National University of Singapore

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Informal Report

ME2113-1
DEFLECTION AND BENDING STRESSES IN BEAMS
INTRODUCTION
Beams are one of the commonest components encountered in structures. In most
cases, they are transversely loaded and thus undergo bending. Bending induces
stresses in a beam and causes it to deflect. In the design and analysis of beam-type
structures, the stresses and deflections generated must be examined to ascertain
that they are within acceptable limits. Simple beam theory provides expressions for
the calculation of these quantities. This experiment provides the means to
investigate how beam theory can be applied in practice.
OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE
To study the application of beam theory in practice, by subjecting a cantilever to
various point loads and examining the resulting stresses and deflection. From these
values, to also determine the Youngs modulus and Poissons ratio of the beam
material. The magnitudes and signs of the strains and stresses at two locations
along the beam are investigated in terms of their relation to each other and in
accordance with beam theory

Sample Calculations
For P = 0.25kg,
From Eqn (1), Mxz = -P(L - x),
From Eqn (2), xx = (-Mxz / Iz )( y) ,
Where

y=h/2 at the top surface

y=-h/2 at the bottom surface

Second moment of area of the beam, Iz = (1/12)bh3 = 4.7476 x10-10

At x = 50mm:
Bending moment:

MXZ

= -0.250 x 9.81 x (0.250 0.050)

= -0.490Nm (3 s.f.)

Logitudinal stress: xx1 (T)

= (0.49 / 4.7476 x 10-10)(6.06 x 10-3 / 2)

= 3.127 x 106 Pa
= 3.13 MPa (3 s.f.)

At x = 150mm:
Bending moment:

MXZ

= -0.250 x 9.81 x (0.250 0.150)

= -0.245Nm (3 s.f.)

Logitudinal stress: xx2 (T)

= (0.245 /4.7476 x 10-10)(-6.06 x 10-3 / 2)

= -1.564 x 106 Pa
= -1.56 MPa (3 s.f.)

From Table 1, xx1 = 40

From Eqn (5) xx = Exx
xx1 (Experimental) = (70 x 109) x (40 x 10-6)
= 2.8 MPa

Part II
Maximum reading observed during gripping,
xx1 of strainmeter = 635
From Graph 3,
P = 0.0541xx1
When xx1 = 635
Handgrip strength P = 0.0541 x 635
= 34.35 N

RESULTS

Part I
Refer to attached for Tables and Graph of experiment.
From Graph 1,
Gradient = 591.67 (from graph)

 P/-VL (deflection is downwards)

Iz

1
bh 3 ,
12

= (25.6 x 10-3)(6.06 x 10-3)3 / 12

= 4.7476 x 10-10 m4

PL3
v L
3EI z
E = (591.67*9.81)(250 x 10-3)3 / (3 x 4.7476 x 10-10)
= 63.68 GPa

From Graph 2,
Average gradient = (-0.2923 0.3147)/2
= -0.3035

zz

xx
E

xx ,

Poissons Ratio, = 0.3035

From Graph 3,
Gradient = 0.0541 kg
Part II
Handgrip force = 34.35N (see sample calculations)

Discussion
1

The strains xx1 and zz2 are positive while the strains xx2 and zz1 are
negative. Because the strain gauge for xx1 and zz1 are on the top surface of
the beam, this means that when the beam is loaded, it will deflected
downwards and elongate. However, the xx2 and zz2 are placed on the bottom
surface and will be reading the beam as being compressed upon loading it
with weights. Also, the equation that zz = -vxx, shows that zz1 to be opposite
in sign to xx1 and vice versa.

In Graph 4, the 6 theoretical lines have negative gradient which imply that the
stress on the beam decreases constantly from the fix end to the loaded end.

Also the 6 lines all converge at the point x= 0.25m, indicating the length of the
cantilever from the fixed end. .
3

The measured handgrip force will not be very accurate, due to a number of
reasons:
1) The strain meter reading fluctuates constantly while we are taking our
reading, indicating that we are not able to produce a constant output of
force during the process of measurement. This leads to inaccuracies in
taking the measurement of the strain meter.
2) Because the gripper is longer than the width of our hand, the distribution of
strength may be uneven as our hands are not able to cover the whole
length of the gripper when force is being exerted.
3) Because of the uneven distribution of force, the gripper bars may also
experience bending and cause the ends of the bar to be slightly further
apart than the middle of the bars. This will hence cause a slightly smaller
deflection in the beam and hence the readings taken might be inaccurate.
4) Sometimes might accidentally pull down the beam using our arm without
knowing and hence affecting the reading of the strain meter.
5) Sometimes the gripper may be over-tightened at the start. This will cause
the beam to already be deformed when we conducted the experiment.
Even though we calibrate the strain meter to 0, a non-linear stress-strain
relationship would occur if the grip strength of the person exceeds the
beams plastic deformation range and hence causing inaccuracy in the
reading.

Conclusion
After conducting this experiment, we are better able to understand how a cantilever
beam deflects when a load is acting on it. We can see that the beam will experience
both tensile and compressive stress throughout its length. The top surface of the
beam will be experiencing tensile stresses while the bottom, compressive stress.
Through the experiment, we were also able to understand the relationship between
axial stress and traverse stress. Lastly, the experiment demonstrated that the stress
at a point closer to the fixed end is greater than the stress experienced at a point
further away from the fixed end. Hence we can say that the experiment is a success.