PU

BLI
C/
CY
Group 1 HO
ED
LABORATORY GUIDE - DEFLECTION IN A BEAM DU
This lab consists of predicting the deflection on beams composed of different materials and S
with different cross-sectional shapes. In order to run the lab, the TecQuipment SM1004
Beam Apparatus presented below will be used.

Materials for the experiment:

Beam 1 Case 1 Case 2

Material Steel

Shape of cross
3.2mm x 19mm
section/dimensions

position of
Length between supports left support 500mm 500mm def. is 0
(beam length) position of
right support 1200mm 1200mm def. is 0
Load 1 (N) 10 5
Position of load 1 (mm) 850 650
 PU
BLI
C/
CY
Load 2 (N) 5 HO
ED
Position of load 2 (mm) 850 DU
S

Beam 2 Case 1 Case 2

Material Steel

Shape of cross
6.4mm x 13mm
section/dimensions

position of
Length between supports left support 500mm 500mm def. is 0
(beam length) position of
right support 1200mm 1200mm def. is 0
Load 1 (N) 10 5
Position of load 1 (mm) 850 650
Load 2 (N) 5
Position of load 2 (mm) 850

Procedure for the experiment:

1. Select the beam you are tasked with calculating the deflection for.
2. Place the beam over the two supports, ensure you note its exact positions of the
beam on the support.
3. Place the load(s) of the required magnitude on the beam.
4. Calibrate (level) the supports.
5. Take note of the deflection on the beam at regular intervals (100 mm) using the
micrometre provided.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 until you collected all the data necessary.

Results and Analysis

For each beam and respective loading scenario:

1. apply Macaulay’s Beam Theory to calculate theoretical deflections at the

regular intervals conducted in the experiment.
2. Present the practical and theoretical data as shown in the Table below:

Case 1 Case 2

x y z z-y x y z z-y
(Deflectio (Practical (Theoretic (Erro (Deflectio (Practical (Theoretic (Erro
n deflection al r) n deflection al r)
positions s) deflection positions s) deflection
on beam) s) on beam) s)
 PU
BLI
C/
CY
HO
500 ED
DU
600 S

650

700

800

850

900

950

1000

1100

1200

3. Plot the comparative graphs of the theoretical and practical deflections.

4. Discuss your findings and the accuracy of your experiment.