LAB SESSION 5

To determine the central deflection of a simply fixed ended beam

loaded by a concentrated load at mid-point and compare the
experimental and theoretical values.

OBJECTIVES:

 Determine the deflection of the beam

 Observing the central deflection of a simply supported beam
 To draw the load deflection graph

APPARATUS:

 Deflection of beam apparatus

 Weights
 Hangers
 Vernier Caliper
 Steel Rule

APPARATUS DIAGRAM:

Ga
uge Fully
Supported
Weig Stand
hts

Figure 1: Fixed Ended Beam

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:

Beams:

A beam is a horizontal structural member in a building to resist the lateral loads

applied to the beam’s axis. The structural member which resists the forces
laterally or transversely applied to the (beam) axis is called a beam.[1].

Types of Beams:
Beams are classified as follow.

According to end support:

Simply Supported Beam:

As the name implies, simply supported beam is supported at both ends. One end of the beam is
supported by hinge support and other one by roller support. This support allows to horizontal
movement of beam. It beams type undergoes both shear stress and bending moment.[2]

figure2:simply supported beam

Continuous Beams:

When we talk about types of beams we cannot forgot continuous beam. This beam is similar to
simply supported beam except more than two support are used on it. One end of it is supported
by hinged support and other one is roller support. One or more supports are use between these
beams. It is used in long concrete bridges where length of bridge is too large.[3]

figure3:continuous beam
Cantilever Beams:

Cantilever beams a structure member of which one end is fixed and other is free. This is one of
the famous types of beam use in trusses, bridges and other structure member. This beam carry
load over the span which undergoes both shear stress and bending moment.[4]

figure4:cantilever beam

Fixed beams:

This beam is fixed from both ends. It does not allow vertical movement and rotation of the beam.
It is only under shear stress and no moment produces in this beam. It is used in trusses, and other
structure.[5]

figure5:fixed beam

Beams are structural members supporting loads applied at various points

along the members. A beam undergoes bending by the loads applied
perpendicular to their axis of the structure. Beams are of various types.

EXPLANATION:

Consider a beam AB of length “L” fixed at A and B and carrying a point load
“W” as shown in figure .
The maximum deflection for this fixed beam will occur at center of the beam
(mid-point). Let,

δ = Actual deflection of beam at any point along the length of beam

δc = Actual central deflection of beam

yc = Theoretical central deflection of beam

L L
2 2

Fig 6: Fixed Beam loaded at mid span [6]

The maximum theoretical deflection (∆s) at x = L/2 is given by:

∆s = WL3/192EI
Where,

E = Modulus of elasticity for the material of beam

I = Moment of inertia of the beam

PROCEDURE:
1. Set the Deflection of Beam apparatus on a horizontal surface.
2. Set the dial indicator at zero.
3. Apply a load of 0.5 lb. and measure the deflection using dial indicator.
4. Take a set of at least five readings of increasing value of load and then
take readings on unloading.
5. Calculate: the “Theoretical value of deflection (∆s)” and “Modulus of
Elasticity E” of beam at mid-span.
OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:

Least Count of the dial indicator = 0.001 in

Effective length of beam (L) = 24.8 in

Breadth of beam (b) = 1 in

Height of beam (h) = 0.24 in

Modulus of elasticity of material of the beam = 2.9×107psi

Moment of inertia of the beam (I=bh3/12) = 0.0011 in4

Actual Central Deflection-δc Theoretical Percentage

Load- Deflection yc = Error
(in) WL3/192EI
No. of
W
Obs. (in)
(lbs.) Loading Unloading Average (%)

1. 0 0 0 0 0 0

2. 0.5 0.001 0.0015 0.001 0.0012 16

3. 1 0.0025 0.0025 0.0025 0.0024 4.1

4. 1.5 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.0037 7.5

Load-Deflection Curve:

Effective Central
load(lbs.) Deflection(in)

Experimental

0 0

0.5 0.001

1 0.0025

1.5 0.004
 Y-Values
1.6
1.4
Effective Central 1.2

load (lb.)
load(lbs.) Deflection(in) 1 Y-Values
0.8
0.004
Theoretical 0.6
0.0035
0.4
0 0 0.003
0.2
0.0025

load (lbs.)
0
0 0.0005 0.001 0.0015 0.002 0.0025 0.003 0.0035 0.004 0.0045
0.002
0.5 0.0012 δc (in)
0.0015
0.001
1 0.0024 0.0005
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
1.5 0.0037
yc (in)

DISCUSSION:
This graph shows the behavior of the beam under the load, that how it
deflects when apply the load on it. It helps us to analyze the behavior of the
beam subjected to unit loading. As increase the load, deflection also
increases. When the applied 0.5 lb load, it shows the deflection of 0.001 in.
This straight-line graph shows the linear relationship between the deflection
and load we applied. Deflection gradually increases with increasing load. The
graph is not straight line due to some error.

RESULTS:

 To performed the experiment, by using the deflection of beam

apparatus to compare the deflection values by experiment and
theoretical values.
 After the plotted the graph between the applied load and deflection of
the beam.

CONCLUSION:
The error between the theoretical value and experimental value due to
human error and some equipment calibration. Thats way, some error take
place in experimental value.

REFERENCES:

1. https://www.civilclick.com/what-is-beam/
2. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/beam-structure#:~:text=A
%20fixed%20beam%20is%20one,in%20trusses%20and%20similar%20structures.
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/simply-supported-beam

4. http://sketchup.engineeringtoolbox.com/astm-a6-american-
wide-flange-steel-beams--c_7.html
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/simply-supported-beam
6. https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-uses-of-load-deflection-
curves