LAB SESSION # 9

Experiment # 8:

Objective:
To find the deflection of a cantilever beam on end of the beam when point load
applied on end-point of span.

Apparatus:
 Deflection of beam apparatus.
 Hanger.
 Weights.
 Meter rod.
 Dial indicator.
 Vernier Calipers.

Fig # 1 deflection of beam apparatus.

Related theory:
The bench mounted apparatus has a steel base with support at ends. The supports can
be fitted with knife edges or clamp plates. A steel beam and two load hangers are
supplied together with two dial gauges for measuring beam deflections and slopes. This
equipment is part of a ranged to both, demonstrate and experimentally confirm basic
engineering principles. Great care has been given to each item so as to provide wide
experimental scope without unduly complicating or compromising the design. Each
piece of apparatus is self-contained and compact. Setting up time is minimal, and all
measurements are made with the simplest possible instrumentation, so that the student
involvement is purely with the engineering principles being taught. A complete
instruction manual is provided describing the apparatus, its application, experimental
procedure and typical test results.

Beam:
A beam is a structural element that is capable of withstanding load primarily by resisting
bending.

Classification of Beams:
The beams may be classified in several ways, but the commonly used classification is
based on support conditions. On this basis the beams can be divided into six types:
i. Cantilever beams.
ii. Simply supported beams.
iii. Overhanging beams.
iv. Propped beams.
v. Fixed beams.
vi. Continuous beams.

Cantilever Beam:
A beam having one end fixed and the other end free is known as cantilever beam,
figure shows a cantilever with end ‘A’ rigidly fixed into its supports, and the other end ‘B’
is free. The length between A and B is known as the length of cantilever.
 It has 3 reaction forces.  Statically determinate.

Fig # 3 cantilever beam

Practical application of fixed beam:

Cantilever beam structures are used in the following applications: Construction of

cantilever beams and balconies. Temporary cantilever support structures.
Freestanding radio towers without guy-wires. In cantilever bridges, the
cantilevers are usually built as pairs, with each cantilever used to support one
end of a central section. Freestanding radio towers without guy-wires.
Construction of cantilever beam for pergolas. Lintel construction in buildings

Fig # 3 practical example of cantilever beam.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cantilever Beams:

The important advantages of cantilever beams are:

 Cantilever beams do not require support on the opposite side.

 The negative bending moment created in cantilever beams helps to counteract
the positive bending moments created.
 Cantilever beams can be easily constructed.
The disadvantages of cantilever beams are:

 Cantilever beams are subjected to large deflections.

 Cantilever beams are subjected to larger moments.
 A strong fixed support or a backspin is necessary to keep the structure stable.

Design of Cantilever Beam:

A cantilever beam under the action of the structural load is subjected to moment and
shear stresses. The objective of any design process is to transfer these stresses safely
to the support.
Procedure:

 First of all we set the Deflection of Beam apparatus on a horizontal surface.

 Now we set the dial indicator at zero.
 Now we apply a load of 2N at both point equidistance from center and measure the
deflection using dial indicator.
 We take a set of at least five readings of increasing value of load and then we take
readings of unloading.
 After taking loading and unloading we take mean of them.
 Now we measure the theoretical value or deflection by using formula.
 Now we take comparison between experimental and theoretical deflection and also find
error of them.
Observation and calculation:

Least Count of the dial indicator = __________ mm

Least Count of Vernier calipers = __________ mm

Effective length of beam (L) =__________ mm

Breadth of beam (b) =__________ mm

Height of beam (h) =__________ mm

Young modulus (E) = 210,000 N/mm2

Moment of inertia of the beam (I=bh3 /12)

Theoretical deflection= δc = (wL3/3 E I)

Experimental deflection= (loading + unloading/2)

Table 1.1:

No of Effective Loading. Unloading. Experimenta Theoretical Percentage

Obs. Load W l deflection. deflection Error
(N)

Graph between load applied and experimental deflection:

5 4.7
4.5

3.5
Experimental deflection

3
2.6
2.5

1.5

0.5 0.286
0.125
0
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Load applied
Graph between load applied and theoretical deflection:
8
6.967
7

6
5.225
Theoritcal deflection

4 3.483

2 1.741

1
0
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Load applied

Specimen calculation:
Conclusion:
 In this experiment we observed when we increase load the deflection also
increase and vice versa. And this statement is proved by graph.
 The difference between theoretical and experimental probability is that theoretical
is based on knowledge and mathematics. Experimental probability is based on
trials or experiments. Theoretical probability is what should happen. Experimental
probability is what does happen.
 At the end of this lab work it can be concluded that increase in modulus of
elasticity and moment of inertia decreases the deflection where increase in
number of loads, magnitude of load and distance of load from ends increase the
deflection of beam. Each beam show deflection based on its modulus of elasticity
and moment of inertia. It also can be concluded that experimental values of
deflection are always greater than calculated values.
 The aim of this lab work to study the deflection of beam has been completed
successfully.