DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MEC 404 | Mechanical Engineering Laboratory II
Deformation of Straight Beams Experiment Sheet
Alanya, 2024
1. Introduction
The word deflection generally refers to the deformed shape and position of a member subjected
to bending loads. More specifically, however, deflection is used in reference to the deformed
shape and position of the longitudinal axis of a beam. In deformed condition the neutral axis
which is initially a straight longitudinal line assumes some particular shape which is called
deflection curve.
The deviation of this curve from its initial position at any point is called deflection at that point.
The deflection at any given point in the beam depends on the type of beam which is governed
by the manner in which the beam is supported, the nature of loads applied to the beam any
particular point within its span which can either be point or concentrated load, distributed load
on the portion or the whole span. The beam may also carry couple loads any point within its
span. Since deflection is a result of the internal reaction of beam, the deflection experienced by
the beam depends on the ability of the beam material to resist deformation. The material
property which is a measure of this ability (stiffness) is Young’s Modulus, E. The stiffness of
beam is also governed by the shape of the cross-section. The property of the cross section
attributed to the final stiffness of the beam is the second moment of area I. The combined
stiffness is called flexural rigidity EI.
2. Practical Applications
Bending beams and shear beams are used for the determination of (shear) forces and are suitable
for both static (weighing technology) and dynamic (machine building) measurement projects.
To determine how strong the force is in the application, strain gauges or thin-film sensors are
used, which are attached on or in the measuring body. The fields of application of bending
beams and shear beams are many and varied. Thus, these load cells are very often used in
industrial weighing technology as well as in the areas of special machine building, factory
automation and stage construction. In addition, they are used in the laboratory and process
industry for the indirect determination of torques. The appropriate technical and regional
approvals for these force transducers are, of course, available as options.
3. Objective
In this experiment, a simple deformation behavior of different straight beams will be
demonstrated. How the stiffness value of the beams, which is the ratio of the applied load to the
bending amount, changes with material type and dimensions will be investigated. Additionally,
it will be tested whether beam thickness and stiffness are proportional linearly. Finally, the
relationship between stiffness, material properties and beam dimensions will be revealed. The
deflection depends on the load will be calculated for all beams with different material and
thickness.
4. Method
It is known that a beam bends when a load is applied to any point between the constant supports
of the beam. Stress will be distributed to the supports depending on the applied load. The stress
values will be obtained using dynamometers placed on the deflection point. At the same time,
the deflection amount should be recorded using indicator. The experimental data should be
matched with the theoretical calculations. Consider the general specifications of the stainless
steel, aluminum, and brass materials. Finally, the original Elasticity Modulus of the materials
should be calculated and compared with the data in literature.
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5. Equipment Description
The real experimental bench is provided in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Real test bench of the deformation of straight beams experiment set
Test bench equipment:
- 3 analog dynamometers
- 3 analog indicators
- 1 SS beam with 3 mm in thickness
- 1 SS beam with 4 mm in thickness
- 1 SS beam with 5 mm in thickness
- 1 brass beam with 5 mm in thickness
- 1 aluminum beam with 5 mm in thickness
- 2 sets of weights of 350 g
- 1 measuring tape (2m)
- 1 allen wrench with 4 mm
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6. Experiments
6.1. Calculation of Deflection in Beams
The articulated supports are fitted with dynamometers to measure the supporting forces. This
experiment determines the supporting forces for a bar depending on the point of application of
the load x. The supporting forces A and B can be determined via balances of moments.
1. Fasten the articulated supports at a distance of 600 mm
2. Push the rider for the weight suspender onto the bar and place the bar on the supports
3. Loosen the locking screw on the support. Adjust the height of the support using the
rotary knob until the bar is horizontal. Re-secure the support using the locking screw.
4. Set the scale on the dynamometer to zero by twisting
5. Place the dial gauge in the required position and set it to zero
6. Suspend the weight and load the bar by increasing 100 g
7. Read the supporting forces on the dynamometers and record
8. Read the deflection value from the dial gauge and record
9. Relieve the bar, move the dial gauge to the next position, and repeat the measurement
with the next
Stainless Steel Beam (5 mm in thickness)
Deflection Dynamometer Dynamometer
Load (g)
(mm) #1 (N) #2 (N)
Stainless Steel Beam (4 mm in thickness)
Deflection Dynamometer Dynamometer
Load (g)
(mm) #1 (N) #2 (N)
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Stainless Steel Beam (3 mm in thickness)
Deflection Dynamometer Dynamometer
Load (g)
(mm) #1 (N) #2 (N)
Aluminum Beam (5 mm in thickness)
Deflection Dynamometer Dynamometer
Load (g)
(mm) #1 (N) #2 (N)
Brass Beam (5 mm in thickness)
Deflection Dynamometer Dynamometer
Load (g)
(mm) #1 (N) #2 (N)
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