STR4

Deflections of Beams
and Cantilevers
Student Guide

© TecQuipment Ltd 2008

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PE/AD/db/0908
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 Deflection of Beams and Cantilevers experiment
Introduction
This guide describes how to set up and perform
experiments on the deflection behaviour of beams and
cantilevers. The equipment clearly demonstrates the
principles involved and gives practical support to your
studies.
Description
Figure 1 shows the Deflections of Beams and
Cantilevers experiment. It consists of a backboard with
a digital dial test indicator. The digital dial test indicator
is on a sliding bracket which allows it to traverse
accurately to any position along the test beam. Two
rigid clamps mount on the backboard and can hold the
beam in any position. Two knife-edge supports also
fasten anywhere along the beam. Scales printed on the
backboard allow quick and accurate positioning of the
digital dial test indicator, knife-edges and loads.
Page 1
Look at the reference information on the backboard.
It is useful and you may need it to complete the
experiments in this guide.
How to Set up the Equipment
The Deflections of Beams and Cantilevers experiment
fits into a Test Frame. Figure 2 shows the Deflections of
Beams and Cantilevers experiment in the Frame.
Before setting up and using the equipment, always:
• Visually inspect all parts, including electrical leads,
for damage or wear.
• Check electrical connections are correct and secure.
• Check all components are secure and fastenings are
sufficiently tight.
• Position the Test Frame safely. Make sure it is on a
solid, level surface, is steady, and easily accessible.
Never apply excessive loads to any part of the
equipment.
TecQuipment Deflections of Beams and Cantilevers: Student Guide

Figure 2 Deflections of Beams and Cantilevers experiment in the structures frame

The following instructions may already have been
completed for you.
1. Place an assembled Test Frame (refer to the separate
instructions supplied with the Test Frame if
necessary) on a workbench. Make sure the
‘window’ of the Test Frame is easily accessible.
2. There are two securing nuts in each of the side
members of the frame (on the inner track). Slide
them to roughly the positions of the thumbscrews
shown in Figure 2.
3. Lift the backboard into position and have an
assistant secure it by threading the thumbscrews into
the securing nuts. If necessary, level the backboard
by loosening the thumbscrews on one side,
repositioning the backboard, and tightening the
thumbscrews.

Page 2
SECTION 2: EXPERIMENTS

Experiment 1: Deflection of a Cantilever

In this experiment, we will examine the deflection of a Remove any clamps and knife edges from the
cantilever subjected to an increasing point load. We will backboard. Set up one of the cantilevers as shown in
repeat this for three different materials to see if their Figure 3.
deflection properties vary. Slide the digital dial test indicator to the position on
the beam shown in Figure 3, and lock it using the
thumbnut at the rear. Slide a knife-edge hanger to the
position shown.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 1 20 130 140 150 1 60 170 180 190 200 210 220 2 30 240 250 260 27 0 280 290 3 00 310 320 33

Z ER O/ AB S

P RE S ET TO L .
O N /O F F

Tap the frame lightly and zero the digital dial test
indicator using the ‘origin’ button.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 12 0 130 140 1 50 160 170 180 19 0 200 210 22 0 230 240 2 50 260 270 280 29 0 300 310 3 20 33

Apply masses to the knife-edge hanger in the

increments shown in Table 1. Tap the frame lightly each
time you add the masses. Record the digital dial test
indicator reading for each increment of mass.
Repeat the procedure for the other two materials and
fill in a new table.
200 mm
Material
–2
E value: ___________ Nm Width b: ____________ mm
4
I: _________________ m Depth d: ____________ mm
W

Mass Actual deflection Theoretical deflection

Figure 3 Cantilever set-up and schematic (g) (mm) (mm)
0
You may find the following table useful in converting 100
the masses used in the experiments to loads.
200
300
Mass (Grams) Load (Newtons)
400
100 0.98 500
200 1.96
Table 1 Results for Experiment 1 (beam 1)
300 2.94
400 3.92
500 4.90

Table 1 Grams to Newtons conversion table

Material
–2
E value: ___________ Nm Width b: ____________ mm
As well as the information given on the backboard you 4
will need the following formula: I: _________________ m Depth d: ____________ mm

WL3 Mass Actual deflection Theoretical deflection

Deflection =
3EI (g) (mm) (mm)

where: 0
100
W = Load (N)
L = Distance from support to position of loading 200
(m); 300
–2
E = Young’s modulus for cantilever material (Nm ); 400
4
I = Second moment of area of the cantilever (m ). 500

Using a vernier gauge, measure the width and depth of Table 2 Results for Experiment 1 (beam 2)
the aluminium, brass and steel test beams. Record the
values next to the results tables for each material and
use them to calculate the second moment of area, I.

Page 3
TecQuipment Deflections of Beams and Cantilevers: Student Guide

Material On the same axis, plot a graph of Deflection versus

–2 Mass for all three beams. Comment on the relationship
E value: ___________ Nm Width b: ____________ mm
4 between the mass and the beam deflection. Is there a
I: _________________ m Depth d: ____________ mm relationship between the gradient of the line for each
graph and the modulus of the material?
Mass Actual deflection Theoretical deflection Calculate the theoretical deflection for each beam
(g) (mm) (mm) and add the results to your table and the graph. Does the
0 equation accurately predict the behaviour of the beam?
100 Why is it a good idea to tap the frame each time we
200 take a reading from the digital dial test indicator?
300
Name at least three practical applications of a
cantilever structure.
400
500

Table 3 Results for Experiment 1 (beam 3)

Page 4
 TecQuipment Deflections of Beams and Cantilevers: Student Guide

Experiment 2: Deflection of a Simply Supported Beam

In this experiment, we will examine the deflection of a E value: ___________ Nm

–2
Width b: ____________ mm
simply supported beam subjected to an increasing point 4
I: _________________ m Depth d: ____________ mm
load. We will also vary the beam length by changing the
distance between the supports. This means we can find
Mass Actual deflection Theoretical deflection
out the relationship between the deflection and the
(g) (mm) (mm)
length of the beam.
As well as the information given on the backboard 0
you will need the following formula: 100
3 200
WL
Maximum deflection =
48EI 300
400
where:
W = Load (N); 500
L = Distance from support to support (m);
–2 Table 4 Results for Experiment 2 (fixed beam
E = Young’s modulus for cantilever material (Nm ); length variable load)
4
I = Second moment of area of the cantilever (m ).

Part 1 Part 2
Using a vernier gauge, measure the width and depth of Set up the beam with the length l at 200 mm. Ensure the
the aluminium test beam. Record the values next to the digital dial test indicator and load hanger are still central
results table and use them to calculate the second to the beam, as shown in Figure 5.
moment of area, I.
Remove any clamps from the backboard. Setting
length between supports l to 400 mm, set up the beam 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590

as shown in Figure 4. ZERO/ABS

PRESET TOL.
ON/OFF

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 3900 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590

ZERO/ABS ON/OFF

PRESET TOL.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 800 90 100 110 12

120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 80 490
480 500 510 5
520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590

l =200 mm

l = 400 mm
200 mm 200 mm
W
Figure 5 Simply supported beam set-up and
schematic (fixed beam load with variable length)
W

Figure 4 Simply supported beam set-up and Lightly tap the frame and zero the digital dial test
schematic (fixed beam with variable load) indicator using the ‘origin’ button. Apply a 500 g mass
and record the deflection in Table 5. Repeat the
Slide the digital dial test indicator into position on the procedure for each increment of beam length.
beam and lock it using the thumbnut at the rear. Slide a From Table 4 plot a graph of Deflection versus
knife-edge hanger to the position shown. Applied Mass for a simply supported beam. Comment
Tap the frame lightly and zero the digital dial test on the your graph. Inspect the ruling equation of the
indicator using the ‘origin’ button. beam. What is the relationship between the deflection
Apply masses to the knife-edge hanger in the and the beam length? Test your assumption by filling in
increments shown in the results table. Tap the frame the empty column of Table 5 with the correct variable.
lightly each time, and record the digital dial test Plot a graph.
indicator reading for each increment of mass.

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TecQuipment Deflections of Beams and Cantilevers: Student Guide

Length (mm) Deflection (mm)

Name at least one example where this type of bending is
desirable and one where it is undesirable.
200
260
320
380
440
500
560

Table 5 Results for Experiment 2 (fixed beam load

variable length)

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 TecQuipment Deflections of Beams and Cantilevers: Student Guide

Experiment 3: The Shape of a Deflected Beam

This experiment shows how the deflection of a loaded Traverse the loaded beam with the digital dial test
beam varies with span. indicator recording the deflections.

Position from Datum Loaded Deflection

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
10 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590

left (mm) reading (mm) reading (mm) (mm)

ZERO/ABS

PRESET TOL.
ON/OFF

0
20
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
90 100 110
100 110 120 130
120 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590

40
60
80
100
600 mm 150
x 200
250
200 mm 200 mm 300
350
W
400
Figure 6 Simply supported beam set-up and
schematic 450
500
550
Remove any clamps from the backboard and set up the
beam as shown in Figure 6. 600
Slide the digital dial test indicator to the zero
Table 6 Results for Experiment 3
position on the beam and, using the ‘±’ button, set it so
a downward movement reads negative. Do not lock the
digital dial test indicator. Slide a knife-edge hanger to Work out the true deflection from the datum and loaded
the correct position on the beam. values. Why is it important to take datum values in this
Tap the frame lightly. Roughly zero the digital dial experiment?
test indicator using the ‘origin’ button. Record the Plot a graph of deflection versus position along the
actual ‘datum’ value in Table 6. beam. What shape does the beam adopt outside the
Carefully slide the digital dial test indicator to the bounds of the knife-edge supports? Why is that?
positions shown in Table 6 (note the change in the Using a suitable method calculate the true deflection
increments after 100 mm). Remember to tap the frame of the beam (within the bounds of the knife-edge
each time you take a reading. Record the ‘datum’ value supports) and add the data to the graph. Does the
at each position. method you have used accurately predict the shape of
Apply a 500 g mass to the knife-edge hanger and the deflected beam?
return the digital dial test indicator to the zero position.
Make sure the digital dial test indicator stylus passes
through the gap in the knife-edge hanger.

Page 7
TecQuipment Deflections of Beams and Cantilevers: Student Guide

Experiment 4: Circular Bending

In this experiment, we apply loads to a simply h

supported beam at its end to induce a moment and thus
produce circular bending. As well helping to establish C
an important relationship, this test is an accurate method
for measuring Young’s modulus.
R = Radius of curvature (m);
C = Chord (m);
R h = Height of chord (m).
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590

ZERO/ABS ON/OFF

PRESET TOL.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
90 100 110
100 110 120 130
120 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590

Figure 8 Radius of curvature

Using a vernier, measure the width and depth of the

aluminium, brass and steel test beams. For each
material, record the values next to the results tables and
use them to calculate the second moment of area, I.
Remove any clamps from the backboard and set up
the beam as shown in Figure 7.
400 mm
100 mm 100 mm Slide the digital dial test indicator into position on
the beam and lock it using the thumbnut at the rear.
W W
Slide a knife-edge hanger on to each end of the beam as
Figure 7 Circular bending set-up and schematic shown.
Tap the frame lightly and zero the digital dial test
In this experiment we will be using the following indicator using the ‘origin’ button.
formula: Tapping the frame lightly each time, apply masses to
the knife-edge hangers in increments as shown in
M E Table 7. Record the digital dial test indicator reading for
=
I R each increment of mass.
Repeat the procedure for the other two specimen
where:
materials filling in a new table.
M = Applied moment (Nm);
R = Radius of curvature (m);
–2
E = Young’s modulus for cantilever material (Nm );
4
I = Second moment of area of the cantilever (m ).

You will also need to use the following mathematical

relationship:

C 2 + 4h 2
R =
8h

–2 4
Material: _______________________ E value: _____ Nm Width, b: ____ mm Depth, d: ____ mm I: ___________ m

Mass at each end Deflection Applied moment Radius of 9

1/R M/I (× 10 )
(g) (mm) (Nm) curvature (m)
0
100
200
300
400
500

Table 7 Results for Experiment 4 (beam 1)

Page 8
 TecQuipment Deflections of Beams and Cantilevers: Student Guide

–2 4
Material: _______________________ E value: _____ Nm Width, b: ____ mm Depth, d: ____ mm I: ___________ m

Mass at each end Deflection Applied moment Radius of 9

1/R M/I (× 10 )
(g) (mm) (Nm) curvature (m)
0
100
200
300
400
500

Table 8 Results for Experiment 4 (beam 2)

–2 4
Material: _______________________ E value: _____ Nm Width, b: ____ mm Depth, d: ____ mm I: ___________ m

Mass at each end Deflection Applied moment Radius of 9

1/R M/I (× 10 )
(g) (mm) (Nm) curvature (m)
0
100
200
300
400
500

Table 9 Results for Experiment 4 (beam 3)

From the load values calculate the applied moment in Plot a graph of M/I versus 1/R. Is this a linear
Nm. From the deflection calculate values for the radius relationship? If so, what is the value of the gradient.
of curvature in m. Then complete the table by
calculating 1/R and M/I.

Page 9
TecQuipment Deflections of Beams and Cantilevers: Student Guide

NOTES:

Page 10