EXPERIMENT # 6

Objective:
To detrmine the central deflection of a clamped ended steel beam loaded at the
center by a concentrated load.
Apparatus:
Deflection of beam apparatus,dial guage,spirit lever,weights,clampers
Theory:
Beam
  A beam is a structural member which spans horizontally between supports and carries
loads which act at right angles to the length of the beam.[1]
Deflection
 Deflection is the degree to which a structural element is displaced under aload. It may
refer to an angle or a distance.

Concentrated Load
 A concentrated load is a force applied at a single point on a beam or structure.The load
in above figure is concentrated load.

Types of beam:[2]
 Simply Supported Beam
 Overhanging Beam
 Fixed Beam
 Cantilever Beam
 Continuous Beam
Central Deflection in Simply Supported Beam:
The elastic deflection of a beam, loaded at its center, supported by two simple supports is
given by;
δ=WL3/192PI

where
P = Load acting on the center of the beam
L = Length of the beam between the supports
W= Dial guage reading
I = Area moment of inertia of cross section

Observations and Calculations:

Length of the beam=L=33.4in
Width of the beam=d=1in
Thickness of the beam=t=0.18in
 No Load Dial guage reaing Experimenta Theratical
l deflection deflection
Loading Un- Mean
(lb) Loading
1 0.5 16 17 16.5 17.41
2 1 33 34 33.5 35.67
3 1.5 50 50 50 53.86 53.848
4 2 66 66.5 66.25 71.91
5 2.5 82 82 82 90.39

Graph:

Load Vs Deflection
100
90
80
70
Deflection

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Load

Comments:
 These values may contain error or variation due to the lack of concentration in reading
the values of dial guage.
 There might be a chance that ,the load is not in the center of the beam.
 We can calculate the best possible value by releasing the above elements.
References:
[1]
[
http://www.tatasteelconstruction.com/en/reference/teaching-resources/architectural-teaching
resource/elements/design-of-beams-structural-steel/what-is-a-beam,14/11/15,6:52pm]
[2]
[Beam" def. 1. Whitney, William Dwight, and Benjamin E. Smith. The Century dictionary and
cyclopedia. vol, 1. New York: Century Co., 1901. 487. Print.,14/11/15,7:20pm]
Questions:
 Define deflection in beam?
 What would be the behaviour of beam when concentrated load applied?
 Write different types of beams?