Experiment # 06

01)Title:
To determine the deflection of a cantilever beam subjected to concentrated load at free end and
compare it with the theoretical values.

02)Problem Statement:
The cantilever beams have vast applications based on engineering as well as domestic
applications. They are used to support a load or a structure especially in cantilever cranes. In
these scenarios the loading tends to bend the beam depending on nature of loading. The desired
working is to be performed under the normal circumstances that include proper limits of
allowable deflections and slope. For selecting a material to withstand the conditions inside that
limit of allowable slope and deflection we must have to determine first its slope and deflection.

03)Objective:
 Measure the deflection of a cantilever beam.
 Measure the slope of deflection of a cantilever beam.
 To verify the experimental and theoretical results by graphical method.

04)Apparatus:
 Deflection of beam apparatus
 Hanger
 Weights
 Meter rod
 Dial indicator
 Vernier Calipers

05)Apparatus Figure:

Fixed support Dial indicator

Beam
Weights

Hanger

Figure 1: Apparatus
Apparatus contains a metal beam and two clamp unit supports upon which the beam is supported
for this experiment and hence the beam becomes of a fixed ended type.

06)Theory:
6.1) Beams:
A beam is a long and a straight horizontal piece with a uniform cross-section characterized by
the type of supports. These beams are used to support different type of loads. There are different
types of beams are available along with the different applied loads. [1]
6.1.1) Types of Beams:
 Cantilever Beam:
The type of beam which is supported from a one fixed end and the other end is left freely. The
loading is done one the free end. This type of beam is used particularly in cantilever cranes. [1]

Figure 2: Cantilever beam [1]

 Simply Supported Beam:

The type of beam which is supported on two vertical supports on which the beam can move
horizontally but if load is applied perpendicular to axis of beam deflection will takes place.
Typical practical applications of simply supported beams with point loadings include bridges,
beams in buildings, and beds of machine tools. [1]

Figure 3: Simply supported beam [1]

 Overhanging Beam:
Considering the case of simply supported beam, if the load is applied beyond the support of
beam it is called overhanging beam. If the load is applied beyond the both supports of beam then
it will called as double overhanging beam. The overhanging beam is mainly encountered in a
floor beam that extends beyond the exterior wall of a building to provide support to a balcony.[1]

Figure 4: Overhanging beam [1]

 Fixed Beam:
When a beam is fixed from both of its sides, it is called fixed beam. The fixed beam has wide use
in practical applications because they can withstand both horizontal and vertical forces.
Maximum bending takes place in case of fixed beam as compared with simply supported or an
overhanging beam. They are used in bridges, beams in buildings, etc. [1]

Figure 5: Fixed beam [1]

 Continuous Beam:
When a beam is supported on more than two supports it is termed as continuous beam. This type
of beam is used when the distance between two supports is so large so that any major loading can
easily cause permanent deflection. To overcome this, the number of supports is increased. The
common example of continuous beam is long bridges which are supported on more than two
supports. [1]

Figure 6: Continuous beam [1]

6.1.2) Type of Loads that can be applied to Beams:

A beam is usually horizontal, and the applied load is vertical. Following are the different types of
loads. [2]
 Concentrated or Point Load: Act at a point. It is mostly taken at center of beam to cause
maximum deflection. [2]

Figure 7: Point load [2]

 Uniformly Distributed Load: Load spread along the length of the Beam. To overcome the
complexity in calculations, we can convert the distributed load to point load by taking
summation of all loads applying on beam and the collective load is then taken on center of
beam as a point load. [2]

Figure 8: Uniformly Distributed Load [2]

 Uniformly Varying Load: Load spread along the length of the Beam, Rate of varying
loading point to point. [2]

Figure 9: Uniformly Varying Load [2]

6.2) Bending moment:

Bending moments occur when a force is applied at a given distance away from a point of
reference; causing a bending effect. In the simplest terms, a bending moment is basically a force
that causes something to bend. If the object is not well-restrained the bending force will cause
the object to rotate about a certain point. [3]
A bending moment is a force normally measured in a force x length (e.g. Nm)
6.3) Bending moment example:
Consider an example of a plastic ruler overhanging a desk. If one end of the ruler is lying on the
desk and is being held down, and then a force is applied to the other end of the ruler, it will cause
the ruler to bend. The ruler will experience the greatest bending moment at the end where the
force is applied. [3]

Figure 10: Bending moment [3]

Bending moment of a cantilever beam is maximum if the load is applying on the edge of end
while for the simply supported beam it is maximum at the center of beam due to largest moment
arm for both ends. [3]
6.4) Sign conversion for Shear force and bending moment

Figure 11: Positive and negative bending illustration [3]

If the left portion makes a clockwise moment and the right portion of the section makes an
anticlockwise moment, then it is sagging moment. Bending moment Positive. [3]
If the left portion makes an anticlockwise moment and the right portion of the section makes a
Clockwise moment, then it is hogging moment. Bending moment Negative. [3]
6.5) Beam Deflection:
The deflection of a beam (beam deflection) is calculated based on a variety of factors, including
materials, the moment of inertia of a section, the force applied, and the distance from support.
There is a range of beam deflection formulas and equations that can be used to calculate a basic
value for deflection in different types of beams. [4]
Generally, deflection can be calculated by taking the double integral of the Bending Moment
Equation, M(x) divided by EI (Young’s Modulus x Moment of Inertia).
Unit of deflection:
The unit of deflection, or displacement, is a length unit and normally taken as mm (for metric)
and in (for imperial). This number defines the distance in which the beam has deflected from the
original position. [4]

6.6) Cantilever Beam Deflection

Cantilever beams are special types of beams that are constrained by only one support, as seen in
the above example. These members would naturally deflect more as they are only supported at
one end. [4]
Let’s take a simple cantilevered beam deflection that has a Load with weight (W) acting at the
end:

Figure 12: Point load W acting at free end of cantilever beam [4]

The force of this W at the end will cause the beam to bend and deflect from its natural position.
In the below diagram the blue beam is the original position, and the dotted line simulates the
cantilever beam deflection: [4]

Figure 13: Deflection due to loading [4]

To calculate the deflection of the cantilever beam you can use the below equation, where W is
the force at the endpoint, L is the length of the cantilever beam, E = Young’s Modulus, and I =
Moment of Inertia. [4]
3
WL
δ max ¿
3 EI

6.7) Cantilever Beam Slope:

Slope of beam is the angle formed between the beam axis and the tangent to the curve formed as
a result of bending moment. It is donated by θ and has the units of degree or radians.
To calculate the slope of the cantilever beam you can use the below equation, where W is the
force at the endpoint, L is the length of the cantilever beam, E = Young’s Modulus, and I =
Moment of Inertia. [5]
2
WL
θ max ¿
2 EI

Figure 14: Deflection and slope of a cantilever beam subjected to load at free end [5]

07)Procedure:
1. Set the Deflection of Beam apparatus on a horizontal surface.
2. Set the dial indicator at zero.
3. Apply a load of 0.5 lb and measure the deflection using dial indicator.
4. Take a set of at least five readings of increasing value of load and then take readings on
unloading.
5. Calculate:
a. The “Theoretical value of deflection (yc)” of beam at mid-span.
b. The %age error between theoretical and experimental values of central
deflections.
08)Observations and Calculations:
Least Count of the dial indicator = 0.01mm
Least Count of vernier calipers = 0.01mm
Effective length of beam (L) =17.5 in
Breadth of beam (b) =1.037 in
Moment of inertia of the beam (I=bh3/12) =1.67×10-3in 4
Modulus of Elasticity (E) =29×10 6 psi
Height of beam (h) = 0.14 in
 Actual Central Deflection-δc Theoretical Percentage
Load- (mm) Deflection yc = Error
No. of WL3/3EI
W
Obs. Loadin (mm) (%)
(lbs) Unloading Average
g
1. 0 0 0.014 0.014 0
2. 0.1 0.020 0.044 0.032 0.0293 9.215
3. 0.2 0.054 0.077 0.0655 0.0701 3.02
4. 0.3 0.093 0.114 0.1035 0.1001 1.17
5. 0.4 0.128 0.147 0.1375 0.1327 0.28
6. 0.5 0.163 0.163 0.163 0.1613 0.78
Table 1 Calculation of deflection and slope of Cantilever Beam

09)Sample Calculations:
yc = WL3/3EI
yc= (0.1)(17.5)3/3(29×106)( 1.67×10-3)
yc= 0.0293
Vobserved - Vtrue
Percent Error =
Vtrue
0.032 - 0.0293
=
0.0293
0.0027
=
0.0293
= 9.2150170648464%

10)Graphs:

Error Curve
0.18
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

Experimental Theoretical

Figure 15: Experimental Vs Theoretical Curve

 Load Deflection Curve
0.6

0.5

Deflection (MM)
0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
Load (lbs)

Figure: Load deflection curve

11)Graph Explanation:
The graph shows that as load is applied, it follows linear deformation. Modulus of elasticity of
cantilever beam can be determined by this set of apparatus. The deflection depends upon the
amount of load applied on it. Graph shows that the deflection of cantilever beam changes as
magnitude of concentrated load varies. The experimental and theoretical values show how the
beam behaves under different loading conditions.

12)Conclusion:
As we concluded, that if we increase the weight on hanger the deflection is also increased in that
cantilever beam on apparatus. We can also find the modulus of that beam by taking the slope of
Load and deflection curve. As we decrease the loading there is also some change in measurement
on dial indicator that is due to residual stresses in beam that will remove after sometime. The
experimental and theoretical values show how the beam behaves under different loading
conditions.

13)Comments:
The evaluation of modulus of elasticity of cantilever beam can be determined by this set
of apparatus. However, to reduce the probability of error we should have to perform the
experiment more carefully. Also there is a suggestion to calibrate the gauge and there
should be a notch between the needle of gauge and load clamping unit surface so that the
needle could not be displaced while performing the experiment. This experiment is quite
reliable and easy to perform and results obtained are quite relevant. However, there is a
deviation of results this may be due to:
 Poor readings taken from the Vernier caliper.
 The apparatus may not be exactly horizontal.
 Hanger may not be exactly at the middle point.
 Our error can be decreased if we make a notch at point where pin of dial indicators are
attached.
There may exist the parallax error due to poor skills of observer while taking readings from the
dial indicator.

14)Refrences:
[1] https://www.mechanicalbooster.com/2016/09/types-of-beams.html
[2] http://www.mecha-engineeringbd.com/2016/06/types-of-load-in-beam.html
[3]
https://www.mem50212.com/MDME/MEMmods/MEM30006A/Bending_Moment/Bending_Mo
ment.html
[4] https://testbook.com/physics-formulas/beam-deflection-formula
[5] https://www.hkdivedi.com/2017/06/slope-and-deflection-of-cantilever-beam.html