Lab 3 - Ex2 - Deflection of Beams Instructions 2022

Deflection of Beams Lab
2 Beam Fixing Conditions and Deflections

A beam is a type of structure. The purpose of any structure is to support loads. This is true
irrespective of how simple or complicated the structure is. Beams can be a structure in their own
right (see Figure 2-1), as well as being a part of more complicated structures. A cantilever is simply a
particular application of a beam as you will see.
Figure 2-1:A Beam Acting as a Stand Alone Structure
It is obvious that a structure has to be strong enough to support the loads that are placed upon it, it
should not break, however the structure also has to be stable to be functional. For instance, we
could build a bridge from Jelly, it might well be able to support our weight - depending on the
strength of the jelly, but if the bridge were to wobble or deflect too much then its function as a
structure would be questionable. In other words, as well as strength, structures need to have only
reasonable and practical deflections.
There are five main factors that affect how much a beam will deflect:
1) The load, the type, where it is placed, and how big it is (W).
2) The material the beam is made from (E).
3) The beam cross sectional dimensions - how wide and deep the beam is (I).
4) The type of support and its fixing conditions, that is how the support interacts with the beam (K).
5) The span or length of the beam (L).
These five factors combine together to form the general deflection ( δ ) of beams equation:
3
WL
δ=
KEI
In this section we are looking at the fixing conditions which are represented in the above equation
by the ‘K’ term. Beam or cantilevers have to be in some way held or supported to be useful
structures. In the example in Figure 2-1, the banks of the river form the supports. In real life
TecQuipment Ltd • Bonsall Street • Long Eaton • Nottingham NG10 2AN • United Kingdom
Dr John Kelly – Jan 2019
structures these supports can be very complicated, so at a basic level we used ‘idealised’ supports.
These are supports with known attributes that make them relatively easy to analyse. We will deal
with three types of supports and fixing conditions. Combinations of these supports lead to the
various overall fixing conditions for the beams, affecting the value of "K" in the general deflection of
beams equation.
A Pinned Support allows the beam to rotate at the point of contact, but stops the beam falling
down, or being pushed along.
Figure 2-2: A Pinned Support
A Pinned and Roller Support allows the beam to rotate at the point of contact, but stops the beam
falling down. It does not stop it from being pushed along.
Figure 2-3: A Pinned and Roller Support
The Encastré Fixing (or Fixed Support) stops the beam rotating, falling down or being pushed along.
Figure 2-4: The Encastré Fixing (or Fixed Support)
2.1 Experiments
In this section we are going to use combinations of the supports illustrated in Figure 2-2, Figure 2-3
and Figure 2-4 to compare the deflections in beams with four different fixing conditions. The
material and cross sectional geometry of the beams will remain constant and they will all be
subjected to identical loading conditions (0.5kg located 160mm from the left hand support).
Students only need to measure the deflection at the point load during the experiments. Students will
need to move or remove the right hand support block, between experiments, to prepare the fixing
conditions for the next experiment. When using the blocks as fixed supports it is important that the
beam is clamped central in the block and that the two fixing screws are tightened evenly so that the
gaps on each side of the beam (x & y) are equal, as shown in Figure 2-5.
Figure 2-5: A Beam Correctly Clamped in the Support Block to Create a Fixed Support
When using the support blocks to create simple supports, or a prop, the two fixing screws should be
tightened to completely close the gap between the two parts of the block, as shown in Figure 2-6.
Figure 2-6: Using the Allen Key to Tighten the Fixing Screws and Close the Gap
2.2 Experimental Procedure

A magnetic dial indicator is used to measure the beam deflections in the experiments carried out in
this section, and in section 4. Referring to Figure 2-7, the following instructions show how the dial
indicator should be used.
 Slide the beam through the wire stirrup before fitting it to the Support Blocks.
 Ensuring that the plunger is vertical, and is located 160mm from the left hand support; slide the
Dial Indicator Assembly down slowly until its tip just touches the top of the beam.
 Turn the outer bezel of the Dial Indicator so that 0 is at the top.
Figure 2-7: Using the Dial Indicator
 Slide the Dial Indicator body further down with its tip resting lightly on the top of the beam until
both the smaller dial shows 0 and the large dial shows approximately 0. Do not push so far down
that the tip pushes down to deflect the beam.
 Rotate the outer bezel of the dial indicator slightly if necessary so that the large pointer is at 0. If
you have to rotate the bezel more than 30 degrees in either direction, readjust the height of the
Dial Indicator slightly.
 The smaller inner dial shows deflection in millimetres. The larger outer dial shows deflection in
0.01mm divisions.
2.2.1 Simply Supported

Figure 2-8 shows a typical example of, experimental set-up of, and diagram of the simply supported
beam. Note that students do not need to carry out this experiment at this time, since the
experiment is also included in section 4, but the results should be included in section Error:
Reference source not found to give a direct comparison of deflection with different fixing conditions.
Figure 2-8: A Typical Example of, Experimental Set-Up of, and Diagram of the Simply Supported Beam
2.2.2 Fixed
Figure 2-9 shows a typical example of, experimental set-up of, and diagram of the fixed beam.
 Use the Dial Vernier Callipers (supplied with the kit) to accurately measure the beam’s cross
sectional dimensions i.e. breadth (b) and depth (d) and record your measurements in the table
provided in section Error: Reference source not found.
 If the weight hanger is already attached remove it.
 Ensuring that the beam is correctly positioned within the wire stirrup of the dial indicator (see
Figure 2-7), fix the beam at both ends as shown in Figure 2-5 and Figure 2-9.
 Set the dial indicator as instructed in section 2.2.
 A weight hanger with a total mass of 0.5kg should already be available to you. Gently attach the
weight hanger to the wire stirrup. Do not drop the weight hanger onto the stirrup as this will
create a shock load which may corrupt your deflection measurement.
 Record your deflection measurement in the table provided in section Error: Reference source
not found.
Figure 2-9: A Typical Example of, Experimental Set-Up of, and Diagram of the Fixed Beam
2.2.3 Cantilever
Figure 2-10 shows a typical example of, experimental set-up of, and diagram of the cantilever beam.
Note that with the cantilever beam the distance to the load is taken as the beam length since the
part of the beam extending to the right of the load has no structural purpose.
Figure 2-10: A Typical Example of, Experimental Set-Up of, and Diagram of the Cantilever Beam

 Remove the right hand support block as illustrated in Figure 2-10.
 If you have not already done so, use the Dial Vernier Callipers (supplied with the kit) to
accurately measure the beam’s cross sectional dimensions i.e. breadth (b) and depth (d) and
record your measurements in the table provided in section 2.3.
not found.
2.2.4 Propped Cantilever

Figure 2-11 shows a typical example of, experimental set-up of, and diagram of the propped
cantilever beam.
Figure 2-11: A Typical Example of, Experimental Set-Up of, and Diagram of the Propped Cantilever Beam

 Tighten the screws on a support block to close the gap between its two parts as illustrated in
Figure 2-6.
 Locate the right hand support block as illustrated in Figure 2-11, so that it sits below the beam
and there is 320mm between the two block supports.
 If you have not already done so, use the Dial Vernier Callipers (supplied with the kit) to
accurately measure the beam’s cross sectional dimensions i.e. breadth (b) and depth (d) and
record your measurements in the table provided in section 2.3.
not found.
3 Reactions on a Simply Supported Beam
A beam is a horizontal member of a structure that rests on supports (often walls or columns) and
spans an open space. When a beam rests on two supports without being held down or fixed, it is
‘simply supported’. If a load on the beam covers a short length of the beam, it is a point or
concentrated load. When the load spreads evenly over a length of the beam it is a uniformly
distributed load or ‘UDL’ (see Figure 3-12). If the supports hold each end of an evenly loaded beam,
the weight carried at each support (called the reactions) must equal half the total weight on the
beam, as this activity will show.
Figure 3-12: Uniformly Distributed and Point Loads
Supports will hold unevenly loaded beams, but one support may carry more weight (or reaction)
than the other - determined by the weight of each individual load and its position along the beam.
Assuming that the beam is not moving the system will be in equilibrium. For a simply supported
beam in equilibrium, the sum of the reaction forces (R1 and R2) equals the load:
W =R1 + R2
If the magnitude and position of the Load is known, then we can use moments to calculate the
reaction forces at each support. Referring to the diagram on the right of Figure 3-12, for the point
load, imagine R1 is a pivot (as in a second order lever) and take moments about it:
WA
W × A=R2 × L ∴ R2=
L
Also, taking moments about R2:
WB
W × B=R 1 × L ∴ R 1=
L
Uniformly distributed loads (UDL) appear as snow loads, self-weight of the beam, uniform pressure
loads, etc. In all cases they are assumed to be spread uniformly over the length of the beam (or
sometimes over a portion of the beam) in which they apply. The units for a uniformly distributed
load are N/m. Referring to the diagram on the left of Figure 3-12, the beam is subjected to a
uniformly distributed load (UDL) of 5 kN/m, which acts downwards, and it is spread over the entire
length of the beam (6m). As the beam is symmetrically loaded it is evident that R1=R 2, and since
the system is in equilibrium R1 + R2=W × L. Taking moments about R1 gives:
L 90
R2 × L=W × L× → R2 × 6=5× 6 ×3 ∴ R 2= =15 kN =R1
2 6
On the right hand side of equation, the term W × L is the weight of the UDL (given as a force), and
L
the term is the distance of the centre of gravity of the UDL from R1.
2
3.1 Experiments
Each group of students will carry out 3 experiments, where they will use the spring balances to
determine the simply supported beam reaction forces using a point load at the centre of the beam,
an offset point load and a uniformly distributed load.

The experimental apparatus should already be set up for you with a set-up similar to that shown in
Figure 3-13. Students just need to record the force measured at each spring balance to determine
the reaction forces.
Figure 3-13: Set-Up for the Beam Reactions Experiments
3.2.1 Point Load at Centre of Beam

 Lift off the Weight Hangers from the beam, but leave one hook at the centre of the beam.
 Ensure that the beam is horizontal (you may need to loosen the screws at the back of the
balances stubs to slide them along the slots in the brackets) while zeroing the readings on the
spring balances via the screws at the top of the spring balances.
 Add 49 x 10 g masses to the Weight Hanger, giving a total (W) of 500 g on the Weight Hanger
and add it to the hook (at the centre of the beam).
 Record the reaction forces measured by each Spring Balance and enter the values in the table
3.2.2 Offset Point Load
 Lift off the Weight Hangers from the beam, but leave one hook 4 holes (80mm) in from the hole
where the right spring balance is attached.
 Add 49 x 10 g masses to the Weight Hanger, giving a total (W) of 500 g on the Weight Hanger
and add it to the hook (80mm from the right).
 Adjust the Balance Stubs so that the beam is horizontal again.
provided in section Error: Reference source not found. Note that R1 is at the left-hand side and
R2 is at the right-hand side.
3.2.3 Uniformly Distributed Load

 Lift off the Weight Hangers from the beam, but leave five hooks five evenly spaced positions
along the beam (as shown in Figure 3-14).
Figure 3-14:Experimental Set-Up Representing a Uniformly Distributed Load
 Add 9 x 10 g masses to each of five Weight Hangers, giving a total (W) of 500 g on the Weight
Hangers and add them to the evenly spaced hooks.
provided in section 3.3.
4 Bending of Simply Supported Beams
When a transverse load is applied to a beam, bending moments are set up which are resisted
internally by the beam material. If the bending moment resulting from the load is sufficient, the
beam will deform, creating tensile and compressive stresses to be set up within the beam (see
Figure 4-15). Between the areas of tension and compression there is a layer within the beam, which
is unstressed termed the neutral layer and its intersection with the cross-section is termed the
neutral axis. Note that the neutral axis is located at the centroid of the beam’s cross section. Hence
the magnitude of stress and strain within the beam is dependent on the distance (y) from the
beam’s neutral axis (see Figure 4-15).
Figure 4-15: Stress and Strain in a Deformed Beam
Referring to Figure 4-16, the length of the line C-D (at the neutral axis), in the deformed beam, is the
same as it was when the beam was flat. The length of the line A-B (at the top surface) is less than
when the beam was flat; hence this surface is in compression. The length of the line E-F (at the
bottom surface) is greater than when the beam was flat; hence this surface is in tension.
Figure 4-16: Diagram of a Deformed Beam
Engineers’ theory of bending is concerned with the relationships between the stresses, the beam
geometry and the curvature of the applied bending moment. In order to formulate such
relationships we make several assumptions, which simplify the mathematical modelling. These
assumptions include:
1) the beam section is symmetrical across the plane of bending and remains within the plane after
bending (enabling a 2D analysis);
2) the beam is straight prior to bending and the radius of bend is large compared with the beam
cross-section;
3) the beam material is uniform (homogenous) and has the same elastic modulus in tension and
compression.
This is a subject that you will revisit in second year. For now you only need to know that analysis of
the theory of bending has resulted in the following equation;
σ M E
= =
y I R
where,  is the stress due to the bending moment (M), occurring at a distance (y) from the neutral
axis, I is the second moment of area of the beam’s cross-section about the neutral axis, E is the
Young’s modulus of the beam material, and R is the radius of curvature of the deformed beam’s
neutral layer.
The bending moment at any given section of a beam, just uses the principle of moments for its
solution about the chosen cross-section i.e. the sum of the moments of all external loads acting on
the beam to one side only of the section. Note that, in this exercise, we are interested in the
bending moment at the centre of our beams (under the point load).
To calculate any unknown, with this equation, we need to know both values from one of the ratios
plus one value from the ratio containing the unknown e.g.
My EI
σ= ∧R=
I M
Assuming that only elastic deformation occurs, once the stress is known, we can use the definition of
Young’s modulus to calculate strain;
σ σ
E= ∴ ε=
ε E
4.1 Experiments
In this section, we will use all six beams available to us, with each group of students carrying out a
total of 7 experiments. Note that in the names given to the beams, the material is used first,
followed by the approximate cross sectional dimensions of the beam where the breadth (b) is used
first. In the seventh experiment, the Aluminium 9.5 x 6.3 beam is turned on its side to create the
Aluminium 6.3 x 9.5 beam. When using the support blocks to create simple supports, the two fixing
screws should be tightened to completely close the gap between the two parts of the block, as
shown in Figure 2-6. The support conditions (simply supported) and loading conditions (0.5kg at the
centre of the beam) will remain constant throughout all of the experiments. At this stage, students
are just required use the dial indicator to measure the deflection, in each case, and record their
results in the table supplied in section Error: Reference source not found.

The experimental apparatus should already be set up for you as shown in Figure 4-17.
 Use the Dial Vernier Callipers (supplied with the kit) to accurately measure the beam’s cross
sectional dimensions i.e. breadth (b) and depth (d) and record your measurements in the table
 Pass the beam through the wire stirrup of the dial indicator, and rest it on the supports as shown
in Figure 4-17.
not found.
 Repeat this procedure for all 7 experiments.
Figure 4-17: Experimental Set-Up for the Simply Supported Beams

Lab 3 - Ex2 - Deflection of Beams Instructions 2022

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Deflection of Beams Lab

2 Beam Fixing Conditions and Deflections

Figure 2-1:A Beam Acting as a Stand Alone Structure

Figure 2-2: A Pinned Support

Figure 2-3: A Pinned and Roller Support

Figure 2-4: The Encastré Fixing (or Fixed Support)

2.2 Experimental Procedure

2.2.1 Simply Supported

 If the weight hanger is already attached remove it.

2.2.4 Propped Cantilever

 If the weight hanger is already attached remove it.

Figure 3-12: Uniformly Distributed and Point Loads

3.2 Experimental Procedure

Figure 3-13: Set-Up for the Beam Reactions Experiments

3.2.1 Point Load at Centre of Beam

3.2.3 Uniformly Distributed Load

Figure 3-14:Experimental Set-Up Representing a Uniformly Distributed Load

Figure 4-15: Stress and Strain in a Deformed Beam

Figure 4-16: Diagram of a Deformed Beam

4.2 Experimental Procedure

Figure 4-17: Experimental Set-Up for the Simply Supported Beams

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