UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA

Cantilever aluminium
beam Laboratory
KNE216 Civil Engineering





1

Introduction
The aim of this experiment was to study the behaviour
of a cantilever beam under an applied load through
strain gauge measurements and to assess the validity of
a theoretical model by comparison with experimental
results.

The strain induced by the load was used to calculate the
stress according to Hooke`s Law. Hooke`s Law (1) states
that the stress acting in the beam is equal to the beam
material`s modulus of elasticity multiplied by the
induced strain.
(1) Figure 1 Experimental cantilever setup
1


Apparatus
Cantilever aluminium beam with strain gauges applied at different locations
Computer for strain readings
Dial gauge
Tape measure

Variables






Method
After locating the yellow rig the dial gauge was placed at the location L1 = 973mm. The initial dial and strain
readings were then adjusted to zero. A load of 3.5kg was then applied at location A = 1045mm. The beam
displacement at location L1 = 973mm was recorded as were the stress and strain readings at location L2 =
846mm.






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http://uniassignment.org/KNE216/Lab/index.php
2

Results and Analysis

Load 34.335
Second moment area (

) 30244
Youngs modulus () 69000
Length 1045
Position B 973
Position C 108
Cross sectional area

117.5
Table 1 Beam properties

Experimental (mm) Theoretical (mm) Error (%)
Displacement 3.15 3.05 3.17
Table 2 Experimental and theoretical displacements

Experimental(MPa) Theoretical (Flexural
stress equation)(MPa)
Error (%)
Stress 9.1 9.04 0.6
Table 3 Experimental and theoretical stresses

Discussion
Table 2 showed a discrepancy of 3.17% between the experimental value read from the dial gauge at location
L1 and a theoretical value calculated in the theoretical calculations section. Table 3 compared the
experimental stress data recorded form the computer to theoretical values obtained from the application of
Hooke`s Law and the flexural stress equation. The flexural stress equation produced a value with an error of
0.6% compared to the experimental result.
A potential explanation for the observed errors was human error associated with reading and recording stress
and strain values from equipment or mistakes in theoretical calculations.
From the data obtained it was possible to conclude that the experimental displacement and stress results
supported the theoretical predictions. Hooke`s Law and the flexural stress equation were successfully
employed to approximate the stress at L2.