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Deflection of Beams
Submitted to
Sir Zia-ur-Rehman Tahir

Muhammad Furqan 2021-ME-016 Laboratory Report

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Table of Contents
To Determine the deflection in a simply supported Beam..............................................................2
Abstract............................................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Construction Material.............................................................................................................3
Loads and Supports.................................................................................................................4
Shape of Cross Section...........................................................................................................4
Equilibrium Condition............................................................................................................4
Geometry................................................................................................................................4
Objectives...............................................................................................................................5
Methodology....................................................................................................................................6
Apparatus................................................................................................................................6
Procedure.................................................................................................................................6
Analytical Method............................................................................................................6
Numerical Method............................................................................................................6
Experimental Method.......................................................................................................7
Experimental setup.................................................................................................................8
Results..............................................................................................................................................8
Numerical Results...................................................................................................................8
Analytical Results.................................................................................................................11
Second Moment of Area.................................................................................................11
Deflection.......................................................................................................................12
Experiment Results...............................................................................................................13
Error Analysis.......................................................................................................................14
Discussion......................................................................................................................................15
Area of each Section.............................................................................................................15
Volume of each beam...........................................................................................................16
Mass of each beam................................................................................................................16
Price of each beam................................................................................................................16
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................17
References......................................................................................................................................17

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To Determine the deflection in a simply supported Beam

Abstract
In this experiment a simply supported beam of Aluminum with a Young’s Modulus of 70 G Pa
was used in order to calculate its angle of deflection and to check that how much load or pressure a
beam can withstand under normal circumstances. One end of beam is kept fixed while other end is free
and movable and load is applied at the midpoint of beam. It has a length of 3.6 m; overall depth of 14.1
cm; overall width of 7.05 cm; and thickness of 1.41 cm respectively. After applying load at the center of
the beam there should be a deflection curve in the beam. We are provided with experimental results and
analytical numerical and computational result are the one witch we need to calculate and compare these
results with experimental results. After all the analysis and calculation will find out that I-Beam is more
economical while Hollow Rectangular Beam is stronger and durable comparing to the other two beams.
This experiment is conducted to find out the comparison of cost and strength of three beams as it is very
important process in industrial and practical point of view. This experiment is conducted keeping in
mind the basic nature of simply supported beams and their industrial usage.
Introduction
A beam is a long and a sturdy piece of squared timber metal or any other material that is used
for many purposes and is very useful for building roof and floors and to support them in a building as we
sometimes say that a ray or shift in the light but it is not our topic today A beam is also said to be a
material that that is placed horizontally to the object being supported and it takes the load and distribute
to all over the material piece column walls being placed on both sides of wall upon which the beam is
placed as it only withstand the load applied laterally on the outer and inner axis of that beam.
The deflection is said to be the at which particularly the structural element can be displaced on a
specific degree and is displaced by using a considerable amount of load it can sometimes also refers to
angle or distance. In general, and structural engineering terms means the movement or change in angle
of beam at some extent and is usually occurred by applying load or pressure under normal
circumstances.it can sometimes also be stated as displacement which occurs by applying external load
and usually occurs in beams, frames, trusses and other type of body structures. The formula generally
used to calculate the deflection is
3
PL
D=
48 EI
Where,
D = Beam Deflection.
P = Load. L = Length of beam.
E = Young’s Modulus. I = Moment of Inertia.

It is very necessary for us that if we are talking about the beam and its deflection so we should
also state its importance as it is very basic and an understandable topic. The mid-span moment which is
acting on the mid-point of the beam is calculated by

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PL
M= 4

Its importance is highlighted when its use in industry is being under the talk we should have to
know about the sensitivity of a material and structured being used and how the weight of the object
being load affects its working and condition under different circumstances and that during a natural
disaster like earthquakes or tsunami to how much extent that beam should protect the building we should
have knowledge about all of that things. Also, we should be careful while using that beam that according
to how much extent or integrity of movement of structure will affect the beam.
There is another term we mostly use using deflection of beam that is Deflection Engineering.
It is a usually used by engineers and is defined as the movement of beam from its original point. It is
difference of the measure of change in length from its original location. Deflection of beam is
represented in terms of Ф[1].
P L3
Ф = -vo (L) = 48 EI
It is the main formula we can derive below to calculate the extent of measure of deflection of
a beam .
Now we will discuss about the major types of beams. There are about 25 types of beams but
the main type on which all types belonged are based on [2]:
Construction Material.
 Timber Beam
 Steel Beam
 Concrete Beam.
 Composite Beam.
Loads and Supports.
 Simply Supported Beam.
 Fixed Beam.
 Overhanging Beam.
 Continuous Beam.
 Cantilever Beam.
 Trussed Beam.
Shape of Cross Section.
 Rectangular Beam.
 I – Beam.
 T – Beam.
 C – Beam.
 L – Beam.

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Equilibrium Condition.
 Statically Determinate Beam.
 Statically Indeterminate Beam.
Geometry.
 Straight Beam.
 Curved Beam.
 Tapered Beam.
 Cast In-situ Concrete Beam.
 Precast Concrete Beam.
 Pre-stressed Concrete Beam.
 Lintel Beam.
When we calculate the value of deflection by integration w can find three constants under
three different conditions these condition are given by[3];
 Boundary Condition
It mainly pertains to the deflection and slopes at the supports of that beam.in this
case both the slope and deflection is zero and thus it is used to calculate the constant of integration.
 Continuity Condition
It occurs at that particular point where the regions of integration meets. Its
deflection is continuous at the slope providing the constant of integration.
 Symmetry Condition
It is applied when the value of slope at midpoint is zero it provides an additional
equation to calculate the constant of integration.
Now if we discus about the advantages and applications of a simply supported beam in
civil and mechanical structures we will talk about the method of successive integration is sometimes
used for finding deflections. There is a new integral approach in which we can find the deflection of
beam and it is moment integral treatment but it is used for complex loads and analysis and varies in
structure to structure. This type of versatile approach requires only a general technique of application.
Some of the elementary theory gives us the results of deflection of a beam during a short life span. The
major problems we face during this process is to determine the relationship between load and extension
to a given required slope hence these results can usually be obtained experimentally.
The differential equation for the curve of deflection of beam is given by
d2 v M
= EI
d x2
On the basis of this equation there are two types of beams[4]:
 Non prismatic Beam
In this type of beam flexural rigidity EI is variable.

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 Prismatic Beam
In this type of beam flexural rigidity EI is constant.
Now we shall talk about the elastic curve in a simply supported beam that its deflection shall be
in such a limit that it provides integrity and brittleness to the structure and help it not to collapse these
structures usually made of soft materials like glass and concrete and the beam supports them in order to
collapse in bad circumstances. These soft materials usually vibrate and one must find the value of angle
of deflection at such a particular point that necessary support is provided to soft materials. But first we
need to sketch the free body graph so that it becomes easier to do all the procedure and to physically
observe and visualize any numerical results.
The deflection curve of longitudinal axis that passes through the centroid of each cross-
sectional area of beam is called elastic curve[5].

Sometimes limits must be placed on the amount of deflection witch may be subjected to the load
there are various methods for determining the deflection and slope at specific point of beam. The
analytical method includes:
 Integration.
 Discontinuity function.
 Superposition.
 Semi graphical technique.
 Moment-area method.
 Support reaction.
Objectives
 To understand the basics and working of a beam.
 To determine the equation of deflection curve for a simply supported beam.
 To determine maximum value of deflection at the midpoint or center of the beam.
 To determine the angles of rotations of beam at both ends.
 To compare the experimental results with analytical and computational results to calculate the
error analysis.
 To draw a bar graph between the cost of three beams and find out which beam is economically
stable.
Now we will use one of these methods to calculate deflection in a simply supported beam.
Methodology
In this experiment we use these apparatus to do all the procedure which includes;
Apparatus
 Two-column load unit.
 Steel Rule.
 Aluminum Steel Beam.
 Digital Dial.

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 Screw Gauge.
 Load Peg.
 Weights.
Now we will discuss about the procedure that we are using to calculate the second moment of
inertia and the deflection in a simply supported beam.
Procedure
Analytical Method
 In analytical method we need to find about all the required parameters on Aluminum and
take all these things in a table.
 Now we will draw a graph and compute all the values by using the calculators and thing
provided.
 Finally we will compare these computational values with the experimental values to
calculate error analysis[6]
 In I-Beam the formula used will be;
I xx = H3b/12 + 2[h3B/12 + h B (H + h) 2/4]
 In Hollow rectangular beam ;

I xx = BH 3/ 12 – bh3/12
 While in C-Beam;
I xx = H b/12 + 2[h B/12 + h B (h + H) /4]
3 3 2

 These formulas can be used to calculate I xx and find the deflection in the simply
supported beam.
 Finally, we will calculate the error analysis and conclude the experiment.

Numerical Method
 Now we will put all these values in table, the experimental table and graph are already
provided we will put the formula
P L3
D=
48 EI
 Now calculate the deflection, draw its graph and compare its value with experimental
ones.
 Finally calculate error analysis and check the percentage error of your calculations to
experimental ones and check that which beam is more durable and beneficial
 We will be provided by Ixx and Iyy but we will only use the x value there is no need of y
value.
 We can find this value by using an online calculator and hence find the deflection by
putting all these values in the above equation.

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Figure 1 Simply Supported Beam with applied load P at its midpoint

Experimental Method
 First of all, we will calculate the total width [B] and depth [H] of three aluminum i.e.
I-Beam, C-Beam, Hollow Rectangle Beam in cm by using screw gauge.
 Now we will calculate the length [L] of all three beams using steel rule in m so that it
remains in SI.
 Finally, calculate the thickness [t] and record all the values in analytical table.
 Now we have to calculate the second moment of area [I] by using moment of area
calculator for simply supported beams.
 Then remove all the sharp clamps and edges so that personal and environmental error
could be avoided.
 Now hand weights in the mid-point of beam so that there shows a deflection in beams
which we are ought to calculate.
 Every time we put a weight in the midpoint of the beam it will start to deflect more[7].

Experimental setup
In experimental set up we will take all the three beams and put different loads in their
midpoint and find out the deflection using a steel rule this process is included in experimental work
while all the values are written down in the table we will now simply put these in excel and draw a
graph between load and deflection .All this procedure includes our experimental setup.

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Results
Numerical Results
In numerical results we will calculate the value of second moment of area I and hence
calculate the deflection in the given aluminum beams first of all we will calculate it in the I-Beam then
in hollow rectangular beam and finally in the C-Section these all materials are made up of aluminum and
have their own value of second moment of area as well as deflection
I-Beam
For I-Beam we will first draw the free body diagram

b H’

B
BB
Figure 2 I-Beam

H = H’ – 2 t = 11.28 cm
B = 7.05 cm
h = b = t = 1.41 cm
We will put all these values in the calculator.
The value of I will come out to be then we will finally able to calculate its deflection at different loads
these value
I = 9723253 mm4.
Putting all values corresponding to their loads we will get the following value of deflection.

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Table 1 Deflection for I-Beam

Deflection (mm)
Load (N) I Section
0 0
250 0.36
500 0.71
750 1.07
1000 1.43
1250 1.79
1500 2.14
1750 2.5
2000 2.86
2250 3.21
2500 4.06

Rectangular Hollow Section

Now we will calculate value of second moment of area for rectangular hollow
section but first we will draw its diagram.

h H
b

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H = 14.1 cm
B = 7.05 cm
b = B – 2 t = 11.28 cm
h = H – 2 t = 4.23 cm
After putting all these values in the calculator given the value of second moment of area comes out to
be.
I = 11409670 mm4
Putting all values corresponding to their loads we will get the following values of deflection.

Table 2 Deflection for hollow rectangular beam

Deflection (mm)
Load (N) Rectangular Section
0 0
250 0.3
500 0.61
750 0.91
1000 1.22
1250 1.52
1500 1.83
1750 2.13
2000 2.43
2250 2.74
2500 3.43

The values provided in this table is then used to draw a graph which is shown in analytical results

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C-Section
In C section first we will first draw the figure to understand the circumstance

b H

Here,
H = 14.1 cm
B = 7.05 cm
b = 1.41 cm
h = 1.41 cm
After putting all these values in calculator we will find the value of second moment of area as
I = 15283161 mm4
Putting all values corresponding to the their loads we will get the following values of deflection.

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Table 3 Deflection for C Section

Deflection (mm)
Load (N) C Channel
0 0
250 0.23
500 0.45
750 0.68
1000 0.91
1250 1.14
1500 1.36
1750 1.59
2000 1.82
2250 2.04
2500 3.50

Analytical Results
Second Moment of Area
Now we will calculate the value of second moment of area using the following formula
provided in excel hence;
I-Beam
I = H3b/12 + 2[h3B/12 + h B (H + h) 2/4]
I = 9723253 mm4

Hollow Rectangular Section

3 3
I = BH / 12 – bh /12
I = 11409670 mm4

C Section
3 3
I= H b/12 + 2[h B/12 + h B (h + H)
2
/4]
I = 15283161 mm4
Deflection
Now calculate the deflection using excel to draw the table. Normally the deflection can be
calculated by using the formula provided in excel;
P L3
D= 48 EI
In which P is defined as the load which is acting at the mid-point of the beam, L is the total
length of beam which remains constant i.e. 3.6 m, E is the Young’s modulus of aluminum which is 70 G
Pa and I is the second moment of area which has been calculated in the numerical results. By putting all

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these values in the table as same of the table provided in the experimental table we can finally get the
deflection of all three beams corresponding to their loads values.
Providing all these values we can now put all the values in the table 1 in order to make all the
arrangements and properties clear. We will end up making the following table this table is formed in
excel by applying the upper deflection.

Table 4 Values of deflection of beams calculated analytically

Load (N) Deflection (mm)

I Section Rectangular Section C Channel
0 0 0 0
250 0.36 0.3 0.23
500 0.71 0.61 0.45
750 1.07 0.91 0.68
1000 1.43 1.22 0.91
1250 1.79 1.52 1.14
1500 2.14 1.83 1.36
1750 2.5 2.13 1.59
2000 2.86 2.43 1.82
2250 3.21 2.74 2.04
2500 4.06 3.43 2.5

This table shows us the values of deflection corresponding to their load

Analytical Chart
4.0

I Beam
3.0
Displacement (mm)

HRB
2.0
C Section

1.0

0.0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Load (N)

Figure 4 Graph between load and displacement calculated analytically

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Experiment Results
The values obtained from experimental results are in the below table and its corresponding graph is
drawn to show it deflection respectively

Table 5 experimentally calculated displacement table

Deflection (mm)
Load (N) I Section Rectangular Section C Channel
0 0 0 0
250 0.441159 0.424948 0.521419
500 1.036646 0.835976 0.924003
750 1.532714 1.106845 1.299899
1000 1.71103 1.787195 1.816466
1250 2.633693 1.887785 2.365059
1500 2.782532 2.476182 2.986867
1750 3.017077 3.056764 2.776284
2000 3.942209 2.743882 3.320026
2250 4.013965 3.654949 4.187716
2500 4.526156 3.758416 5.273936

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Experimental Chart
5.0
I-Beam
4.0
Displacement (mm) Rectangle
3.0
C Beam
2.0

1.0

0.0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Load (N)

Figure 5 Experimental graph between load and displacement

Error Analysis
For error analysis first we will compute the difference between the deflection values of all
beams and compute them in a table the following results will be given to us after all the analysis and
calculations

Table 6 Difference between analytic value and experimental value of deflection

Difference
I Section RHC C Channel
0 0 0
0.081159 0.124948 0.291419
0.326646 0.225976 0.474003
0.462714 0.196845 0.619899
0.28103 0.567195 0.906466
0.843693 0.367785 1.225059
0.642532 0.646182 1.626867
0.517077 0.926764 1.186284
1.082209 0.313882 1.500026
0.803965 0.914949 2.147716
0.466156 0.328416 2.773936

Now we will calculate the percentage error by using formula

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¿
% age error = ¿ X 1− X 2∨ [ X 1 + X 2 ] /2 ¿
In order to calculate percentage error we have to put all the above values in excel and draw a bar
graph this bar graph will help us to distinguish between our error we have done during experimental
results and during theoretical problem solving
Table 7 Percentage difference between three beams

Percentage Difference [ %]
I Section HRC C Section
0 0 0
10.2604 14.47089 17.56498
17.40266 11.25584 18.99592
15.55627 19.52009 12.61925
17.89413 17.72253 16.49384
18.14428 11.58499 19.90233
16.10575 10.01183 14.85239
18.7446 15.73573 14.33838
11.81934 12.13333 18.36648
12.25828 18.61474 18.97283
10.85832 9.137368 11.36503

This percentage difference chart will help us understand that we have almost about 17 % error in
our theoretical and practical values this error can be caused by many reasons they may be human error
or scientific error or calculation error. But this type of error can be neglected and we should proceed to
our next calculations.

Percentage Difference Chart

I Section HRC C Section
20
Percentage error(%)

15

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Types of beam

Figure 6 Bar chart of percentage difference

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Discussion
We can calculate the whole width and depth of 3 aluminum i.e. I-Beam, C-Beam, Hollow Rectangle
Beam in cm through the use of screw gauge. Now we can calculate the length of all 3 beams the use of
metallic rule in m in order that it stays in SI. Finally, calculate the thickness and file all of the values in
analytical table. Now we should calculate the second one second of vicinity through the use of second of
vicinity calculator for truly supported beams. Then cast off all of the sharp clamps and edges in order
that private and environmental mistakes will be avoided[8]. Now hand weights within side the mid-
factor of beam in order that there suggests a deflection in beams which we're have to calculate. Every
time we placed a weight with inside the midpoint of the beam it's going to begin to deflect more.
Area of each Section 
To calculate the area we will put some formulae these will include some values including H
= 14.1 cm, B = 7.05 cm, t = 1.41 cm, h = b = 1.41 cm.
I-Beam
The surface area of I Beam is calculated using formula
A = 2 B t + (H – 2 t)
So the value comes out to be A = 35.785 cm2.
Hollow Rectangular Beam
Similarly to calculate the area of Hollow Rectangular Beam we will use the formula
A= B H – b h
Hence the value comes out to be A = 51.69cm2.
C Section
Also we will calculate the surface area of c beam
A = H b + 2 t (B – b)
So area will be A = 39.762 cm2
Volume of each beam
Volume of beams can be calculated using formula
V=AL
Where, L = 3.6 m
I-Beam: 12882.8 cm3
Hollow Rectangular Beam: 18608.6 cm3
C Section: 14314.32 cm3
 
Mass of each beam
Mass of each beam can be calculated by using Density of Aluminum = 2.7 g/cm3
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Mass of beam = density × volume

I-Beam: 34.783 kg
Hollow Rectangular Beam: 50.243 kg
C Section: 38.649 kg
 
Price of each beam
Price of each beam can be calculated using Price of Aluminum per kg = Rs 900
Price of beam = price of aluminum × mass of beam

I-Beam: Rs 31304.7
Hollow Rectangular Beam: Rs 45218.7
C Section: Rs 34784.1

With this graph we can finally say that the least one with the price is I-Beam and is hence
cheap. This information is very important for construction companies and business owners to calculate
their average cost if they use I-Beam or any other beam.

Cost - Compairing Chart

Rs 50,000
45218.7
Rs 45,000
Rs 40,000
34784.1
Rs 35,000 31304.7
Cost in Rupees

Rs 30,000
Rs 25,000
Rs 20,000
Rs 15,000
Rs 10,000
Rs 5,000
Rs 0
I-Beam Hollow Rectangle C Section
Type of Beams

Figure 7 Price comparing chart

If we discus approximately the benefits and programs of a in reality supported beam in civil
and mechanical systems we are able to communicate approximately the technique of successive

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integration is from time to time used for locating deflections. There is a brand new essential method
wherein we are able to discover the deflection of beam and it's miles second essential remedy however
it's miles used for complicated hundreds and evaluation and varies in shape to shape. This form of
flexible method calls for most effective a popular method of application[9]. Some of the fundamental
idea offers us the outcomes of deflection of a beam in the course of a brief existence span. The
fundamental issues we are facing in the course of this method is to decide the connection among load
and extension to a given required slope consequently those outcomes can typically be received
experimentally.
Conclusion
So in conclusion we can finally say that after along set of experimentation and numerical
analysis we are finally able to say that the most cheap and economically stable aluminum beam is I-
Beam as it is more economical then the other two beams. But the one with less extension and
displacement is stronger and power full beam. It is noted that a beam should be able to withstand the
weight of the object being carried on it at its mid span distance so that the structure of beam should not
collapse and withstand any weight that should be hanged to it. Finally, we are able to analyses that the
hollow rectangular beam is stronger as compared to other as it has lowest deflection and has ability to
carry more weight without deflecting as compared to I Beam and C Channel as they have more
deflection. But if we talk economically I-Beam is more cheap and economical. At the end we compare
all the value and calculate the percentage error and difference and talking of error we can conclude that
this type of errors can be neglected and finally we came to our final discussion that the major issue of
report is solved and all the values and procedure are approved. At the end we conclude that every beam
shows a deflection on the basis of their Young’s Modulus and second moment of area and that the
experimental values are always greater than analytical and computational values[10].
References

[1] J. T. DeWolf, Mechanics Of Materials (In Si Units) (McGraw-Hill series in mechanical

engineering). McGraw-Hill Education (India) Pvt Limited, 2004.
[2] Applied Thermodynamics for Engineering Technologists. Pearson Education, 1993.
[3] R. G. Budynas and J. K. Nisbett, Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design (McGraw-Hill series
in mechanical engineering). McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.
[4] A. Belmiloudi, Heat Transfer: Theoretical Analysis, Experimental Investigations and Industrial
Systems. IntechOpen, 2011.
[5] S. S. Rao, Mechanical Vibrations. Pearson Education, Incorporated, 2017.
[6] E. Oberg, F. D. Jones, H. Ryffel, H. Horton, and C. McCauley, Machinery's Handbook 31
Digital Edition: An Easy-Access Value-Added Package. Industrial Press, 2020.
[7] T. Iwinski and B. G. Neal, Theory of Beams: The Application of the Laplace Transformation
Method to Engineering Problems. Elsevier Science, 2014.
[8] J. Fowler, I. B. Whyte, B. Baker, A. I. MacDhomhnuill, A. J. Macdonald, and C. Baxter, John
Fowler, Benjamin Baker, Forth Bridge (Opus (Axel Menges)). Edition Axel Menges, 1997.

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[9] R. Vaidyanathan and P. Perumal, Structural Analysis Vol II. Laxmi Publications, 2004.
[10] A. Mubeen, Mechanics of Solids (Always learning). Pearson Education, 2002.

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