AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES-II LAB

OBJECTIVE

LIST OF EXPERIMENTS

1. Unsymmetrical bending of beams

2. Shear center of open sections
3. Buckling of columns
4. Center of closed sections
5. Constant strength beam
6. Structural behaviour of a semi-tension field beam
7. Combined loading
8. Calibration of photo elastic model material by using circular disc
under diametrical compression.
9. Calibration of photo elastic model material by using a beam subjected
to pure bending.

1. UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING OF BEAMS

AIM:
 To determine the principal axes of an unsymmetrical section.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

 A thin uniform cantilever Z section as shown in figure.

 Two dial gauges.
 Two hooks
 A string and pulley arrangement
 A steel support structure to mount the Z section as
cantilever.

PROCEDURE:
1. Mount two dial gauges on the tip section to measure the
horizontal and vertical deflections of a point on it.
2. Apply the vertical load WV
3. Read u and v, the horizontal and vertical deflections
respectively at the chosen point.
4. Increase the load WH in steps of about 300 gm ( for the first
case 100 gm + 200 gm hook) from zero to a maximum of
about 3 Kg, noting down in each case the values of u and v.
Repeat the procedure and check for consistency for
measurements.
5. Plot the graphs (u/v) vs (WH / WV) and find the intersection
of this curve with a straight line through the origin at 45º.
6. Calculate the inclination of one of the axes to the web as θ =
tan-1 (WV / WH ).
7. Calculate the inclination θ using the formula
tan 2θ = 2IXY / (IYY – IXX).

TABLE:
S.No WH u v WH / WV u/v
 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

CALCULATION:
WV =
θexp = tan-1 (WV / WH ).
b =
h =
t =
IXX =
IXY =
IYY =
tan 2θ = 2IXY / (IYY – IXX)
θ theo =
RESULT:
Therefore, the unsymmetrical bending of beam is calculated
and proved the value of ‘θ’ is approximately same
experimentally and theoretically.
2. SHEAR CENTER OF OPEN SECTIONS
AIM:
To determine the shear center of an open section.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
 A thin cantilever beam of channel section.
 Two dial gauges.
 A steel support structure to mount the channel section
as cantilever.
 Two loading hooks.

PROCEDURE:
1. Mount two dial gauges on the flange at a known
distance apart at the free end of the beam.
2. Place a two kilograms load at left side hook and note
the dial gauge readings
3. Remove one load from left end and place on right end,
note the dial gauge readings.
4. Transfer carefully all the load pieces and finally the
hook one by one to the other hook noting each time
the dial gauge readings. Calculate the distance ‘e’ of
the line of action from the web thus:
(AB/2) (Wa – Wb) / Wv = e
5. For every load case calculate the algebraic difference
between the dial gauge readings as the measure of the
angle of twist θ suffered by the section.
6. Plot θ against e and obtain the meeting point of the
curve ( a straight line in this case) with the e-axis (i.e.,
θ, the twist of the section is zero for this location of
the resultant vertical load). This determines the shear
center.

CALCULATION:
 Dimensions of the beam and the section :
Length of the beam (L) :
Height of the web (h) :
Width of the flange (b) :
Thickness of the sheet (t) :
Distance between the two hook stations :
Theoretical location of the shear center (e) : = 3b / [6+(h/b)]
Vertical load Wv = (Wa + Wb)
TABLE:

Dial gauge readings

S.No Wa Wb e = (AB/2) (Wa – Wb) / Wv
d1 d2 (d1-d2)

1
2
3
.
.
11

h= b=
etheo : = 3b / [6+(h/b)] =

From the graph,

eexp = when (d1 – d2) = 0

3. BUCKLING OF COLUMNS
AIM:
To determine the critical load of a column using Southwell plot.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
 Column testing apparatus.
 Specimens.
 Dial gauge.
 Vernier calipers.
 Weights.

PROCEDURE:
1. The ends of the given column specimens are carefully prepared
to provide knife-edge supports.
2. The specimen is then mounted on the column testing apparatus.
3. The columns are should be placed with the longitudinal axis
aligned vertically. At the mid-point of the given column, a dial
gauge is placed.
4. Loads are then gradually applied. The values of applied
compressive load and corresponding mid-point deflections are
recorded.
5. For each column specimen, a plot of δ / P versus δ is obtained.
This is called the Southwell plot, which should be a straight
line. The inverse of the slope of this line indicate the value of
the critical load, Pcr of the given hinged – hinged column.

TABLE:
 S.No P δ δ/P
1
2
3
.
.
10

L =
b =
d =
I = bd3/12
P = (π2EI) / L2
Pcr.theo =
Pcr.exp =

4. CENTER OF CLOSED SECTIONS

AIM:
To determine the shear center of a closed sections.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
 A thin uniform cantilever beam of D – section as
shown in the figure. At the free end extension pieces
are attached on either side of the web to facilitate
vertical loading.
 Two dial gauges are mounted firmly on this section, a
known distance apart over the top flange. This enables
the determination of the twist, if any experienced by
the section.
 A steel support structure to mount the channel section
as cantilever.
 Two loading hooks each weighing about 0.2 kg.

PROCEDURE:

1. Mount two dial gauges on the flange at a known distance apart at

the free end of the beam (see fig.). Set the dial gauge readings to
zero.
2. Place a total of say two kilograms load at A (loading hook and nine
load pieces will make up this). Note the dial gauge readings
(normally hooks also weigh a 200 grams each).
3. Now remove one load piece from the hook at A and place another
hook at B. this means that the total vertical load on this section
remains two kilogram. Record the dial gauge readings.
4. Transfer carefully all the load pieces and finally the hook one by
one to the other hook noting each time the dial gauge readings.
This procedure ensures that while the magnitude of the resultant
vertical force remains the same its line of action shifts by a known
amount along AB every time a load piece is shifted. Calculate the
distance e (see fig.) of the line of action from the web thus:
e = (AB/2) (Wa - Wb )/Wv
5. For every load case calculate the algebraic difference between the
dial gauge readings as the measure of the angle of twist θ suffered
by the section.
6. Plot θ against e and obtain the meeting point of the curve (a
straight line in this case) with the e-axis (i.e. θ, the twist of the
section is zero for this location of the resultant vertical load). This
determines the shear center.

Though a nominal value of two kilograms for the total load is

suggested it can be less. In that event the number of readings taken
will reduce proportionately.

TABLE

Dimensions of the beam and the section :

Length of the beam ( L ) :
Height of the web ( h ) :
Thickness of the sheet ( t ) :
Distance between the two hook station ( AB ) :

Vertical load Wv = ( Wa + Wb )
 S.NO. Wa Wb Dial gauge readings (d1- d2 ) e = AB(Wa - Wb )/2Wv
d1 d2

1
2
3
.
.
.
.
11

Plot e versus (d1-d2 ) curve and determine where this meets the e axis and
locate the shear center.

RESULT:
The shear center obtained experimentally is compared with the
theoretical value.

PRECAUTION:
1. For the section supplied there are limits on the maximum value of obtain
acceptable experimental results. Beyond these the section could undergo
excessive permanent deformation and damage the beam forever. Do not
therefore exceed the suggested values for the loads.
2. The dial gauges must be mounted firmly. Every time before taking the
reading tap the set up (not the gauges) gently several times until the
reading pointers on the gauges settle down and do not shift any further.
This shift happens due to both backlash and slippages at the points of
contact between the dial gauges and the sheet surfaces and can induce
errors if not taken care of. Repeat the experiments with identical settings
several times to ensure consistency in the readings.
 5. CONSTANT STRENGTH BEAM
AIM:
To determine the stress at various locations along the length of a
constant strength beam to show that they are equal and compare with
theoretical values.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
A constant strength beam in which the depth varies as in equation
(1) and made of Aluminum. Strain gauges, Strain indicator and
weights with hook.

PROCEDURE:

The constant strength beam is fixed as a cantilever. Strain

gauges are fixed near the root, at 3L/4 and L/2. The strain gauges are
fixed both on the top and bottom surfaces at each location to increase
the circuit sensitivity of the strain gauge circuit. Hence half bridge
used in the strain indicator to measure the strain at each location.
(Strain =Strain meter reading x 2). The beam loaded gradually in steps
of 2 Kg up to 10 Kg by placing the weights slowly in the hook near
the tip of the cantilever. (Loading hook weight 0.25Kg is to be added).
The strain gauge readings area noted for every 2kg at location A, B, C
and tabulated as given below

Strain gauge resistance = 350 ohm

Gauge factor =2
Young’s Modulus E = 70 GPa
 6. STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOUR OF A SEMI-TENSION FIELD
BEAM
AIM:
To investigate and study the behavior of a semi-tension field beam.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
A stiffened thin-webbed cantilever beam held in a suitable frame,
Strain gauge, Strain indicator, Hydraulic jack, Load cell and Load indicator.
PROCEDURE:
The wrinkling angle is calculated using the equation (1) and a strain
gauge is fixed at this angle in the web. Strain gauges are also fixed on the
flanges and s stiffener to measure their respective stresses. The load is
applied gradually in steps of 100 kg. Using the hydraulic jack. For each load
the load indicator reading, strain indicator reading corresponding to each
strain gauge is noted. Precaution is taken so that the beam does not undergo
any permanent deformation. Hence the beam is not loaded up to wrinkling
load. The readings are tabulated as given below.
The strain garages are connected in Quarter Bridge and hence the
strain indicator readings are to multiply by 4 to obtain the actual strain.
t= b= d= a=

AF = As = E=

S.No. W kg. εt εF εS σt=4E εt σF=4E εF σS=4E εS

RESULT: σt, σF and σS values are calculated theoretically using

equations (1), (3) and (4) and compared with experimental values given in
the table.
 7. COMBINED LOADING

AIM:
To determine the principle stresses and principle planed of a
hollow circular shaft due to combined loading.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Hollow circular shaft fixed as a cantilever, weight hanger with
slotted weights, strain gauges, connection wires, strain indicator and
micrometer.

PROCEDURE:
Two strain gauges are fixed near the root of the tube fixed as a
cantilever, one on the top fiber and other at the bottom to measure the
bending strain. Another strain gauge is fixed at the same location on
the neutral axis at 45° to measure the shear strain. Similarly three
more strain gauges are fixed at the middle of the length to verify the
result at various location of the tube. The strain gauges on the top and
bottom of the tube are connected to half bridge circuit in the strain
indicator to increase the circuit sensitivity, since the tension and
compression get added up. The strain gauge 45° is connected to the
quarter bridge of the strain indicator to measure the shear strain. The
outside diameter of the tube is measured using Vernier calipers.
Weights are added to the hook attached to the lever in steps of two kg
and the strain gauge readings are noted from the strain indicator for
each load. From the strains the bending stress, shear stress are
calculated and hence principal stresses and principal angle are
calculated. These values are compared with theoretical values.

Note:
For half bridge the strain readings are multiplied by two and quarter
bridge by four to get the actual strains.
TABLE:

YOUNG`S Modulus of the tube =

Outside diameter of the tube =
Thickness of the tube =
Length of the tube =
Strain gauge resistance =
Gauge factor =
Distance of the strain gauges near root from tip =
Distance of the strain gauges at the middle from tip =
Distance from the center of the tube to the center of the hook =
Weight of the hook =