ABSTRACTION

There can be a deflection in the beams which undergo transverse load. The second moment of area of
the cross section of the beam is one of the factors that affect the deflection. In this experiment, we
observe that when the second moment of area of the beam increases then the deflection is high. The
young’s modulus of the beam is also another factor. Also, we can observe that the theoretical values
and the practical values for the deflection of the beam are different. The assumptions and the errors
we made are the reason for this difference. Engineers must focus on the deflection when they design
beam structures to avoid undesirable failures and change in shapes.

INTRODUCTION

Deflection of beam means bending or displacement of a structural member from its original position.
Beams are the structural members which are subjected to transverse loads. When a beam is loaded, it
bends. This displacement of all beam points in the y-direction is called the deflection of the beam.
Beam can be failed against a transverse load due to this bending effect.

Construction beams are horizontal, weight-bearing supports that bridge an area. Along with posts and
columns, which are the beams' vertical counterparts, they support the structural integrity of all sorts
of buildings. In homes, you'll find beams in walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, decks and garages. When the
weight limit that the beam can be bear, is exceeded the beam fail. Therefore, it is very essential to
design suitable components according to the forces that act on those. For avoid unnecessary failures
and changes in shape, we may have a better understanding about the deflection of a beam.

In this laboratory exercise we mainly observe about the behaviour of the simply supported beam with
concentrated load. also compere the theoretical and experimental beam deflections through the beam
under transverse force to have a better understanding about factors affecting on deflection.
THEORY
EQUIPMENT

• Beam bending apparatus

PROCEDURE.

• First the apparatus was set as shown in the figure. The dial gauge should be vertical and at the
midpoint of the beam. Hanger should properly set at the midpoint of the beam.

• Then dial gauge was calibrated.

• After that, the measures of mid deflections were recorded while increasing the weight.

• Then repeat the above step while decreasing the weight.

• Then the above readings were taken for the second configuration shown in figure.

• After that, the dimensions of the cross section were taken.

Configuration-1 (mm) Configuration-2 (mm)

Weight (g) Average deflection Average deflection

0 0.005 0.005

50 0.165 0.155

150 0.770 0.560

250 1.305 0.950

350 1.895 1.365

450 2.480 1.730

550 2.980 2.105

650 3.555 2.480

750 4.100 2.890

850 4.685 3.225

950 5.240 3.605

1050 5.815 3.935

1150 6.385 4.345

1250 6.920 4.670

1350 7.500 5.080

Practical Theoretical

Weight (g) Deflection (mm) Deflection (mm)

0 0.005

50 0.165

150 0.770

250 1.305

350 1.895

450 2.480

550 2.980

650 3.555

750 4.100

850 4.685

950 5.240

1050 5.815

1150 6.385

1250 6.920

1350 7.500
For deflection values of the configuration 2,

Practical Theoretical

Weight (g) Deflection (mm) Deflection (mm)

0 0.005

50 0.155

150 0.560

250 0.950

350 1.365

450 1.730

550 2.105

650 2.480

750 2.890

850 3.225

950 3.605

1050 3.935

1150 4.345

1250 4.670

1350 5.080
DISCUSSION

Bending of a beam is a result of the transverse loads which is not desirable in the constructions and
other applications. There can be failures and change in the shape of the construction or the application
due to bending of the beam. To avoid such a undesirable things we should try to minimize the
deflection. We may have a good knowledge about factors that affect the deflection to minimize the
deflection.

We observe that the deflection of the configuration 2 is much less than the configuration 1 by the
graphs. Gradient of the practical value graph of configuration 1 is higher that the that of configuration
2. There could be few reasons for that. The second moment of area of the beam’s cross section is high
in the configuration 2. Then we can understand that second moment of area inversely proportional to
the deflection. Also, we can observe that in a simply supported beam, highest deflection is at the mid-
point which has the highest bending moment. Because of that we can consider bending moment is also
a factor that affect the deflection. The material which the beam made of is also affect the deflection.
Those are the main factors which affect the deflection.

The gradient of the theoretical value graph is less than that of practical value graph for the same
configurations. There can be many reasons for that. Some of those reasons are,

• We assumed that initially the dial gauge is vertical, and the cross section of the beam is
constant along the column, but the cross section can be varying across the beam.
• The concentrated load may not be act through the centroid of the beam, but we assume that
concentrated load act through the centroid.
• There can be some cracks in the beam. Also, the material can be non-homogeneous.
• We neglect the weight of the beam in our calculations. But in real case it also effects on the
deflection that occurs on the beam.
Other than these reasons, errors may also occur while we were taking measurements. The dimensions
we got, may be also had some errors. Therefore, the experiment and theoretical values differ because
of these assumptions and errors.

CONCLUSIONS
Beams which undergo transverse loads can be deflected. The objective of this experiment is to study
this behaviour of beam mainly. In this practical we observe some of the main factors that affect the
deflection. Also, we compare the practical and theoretical results that we got from the experiment.
Depending on those result, we can get some conclusions. They are,

• When beam have a higher second moment of area, the deflection is less. That means the cross-
sectional dimensions affect the deflection of the beam.
• The young’s modulus of the beam is high then the deflection is less. That means to decrease
the deflection we can use the materials which have high young’s modulus.
• The practical and theoretical values for critical load differ due to assumptions and measuring
errors.
• When we design beams, we must focus on the factors that affect the deflection for avoid
undesirable conditions
REFERENCES

• Civil Engineering Notes. 2022. Deflection of Beams Formula With Diagrams For All
Conditions .. [online] Available at: <https://civilengineeringnotes.com/deflection-of-beams-
formula-equations/> [Accessed 18 September 2022].
• Sear, A., n.d. Graphical determination of beam deflection.
• Schwieger, H., 1970. Central deflection of a transversely struck beam. Porz-Wahn.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• APSEd. 2022. Quick Guide to Deflection of Beams - Calculation, Formula and Table. [online]
Available at: <https://www.apsed.in/post/quick-guide-to-deflection-of-
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ctural,y-direction%20is%20called%20the%20deflection%20of%20the%20beam.> [Accessed
18 September 2022].

• MICHAELSON MONAGHAN, E., 2022. Types of Construction Beams & Their Uses.
[online] hunker. Available at: <https://www.hunker.com/12303763/types-of-construction-
beams-their-uses> [Accessed 18 September 2022].

• hamakareem, M., 2022. Factors Affecting Deflections of RCC Beams and Slabs (Flexural
Members). [online] The Constructor. Available at: <https://theconstructor.org/structural-
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