Exp No: P-2

BENDING OF BEAMS

INSTRUCTED BY:
DR. /MR. /MS. PESHAN SAMPATH
PARTNERS
1.
KOGULAN L.
2.
KUMARASIRI A.A.A.P.
3.
KUMARAWADU P.D.
4.
LAKMAL T.C.T.
5.
MADUSHAN P.A.C.
6.
MADURANGA S.M.K.
7.
MADUSHAN H.E.M.D.
8.
MADUSHAN S.A.D.

NAME
COURSE
GROUP
NO
DATE OF PER
DATE OF SUB

: KUMARASIRI A.A.A.P.
: MATERIALS ENGINEERING
:C
: 150346L
: 28/11/2016
: 14/12/2016

ABSTRACT

This report mainly includes about bending behavior of a beam. A simply supported beam was set
under different point loads at its center. A beam bending apparatus was used to hold the beam. Weights
were applied to the center point of the beam under two cross sectional configurations. Deflection of the
beam was measured by the dial gauge. We got readings at two configurations. And we got two ways of
readings for each configuration. (Loading and unloading). So, that we could avoid practical errors
made by students during practical session. Then we got the readings and did some calculations to plot
graphs. Afterwards graphs were plot for the both cross sectional configuration against theoretical and
practical values of deflection against to the weight we applied. After that, we discussed about the
coursework which we going to make for the practical and how to plot a graph according to the given
data. Finally, we discussed about errors that could occur in this practical.

INTRODUCTION

TYPES OF BEAMS

A beam is a structure, which is loaded transversely.

The loads may be point loads or uniformly distributed loads.

The diagrams show the way that point loads and uniform loads are illustrated. A point load is a load or
force that acts at a single point on a structure and it is depicted by a single arrow on diagrams.

A uniform load is one which is evenly distributed along a length such as the weight of the beam or a
wall built on top of a beam. It is depicted by a series of arrows as shown. We usually denote the
loading as w N/m

The beam may be simply supported or built in.

Transverse loading causes bending and bending is a very severe form of stressing a structure. The bent
beam goes into tension (stretched) on one side and compression on the other.

Deflection of beams in engineering applications can discussed under several fields in engineering.
In civil engineering
In a construction thousands of beams are used to hold the transverse loads. To avoid failures
when designing constructions deflections of beams should calculated. Beam deflections in
buildings, bridges and towers can occur some serious failures.
In mechanical engineering
When it comes to the mechanical field, most of machines have to carry heavy loads and have to
face high impacts. So, the beams in these applications had to avoid failures from deflections.
In automobile engineering
When designing automobiles, beams play a huge role. To absorb vibrations and collisions, to
increase efficiency of the automobile we should design the beams to avoid the deflections.
To observe the bending behavior of simply supported beam with concentrated load and to compare
experimental and theoretical beam deflections and to have an understanding about the factors affecting
on bending beams are the main objectives of doing this practical.

THEORY

Beam under zero load

Beam under load

To calculate deflection of a beam we use a standard fundamental formula based on the beam curvature.
It is given by the bellow expression.
1

2
2

Where,

The radius of the shape of the curved beam at a distance x from the origin

The bending moment at the section, distance x from the origin

The elastic or Youngs modulus of the material from which the beam is fabricated

The second Moment of area of the beams cross section

y(x) The vertical deflection at the section distance x from the origin

Under this practical we consider about Pure Bending. But there is no practical beam subjected to
pure bending. So, we use following assumptions to do calculations.
Beam is completely made out of homogeneous material.
Beam is completely elastic and isotopic.
Initially the beam is straight.

Values were measured downward direction. But y axis was measured upward direction.
Therefore - mark was added to the equation.

E is constant for particular material

I is constant for a particular configuration

EI is flexure rigidity

Tension
Centroid
No shear(Neutral point)

Centroid=Neutral point

w
y
x

b
L

We can derive equations for the deflection of the beam to the above diagram like this,
When 0 x L/2,

2 ()
2

2 ()

When L/2 x L,

.EI = w.

.EI = -w. + w.

By integrating two times,

When 0 x L/2, EIY() = w.
When L/2 x L,

EIY() = -w.

3
12

3
12

+ 1 + 2

2
4

+ 3 + 4

By applying boundary conditions, we can get the values of constants,

1 =

2
16

2 = 0

3 =

32
16

4 =

3
48

By applying above values, we can derive an equation like this,

Y() =

2 (2 2 2 )
6

But the load is pointed at the center of the beam. So, the deflection of the middle point of the beam is,
By substituting
3

Y( ) = (
)
2
48

=2,

m . x

EQUIPMENTS

Dial guage

Beam

Stands

Weights
Bending apparatus set up (figure 01)

Bending cross section configuration

Beam Bending Apparatus

Weights
Hanger
Dial guage
Vernier caliper
Meter ruler
Beam

PROCEDURE

Apparatus was set as shown in figure 01 above.

Dial gauge was calibrated.

The deflection in the middle of the beam was measured by increasing weight (loading).

The deflection in the middle of the beam was measured by decreasing weight(unloading).

Above readings were taken for the two configurations shown in figure 01.

Dimensions of the beams were taken for the calculations.

CALCULATIONS

Centroid of configuration 1.
y
X = 10/2 = 5mm
A2
x

C= (X, Y)

(A1 + A2) Y1 = A1Y2 + A2Y

94.1 x 4.71 = 75.16 x 4.36 + 18.94 x Y
Y = 6.09mm

A1

(1)

Second moment are of Configuration 1

y

Ixxc = Ixx1 + (A1+A2)( Y- Y1)

Y

10 (9.41)
12

+ 9.41 x 10 x (6.09 - 4.705)

Y1
=874.86 4

y
Ixxc = Ixx2 + A1( Y- Y2)
Y

Y2

8.62 (8.72)
12

+ 8.62 x 8.72 x (6.09 4.36)

= 671.25 4
Ixxc (combined figure) = 874.86 671.25 = 203.61 4

Second moment are of Configuration 2

Ixxc = 9.41 x 1000 x 1/12

= 784.16

Y1
x

(1)

y
Ixxc = 8.72x 8.62 x 1/12
= 465.43
Y2
x

Ixxc (combined figure) = 784.16 465.43 = 318.73 4

y(L/2) =(

48

48

)w

(2)

(*)

According to configuration 1

= [-(800)/(48 x 6.9 x 104 x 203.61)] x( 9.81/1000)= -7.45 x 103 1

(*)

For 50kg weight, y = -7.45 x 103 x 50= -0.3725mm

48

According to configuration 2

=[ -(800)/(48 x 6.9 x 104 x 318.73)] x (9.81/1000) = -4.7 x 103

For 50kg weight, y =-4.7 x 103 x 50 = -0.235mm

(*)

RESULTS

Weight(g)

Theoritical values of
Deflection (configuration
1)

Practical values of Deflection

(configuration 1)

-0.01

50

-0.3725

-0.04

150

-1.1175

-0.22

250

-1.8625

-0.99

350

-2.6025

-1.92

450

-3.3525

-2.66

550

-4.0975

-3.56

650

-4.8425

-4.46

750

-5.5875

-5.36

850

-6.3325

-6.15

950

-7.0775

-6.98

1050

-7.8225

-7.75

0
0

200

400

600

800

1000

-1

-2

Deflection(mm)

-3

Linear (Theoritical values of

Deflection (configuration 1))

Linear (Practical values of

Deflection (configuration 1))

-4

-5

y = -0.007x
R = 0.9732

-6

-7
y = -0.0074x
R = 1
-8

-9

Weights(g)

1200

Weight(g)

Theoritical values of Deflection

(configuration 2)

Practical values of Deflection

(configuration 2)

-0.01

50

-0.235

-0.05

150

-0.705

-0.40

250

-1.175

-1.08

350

-1.645

-1.61

450

-2.115

-2.37

550

-2.585

-2.94

650

-3.055

-3.64

750

-3.525

-4.24

850

-3.995

-4.84

950

-4.465

-5.50

1050

-4.935

-6.09

0
0

-1

200

400

600

800

1000

Linear (Theoritical values

of Deflection
(configuration 2))

Deflection(mm)

Linear (Practical values of

Deflection (configuration
2))

-2

-3

y = -0.0047x
R = 1

-4

-5

y = -0.0056x
R = 0.9882
-6

-7

Weights(g)

1200

Weight(g)

Practical values of Deflection

(configuration 1)

Practical values of Deflection

(configuration 2)

-0.01

-0.01

50

-0.04

-0.05

150

-0.22

-0.40

250

-0.99

-1.08

350

-1.92

-1.61

450

-2.66

-2.37

550

-3.56

-2.94

650

-4.46

-3.64

750

-5.36

-4.24

850

-6.15

-4.84

950

-6.98

-5.50

1050

-7.75

-6.09

0
0

-1

200

400

600

800

1000

Linear (Practical values of

Deflection (configuration
1))
Linear (Practical values of
Deflection (configuration
2))

-2

-3

Deflection(mm)

-4

y = -0.0056x
R = 0.9882

-5

-6

y = -0.007x
R = 0.9732

-7

-8

-9

Weights(g)

1200

DISCUSSION

There were some variations between theoretical values and practical values. We might have to know
the exact reasons for the errors
Experimental deflection
This error might have happened because of the inaccuracy in measuring the length between the
beam and the ground, which happens because of not measuring the length perpendicular to the
beam itself.therefore,The reading of the height might be different from time to other,so,the
calculation of deflection is different from the theoretical.
Main source of error
If we look at the first and second plots, we may see that there is a bit difference between two
particular lines. Which may have caused this difference, may have been that in the experiment
the dial gauge could not be placed directly at the midpoint of the span. This was due to physical
barriers during experimentation. If the dial gauge had measured the deflection at the midpoint
of the beam our calculations may have been more accurate. Also, human error must be
accounted for. Mistakes may have been made when creating the Excel document.
R square values

R square values
Configuration 1

Configuration 2

Theoretical Practical Theoretical Practical

0.9732

0.9882

Practical Values
Configuration Configuration
1
2
0.9732

0.9882

R square values are seeming to very fine but actually is not because as we can see, in
configuration 1(Theoretical), dots are not in a linear manner.as well as configuration 2
(Practical)
Those errors were made according to reasons which we discussed above.

In real world, those bending diagrams (and shear force diagrams relating the purpose) are used for
many applications. Bending Moment and Shear diagrams are always used by structural engineers or
anyone dealing with forces in materials. In steel beam design, bending moment tells the structural
engineer what is the lightest shape I can use to carry this bending moment. Shear strength of steel
beams are high and typically can be overlooked if there isnt and special loading condition that
warrants a look such as a column sitting at the middle of a beam or near the support. At the support,
the shear stresses are at its highest and any load near this point would raise a red flag to check the
capacity of the steel beam. In concrete, everything has to be checked because concrete is design for
bending and the internal couple within the beam must resist the external bending moment placed on it.
In addition, the shear in concrete has to be check to make sure it has the capacity and if it doesnt,
stirrups are used to raise the shear capacity to at or above the ultimate strength design of the section. In
any case, steel stirrups are always placed in concrete beams. Also, if a engineer is doing a moment
frame in concrete or steel, they have to understand how bending moments and shear should look like in
the frame. In todays world, the structural engineer uses software to do all the calculation but if they do
not know what a bending moment or shear diagram looks like in a loading condition, the analysis is
null. Bending moment and shear diagrams are used all the time by engineers design bridges,
buildings, boats, cars, planes and any type of structure that has to resist forces.

CONCLUSION

The deflection and load are directly proportional and deflection increases as greater load is placed on
the beam. The slope of the graph is steep and it increases sharply when the load is placed in mid-span.
But when the load position is on the sides of the beam, then the graph doesnt have a steep slope.
Errors can never be ignored when it comes to laboratory
work. The aim is to reduce terror as much as possible to obtain accuracy in work. Ways to reduce the
error are by repeating the experiment for three times or more and then taking the average readings, by
being extra cautious during the experiment, by asking more than one person to record the readings and
carry out the experiment. Actually, we did that during the practical as well. We divided to two groups
and get readings separately.
Deflection of a beam is different depending on its position. When the
bam is positioned with its thin side on the supports it is able to carry more load than when it is
positioned with its flat side on the supports. This is due to the fact the beams inertia change as the
position changes. When the beam is placed on its flat side, its inertia is less than when positioned on its
thin side where the inertia is bigger. This means that because the flat side has less inertia there will be
less resistance in changing its position, so it will deflect more. Because the thin side has more inertia, it
will have more resistance in changing its state
When we take our interest to beams there are so many applications,
There are lots of approximations involved. When the falling weight strikes the beam, the beam has to
be accelerated, so there is some impact and loss of energy on this account. The depression of the beam
brings in a little additional gravitational energy, and the kinetic energy of the beam is recovered at
maximum deflection. Subsequently, the weight is projected upwards, while the beam vibrates. It is a
very complicated process in which our approximations have made it possible to see the main result
without having to consider all the small effects that are certainly there, but are negligible.

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