USEK GMC 472 Strength of Material Lab

Experiment #1

Deformation of Straight beams:

A cantilever beam

Experiment Instructions:

1- Introduction

The WP 950 device for deformation of straight beams permits a broad spectrum of
experiments on the deformation of a bending bar. We will be performing the following
experiments:
- Deflection of beams under different support conditions
- Elastic line under different support conditions

You need to note the following:

- The loads are applied using different sets of weights
- The deformation of the bar is measured using a dial gauge
- The forces on the supports are measured using dynamometers
- The bars used are thin, which allows a visual deflection

2- Unit Description:

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USEK GMC 472 Strength of Material Lab

1: Aluminum frame

2, 3: Supports fastened to the lower girder by the means of levers

4: Dial gauges supported to the higher girder by the means of holders

5: Load weights

6: Movable riders, to fix the weight to the bars

7: Bars

8: Dynamometer

9: Threaded spindle to adjust the height of the support

10: Locking screw to fix the support in its position

11: Fixing clamp for the bar

12: Holder of the dial gauge

3- Experiment 1: Deflection of a cantilever bar

This experiment aims to verify the mathematically calculated deflection on a

cantilever beam and determine the influence of the Length on the deflection.
In a cantilever bar, one side of the bar is fixed and the other side free. This is
known as a tri-valent support which transmits normal force, transverse force and moment.
The bar is therefore supported in a statically determined manner

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USEK GMC 472 Strength of Material Lab

Deflection formula:
𝐹𝐿3
𝑓 = 3𝐸𝐼
𝑦

Modulus of Elasticity-steel: E= 210 000 N/mm²

Cross section of the bar: 20x6 mm²
𝑏ℎᵌ
Calculate the Moment of Inertia: 𝐼𝑦 = 12

Performing the experiment:

Realize the following experiment:

Deflection for the Load : 17.5 N

L in mm Calculated deflection in mm Measured deflection in mm
300
400
500
600

- Plot the values in a graph

- Analyze and conclude

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USEK GMC 472 Strength of Material Lab

Experiment 2: Elastic line calculation:

Section I: 𝑤(𝑥) = 𝑤(𝑏) + 𝛼 (𝑏 − 𝑥) 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 < 𝑥 < 𝑏

𝐹𝑎ᵌ 3𝑥2 𝑥ᵌ2
Section II: 𝑤(𝑥2 ) = [2 − + ] for 0<𝑥2 <a
6𝐸𝐼𝑦 𝑎 𝑎ᵌ

𝐹𝑎2 𝐹𝑎3
Where 𝛼 = 2𝐸𝐼 and 𝑤(𝑏) = 3𝐸𝐼
𝑦 𝑦

Performing the Experiment:

For this experiment, we will be fixing the load to 17.5 N and the location of the load to
500 m

Realize the following experiment:

- Relieve the bar.

- Set the gauge to zero.
- Apply a 17.5 N at 500 mm.
- Read the deflection gauge value
- Relieve the bar and change the position of the deflection gauge to a 100 mm interval and
record the values in the below table.

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USEK GMC 472 Strength of Material Lab

Elastic line calculation

X in mm Calculated value in mm Measured value in mm
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700

- Record the values in a graph showing the difference between the calculated value and the
measured one.
- Analyze the results and conclude.