AE 727 Aircraft Structure Mechanics Lab
Lab Report
Experiment 6
Continuous Beam Bending
Experiment 6
CONTINUOUS BEAM BENDING
Aim: Determination of reaction support forces and transverse deflection of a continuous beam.
Objectives:
1. To understand the bending of continuous beam under different load
conditions.
2. Estimation of error.
3. Plotting shear force and bending moment variation across the beam.
Equipment Used:
1. Testing Setup
2. Load Cell
3. Dial Gauge
4. Test Specimen
5. Vernier Caliper
Theory:
• A beam is a structural member designed to withstand loads applied perpendicular to its
longitudinal axis. In beam bending, the material fibers of the beam experience
compression and tension depending on their position relative to the neutral axis, which
remains unstressed. The primary focus of this experiment is the behavior of continuous
beams, which span over multiple supports.
• Unlike simply supported beams, continuous beams offer greater structural efficiency, as
the loads are more evenly distributed across the beam span.
• The bending moment in a beam is the internal moment that causes the beam to bend
under applied loads. It varies along the length of the beam, depending on the type and
magnitude of the load, as well as the boundary conditions.
• The shear force at any section of the beam represents the internal force parallel to the
cross-section. It arises from the change in the bending moment.
• In a continuous beam, the load is shared by multiple supports, reducing the bending
moment and shear forces as compared to a simply supported beam. The reactions at the
support can be determined using equilibrium conditions and compatibility equations.
Experimental Setup:
The figure below shows a diagram of the continuous beam bending experiment setup showing
positions for supports and loas points. Reaction force is measured by load cell and dial gauge is
used for measuring lateral deflection.
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1: Testing Setup
Load and deflections at points D and E are L1, L2 and W1, W2 respectively. Reactions at
points A, C and E are R1, R2 and R3 are respectively. FEA model is shown below.
Procedure:
• Take width and thickness measurements of beam of given material here stainless-steel
scale with help of vernier caliper.
• Fix the specimen in the test setup in given condition.
• Connect dial gauge, HDA200 interface and loading mechanism.
• To minimize or eliminate error set the initial values in dial gauge and HDA200 interface
as 0.00.
• Apply load in four different conditions and note readings of support reactions and load
point deflections.
• Plot appropriate shear force and bending moment diagram for experimental values and
check for any errors.
• Now, perform the static structural analysis in any suitable FEA software for same
experiment and note deflections, support reactions, shear force diagram and bending
moment diagrams.
• Compare practical values and analysis values.
• Comment on reasons for inaccuracies.
Observation:
Specimen Width = 25.03 mm
Specimen Thickness = 5.26 mm
Specimen Length = 1000 mm
Young’s Modulus of specimen = 207 GPa
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Deflections and Reactions from Experiment:
Sr No Load-1 Load-2 Deflection-1 Deflection-2 Reaction-1 Reacrion-2 Reaction-3
(L1, N) (L2, N) (W1, mm) (W2, mm) (R1, N) (R2, N) (R3, N)
1 10 10 -0.24 -0.22 3.1 9.4 3.2
2 20 20 -0.47 -0.53 6.2 23.5 6.4
3 10 20 -0.11 -0.68 2.1 20.8 7.3
4 20 10 -0.61 -0.21 7 19 2.4
Shear Force and Bending Moment from Experimental Data:
Sr No Shear Force (N) Bending Moment (Nmm) Error
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 S.F. B.M.
1 3.1 -6.9 2.5 -7.5 -4.3 0 775 -950 -325 -2200 -4.3 -2200
2 6.2 -13.8 9.7 -10.3 -3.9 0 1550 -1900 525 -2050 -3.9 -2050
3 2.1 -7.9 12.9 -7.1 0.2 0 525 -1450 1775 0 0.2 0
4 7 -13 6 -4 -1.6 0 1750 -1500 0 -1000 -1.6 -1000
S.F.D. and B.M.D. from Experimental Data:
a) For 10 N – 10 N configuration
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b) For 20 N – 20 N configuration
c) For 10 N – 20 N configuration
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d) For 20 N – 10 N configuration
For simulation based analysis of given system, Ansys Workbench Static Structural is used. 1-D
beam elements are used for this purpose.
Load and deflections at points D and E are L1, L2 and W1, W2 respectively. Reactions at points
A, C and E are R1, R2 and R3 are respectively. FEA model is shown below.
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Fig. 2: FEA Model
Deflection and Reactions from FEA Analysis:
Sr No Load-1 Load-2 Deflection-1 Deflection-2 Reaction-1 Reaction-2 Reaction-3
1 10 10 -0.1815 -0.1815 3.1252 13.75 3.1252
2 20 20 -0.363 -0.363 6.2503 27.499 6.2503
3 10 20 -0.1815 -0.363 3.1252 20.625 6.2503
4 20 10 -0.363 -0.1815 6.2503 20.625 3.1252
Total Shear-Moment Diagram:
For 10 N – 10 N configuration
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For 20 N – 20 N configuration
For 10 N – 20 N configuration
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For 20 N – 10 N configuration
Comparison between Experimental and Simulation Result:
Sr No Load-1 Load-2 Error = practical - fem
Deflection-1 Deflection-2 Reaction-1 Reacrion-2 Reaction-3
1 10 10 -0.0585 -0.0385 -0.0252 -4.35 0.0748
2 20 20 -0.107 -0.167 -0.0503 -3.999 0.1497
3 10 20 0.0715 -0.317 -1.0252 0.175 1.0497
4 20 10 -0.247 -0.0285 0.7497 -1.625 -0.7252
Conclusion:
There are errors and inaccuracies in experimental and simulations data when compared to
theoretical data.
● The sum of reactions should be equal to the total load applied in
opposite direction. But here in experimental results and simulation
data more or less do not meet this statement.
● As the loads are at equidistance from each end, in case of same loading
conditions they should deflect with same magnitude which is also not
observed during experiment.
● In SFD and BMD the end point value in such case should be zero but
except one loading condition every other case shows some value at end
point which also indicate inaccurate result.
