CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL

Beams
According to Dr. R. K. Bansal (n.d) a structural element which is used to support heavy
loads in different structures is called beam. Beam in any structure bears huge load which
tries to bend the beam and beam support the structure by resisting the bending produce
by the load. Ability of the beam to resist the load depends on the type of beam, material
of beam and shape of beam, S Timoshenko (1940). There are many different type of
beam and each one of these beams can be of any material and can of many different
shapes.

There are some different types of beam:

-Simple supported beam
-Fixed beam
-Over hanging beam

-Double over hanging beam

-Continuous beam
-Cantilever beam
-Trussed beam

In this experiment only two types of beam will be discussed one is simple supported
beam and other is cantilever beam. Talking about the material of the beam, in this lab
experiment three materials brass, aluminum and steel will be discussed.

1.2 OBJECTIVES

-To identify the relationship between load and displacement, and estimate the modulus
of elasticity of the material.
1.3 LABORATORY SCOPE

The material of the beam used for this laboratory test is aluminium. There one beam
being tested. The dimension and cross section are 30mm by 180mm and rectangular
respectively.The type of testing is deflection of beam.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF LABORATORY TESTING

What have been achieved from this testing about Mechanics of Materials is the
knowledge about how theoretical deflection, permissible load and elastic modulus are
calculated. Therefore, the knowledge from lectures can be applied here.

This testing also enhances our learning skills as we learned to handle the laboratory
equipment; for instance, reading digital force meter. The data collected can be used to
extend the study to compare to the deflection if using different material.
 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

Elastic Modulus
Elastic modulus is the mechanical property of material which is the ratio of tensile
stress and strain. Greater the value of the elastic modulus stiffer the material is and
lower value of elastic modulus means the material deflect a lot at small stresses, M. F.
Ashby (2010).

E=FL3/48δI

Where

E is the Elastic modulus

L = Length

δ = Deflection

I = Second moment of area

Deflection
According to John Case (1999) when a body is under stress, then that stress tries to
change its shape and dimensions. Change is shape of the body is called deflection and
change in the dimensions is called strain. Following is the equation which can be used
for calculating deflection in beams

δ=(FL^3)/48EI

Where
F is the force
L is length of beam
E is elastic modulus
I is second moment of area
Permissible Load
Permissible load is the maximum amount of load which can be applied in the on to the
beam it is also called the allowable load, Ferdinand P. Beer (n.d). This load shows the
strength of any beam with respect of the load applied on it. It is very important to
calculate the permissible load of all the beams in order to get a safe structure.
According to P. Beer (2012) permissible load can be calculated with the help of
Flexure formula whose equation is as follow

σ=My/I

σ=(F*x*y)/I

Where
F is the permissible load
σ is the maximum value of stresses for material yield strength
x is the distance from the fixed point of beam to point of application of load
y is the Distance from the neutral axis to the point of interest
I is second moment of inertia or area
 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 EQUIPMENT

Steel beam

Weight
 Force counter

Bending apparatus
3.2 PROCEDURE

- The apparatus is set up.

- The weight is placed at the center of the aluminium beam.

- The reading of deflection is recorded.

- The experiment is repeated with different weight.

- The results are recorded in a table.

CHAPTER 4
 RESULTS, DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION.

4.1 RESULTS

b = 3mm

d = 18mm

I = 1458mm

E = 69 x 109 Nm-2

No Mass (N) Deflection Theoritical Elastic Theoritical

modulus
(mm) Deflection Elastic
(mm) (Experimental) modulus
(Experimental)
( Y max ) (MPa)(x10^7) (MPa)

1 100 0.57 1.76x 10 12 0.214 6.93x10^16

2 200 1.11 3.53x 10 12 0.427 6.90x10^16

3 300 1.63 5.29x 10 12 0.641 6.91x10^16

4 400 2.18 7.05x 10 12 0.854 6.91x10^16

5 500 2.73 8.82x 10 12 1.068 6.91x10^16

4.2 DATA ANALYSIS

Theoritical deflection

Mass = 100 N

= (100)(440)3/48(6.9x1016Nmm2)(1458)

= 1.76x10^-12

Mass = 200 N

= (200)(440)3/48(6.9x1016Nmm2)

= 3.53x10^-12

Mass = 300 N

= (300)(440)3/48(6.9x1016Nmm2)

= 5.29x10^-12

Mass = 400 N

= (400)(440)3/48(6.9x1016Nmm2)

= 7.05x10^-12

Mass = 500 N

= (500)(440)3/48(6.9x1016Nmm2)

= 8.82x10^-12

Elastic modulus (Experimental)

Mass = 100 N

= 100(440)3/48(0.57)(1458)

= 0.214

Mass = 200 N
= 200(440)3/48(1.11)(1458)

= 0.427

Mass = 300 N

= 300(440)3/48(1.63)(1458)

= 0.641

Mass = 400 N

= 400(440)3/48(2.18)(1458)

= 0.854

Mass = 500 N

= 500(440)3/48(2.73)(1458)

= 1.068

Theoritical Elastic modulus

Mass = 100 N

= 100(440)3/48(1.76x10^-12)(1458)

= 6.93x10^16

Mass = 200 N

= 200(440)3/48(3.53x10^-12)(1458)

= 6.90x10^16

Mass = 300 N

= 300(440)3/48(5.29x10^-12)(1458)

= 6.91x10^16
Mass = 400 N

= 400(440)3/48(7.05x10^-12)(1458)

= 6.91x10^16

Mass = 500 N

= 500(440)3/48(8.82x10^-12)(1458)

= 6.91x10^16

4.3 GRAPHS

GRAPH 1
GRAPH 2

4.4 DISCUSSION

First graph for simple supported beam made of aluminium and the values show a linear
relation between load and experimental load.

Second graph have shown the similar trends like the first graph. But, the values are
much smaller.

The difference between the two graphs might be caused by systematic error or defected
materials.
 CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION

Aim of studying and understanding the different types of beams and effect of different
factors in deflection of beam has been completed successfully. One experiment was
performed on one type of beam under tow different mass and result where plotted on
graphs and were discussed in details. From these experiments it can be concluded that
the deflection in a beam under a constant force depends on its weight. It can also be
concluded that the experimental elastic modulus of same material is different in every
case and really depends on the beam type, shape and loading place.

REFERENCES

-https://www.journals.elsevier.com/mechanics-of-materials

-http://www.green-mechanic.com/2017/01/Deflection-of-Beam-Lab-Report-
pdf.html