LAB REPORT

Subject:
Mechanics of Materials - II

Submitted To:
Muhammad Umair Rafique

Submitted By:
MUHAMMAD IRTASAM HASSAN
REG# 00000125722
Date:
November 16, 2017.

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING NUST
ISLAMABAD
Objective:
To ascertain the coefficient of elasticity for a given specimen using the deflection in beam
method.

Apparatus:
● Twist and Bend Machine
● Weights
● Hangers
● Weighing machine
● Brass Specimen
Theory:
We analyze a simple laboratory experiment in order to introduce the concept of geometric
nonlinearity. This type of nonlinearity is related to the nonlinear behavior of deformable
bodies, such as beams, plates and shells, when the relationship between the extensional
strains and shear strains, on the one hand, and the displacement, on the other, is taken to be
nonlinear, resulting in nonlinear strain-displacement relations. As a consequence of this fact,
the differential equations governing this system will turn out to be nonlinear. This is true in
spite of the fact that the relationship between curvatures and displacements is assumed to be
linear. The experiment will allow us to explore the deflections of a loaded cantilever beam
and to observe in a simple way the nonlinear behavior of the beam. We will consider a
geometrically nonlinear beam problem by numerically and experimentally analyzing the large
deflections of a cantilever beam of linear elastic material, under the action of an external
vertical tip load at the free end and a uniformly distributed load along its length (its own
weight). Under the action of these external loads, the beam deflects into a curve called the
elastic curve or elastica. If the thickness of the cantilever is small compared to its length, the
theory of elastica adequately describes the large, nonlinear displacements due to the external
loads.

For the arrangement shown here, it can be found that deflection at the load point is
𝑦𝑦3
∆𝑦 =
48𝑦𝑦
𝑦 = 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 (𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦)

𝑦 = 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦

𝑦𝑦4 𝑦 (0.004)4
𝑦 = 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝑦𝑦 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 = = = 2.01 𝑦 10−10 𝑦4
4 4
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦 𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦𝑦
Procedure:
● Take a beam and measure its diameter “d” using a Vernier caliper.
● Calculate its moment of inertia with the help of given formula.
● Clamp the beam on the apparatus at an appropriate length and set the dial gauge at the
end of the beam (above the hanger).
● Apply load on the hanger, the beam will deflect down and the dial gauge will give a
reading. Keep adding load and note the reading for each load.
● The reading from dial gauge gives the deflection of beam.
● Compare the theoretical and experimental value.
● Repeat the experiment by keeping the load constant but changing the length.
Observations and Calculations:
With I = 2.01 𝑦 10−10 𝑦4
𝑦𝑦3
𝑦=
48∆𝑦𝑦
For constant length, l = 40 cm = 0.4 m
Obs. Applied Load, W Deflection ( x 10-5) Modulus of Elasticity, E Error (%)
No. (N) (m) (GPa)
1 2 11 120.61 19
2 4 22 120.61 19
3 6 36 110.56 12

For constant load of W = 2N

Obs. Length, l Deflection ( x 10-5) Modulus of Elasticity, E Error (%)
No. (m) (m) (GPa)
1 0.4 11 120.61 19
2 0.3 5 111.94 13
3 0.2 1.5 110.56 12

Conclusion:
It can be seen from the experiment that if we apply the same weight but for different
clamping length, the vertical deflection will be greater for the experiment in which the
clamping length was greater. Theoretically we can prove from the vertical displacement
formula that vertical displacement is directly proportional to cube of clamping length if all
the other factors are kept constant.
Secondly, if we keep the clamping length constant along with other factors except the
applied load. The vertical displacement decrease by increasing the load.
𝑦𝑦3
∆𝑦 =
48𝑦𝑦
The sources of error in this experiment are:
● Human error in reading the deflection.
● Twist and therefore stresses in the rod due to over tightening of the clamps.
● Limitation of minimum length to be clamped.