cantilever beam
Beam Deflection
by
Dan Schwarz
Bryan Spaulding
School of Engineering
Grand Valley State University
EGR 309 – Machine Design
Section 2
Instructor: Dr. Reffeor
July 17, 2007
Introduction
The purpose of this laboratory investigation was to verify beam deflection equations experimentally and to compare the experimental results with FEA values calculated by ANSYS. An aluminum cantilever beam was loaded with 500 kgs at its end with deflection measured in six different locations. These deflection values were then compared to theoretical values found using the deflection equations and also to predicted deflection values using ANSYS. When compared to the theoretical beam deflection equations, experimental results showed an average of 4.7% discrepancy while the FEA analysis using ANSYS had a 2.8% discrepancy average from the theoretical equations.
Equipment
Depth Gage S/N: 400667
8” Vernier Calipers S/N: 3475
9.97” x 1.0” x 0.123”Aluminum Beam
Steel Reference Beam with (6) drilled measuring holes
C-Clamp
Shim
Figure 1: Side View of Experimental Set-up
Experimental Procedure
1. The three piece beam arrangement shown in Figure 1 was clamped to a table.
2. The following distances were measured:
a. Edge of table to the end of the steel reference beam using calipers.
b. Edge of table to center of mass hanger using calipers.
c. Top of steel beam to top of aluminum beam using depth gage at all six drilled hole locations.
3. A 500kg mass was hung from mass hanger.
4. New distance measurements were recorded at all six drilled hole locations using depth gage. Initial depth measurements were then subtracted from these measurements to calculate deflections at each point.
5. Experiment was then modeled in ANSYS where deflection predictions were recorded.
Results and Discussion
Figure 1 below shows is a graphical representation of the deflected beam
by
Dan Schwarz
Bryan Spaulding
School of Engineering
Grand Valley State University
EGR 309 – Machine Design
Section 2
Instructor: Dr. Reffeor
July 17, 2007
Introduction
The purpose of this laboratory investigation was to verify beam deflection equations experimentally and to compare the experimental results with FEA values calculated by ANSYS. An aluminum cantilever beam was loaded with 500 kgs at its end with deflection measured in six different locations. These deflection values were then compared to theoretical values found using the deflection equations and also to predicted deflection values using ANSYS. When compared to the theoretical beam deflection equations, experimental results showed an average of 4.7% discrepancy while the FEA analysis using ANSYS had a 2.8% discrepancy average from the theoretical equations.
Equipment
Depth Gage S/N: 400667
8” Vernier Calipers S/N: 3475
9.97” x 1.0” x 0.123”Aluminum Beam
Steel Reference Beam with (6) drilled measuring holes
C-Clamp
Shim
Figure 1: Side View of Experimental Set-up
Experimental Procedure
1. The three piece beam arrangement shown in Figure 1 was clamped to a table.
2. The following distances were measured:
a. Edge of table to the end of the steel reference beam using calipers.
b. Edge of table to center of mass hanger using calipers.
c. Top of steel beam to top of aluminum beam using depth gage at all six drilled hole locations.
3. A 500kg mass was hung from mass hanger.
4. New distance measurements were recorded at all six drilled hole locations using depth gage. Initial depth measurements were then subtracted from these measurements to calculate deflections at each point.
5. Experiment was then modeled in ANSYS where deflection predictions were recorded.
Results and Discussion
Figure 1 below shows is a graphical representation of the deflected beam