Raphael Due 11/02/2019

LEVY

URN: 6542565

Structures (ENG1076)
Structural Mechanics Laboratory – Stresses in Beams

University of Surrey Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Abstract:

In this report we will be looking, through the experiment we have led, at stresses
in beams and more precisely at the stress distribution in a tee-section beam in
plane bending.

In order to convey at best the information gathered by the experiment, guidelines

given by the responsible of the lab for “Bending Stress” were followed and an
explanation of how to proceed during the experiment as well.

One must keep in mind that experimental values will have a certain degree of
uncertainty as we have decided to take approximations to facilitate the
calculations and the graphs. It is also important to notice the fact we shall compare
both sets of theoretical and empirical values. By doing so, we hope to find the
different parameters left a side, affecting the empirical values compared to the
theoretical ones. In a matter of being scientifically correct and precise in the work
submitted, value tables, graphs, and diagrams will be used to propose the gathered
information.

We will close the report by proceeding to a discussion where predicted values and
obtained values will be compared and the difference observed interpreted. A
conclusion will follow to summarise the report and the important information to
remember from stresses in beam and the variations link to it when calculated
experimentally.
Contents:

• Abstract………………………………….2

• Introduction……………………………...4

• Theoretical Calculations…………………5

• Experimental Work……………………...7

• Apparatus………………………………...8

• Graphs and Diagrams…………………..10

• Discussion……………………………...13

• Conclusion……………………………...14

• References……………………………...14
Introduction:
The primary objective of this laboratory is to calculate the theoretical position of
the neutral axis – position of center of gravity of the beam cross-section. This also
includes the calculations of the 2nd moment of area of the section about the
neutral axis. Furthermore, these preliminary calculations will enable us to
determine the theoretical values of bending stresses using the simple beam theory.
These 3 steps can be seen as the preparatory laboratory work.

The second objective is to proceed to the calculation of the experimental values

with the use of the bending stress machine. Once this is done, some intermediate
arrangements must be done, which we shall precise later on. Moreover, when both
empirical and theoretical values have been calculated we will be able to compare
them and interpret their difference if there is one.

Before getting straight into the calculations and the experiment, we shall give a
definition to the neutral axis. This term can be defined as the place where there is
neither compression nor tension, it is the axis through a beam where the stress is
zero.

The second term we would like to define is the second moment of area also known
as the moment of inertia. It can be interpreted as a measure of “efficiency”, the
resistance to bending caused by loading. Finally, when we talk about bending
stress, we must understand this consist of the normal stress acting on an object
under the form of a heavy load which will make the object bend due to important
forces applied to it.
Preparatory Work: Theoretical calculations
1. Position of the neutral axis:
2. 2nd moment of area of the section about the neutral axis:

3. Bending stress (using simple beam theory):

Experimental Work:
In order to succeed in the task of calculating the bending stress applied on this
beam we must follow the following procedure:

1. Load the beam at 100N using the force inputs machine. Then, record the
strain gauge readings at each gauge from 1 to 9.

2. Apply the same process until 500N going in steps of 100N. While changing
the amount of force applied on the beam and when changing the point
where the force is applied keep in mind to gently turned the screw as the
machines are sensitive.

3. Thus, all raw data recorded, calculate the bending strain in each position.
This is done by taking the difference between each and single points. See
table page10.

4. Using Hooke’s law calculate the bending stress at each point of the beam.

5. Calculate the bending moment acting on the beam at the position where the
instrumentation is attached.

6. Plot the bending stresses as a function of position in the beam cross-section

from the data derived.

7. Determine the neutral axis. Compare it to the value obtained in the

preparatory work.
Apparatus:
-Bending stress machine
-Strain inputs machine

-Force inputs machine

 Graphs and Diagrams:

Table 1: Summary table of experimental work:

N/uE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

100 392 331 1088 -535 227 -168 18 -106 86

200 287 262 1088 -540 212 -133 27 -45 121
300 182 195 1089 -545 197 -98 34 -545 155
400 83 130 1089 -551 183 43 72 -550 190
500 -15 68 1089 -556 169 -32 48 1089 220

Difference
from 100N
200 105 69 5 15 -35 -9 -61 -35
300 210 136 10 30 -70 -16 439 -69
400 309 201 16 44 -211 -54 444 -104
500 407 263 21 58 -136 -30 -1195 -134

Bending
stresses
(Mpa) 0.07*x=
200 7,35 4,83 0,35 1,05 -2,45 -0,63 -4,27 -2,45
300 14,7 9,52 0,7 2,1 -4,9 -1,12 30,73 -4,83
400 21,63 14,07 1,12 3,08 -14,77 -3,78 31,08 -7,28
500 28,49 18,41 1,47 4,06 -9,52 -2,1 -83,65 -9,38

The difference from 100N and the bending stresses at point 3 were not
calculated as the bending stress machine was not working at this point. As we
may see, values very slightly differ or not at point 3 when we change the force
input. One may consider this as a mechanical factor/error due to the sensibility of
the machine.
It is also important to notice that possible errors linked to this experiment
can also be human error as we are the ones turning the screw and we cannot be
assured to exactly pointed perfectly towards the wished point. Moreover, these
values were taken by two people, adding more incertitude to them as both of the
members may not have the same eyesight and so not the same interpretation of
where to stop the screw.
Graph 1:Plot of the bending stresses in function of the beam’s structure and the
position of each point:

In order, to reproduce as best as possible the given problem we decided to

impose a scale of 1mm on the paper for 1.6mm in the given problem. We than
plotted each bending stress in function of the points position. Thus, this plotting
should give us the value of the neutral axis. Indeed, the intersection of the 4 lines
is representative of the neutral axis positions.
We have here approximately 5.2mm which gives us 5.2*1.6=8.32mm
Once more, it is important to notice that incertitude in the plotting of this
graph is linked first of all to the gathered raw values from Table 1. Furthermore,
we are working with a different scale from the reality and the units used are
millimeters, in other words complexity to keep precise and reliable points. Indeed,
some values of stresses seemed out of context as we were not able to trace a linear
function out of the value of a same force. Thus, we had to take averages and make
approximations in order to have a look a like linear function.
With the values extracted we are able to calculate the stress once again,

70 GPa= 70*109 N/m2

Thus, Stress= Young’s Modulus*Strain
=70*109 *107*10-6
=7490000N/m2
=7.49 N/mm2
Discussion:
After being able to gather all the necessary information, we are now able to
compare the predicted values and the experimental ones.

First of all, we found for the experimental value of the neutral axis 8.32mm.
This value has a difference of 3.5 mm because our initial theoretical values was
11.85mm. This discard between theory and experimental is primarily
understandable to a large number of approximations done throughout the
calculations and the different steps undertook with inexact numbers gradually
emphasizing the error in the final result we will obtain.
We have also observed, that the stress in point 1,2,4 and 5 is higher and
positive when the load imposed is more important. Moreover, for point 6,7,8 and
9 stress are mainly negative, sign of tension, in these points, unlike the other points
in compression.

Furthermore, the difference in bending stress is quite important, as we had

found 7.4*106 N/m2 for our experimental value and 7.92*104 N/m2 for our top
beam stress value, which is the closes value to the experimental one.
The difference observed is of the order of 102 this gap is too important, and the
values can thus not be trusted. It is thus better to rely on the theoretical value.
One may, once more say that incertitude and the important error found at
the end of this experiment comes from the raw data of the stress bending machine,
the scale chosen, measures made while plotting and the approximation made
along the lab.

Finally, one may either recommend staying with theoretical value or to

have more adapted and more precise materials in order to have reliable results and
usable results for design.
Conclusion:
In order to conclude we have been able measure the neutral axis of the beam, the
second moment of area as well as the bending stress applied on the beam.
Moreover, we had to be confronted with the substantial difference in terms of
results for theoretical values and empirical values. Throughout this experience
and the discussion upon the disparity observed on the results collected we are able
to say that the experimental neutral axis value is acceptable however we are
unsure about the stress one as the difference is of a too big order. We now also
know how to proceed when dealing with experiences where final results have still
to be proceeded in order to get closer to the empirical/wished value.

References:

• C Howard, February 2013, Stresses in Beams, (Accessed 24/02/2019)

Available at:
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