-davidKWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
LABORATORY: STRENGTH OF MATERIALS
TITLE: DEFLECTION BY ENERGY METHODS

Name

Index no.

Antwi Elijah Kwabena

3750009

Anti Eric Papa Kojo

3749909

Gyamfi Joseph

3752509

Opoku Anthony

3755809

Summary
The report describes an experiment to compare the theoretical and
experimental deflection by energy method. The deflection is carried
out on two conditions; offset end load, and lateral point load. The
experiment was carried out successfully with each member of the
group playing specific duties in the experiment process and the writing
of the report finally. The contribution of each member is hereby stated
below.
Joseph Gyamfi; making all the necessary sketches in the lab, helping to
read values and typing the report.
Elijah .K. Antwi; reading values in the experiment lab, taking
measurements ,tabulating experimental values and also did the theory.
Eric .P.K. Anti; reading of time during the experimental process,
researching into the concept of the experiment.
Opoku Anthony; taking measurements, helping in reading the time and
helping in tabulating experimental values.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Energy methods are very useful for analysing structures, especially for those that are
statically indeterminate. This experiment introduces the principle of virtual work and
applies it to statically determinate and statically indeterminate frameworks. The
experiment also shows how the method can be used for the plastic design of beams and
rigid-jointed plane frames.

OBJECTIVE
To compare theoretical and experimental deflections by the application of loads on a
quadrant beam.
APPARATUS
A bent quadrant beam
Calipers
Meter rule
Dial gauge
Applied loads.

THEORY

2R2 = L2
R2 = L2/2
R = L/2.(1)
When a tensile or compressive load P is applied to a bar there is a change in length x,
which for an elastic material is proportional to the applied load. This at the proportional
limit obeys Hooks Law and hence work done is represented by
V = Px. (2)
Let A be the cross-sectional area and L the length of a beam
P = A
x = L/E
Where E = modulus of elasticity
V = (2/2E) volume (3)
For a short distance say s of the beam, as a distance y where the cross-sectional area is
A where y is distance from neutral axis, the strain energy due to the small length s is
given by
V = f(2/2E)volume
V = s f2 A/2E
V = s/2E fM2y2A/I2
where I = fy2.A
V = (M2/2E I) s
V = fM2s /2EI.. (4)
Where M is the bending moment applied to the beam
From Castiglianos theorem, the differential change in the total strain energy due to
change in the external load applied produces the deflection in the direction of the load
application.
V = N/W.(5a)
and
K =(N/P)p=0.(5b)
where V is the deflection in the vertical direction and K is the deflection in the
horizontal direction due to the forces W and P respectively
From equations (4) and (5)

V =1/2EIf2M(M/W).s
V =1/EIfM(M/W).s
Moreover
K =1/2EIf[2M(M/W).s]p=o
K=1/EIf[M (M/W).s]p=o
M = WR sin + PR(1 cos )
= R [Wsin + 2Psin2/2]

But

M/W = Rsin
But ds = Rd

Also

M/P = 2sin2/2

V =1/EI of2 WR sin Rsin. Rd

=WR3of2sin2d
=WR3/4EI.. (6)
K =1/EI of2 WR sin 2R sin2/2. Rd
=WR3of/2sinsin2/2d
=WR3/2EI.. (7)

PROCEDURE
Loads are hanged in increments of 1/10 lbf from 0 lbf to 1 lbf and in each case the
corresponding deflections are measured for both loading and unloading for the quadrant
beam.
RESULTS
WEIGHTS (lbf)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1

LOADING
DEFLECTION (mm)
0.00
0.02
0.4
1.02
1.85
2.52
3.26
4.00
4.72
5.42
6.12

UNLOADING
DEFLECTION (mm)
0.01
0.30
0.94
1.76
2.24
3.17
3.82
4.44
5.14
5.83
6.12

DERIVED RESULTS
Thickness of beam (t) = 5.3mm
Width of bar (b) = 19.8mm
Length, L = 610mm
From R = L/2 = 610/2 = 431.34mm
Also I = bt3/12
= (19.8) (5.3)3/12
=245.65mm4
For mild steel, E = 202,000N/mm2

EXPERIMENTAL LOADING
WEIGHTS (N)
0
0.445
0.89
1.34
1.78
2.23
2.67
3.12
3.56
4.01
4.45

LOADING
DEFLECTION (mm)
0.0
0.02
0.40
1.02
1.85
2.52
3.26
4.00
4.72
5.42
6.12

UNLOADING
DEFLECTION (mm)
0.01
0.30
0.94
1.76
2.24
3.17
3.82
4.44
5.14
5.83
6.12

THEORETICAL LOADING
For the theoretical deflection using the equations (6) and (7)
V =WR3/4EI
at W = 0.445N = 1/10lb
substituting in for E,R and I
V = 0.445N 431.343/4202,000N 245.65mm4
= 0.565mm
Also for K
K =WR3/2
=0.445N 431.343/2202,000N 245.65mm4
= 0.360mm

THEORETICAL LOADING
WEIGHTS (N)
0.0
0.445
0.89
1.34
1.78
2.23
2.67
3.12
3.56
4.01
4.45

deflection (mm)
v
0
0.565
1.131
1.702
2.261
2.834
3.392
3.963
4.522
5.094
5.653

K
0
0.360
0.720
1.084
1.440
1.803
2.160
2.523
2.879
3.243
3.600

A GRAPH OF THEORITICAL DEFLECTION AGAINST WEIGHT

A GRAPH OF EXPERIMENTAL LOADING AND UNLOADING DEFLECTION

AGAINST WEIGHT

CONCLUSION
It can be seen from the experimental graphs that during loading a straight line graph was
obtained that the beam was in proportional limits.
The graph of the unloading deviated from the loading graph and this deviation is such
that the area between the two graphs represents the energy that was stored in the beam
after the loads had been removed.
The horizontal deflection represents the increase at the edge of the beam, in the
horizontal direction when the beam is further bowed.
PRECAUTION
Dial gauge was set to zero before beginning the experiment.
It was ensured that the setup was not disturbed by external forces such as shaking of the
table on which setup is placed.
The weights on the hanger were also checked that they were not oscillating during the
experiment by placing the weights on the hanger carefully.
SOURCES OF ERROR
The beam may be damage due to continuous use of the beam hence it may affect the
results of the experiment.
Parallax of the pointer of the dial gauge when reading values.

References
Engineering Mechanics
By: Braja M. Das
Elements of Strength of Material
By: Timoshenko and Young
Strength of Material and Structures
By: John Case and A.H Chilver