1.

OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between span and deflection. This experiment
also can determine how to solve the equation by using double integration method.

2.0

THEORY
Introduction
A beam must possess sufficient stiffness so that excessive deflections do
not have an adverse effect on adjacent structural members. In many cases,
maximum allowable deflections are specified by Code of Practice in terms of the
dimensions of the beam, particularly the span. The actual deflections of a beam
must be limited to the elastic range of the beam, otherwise permanent distortion
result. Thus in determining the deflections of beam under load, elastic theory is
used. In this experiment double integration method is used to give the complete
deflected shape of beam.

Mx-x

EI d2y

dx2
V x-x

EI dy

PLx Px2 + A

dx
Y x-x

EIy

PLx2 Px3 + Ax + B

12

When x = 0 ; dy = 0 ; A = 0
0 = PL3 PL3 + B

When x = L / 2 ; y = 0;

32

96

B = - PL3
48
When x = 0

; Ymax = - PL3 (mid span; c)

48EI

x = L / 2 ; Vmax = PL2 (at support)

16EI
When E can be obtained from the backboard
I = bd3
12

3.0

APPARATTUS
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6

4.0

Specimen beam (aluminum )

Digital Dial Test Indicator
Hanger and masses
Knife edges
Vernier gauge
Lecturer and student guide

PROCEDURES

1. The moveable knife-edge supports are positioned so that they are 400mm
apart.
2. The chosen beam is placed on the support.
3. The hanger and the digital dial test indicator are placed at mid span. The
digital reading is zeroed.
4. An in incremental load is applied and the deflection is recorded for each
increment in table below.
5. The above using span 300mm and 500mm are repeated.

5.0

RESULT
Experiment 1: Span = 500 mm
No.
1
2
3

Mass*
(N)
0.981
1.962
2.943

Deflection
(experimental)
- 0.80 mm
- 1.67 mm
- 2.36 mm

Theoretical Def.
( Y ) max
- 0.78 mm
- 1.57 mm
- 2.35 mm

% Different
(%)
2.56
6.37
0.43

Theoretical Def.
( Y ) max
- 0.40 mm
- 0.80mm
- 1.20mm

% Different
(%)
20.00
3.75
3.33

Experiment 2: Span = 400 mm

No.
1
2
3

Mass*
(N)
0.981
1.962
2.943

Deflection
(experimental)
- 0.48 mm
- 0.83 mm
- 1.24 mm

Experiment 3: Span = 300 mm

No.
1
2
3

Mass*
(N)
0.981
1.962
2.943

Deflection
(experimental)
- 0.19 mm
-0.34 mm
-0.51 mm

Theoretical Def.
( Y ) max
- 0.17 mm
-0.34 mm
-0.51 mm

% Different
(%)
11.76
0.0
0.0

6.0

DATA ANALYSIS
Experiment 1: span, L = 0.5m
I

= bd
12
= 0.019 (3.10 x 10)
12
= 4.7210 m4

= 69 GN/m
= 6910 9 N/ m

Calculation:
Example:
i) No.1:
Mass = 1.47N
Ymax

= - PL
48EI
= 9.81 (0.5)
.
48(69109)4.7210
= - 0.184 .
156.326
= - 0.78 mm

% Different = 0.80 0.78 100%

0.78
= 2.56%

Experiment 2: span, L = 0.4m

I

= bd
12
= 0.019 (3.10 x 10)
12
= 4.7210 m4

= 69 GN/m
= 6910 9 N/ m

Calculation:
Example:
i) No.2:
Mass = 1.962N
Ymax

= - PL
48EI
= 1.962 (0.4)
.
48(69109)4.7210
= - 0.126 .
156.326
= - 0.8 mm

% Different = 0.83 0.8 100%

0.8
= 3.75%

Experiment 3: span, L = 0.3m

I

= bd
12
= 0.019 (3.10 x 10)
12
= 4.7210 m4

= 69 GN/m
= 6910 9 N/ m

Calculation:
Example:
i) No.3:
Mass = 2.943N
Ymax

= - PL
48EI
= 2.943 (0.3)
.
48(69109)4.7210
= - 0.079 .
156.326
= - 0.51 mm

% Different = 0.51 0.51 100%

0.51
= 0%

7.0

DISCUSSION
Comment on the different between the theoretical and experimental result.
Based on the data of the experiment, there are a slight different between
theoretical deflection and experiment deflection value. This is because when the
experiment was being caring out carefully, error still will occur, for example:
(i)

It is difficult to adjust the digital dial test to zero before the load was
hanged.

(ii)

Parallax error appeared when the value taken to set the spans length.

(iii)

The beam is accurately straight as it has been used many times.