EXPERIMENT EL 2-6 :BENDING MOMENT

1.0

LEARNING OUTCOME
At the end of this experiment,the student should be able to;
1.1
Determine the modulus of elasticity E by the method of bending

2.0

APPARATUS

2.1
2.2
2.3

3.0

Beam of rectangular section

Dial gauge
Beam of deflection apparatus

SAFETY AND HEALTH

It is the individuals responsibility to practice the following general safety guidelines at al
times:
3.1

Always know the hazrds associated with the material that are being utilized in the

3.2
3.3

lab.
Always wear appropriate protective clothing.
Confine long hear and loose clothing.Do not wear high-heeled shoes,opem-toed

3.4
3.5
3.6

shoes,sandals or shoes of woven material.

Always wash hands and arms with soap and water before leaving the work area.
Never perform unatuthorized work, preparation or experiments.
Be familiar with the location of emergency equipment fire alarm, fire
extinguisher , emergency eye wash and safety shower. Know appropriate
emergency response procedures.

4.0

THEORY

FIGURE 1.

M
I

=E
R

I =Moment of inertia of section about neutral axis

E =Modulus of Elasticity
R = Radius of curvature of beam between supports
M = Bending moment over span

At each setting loads, since M and I are constants over the span , the radius of curvature is also
constants.

M=Wx ;

I= bd3/12

R= L2/8

where = deflection

8bd3E
Therefore , W=

12L2x

A plot of W versus would give a slope equal to

8bd3E
12L2x

5.0

PROCEDURES
5.1
5.2
5.3

Set the gauge to zero error with the beam unloaded and the hangers in position.
Place suitable weight on each hanger and read the deflection on the dial gauge.
Measure the depth , breadth , the distance between the knife edges and the

5.4

overhang of each end.

Plot a graph of load (N) versus deflection (mm).