BTEC HIGHER NATIONALS-UNIT 21722P MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES

ASSIGNMENT 2.1 DEFLECTION OF BEAMS

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Pass Criteria
Outcome Assessment Criteria Achieved
Investigate the • recognise the relationship between bending moment, slope and
behaviour of loaded deflection for loaded beams
beams and cylinders • determine slope and deflection along loaded beams

Grading Criteria
Grade Descriptor Achieved
MERIT • Use a range of methods and techniques to collect, analyse and process
information/data.
• Coherently present and communicate work using technical language
accurately.
• Apply and analyse detailed knowledge and skills, using relevant
theories and techniques.
DISTINCTION • Check validity when collecting, analysing and processing complex
information/data.

• Show an individual approach in presenting and communicating work

coherently, using technical language fluently.

• Evaluate and synthesise relevant theories and techniques to generate

and justify valid conclusions.

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MECH. PRINC. OUTCOME2 ASS1

You should write this assignment as a report in the format you think most appropriate. Diagrams
showing the instruments and general layout of equipment will be expected. You should
complete the work within two weeks of the date of issue.

PART 1 SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

From your class notes, the downward deflection at the centre of a simply supported beam with a
point load at the middle is given by
y = FL3/48E I

From this we deduce that the deflection is directly proportional to y such that

F/y = Constant = 48E I/L3

Using a steel beam as directed, measure its dimensions and then set it up as a simply supported
beam with a point load at the middle. Measure the deflection at the middle for a range of loads.
Plot a graph of F vertically against y horizontally and show that over the range of loads used,
the deflection is directly proportional to load.

The graph should be a straight line and the gradient is the constant. Evaluate the constant from
the formula and compare it to the gradient from your graph. The beam is made of mild steel.
Find out the material properties required yourself. State where you found the information.

PART 2 MACAULAY'S METHOD

A simply supported beam is loaded as shown in the diagram. You will each be given different
values of loads to use from the table below. Calculate the theoretical deflection at the middle
and slope at the right hand end using MaCaulay's method.

Set up the beam on the apparatus and measure the deflection at the middle.You will have to
measure the section dimensions and assume a typical value of E for steel. Compare your
predicted and measured deflections and conclude on the accuracy of MaCaulay's method as a
means of predicting deflections of beams.

Student F1 F2 F3
1 10 15 10
2 8 15 10
3 12 15 20
4 10 10 15
5 16 10 15
6 12 15 10
7 10 12 15
8 15 15 20
9 10 20 15

PART 3 USING A COMPUTER

TO SOLVE BEAM PROBLEMS.

Run the software WINBEAM. You will find it quite quick to master. Calculate the deflection of
the beam and compare the answer to those you found in part 2. If you don’t get the same
answer, you should find where your mistake was made and correct it.Print off a hard copy of
your work.

MECH. PRINC. OUTCOME2 ASS1