Experiment no.

10
1. Objective:
To determine the Load Point Deflection of a Simply Supported Beam subjected to an Eccentric Load.

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

3.Introduction:
Deflection of beam apparatus contains a metal beam and fixed supports upon which the beam is supported for
this experiment. With the help of clamps arrangement at ends it can be made fixed type of beam. In the simplest
of situations, the beam is taken to have a rectangular cross-section and the loads and supporting reactions act
in the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis. The loads and the reactions at the supports are considered
external forces and they must be in equilibrium for the entire beam to be in equilibrium. To study the strength
of the beam, it is necessary to know how these external forces affect it.

4.Theory:
4.1 Beam:
A beam is a structural element that primarily resists loads applied laterally to the beam's axis. The loads applied
to the beam result in reaction forces at the beam's support points. The total effect of all the forces acting on the
beam is to produce shear forces and bending moments within the beam. Beams are characterized by their
manner of support, profile, length, and their material. Beams are traditionally descriptions of building or civil
engineering structural elements.
4.1.1 Simply supported beam:
A simply supported beam is a type of beam that has pinned support at one end and roller support at the other
end. Depending on the load applied, it undergoes shearing and bending. It is the one of the simplest structural
elements in existence.

Figure 1 Simply Supported Beam

4.2 Deflection in Beams:
In all practical engineering applications, when we use the different components, normally we have to operate
them within the certain limits i.e. the constraints are placed on the performance and behavior of the
components. For instance, we say that the particular component is supposed to operate within this value of
stress and the deflection of the component should not exceed beyond a particular value.
In some problems the maximum stress however, may not be a strict or severe condition but there may be the
deflection which is the more rigid condition under operation. It is obvious therefore to study the methods by
which we can predict the deflection of members under lateral loads or transverse loads, since it is this form of
loading which will generally produce the greatest deflection of beams.

4.3 Construction:
The slope of the fixed beam is zero at the ends and a couple will have to be applied at each end to make the
slope there have this value. The applied couples will be of opposite sign to that of bending moment due to
loading.
Consider a beam AB of length L fixed at A and B and carrying a load W. The theoretical deflection (yc) is given
by;
𝐖𝐚𝟐 𝐛𝟐
yc =
𝟑𝐄𝐈𝐋

Where E= Modulus of elasticity for the material of beam

I =Moment of Inertia of the beam

4.4 Eccentric load:

A load imposed on a structural member at some point other than the centroid of the section. An eccentric load
is a load which resultant is applied outside of the centroid of the element (column, beam or foundation) where
it is applied. The bigger the distance to the centroid the bigger the eccentricity. As a result, in addition to the
compression or bending that caused by that load, there will also be a moment due to the eccentricity that will
need to be considered in the design of the element.

Figure 2 Eccentric Load

4.4.1 Examples of Eccentric load:

In structural engineering you must know where the loads occur. Nearly all loading on beams is eccentric. To
identify the eccentricity of the load you must know the line of action of the load, and know the location of the
beam centerline.
 If a Roof beam supports joists on both sides, but the joist spans are unequal, the load on the beam is eccentric.
 Brick loads on exterior walls seldom bear on the center line of the beam, and thus are eccentric.
 Nearly all wind loads on wind beams are eccentric (i.e. not equal on both sides of the beam).
It is the same with columns. A column with not be loaded eccentrically when: it is an interior column with equal
spans on either pair of sides:
 All corner columns are loaded eccentrically.
 All exterior wall columns are loaded eccentrically.
 Any columns near a floor opening (such as stairs or elevator shaft) are eccentrically loaded.
4.5 Modulus of Elasticity:
The modulus of elasticity E is a material property, that describes its stiffness and is therefore one of the most
important properties of solid materials. When a material deforms elastically, the amount of deformation
likewise depends on the size of the material, but the strain for a given stress is always the same and the two are
related by Hooke´s Law:
𝝈 = 𝑬𝜺
where σ is stress [MPa], E modulus of elasticity [MPa], ε strain. From the Hook’s law the modulus of elasticity
is defined as the ratio of the stress to the strain:
𝛔
𝐄=
𝛆

4.6 Moment of inertia of beam:

The Area Moment of Inertia of a beams cross-sectional area measures the beams ability to resist bending. The
larger the Moment of Inertia the less the beam will bend. The moment of inertia is a geometrical property of a
beam and depends on a reference axis. The smallest Moment of Inertia about any axis passes through the
centroid.
The following are the mathematical equations to calculate the Moment of Inertia. y is the distance from the x-
axis to an infinitesimal area dA and x is the distance from the y-axis to an infinitesimal area dA.

Figure 3 Moment of Inertia

𝑰𝑿 = ∫ 𝒚𝟐 𝒅𝑨

𝑰𝒚 = ∫ 𝒙𝟐 𝒅𝑨
5. Procedure:
i. Set the deflection of beam apparatus on horizontal surface.
ii. Set the dial indicator at zero.
iii. Apply a load of 0.5 lb and measure the deflection using dial indicator.
iv. Keep on increasing the load.
v. Take at least five readings of increasing value of load and then take readings on unloading.
vi. Measure the length, width and height of the beam using meter rod and Vernier caliper and calculate the
theoretical value of Deflection using the given formula.
vii. Compare the experimental and theoretical values of deflection.

6. Observations and Calculations:

First, perform the experiment using brass beam.
6.1 For Brass:
 Least Count of dial indicator = 0.001 inch
 Least Count of Vernier calipers = 0.05 mm
 Effective length of beam (L) = 30 inch
 Breadth of beam = 1.053 inch
 Height of beam = 0.2573 inch
 Moment of inertia of beam (I = bh3/12) = 1.495 ×10-3 in4
 Modulus of elasticity of beam = 15 ×106 psi

No. of Effective Actual Central Deflection-𝜹𝒄 Theoretical %age

Obs. Load-W (in.) Deflection Error
(lbs) 𝜹𝒕𝒉 = Wa2 b2/3EIL
Loading Unloading Average (in)
1 0.5 0.011 0.012 0.0115 0.00193 5.6
2 1 0.024 0.025 0.0245 0.00368 7.2
3 1.5 0.038 0.039 0.0385 0.00580 12.6
4 2 0.051 0.052 0.0515 0.00770 12.7
5 2.5 0.065 0.065 0.065 0.00966 13.8
Average value of error = 10.4%.
Now, perform the same experiment using steel beam.

6.2 For Steel:

 Least Count of dial indicator = 0.001 inch
 Least Count of Vernier calipers = 0.05 mm
 Effective length of beam (L) = 30 inch
 Breadth of beam = 1.053 inch
 Height of beam = 0.1768 inch
 Moment of inertia of beam (I = bh3/12) = 0.485 ×10-3 in4
 Modulus of elasticity of beam = 29 ×106 psi
 No. of Effective Actual Central Deflection-𝜹𝒄 Theoretical %age
Obs. Load-W (in.) Deflection Error
(lbs) 𝜹𝒕𝒉 = Wa2 b2/3EIL
Loading Unloading Average (in)
1 0.5 0.018 0.019 0.0185 0.0182 1.59
2 1 0.036 0.038 0.037 0.0360 2.7
3 1.5 0.056 0.057 0.0575 0.0546 3.5
4 2 0.075 0.076 0.0755 0.0729 3.6
5 2.5 0.094 0.094 0.094 0.0910 3.3

Average value of error = 2.3%

8. Comments:
 The errors may be due to poor calibration, or may be due to the negligence of the performer.
 The error may be due to the improper standard of applied weights.
 Area of cross-section may not be uniform throughout the wire.

9. References:
 [1] http://www.mechanicalbooster.com/2016/09/types-of-beams.html
 [2] https://www.slideshare.net/shamjithkeyem/module4-plastic-theory-rajesh-sir
 [3] https://www.eboss.co.nz/library/steltech/custom-tapered-beams