LAB#6 - BENDING MOMENT IN A BEAM

Cheyanne Green- 2108119

Lecturer: Mr. Anil Thomas

MEE2018

November 1, 2022
 ABSTRACT

In this experiment the measurements for the bending moment at a normal section of a loaded
beam and bending force were found. In part 1 the load was doubled, as such, the bending force,
as well as the bending moment was doubled for the theoretical values attained, however, for
values obtained in the experiment increased but did not double. This is due to difference in the
strain readings. In part two the loads changed but span for W1, W3 and W2 were kept in the
same position, results obtained show the effect on the bean due to change in load on the beam. In
part three two different load arrangements were done to at different positions from part one and
two, results were taken to get an insight of the effect it had on the beam.
 RESULTS
Table 1: Results of Part 1 of the experiment

Strain Reading (𝝁𝜺) and Bending Force (N)

LOA W1 W2 W3
D (N) Strain Bending Strain Bending Strain Bending
Reading (𝜇𝜀) Force Reading (𝜇𝜀) Force Reading (𝜇𝜀) Force
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 0104 1.63 0344 5.41 0156 2.45
20 0217 3.41 0653 10.26 0350 5.49
Bending Moment (N·mm)
Experimental Theoretical Experimental Theoretical Experimental Theoretical
10 244.5 667 811.5 2001 367.5 999
% Difference =63.34 % Difference =59.45 % Difference =63.21
20 511.5 1334 1539 4002 823.5 1998
% Difference =61.66 % Difference =61.54 % Difference =58.78

Table 2: Results of Part 2 of the experiment

Strain Bending Experimental Theoretical
LOADING Reading Force (N) Bending Bending %
(N) (𝝁𝜺) Moment Moment Difference
(Nmm) (Nmm)
0 0 0 0 0 0
W 2= 5 0175 2.75 412.5 999 58.71
W 1=W 3 =10, W 2 =5 0440 6.91 1036.5 2668 61.15
W 2=15 0490 7.70 1155 3000 61.5
W 1=10, W 3 =5, W 2=15 0743 11.68 1752 4081 57.07
Span: W 1=150, W 3 =550
W 2=12 0390 6.13 919.5
W 1 =15, W 3 =10, W 2=12 0742 11.66 1749 8983.33 80.53
Span:W 1=150, W 3 =650
Table 3: Results of Part 3 of the experiment
LOADING (N) Strain Bending Experimental Theoretical
Reading Force Bending Bending %
(𝝁𝜺) (N) Moment Moment Difference
(Nmm) (Nmm)
0 0000 0 0 0 0
W 1=5, W 3 =12, 0326 5.12 768 1934 60.29
W 1=5, W 2=10, W 3 =2 0429 6.74 1011 2600 61.11
 DISCUSSION
During this experiment the weight of the beam was disregarded while maintaining a constant
beam span. As the load grew, the bending force and moment also increased. The theoretical
values obtained were greater than experimental values, and none within a range of 15 % of
uncertainty. The average between the theoretical and experimental values was determined to be
approximately 60.for example in Part one demonstrated that there is no bending moment when
no load is applied even though the theoretically determined values were all more than doubled.
This indicated that the experimental values cannot be properly compared to the theoretical values
obtained. The difference in the values for the results in the experiment due to these errors.

Sources of errors:
 Vibrations of the surface where the system was being placed.
 Weights were out of position or swinging
 The beam was not levelled after each new reading.

How to minimize these errors:

 Ensure the apparatus is properly adjusted before beginning the experiment.
 Adjust weights properly to guarantee there is no swinging.
 Ensure to level the beam after each new reading.
 Ensure the P4121 is calibrated properly

CONCLUSION
The values obtain in the experiment in comparison to the theoretical values found were not
within the expected range. This shows disproportionality between theoretical and experimental
values; therefore, the results do not verify the theory of the experiment.
APPENDIX A: RAW DATA SHEET
 Reference
“Stresses & Deflections in Beams” Retrieved from https://mechanicalc.com/reference/beam-
analysis.
 APPENDIX B: SAMPLE CALCULATIONS:
Bending Force = E∗ε∗I/L∗y
Where,
E = Young’s Modulus of cantilever material = 70,000 N/mm2

ε= Strain reading recorded

I = Second moment of area = b∗d3/12 = 24.67 mm4
b= width of cantilever = 9.56 mm
d = Height of cantilever member = 3.14mm
L = distance from centerline of strain gauges on cantilever to point of application of load on
the cantilever = 70 mm
y = distance to neutral axis of cantilever = d/2 = 1.57 mm

PART 1
E∙ ε∙ I 70,000∗104∗10−6∗24.66
Bending Force =
L∙ y
= = 1.63N
70∗1.57

Moment when load is 10N at W1

13
- RB * 900 + 10 * 100 = 0
-900RB = -1000
RB = - (1000 / 900)
RB = 1.111N
RA + RB – 10 = 0
RA + 1.11 – 10 = 0
RA = 8.89N
Mx = RA * a –P1 (a-l1)
= 8.89 * 300 – 10(300 -100)
= 2667 – 2000
= 667 Nmm
Bending Moment = Bending Force x 150= 1.63N x 150= 244.5
Experimental uncertainty
((667-244.5)/667) *100 = 63.34

PART 2
Part 2
For when W1=W3=10N, W2 = 5 N
E∙ ε∙ I 70,000∗440∗10−6∗24.66
Bending Force =
L∙ y
= = 6.91N
70∗1.57
Bending Moment = Bending Force x 150= 1036.5Nmm

Theoretical Moments at RA
- RB * 900 + 10 * 600 + 5*300 + 10*100 = 0
-900RB = 8500
RB = (8500 / 900)
RB = 9.44N
RA + RB – 10-5-10 = 0
RA + 9.44 – 10-5-10 = 0
RA = 15.56N
RA*a-P(a-l)
=15.6*300-10(300-100)
=2668N
Experimental uncertainty:
((2668-1036.5)/ 2668) *100 = 61.15