1.

0 OBJECTIVE

1.1. To determine the form factor

1.2. To determine the relationship of load deflection between a beam and the point of plastic
collapse

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOME

2.1. The structural knowledge is able to be apply in practical application

2.2. The technical efficiency is improved through laboratory work

2.3. Effectively communication is achieved in team work

2.4. Ability to recognize the problem, solving and getting the solution through experimental work
is achieved.

3.0 INTRODUCTION

Beam is one of the important elements in building to support the load from the roof to the super
structure. Hence, ability of the beam to support the load plays the main role in the process of
design. This is important to ensure the safety of the building user. Usually beam is assumed that
no part of the beam should experience a stress greater than allowable for the working material, but
it can be found that a beam will withstand much larger forces before collapse than simple elastic
theory predict.

The plasticity spread inwards until an entire cross section of structure has yield point as the stress
increased further during the analysis. At this point, the steel attain its maximum possible moment
capacity which is called plastic moment, Mp. With the development of hinge, the structure is able
to carry more loads after first hinge has formed due to redistribution.

In beam, the second plastic hinge will forms at the next most critical stage. The bending moments
at the section of two plastic hinges remain constant at their plastic moments with further increase
in stress and it keep increasing until the third plastic hinge forms. The process of the formation of
successive plastic hinges continues until collapse of structure.

The result of plastic analysis is aimed to use to determine the collapse load or ultimate load of a
structure. This analysis is considered the behavior of structure in plastic limit before the structure
collapse.

4.0 THEORY

The stress through a beam section varies with the distance from the neutral axis when the beam is
bent around the neutral axis and form the greatest at the extreme fibers (y = maximum) to zero at
the neutral axis (y = 0).

The stress will build up through the section to a maximum at the extreme fibers if the beam is
subjected to an increasing bending moment. It means that the inner parts may still be behaving
elastically and resisting load although the outer parts of the beam may well have yielded and are
behaving plastically.

The plastic portion will move further into the beam leaving a smaller elastic core if the bending
moment continues to increase. This condition is known as partially plastic condition. As the plastic
portion moves further toward the neutral axis, the beam will continue to resist the bending moment
although with an increasing rate of deflection as shown in diagram below.
Form Factor is the ratio of the “fully” plastic bending to the “just” plastic moment. The shape of
the beam is the main factor that affects the form factor while size, material or fixing condition is
not effect on it.

For a cantilever beam

4𝑊𝐿
𝐘𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝝈𝒚 = … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1
𝑏𝑑

For simply supported beam

𝑊𝐿
𝐌𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐦 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐌𝐩 = … … 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2
4

𝜎𝑦 𝐼
Bending moment at yield of the extreme fibre, 𝑀𝑦 =
𝑦
Experiment form factor= 𝑀𝑝 /𝑀𝑦 where the text book value is 1.5

5.0 APPARATUS

5.1 Digital Vernier calipers

5.2 Plastic analysis testing frame

5.3 Digital force display

5.4 Specimen beam

5.5 Digital reading display

6.0 PROCEDURE

6.1 The cross section of the specimen beam is taken and the second moment of area for the
specimen is calculated.

6.2 The clamp plates are removed are removed and the specimen beam is placed across the chucks
of the unit.

6.3 The roller mechanism is pushed outwards to its stop.

6.4 The pin is put through the load cell fork and the load cell is winded down until the pin just
touch the specimen beam, both the load cell and the indicator is zeroed.

6.5 The load cell is winded down to cause a measured deflection of 3mm and the reading of the
forced required is taken.

6.6 The load cell is winded down continuous in 3mm step until there is no or very little increase
in load for each increment of deflection.

6.7 The result is recorded in table.

7.0 RESULT

Deflection (mm) Force (N)

0 0
3 20
6 44
9 62
12 85
15 110
18 141
21 183
24 227
27 260
30 293
33 332
36 365

Dimension of specimen beam: 80mm × 80mm × 860mm (b × d × l)

Length (L): 750mm

8.0 DISCUSSION

1. Plot the graph Force vs Deflection and from your result comment on the shape of the resulting
plot.

From the graph of Force (N) against Deflection (mm) shown above, the graph show that the
deflection increasing as the force is increasing. When the deflection reach 36 mm, the value for
force is 365 N.

Based on the graph that plotted, the maximum load for the specimen beam used in this test is 365
N when the deflection reaches 36 mm. If the test is continue with higher load it will lead to the
collapse of the beam.

2. From Table 1, note the collapse load, and using the bending moment diagram calculate the
plastic moment(Mp )

 The gradient, M
𝑦 −𝑦
M= 𝑥1−𝑥2
1 2

260 − 44
=
27 − 6

= 10.257N/mm
  The maximum deflection is 36mm, when the force reaches to 365N.
𝑤𝐿
Mp =
4
365(750)
=
4
= 68437.5Nmm

𝑀𝑝 𝑃𝐿
𝑀𝑝 + =
2 4

6𝑀𝑝 6(68437.5)
P= =
𝐿 750

P = 547.5N

∴ collapse load = 547.5N

3. Using yield stress of 325 MPa calculate the bending moment ( 𝑀𝑦 ) to just cause yielding of the
extreme fibers.

 𝜎𝑦 = 325MPa = 325N/mm−2
𝑏𝑑3
 𝐼= 12

(8𝑚𝑚)(8𝑚𝑚)3
𝐼= = 341.33𝑚𝑚4
12
𝑑 8𝑚𝑚
 𝑦= =
2 2

𝑦 = 4𝑚𝑚
𝜎𝑦 𝐼
 𝑀𝑦 = 𝑦

325𝑁 4
𝑚𝑚 −2 ) (341.33𝑚𝑚 )
(
𝑀𝑦 = = 27733.06𝑁𝑚𝑚
4𝑚𝑚
𝑀𝑝
4. Calculate the form factor (𝑀 ). Compare to the text book value.
𝑦

𝑀𝑝
 Form factor = 𝑀
𝑦

68437.5𝑁𝑚𝑚
=27733.06𝑁𝑚𝑚 = 2.458
Compared to the text book value for rectangular sections, S=1.5

The form factor is 2.458>1.5

5. Discuss the advantages of considering the extra available strength due to the plastic beam theory
when designing structures.

The advantages of considering the extra strength when designing the structures are:

i. Used to calculate and determine the ultimate load of the structure and provide safety to
people in the building
ii. It provide additional safety to the structure
iii. Reduce the risk and the possibility of the occurrences of the failure of structure due to
the additional load or calculation error
iv. It can prevent the structure from being collapse
v. It increase the stability of the structure

9.0 CONCLUSION

After doing this experiment, the relationship of load deflection to the plastic to the plastic collect
is able to be determine and the point of the beam of the beam may collapse can be investigated. In
a plastic analysis the assumption that can be made is the resulting of the strain distribution is linear
about the neutral axis and the resulting of stress distribution is nonlinear and is dependent on the
beam’s material.

The deflections is necessary to develop the stresses indicated in a plastic analysis are generally
excessive, frequently to the point of incompatibility with the function of the structure. Large
deflections and stiffness changes usually related with the plastic analysis, particularly in statically
indeterminate beams it can significantly change the internal load distribution.

Through the experiment, the advantages of considering the extra strength when designing the
structures which are to determine the ultimate load or the collapse load can be known. In additional,
it can be provide additional safety for the structure at the same times reduces the risk of failure due
to the calculation error or additional load. It also increases the stability of the structure and prevents
the structure from being collapse.

From the result obtained, the conclusion that can be made is the experimental value is quite
different compare to theoretical value. This may be caused by the error during the experiment is
carried out.