Summary / Abstract

Bending is a major concept used in the design of many machines and a structural
components, such as beams and girders. If prismatic members subjected to equal and
opposite couples M and M acting in the same longitudinal plane, the members are said
to be in pure bending.
An example of pure bending is provided by the bar of a typical barbell as it is held
overhead by a weight lifter. The bar carries equal weights at equal distances from the
hands of the weight lifter. Because of the symmetry of the free-body diagram of the bar,
the reactions at the hands must be equal and opposite of the weights. The weights and
reactions can then be replaced by two equal and opposite couples. These couples cause
the bar to bend.
In this experiment, bending test was done on different materials to understand and
obtain the coefficient of elasticity of each of these materials. The materials used are brass,
aluminum and steel.
The results of the experiment are tabulated in the tables. The relationship between
load and deflection, span and deflection, width and deflection, the height and deflection
were investigated throughout the experiment. From the data obtained, the coefficient of
elasticity of each of the materials used is calculated by using the given formula. Flexural
stresses, moment of flexure and inertia factor are also calculated.

Statement of Purpose
1. To understand the principal of bending test.
2. To investigate the relationship between load, span, height and deflection of a
beam placed on two bear affected by a concentrated load at the center.
3. To ascertain the coefficient of elasticity for steel, brass and aluminum.

Theory

The transverse loading of a beam may consist of concentrated loads expresses in

Newton (N) of a distributed weight expressed in N/m. Beams are classified according to
the way in which they are supported. The types of beams frequently used are simply
supported beam, overhanging beam, cantilever beam and continuous beam. However, in
this experiment, we are going to deal with simply supported beam and cantilever beam.
Simply Supported Beam
W

b
Beam cross-section
For this arrangement, it can be shown that the deflection under the load is:
=
where I =
Beam compliance, / W =

Wl3 / 48 E I
bd3 /12
l3 / 4 Ebd3

A determination of the flexural stress yields:

b =
Mb =
When rectangular, it is I =

Mb / Wb
(F+F1) L / 4
bh3 /12

and Wb =
When circular, it is I =

bh2 / 6
d4 / 64

and Wb =

d3 / 32

where:

L
Mb
Wb
b
I
E
F
F1

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

Deflection (mm)
Span (mm)
Moment of Flexure (Nmm)
Resistance to Flexure (N/mm2 )
Flexural Stress (N/mm2 )
Inertia Factor
Coefficient of Elasticity
Load occasioned by weight of load device (N)
Load occasioned by additional weight (N)

Cantilever Beam with End Point Load

b
Beam cross-section
For this arrangement, it can be shown that the central deflection relative to the supports,
i.e maximum deflection between the supports:
=
where I =
Beam compliance, / W =

Wl3 / 3 E I
bd3 /12
4 l3 / Ebd3

Simply Supported Beam subjected to Uniform Bending Moment

b
Beam cross-section
For this arrangement, it can be shown that the central deflection relative to the supports,
i.e maximum deflection between the supports:
=
where I =
Beam compliance, / W =

Wal2 / 8 E I
bd3 /12
3a l2 / 2Ebd3

Equipment / Description of Experimental Apparatus

Twist and Bent Test Machine MT 210 is used.

MT 210 Test Machine

Loading Device
The machine is just a simply supported beam. The loading or forces applied can be
changes with the increment of 5N. The beam is supported using two bearers at both end
and the span can be changes as desired.
Test Specimen

b
Beam cross-section

Procedure

Task 1:

To investigate the relationship between load, span, height and deflection of a beam
placed on two bear affected by a concentrated load at the center.
A: Investigate the relationship between load and deflection of the test specimen.
1. The bearers were set to span of 600mm. it is noted that the interval between each
groove on the shafts of the apparatus is 100mm.
2. A test specimen with dimensions of 6 x 25 mm was placed on the bearers and the
load device was mounted in the center of the test specimen.
3. The testing device was set so that the top of the gauge was centered on the upper
plane of the load device. The gauge was lowered so that the small hand is at about
10 and the gauge was set to zero by twisting its outer ring.
4. The weight was loaded onto the beam and the deflection was read out at the
gauge. It is noted that one revolution of the large hand of the gauge corresponded
to 1 mm of deflection.
5. The readings were recorded in a table.
6. A graph of deflection vs. loading was plotted.
B: Relationship between span and deflection of the test specimen.
1. A test specimen with dimensions of 6 x 25 mm was employed and loaded with a
weight of 10N. The span was varied from 300 mm with an increment of 100 mm
until it reached 600 mm.
2. A graph of deflection vs. span was plotted.

C: Relationship between width and deflection of the test specimen.

1. The bearers were set up to a span of 500 mm. The test specimens were employed
and loaded with 5N of weight.

2. The test specimen was changed according to the table.

3. The deflection on the gauge was read out and recorded in a table.
4. A graph of width of the deflection vs. test specimen was plotted.
D: Relationship between height and deflection of the test specimen.
1. The bearers were set up to a span of 500 mm. The test specimens were employed
and loaded with 5N of weight.
2. The test specimen was changed according to the table.
3. The deflection on the gauge was read out and recorded in a table.
4. A graph of height of the deflection vs. test specimen was plotted.

Task 2:
To ascertain the coefficient of elasticity for steel, brass and aluminum.
E: Determine the coefficient of elasticity for brass, steel and aluminum.
1. The span was set at 500 mm and a circular test specimen of steel was employed.
2. The loading device was mounted and set.
3. Weights were loaded according to the table and the deflection was read out and
recorded in the table.
4. The test was repeated using brass and aluminum test specimen.

Data & Observations

Data:

Table 1: Relationship between load and deflection

Load (N)
5
10
15
20

Deflection (mm)
0.215
0.450
0.690
0.925

Table 2: Relationship between span and deflection

Span (mm)
300
400
500
600

Deflection (mm)
0.060
0.170
0.260
0.470

Table 3: Relationship between width and deflection

Test Specimen Dimensions (mm)
4 x 15
4 x 20
4 x 25
4 x 30

Deflection (mm)
0.875
0.700
0.575
0.430

Table 4: Relationship between width and deflection

Test Specimen Dimensions (mm)
3 x 25
4 x 25
6 x 25
8 x 25

Deflection (mm)
1.150
0.590
0.170
0.040

10

Table 5: Determine the coefficient of elasticity for steel, brass and aluminum
Material

Steel
Brass
Aluminum

Load (N)

5
10
15
5
10
15
5
10
15

Moment
of
Flexure,
Mb
(Nm)
0.625
1.250
1.875
0.625
1.250
1.875
0.625
1.250
1.875

Flexural

Deflection

Coefficient of

Stress
b

(GPa)
12.434
24.868
37.302
12.434
24.868
37.302
12.434
24.868
37.302

(x 104 m)
3.125
6.800
10.30
7.900
15.40
22.70
10.70
20.00
29.50

(GPa)
207.233
190.472
188.622
81.975
84.104
85.586
60.524
64.760
65.858

Elasticity
Eave (GPa)

195.442
83.888
63.714

Observations:
In this experiment, it is observed that when a load is loaded onto the loading
device, the beams or circular rod starts to bend. We can say that the beam deflection
increased if loads and span increased. Meanwhile in task 2, the flexural stress was
calculated, and we found that the values increased if the load increased.

Analysis and Results

Graph 1: Deflection vs. Loading

11

Graph 2: Deflection vs. Span

Graph 3: Width of Deflection vs. Test Specimen

12

Graph 4: Height of Deflection vs. Test Specimen Dimensions

Calculations
When E is calculated, the initial load caused by the load device has no significance since
the gauge has been set at zero with the device in place. However, when calculating
flexural stress, F1 is included.
Mb = (F+F1) L / 4
When 5N of load is employed
Mb = (5)(0.500) / 4
= 0.625 Nm
When 10N of load is employed
Mb = (10)(0.500) / 4
13

= 1.250 Nm
When 10N of load is employed
Mb = (15)(0.500) / 4
= 1.875 Nm
Since we are using a circular rod, therefore
Wb = d3 / 32
= (0.008)3 / 32
= 1.60 x 10-8 m3

and, Inertia Factor, I is calculated as follows:

I = d4 / 64
= (0.008)4 / 64
= 6.4 x 10-11 m4
Consider steel:
For load of 5N,
b = Mb / Wb
= 0.625 / 1.60 x 10-8
= 12.434 GN/m2
= 12.434 GPa
Coefficient of Elasticity of steel when 5N load is employed,
E = F l3 / 48 I
= (5)(0.500) 3 / 48 (6.4 x 10-11 ) (3.125 x 104)
= 207.233 GN/m2
= 207.233 GPa

14

For load of 10N,

b = Mb / Wb
= 1.250 / 1.60 x 10-8
= 24.868 GN/m2
= 24.868 GPa
Coefficient of Elasticity of steel when 10N load is employed,
E = F l3 / 48 I
= (10)(0.500) 3 / 48 (6.4 x 10-11 ) (6.800 x 104)
= 190.472 GN/m2
= 190.472 GPa

For load of 15,

b = Mb / Wb
= 1.875 / 1.60 x 10-8
= 37.302 GN/m2
= 37.302 GPa
Coefficient of Elasticity of steel when 15N load is employed,
E = F l3 / 48 I
= (15)(0.500) 3 / 48 (6.4 x 10-11 ) (10.30 x 104)
= 188.622 GN/m2
= 188.622 GPa
The average Coefficient of Elasticity for steel,
Eave = ( E5N + E10N + E15N ) / 3
= ( 207.233 + 190.472 +188.622 ) / 3

15

= 195.442 GN/m2
= 195.442 GPa
For steel:
% Error = |(Theoretical value experimental value)| x 100%
(theoretical value)
= [(200 GPa 195.442 GPa) / 200 GPa] x 100%
= 2.279 %

Consider Brass:
For load of 5N,
b = Mb / Wb
= 0.625 / 1.60 x 10-8
= 12.434 GN/m2
= 12.434 GPa
Coefficient of Elasticity of brass when 5N load is employed,
E = F l3 / 48 I
= (5)(0.500) 3 / 48 (6.4 x 10-11 ) (7.90 x 104)
= 81.975 GN/m2
= 81.975 GPa
For load of 10N,

16

b = Mb / Wb
= 1.250 / 1.60 x 10-8
= 24.868 GN/m2
= 24.868 GPa
Coefficient of Elasticity of brass when 10N load is employed,
E = F l3 / 48 I
= (10)(0.500) 3 / 48 (6.4 x 10-11 ) (15.40 x 104)
= 84.104 GN/m2
= 84.104 GPa

For load of 15N,

b = Mb / Wb
= 1.875 / 1.60 x 10-8
= 37.302 GN/m2
= 37.302 GPa
Coefficient of Elasticity of brass when 15N load is employed,
E = F l3 / 48 I
= (15)(0.500) 3 / 48 (6.4 x 10-11 ) (22.70 x 104)
= 85.586GN/m2
= 85.586 GPa
The average Coefficient of Elasticity for brass,
Eave = ( E5N + E10N + E15N ) / 3
= ( 81.975 + 84.104 +85.586 ) / 3
= 83.888 GN/m2
= 83.888 GPa

17

For Brass:
% Error = |(Theoretical value experimental value)| x 100%
(theoretical value)
= [(105 GPa 83.888 GPa) / 105 GPa] x 100%
= 20.107 %

Consider Aluminum:
For load of 5N,
b = Mb / Wb
= 0.625 / 1.60 x 10-8
= 12.434 GN/m2
= 12.434 GPa
Coefficient of Elasticity of aluminum when 5N load is employed,
E = F l3 / 48 I
= (5)(0.500) 3 / 48 (6.4 x 10-11 ) (10.70 x 104)
= 60.524 GN/m2
= 60.524 GPa
For load of 10N,
b = Mb / Wb
= 1.250 / 1.60 x 10-8
= 24.868 GN/m2

18

= 24.868 GPa
Coefficient of Elasticity of aluminum when 10N load is employed,
E = F l3 / 48 I
= (10)(0.500) 3 / 48 (6.4 x 10-11 ) (20.00 x 104)
= 64.760 GN/m2
= 64.760 GPa

For load of 15N,

b = Mb / Wb
= 1.875 / 1.60 x 10-8
= 37.302 GN/m2
= 37.302 GPa
Coefficient of Elasticity of aluminum when 15N load is employed,
E = F l3 / 48 I
= (15)(0.500) 3 / 48 (6.4 x 10-11 ) (29.50 x 104)
= 65.858 GN/m2
= 65.858 GPa
The average Coefficient of Elasticity for brass,
Eave = ( E5N + E10N + E15N ) / 3
= (60.524 + 64.760 + 65.858) / 3
= 63.714 GN/m2
= 63.714 GPa
For Aluminum:
% Error = |(Theoretical value experimental value)| x 100%
(theoretical value)

19

= [(70 GPa 63.714 GPa) / 70 GPa] x 100%

= 8.98 %

Discussion

In the relationship between load, span, height and deflection of a beam, placed on
two bear affected by a concentrated load at the center investigation, the graph was
plotted. For the deflection vs. load and vs. span graph, we can see the line was increasing
rather than descending. For width and height deflection vs. test specimen dimensions, the
graphs are descending. These four characteristics affect the toughness and how it can
withstand bending load and flexural stress occupied.
For part A, we can say that the more load applied, the deflection are getting bigger
due to the gravity and weight of the load that pushes the beam downward. It shows that
the deflection is proportional to the loads applied.
In part B, the deflection of the beam is getting higher when the span was
increased. When the span is getting longer and the distance between the bearers is bigger,
the moment in the beam is also increasing. The beam then tends to deflect a little bit
because of the weight of the beam itself and the bigger distance.
We can conclude that the wider the beam, the lesser deflection occurred for the
part C. Therefore the width is inversely proportional to the deflection. When the width of
the beam was increased, the results recorded for the deflection was getting lower. It
because the beam has more strength and toughness due to the extra surface that it has.
For part D, it has the same characteristics with part C. The deflection of the beam
decreased rapidly when the height of the beam increased. The width of the specimen was
kept in constant to see the differences in the deflection meanwhile changing the height

20

values. This phenomenon maybe occurs because the beam is more rigid and tougher
when the height is increased. This makes the beam almost invincible to deflection when
the load was applied. So, we can conclude that the higher the height of the beam, the less
deflection occurred resulting to less bending on the beam.
In the task 2, the coefficient of elasticity for steel, aluminum and brass were
determined using a formula. We can find that steel has the highest average coefficient of
elasticity about 195.422 GPa follow by brass, 83.888 GPa and aluminum 63.714 GPa. We
can find also there are some errors in calculating this stuff due to the reading of the gauge
because the gauge is in analog and the readout from it may not be precise. It also maybe
of the disturbance against the table which make the machine shakes and error during the
process of resetting the gauge to zero.

21

Conclusion
In the final sessions of this experiment, we can make a few conclusions because
all of the objectives have been fulfilled thoroughly. We can say that this experiment is
quite a success with small percentage of errors of the coefficient of elasticity. We can
conclude that deflection increases when more concentrated are applied on the beam and
also when the spans between two bearers were increased. It is an important thing to
engineers to consider in designing stages of certain products.
The coefficient of elasticity is very important in order to know the elasticity
properties of different materials and how it react with the same load applied to all three
type of materials tested. This decides how much and the limits to how much weight or
concentrated loads the material can withstand.

22

References

Books

Ferdinand P. Beer and E. Russell Johnston, JR., Mechanics of materials 3rd

Edition in SI Units. 21 Neythal Road, Singapore 2262. McGraw-Hill Book Co.
pp 142, 198-202.

William F. Smith, Foundations of Materials Science and Engineering 3 rd

Edition. 21 Neythal Road, Singapore 2262. McGraw-Hill Book Co.
pp 246-248

23

Appendices
Data:
Table 1: Relationship between load and deflection
Load (N)
5
10
15
20

Deflection (mm)
0.215
0.450
0.690
0.925

Table 2: Relationship between span and deflection

Span (mm)
300
400
500
600

Deflection (mm)
0.060
0.170
0.260
0.470

Table 3: Relationship between width and deflection

Test Specimen Dimensions (mm)
4 x 15
4 x 20
4 x 25
4 x 30

Deflection (mm)
0.875
0.700
0.575
0.430

24

Table 4: Relationship between width and deflection

Test Specimen Dimensions (mm)
3 x 25
4 x 25
6 x 25
8 x 25

Deflection (mm)
1.150
0.590
0.170
0.040

Table 5: Determine the coefficient of elasticity for steel, brass and aluminum
Material

Steel
Brass
Aluminum

Load (N)

5
10
15
5
10
15
5
10
15

Moment
of
Flexure,
Mb
(Nm)

Flexural
Stress
b
(GPa)

Deflection

(x 104 m)
3.125
6.800
10.30
7.900
15.40
22.70
10.70
20.00
29.50

Coefficient of
Elasticity
E
Eave (GPa)
(GPa)

25