EM-102.5 | Deflection of Beam & Cantilever

Beams are key structural elements in mechanical engineering and in construction. A beam is a bar-shaped component in which the dimensions of the cross-section are much smaller than the length and which is subjected to load along and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The load perpendicular to the longitudinal axis causes a deformation of the beam – that is, bending. Based on its size, the beam is viewed as a one-dimensional model. The science of the strength of materials deals with stress and strain resulting from the application of load to a component. Many fundamental principles of the strength of materials can be illustrated well by a straight beam. The beam can be supported in different ways. This produces statically determinate and indeterminate systems which are placed under load by different weights. The load application points are movable. Three dial gauges record the resulting deformation. Three articulated supports with integral force gauges indicate the support reactions directly. The articulated supports are height-adjustable, so as to compensate for the influence of the dead-weight of the beam under investigation. Beams of different thicknesses and made of different materials demonstrate the influence of the geometry and of the modulus of elasticity on the deformation of the beam under load. The various elements of the experiment are clearly laid-out and housed securely in a storage system. The complete experimental setup is arranged in the frame.