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Curved Beam Experiment

This document provides instructions for a laboratory experiment on stresses in curved beams. Students will measure the dimensions of two curved beams and apply different loads to induce bending. They will then calculate and compare the maximum bending stresses in the curved beams using curved beam theory versus straight beam theory. The goal is to determine the percentage of error that results from using straight beam theory to analyze stresses in curved beams.

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Pasindu Malith
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765 views2 pages

Curved Beam Experiment

This document provides instructions for a laboratory experiment on stresses in curved beams. Students will measure the dimensions of two curved beams and apply different loads to induce bending. They will then calculate and compare the maximum bending stresses in the curved beams using curved beam theory versus straight beam theory. The goal is to determine the percentage of error that results from using straight beam theory to analyze stresses in curved beams.

Uploaded by

Pasindu Malith
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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STRUCTURAL MECHANICS LABORATORY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING


FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, SLIIT

BSc ENGINEERING – YEAR 2 SEMESTER II


LABORATORY ASSIGNMENT

CE 2051 – ADVANCED MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

EXPERIMENT: Stresses in curved beams

APPARATUS:
 Weights
 Curved beam apparatus
 Vernier caliper
 Meter ruler

THEORY:
𝑀(𝑅−𝑟) 𝑀𝑦
Curved beam theory given by equation 𝜎 = 𝐴𝑟(𝑟̅ −𝑅) or 𝜎 = 𝐴𝑒(𝑅−𝑦) is used to determine the
maximum stresses in curved beams, where
𝜎= the normal stress in the member
M= the internal bending moment calculated about the neutral axis for the cross section. This
moment is positive if it tends to increase the member’s radius of curvature, i.e. it tends to
straighten out the member
A= the cross sectional area of the member
𝐴
R= the distance measured from the center of curvature to the neutral axis, and 𝑅 = 𝑑𝐴
∫𝐴 𝑟

𝑟̅ = the distance measured from the center of curvature to the centroid of the cross section
𝑟= the distance measured from the center of curvature to the point where the stress 𝜎 is to be
determined
y=R-r and
e=𝑟̅ − 𝑅
PROCEDURE:
Step 1: Select two curved beams where the diameter of one beam is approximately half of the
other.
Step 2: Measure the cross sectional dimensions of both curved beams using the Vernier caliper and
diameters of both beams using the meter ruler.
Step 3: Fix the larger diameter beam to the curved beam apparatus and apply a known load and
visually inspect the bending of the curved beam.
Step 4: Fix the smaller diameter beam to the apparatus and apply twice the amount of the load that
was applied to the larger beam (this is to have approximately the same maximum bending
moments in both beams if the smaller beam diameter is approximately half of that of larger
beam) and visually inspect the bending of that curved beam for the same bending moment
as in the larger beam.

OBSERVATIONS:
Beam 1 Width
Depth
Diameter
Applied Load
Beam 2 Width
Depth
Diameter
Applied Load

CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS:


1) Calculate the maximum bending stresses in both curved beams.
2) Calculate the maximum bending stress for the same cross sectional dimensions of straight
beams subjected to the same bending moment.
3) Calculate the percentage of error in calculating the stresses if straight beam theory is used
to calculate the bending stresses of curved beams.
4) Find in which curved beam the above percentage of error is higher.

Name: Student Number:


Group: Date:
Note: Please keep the laboratory clean and order

OFFICE USE ONLY


The student has successfully completed the laboratory exercise.

………………………………………
INSTRUCTOR

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