NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND GALWAY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

SECOND ENGINEERING

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

Semester II

STUDENT NAME:

GROUP NO:

DATE OF EXPERIMENT:

SIGNATURE OF SUPERVISOR:
EXPERIMENT NO 1 BENDING STRESS IN A SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

BACKGROUND

The bending stress distribution in a linear elastic beam varies linearly from the top of
the beam to the bottom, with a value of zero at the neutral axis. In this experiment, the
strain is measured at a number of different locations through the depth of a simply
supported beam. The stress is determined by multiplying the strain by Young’s
modulus. The theoretical stress may be calculated using the Bending Stress Formula:
My
σ
I

PROCEDURE

The beam set-up is shown in the figure.

½W ½W

350mm 350mm

835mm

8
23
31.7
Beam section showing
Strain gauge locations
6.4 Dims mm
38.1

Take initial strain readings at zero load by choosing the number with the selector
switch. Repeat this process for loads of 100N, 200N and 300N. Enter you data in
Table 1. Correct the strain readings for the zero reading and convert the load to
bending moment in Table 2. Finally , average the readings at the same level in the
beam in Table 3. For the three load levels, plot a graph of strain v depth.

Calculate the maximum theoretical stress at 300N load level and compare with that
calculated using the experimental strain value. Assume , E for aluminium is 69 GN/m2.
Take ymax = 26.25mm and I = 58010 mm4.

RESULTS

Table 1 Strain Readings ( uncorrected)

 Load (N)
Gauge No. 0 100 200 300
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Table 2 Strain Readings (corrected)

Load (N)
Gauge No. 0 100 200 300
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Table 3 Strain Readings ( averaged)

Load (N)
Gauge No. 0 100 200 300
1
2,3
4,5
6,7
8,9

For W = 300N , M = ½ W* 350 = 52500 Nmm

My max
Max. theoretical stress = σ max  =
I

Max. experimental stress = E max =

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Extend as necessary
Experiment No 1 Strain v Depth