Desiree Flores #14595643 CEE 151C Lab Flexure Test: 4-Point Loading System Objective: The purpose of this

experiment was to measure the behavior and strength of the Reinforced Concrete Beam subjected to a four-point loading system. Moreover, the flexural strength represents the highest stress experienced within the material at its moment of rupture. Material/Beam Details:

Figure 1: Beam used to conduct experiment Procedure: Beam flexure represents one of the three most common loading categories for mechanical systems. For the four point flexural test conducted, there were two reactions and two point loads. Before the experiment was conducted, the cracks on the reinforced beam were outlined with a marker to keep track of new cracks that would form during the experiment. Moreover, the reinforced concrete lied on a span and stress was uniformly distributed between the loading noses. The load exerted on the beam and the displacement, were recorded on the computer which ran the whole test. After some time, the load finally failed at a displacement of 4.019 inches and 12,252lbs. Discussion/Conclusion: According to the data, the beam failed at 12,525lbs, but in actuality it could have withstood more force; the fact that it failed early and not at its moment of rupture indicated that it failed due to the instability of the beam. Since the beam was not stabled under the loading system, it rotated and caused the experiment to come to a halt. Generally, in a four-point loading system, the uniform maximum moment and the area of tension occurs at the bottom of the specimen. Therefore, the failure always occurs at the brick mortar interface and generally occurs at the center joint of the specimen. However, this was not the case in the experiment.

Figure 2: Four-Point Loading System and Bending Moment where failure Occurs At the beginning of the test, the Load vs. Displacement Curve was linear between loadings of 0lbs to about 90,000 lbs. As one can see in the graph below, it was very steep in the beginning, but after it reached a certain loading and displacement, it started to flatten out. However, the graph doesnt show its moment of rupture because the test failed due to the instability of the beam.

Graph 1: Load Displacement Curve

Byron Valencia #35858237 CEE 151C Lab May 14, 2012 Flexure Test (Four-Point Loading)

Plot 1. Load Displacement Curve

Figure 1. Tested Beam Details