Experiment # 8

Title:
To determine the deflection of cantilever beam by using bending bar apparatus.

Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to learn about the cantilever beam and understanding of its
structure and calculate deflection in cantilever beam and then calculate the modulus of elasticity
of that beam.

Apparatus:
 Bending bar apparatus
 Cantilever Beam
 Weights and Hangers
 Dial Gauge

Dial Guage
Apparatus

Weights

Hanger
End to be
fixed

 Meter Rod
 Vernier Caliper

Theory:
Beam:
A beam is a structural element that resists loads applied transversely to the beam's axis. Its mode
of deflection is primarily by bending.
Types of beam:
a) Cantilever beam
b) Simply supported beam
c) Overhanging beam
d) Continuous beam
e) Fixed ended
f) Cantilever and simple supported
 Figure 1 types of beam

Bending moment:
It is the reaction induced in the element when a force is applied to the element causing it to
bend.it is different than shearing and torsion. Observe the picture;

Figure 2
Load:
Load is the kind of force when applied to a body, cause it to bend or deflect or deform. It is
actually the force causing deflection in the beam. From the above figure P is the load causing it
to bend. [1]
Types of load:
1. Point load or concentrated load
2. Uniformly distributed load
3. Uniformly varying load

Deflection:
Measure of deformation due to transverse loading is called deflection or Vertical deformation
from initial point due to external load is called deflection.

Figure 3

Cantilever beam:
A cantilever is a rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is supported at only one
end. Typically, it extends from a flat vertical surface such as a wall, to which it must be firmly
attached. Like other structural elements, a cantilever can be formed as a beam, plate, truss, or
slab. 

Procedure:
 Set the deflection of beam apparatus on a horizontal surface
 Set the dial indicator to zero
 Place a weight of 0.5lb on the hanger and take the reading for the indicator
 Keep placing the weights and take five readings for loading and then 5 for unloading
 Calculate the modulus of elasticity for the beam
Observations and calculations:
 Least count of the dial indicator = 0.01mm
 Least count of the vernier Caliper = 0.05mm
 Effective length of the beam = 38 in
 Breadth of the beam = 1.04in
 Height of the beam = 0.14in
 Moment of Inertia of the beam = 2.378x10^-4
No of Effectiv Central deflection- 𝛿c W/𝛿c Modulus of
obs. e load- loading unloading average (from elasticity
W(lb) graph)
1 0.5 0.0098 0.0102 0.01 240.4x10^6
2 1 0.0197 0.0204 0.02 240.36x10^6
3 1.5 0.0307 0.0315 0.0311 0.0206 233x10^6
4 2 0.0413 0.0417 0.0415 232x10^6
5 2.5 0.052 0.051 0.0515 233.4x10^6

Graph:
Load vs Extension
0.06
0.0515
0.05
0.0415
Central deflection(in)

0.04
0.0311
0.03
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.01

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Effective load(lb)

Conclusion:
It has been concluded that when one end of beam is fixed it will show less resistivity to load than both
fixed sides. The straight line in graph shows linear relation between load and deflection.

Comments:
This experiment shows that the modulus of elasticity of a cantilever beam is lesser than a simply
supported beam. This indicates that more force cannot be applied otherwise it will deform.