DJJ3103: STRENGTH OF MATERIALS(LAB)

TITLE

Deflection of beam
OBJECTIVES

1. To observe and evaluate on the load deflection relationship of a simply supported beam
and a cantilever beam.

2. To determine the appropriate materials of the beam by comparing the Modulus of

Elasticity from the experiments and Strength of Materials table.

INTRODUCTION

The deflections of a beam are an engineering concern as they can create an unstable structure if
they are large. People don’t want to work in a building in which the floor beams deflect an excessive
amount, even though it may be in no danger of failing. Consequently, limits are often placed upon the
allowable deflections of a beam, as well as upon the stresses. When loads are applied to a beam their
originally straight axes become curved. Displacements from the initial axes are called bending or
flexural deflections. The amount of flexural deflection in a beam is related to the beams area moment
of inertia (I), the single applied concentrated load (P), length of the beam (L), the modulus of elasticity
(E), and the position of the applied load on the beam. The amount of deflection due to a single
concentrated load P, is given by:

where k is a constant based on the position of the load, and on the end conditions of
the beam. For deflection of specific loading conditions, k is shown in Figure 3.

EQUIPMENT

1. Simply-supported and Cantilever rectangular beams

2. Weights

3. Vernier caliper

4. Steel ruler

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 DJJ3103: STRENGTH OF MATERIALS(LAB)

PROCEDURE

L/2

h
yo

Figure 1

PART A - SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

1. Using a vernier caliper, measure the width (b) and depth (h) of the beam and record it in
Table 1. Use them to calculate the moment of inertia, I.

2. Set up the beam as shown in Figure 1.

3. Record the distance without weight from beam and record as yo. Load the beam at the
middle span in 5N increments and record the deflection, y at the point of loading at each
incremental load.

4. Repeat the above procedure until the maximum load limit is reached.

5. Use the recorded data to calculate Modulus of Elasticity, E for the beam.

6. Determine the appropriate material of the beam by comparing value of E from the
experiments and Strength of Materials table. Give possible reasons for the differences.

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 DJJ3103: STRENGTH OF MATERIALS(LAB)

PART B - CANTILEVER BEAM

yo

Figure 2

1. Using a vernier caliper, measure the width (b) and depth (h) of the beam and record it in
Table 2. Use them to calculate the moment of inertia, I.

2. Set up the beam as shown in Figure 2.

3. Record the distance without weight from beam and record as yo. Load the beam at the end
of the beam in 5N increments and record the deflection, y at the point of loading at each
incremental load.

4. Repeat the above procedure until the maximum load limit is reached.

5. Use the recorded data to calculate E for the beam.

6. Determine the appropriate material of the beam by comparing value of E from the
experiments and Strength of Materials table. Give possible reasons for the differences.

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 DJJ3103: STRENGTH OF MATERIALS(LAB)

RESULTS

Table 1: SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM DATA

SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM – MID SPAN DEFLECTION

yo=__________m, k = 48

LENGTH, L (m)
CROSS-SECTION HEIGHT, h (m)
CROSS-SECTION WIDTH, b (m)
MOMENT OF INERTIA, I (m4)
WEIGHT (N) DISTANCE, y DEFLECTION, MODULUS OF ELASTICITY , E
(m)  = yo - y (N/m2)
5
10
15
20
25
Average E =

Material of the beam : _________________

Table 2: CANTILEVER BEAM DATA

CANTILEVER BEAM – END DEFLECTION

yo=__________m, k = 3

LENGTH, L (m)
CROSS-SECTION HEIGHT, h (m)
CROSS-SECTION WIDTH, b (m)
MOMENT OF INERTIA, I (m4)
WEIGHT (N) DISTANCE, y DEFLECTION, MODULUS OF ELASTICITY ,
(m)  = yo - y E (N/m2)
5
10
15
20
25
Average E =

Material of the beam : _________________

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 DJJ3103: STRENGTH OF MATERIALS(LAB)

Figure 3: Deflection Equations for Cantilever and Simply-Supported Beams