Experiment M2: CURVED BEAM EXPERIMENT

Introduction The circumferential stresses in a curved beam will be studied with the setup shown in Figure 1. The setup consists of a curved steel beam with a rectangular cross section, pinned at one location, with a concentrated load applied to the top surface. There are four strain gages located along the line BC. Nomenclature for the beam dimensions is shown in the figure.

Figure 1: Test setup and nomenclature for the curved beam experiment. Notes: Referring to the nomenclature in Figure 1, the moment produced by the concentrated load is equal to M = -P (L + R). Note that the negative sign is due to the fact the load is compressive. There are two objectives to the curved beam experiment: 1. To analyze the circumferential stress and strain in the beam and compare the empirical results to the theoretical solution for curved beams. 2. To become more familiar with the Instron Testing Machine. Procedure 1. Measure and record the beam dimensions a, b, c, and L. Also record the location of strain gages 1, 2, 3, and 4 with reference to the center of curvature. 2. Place the beam in the universal testing machine using proper attachments and fixtures.

3. Balance the four strain gages using the switch and balance unit. 4. Balance the load using the Bluehill software. 5. Load the beam in compression up to 1600 lbs in increments of approximately 200 lbs. Record the strain at each strain gage location with each load increment. Results and Analysis This section must include: 1. A table of measured beam dimensions and gage locations. 2. A table listing the values A, R, and rn. 3. Tabulate the measured strain, empirical (i.e. experimental) stress (calculated from the measured strain), and theoretical stresses for each load for gages one and four only. 4. Plot load P versus measured strain for each gage to check for gage linearity. 5. Plot experimental and theoretical stresses for gages one and four versus load (four curves on one graph). 6. Plot the experimental and theoretical stress distributions along the cross section BC for the maximum load with the stress as the ordinate (y axis) and gage position as the abscissa (x axis). Discussion and Conclusions The discussion should cover the following points as well as any additional comments you care to make. 1. Compare the theoretical stresses with the experimental values and discuss any sources of error. 2. Compare the theoretical stress distributions along the line BC with the experimental stress distributions along line BC. Discuss any sources of error. Discuss if the theoretical stress values, as one moves from B to C across the cross-section, are linear or non-linear with respect to distance from the neutral axis and use the equation to discuss why they should be linear or non-linear. 3. Compare the location of the neutral surface on a curved beam with theoretical location of the neutral surface as calculated in part 2 of the Results and Analysis section. Appendix Include the original data sheet in the appendix and perform the following sample calculations (sample calculations can be handwritten): 1. Calculations of A, R, and rn. 2. Calculations of circumferential stress in strain gage 1, and 4 for the maximum load.

LAB REPORT GRADE SHEET: Curved Beam Experiment

STUDENTS NAME ___________________________________ LAB SECTION: DATE OF EXPERIMENT: Title Page Executive Summary Objective. Procedure Results and Analysis Table of measured beam dimensions/parameter calculations Table of strain measurements Plot of load P versus measured strain Plot of experimental and theoretical stresses versus load Plot of the experimental and theoretical stress distributions along cross section BC Discussion and Conclusions Discussion of neutral surface location Discussion of strain versus load Discussion of stress versus load Comparison of experimental and theoretical stresses Original Data Sheets (in appendix).. Neatness (entire report) Spelling and Grammar (entire report). (3) (5) (4) (8) (30) 5 5 8 5 7 (25) 5 5 5 10 (5) (10) (10) ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ GROUP:

TOTAL.

(100)

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