What practical suggestions can you give to the practicing engineers based on the results
of the experiment?

Ans. The following suggestion is:

● To increase the depth of any beam as more as possible. so, that flexural
rigidity of the beam will be more, and hence deflection will be less.
● Also increase in depth will result in an increase in area moment of inertia,
which will result in a decrease in bending stress.
● To use overhanging beams, that will result in a less bending moment/bending
stress/deflection. Hence structure will be more stable.