ME124 Mechanical Engineering Laboratory III

Experiment #1: Flexural Stiffness of a Cantilever Beam

Overview
The purpose of this exercise is to measure the flexural stiffness and determine the elastic modulus
(Youngs modulus) for a simple cantilevered beam. Two related, but different, approaches will be
used. In Part I, you will determine the elastic modulus from measured beam deflections under
different transverse loadings. In Part II, the elastic modulus will be determined from strain gage
measurements of the beam under different transverse loadings. To extract the elastic modulus from
the measured data you will need to make use of the flexural equation(s) for beams, which was
covered in ME14.
Experimental Procedure
Begin by reviewing and determining the appropriate
equations governing the static deflection of cantilevered
beams. Use the flexure formula for beams and beam
deflection theory to determine relationships for the elastic
modulus E in terms of: (1) the vertical deflection ; and (2)
axial strain for a point loading at a specified location (x) on
a cantilevered beam.

Part I. Deflection-Based Modulus Determination

A.
Measure the beam width (b) and height (h) at four marked sections along the length of
the beam. Record uncertainties in these measurements. Note that one of these sections
will be used for attachment of the single element strain gage in Part II. Also record the
beam length L.
B.

Clamp the beam to the surface of the bench and locate the free end approximately 25 cm
from the clamp. Make sure that the beam is rigidly constrained at its root - use two steel
plates to sandwich the beam and clamp to a table using a C-clamp. Note that the
cantilevered boundary conditions require that the beam be rigidly constrained at its root;
(i.e., zero deflection and zero slope)
i)

Apply a minimum of five loads P to a fixed point near the free end of the beam
(i.e., at location x in the figure above). The loads should be chosen to produce
measurable deflections (P). Be careful to not over-deflect the beam (what error
would be introduced into our modeling of this problem?). Obtain an estimate of
the uncertainty in the load and record this.

ii)

Measure the beam deflection using a suitable displacement-measuring device

(e.g. precision dial micrometer). Record the load and deflection: before loading,

ME 124 Spring 2004

Expt. 1: Beam Stiffness

after loading and once again after unloading. Observe whether the beam returns
to its original position. Estimate the uncertainty in the deflection measurement.
iv)

Carefully measure the moment arm length x (and its uncertainty) to the beam root.

PART II. STRAIN GAGE-BASED MODULUS DETERMINATION

This exercise will consist of:
preparation of the beam surface, application of the single element strain gage, and attachment
of lead" wires.
measurement of the strains following cantilever loading of the beam.
A.

Carefully follow the Strain Gage Installation instructions on pages 17 - 25 of the

Measurements Group handout (Bulletin 309C) and perform the following:
Install a single element strain gage (MM CEA-13-240UZ-120) on the beam. Do not place
the gage too close to the ends of the beam (one end will be clamped, the other strain free).
Make note of the resistance, gage factor, transverse sensitivity, etc. of the gage. Be sure to
obtain a General Information sheet.

B.

Solder color-coded lead wires to each of the tabs using a two wire configuration.

C.

Clamp the strain gage beam to the surface of the bench and locate the free end approximately
25 cm from the clamp as per Part I (use same set-up as Part I). Set up the Measurements
Group/Vishay P-3500 portable strain conditioner to record the strain output from your
strain gage. You will need to balance the unit and enter the correct gage factor. Also be sure
to wire the strain gage for the quarter-bridge configuration.

D.

Measure the strain using a series of loads P (minimum of five) at point x. Choose loads
which produce strains in the approximate range of 200 - 1000 microstrain (). Record
the load/strain data and the associated uncertainty.

ME 124 Spring 2004

Expt. 1: Beam Stiffness

Report Preparation Guidelines

Part I Deflection Data
A)
Tabulate the load (P) and deflection () data obtained in Part I.
B)
Plot P versus ; include error bars on your data points.
C)
Determine the slope of your plot from a linear least squares regression fit; indicate the
goodness of fit for the regression.
D)
Using the flexural equation for a beam
d 2
EI 2 = M ( x)
dx
derive an expression relating the beam deflection to P, L, E, and I and determine the
elastic modulus of the cantilever beam. Express this relation in the form =kP, where k is
a constant depending on E, I, and L. What is the expression for k?
E)
Use the slope determined in Part C and the theoretical value for k to determine an
experimental value for E. Estimate an uncertainty for your empirical value of E. Compare
your measured value with a handbook value. Does your result agree, within uncertainty,
with the handbook value? What factors contribute to observed differences (if any) between
the theoretical and experimental values?
Part II - Strain Data
A)
Tabulate the Load P (N) and strain () obtained in Part II.
B)
Correct the strain readings using the transverse sensitivity value indicated on the General
Information sheet (Micro-Measurements Division) which accompanied the gages. A Tech
Note (Measurements Group TN-509) is provided to assist with this process.
C)
Plot P versus ; include error bars on your data points.
D)
Determine the slope of your plot from a linear least squares regression fit; indicate the
goodness of fit for the regression.
E)
Beginning with the equation for the bending stress of a beam
My
,
=
I
determine a relationship between the applied load and the axial strain on the beam top
surface. It should be of the form =kP, where k is a constant which depends on the beam
and loading geometry and the elastic modulus.
F)
Use the slope determined in Part C and the theoretical value for k to determine an
experimental value for E. Estimate an uncertainty for your empirical value of E Compare
your measured value with a handbook value. Does your result agree, within uncertainty,
with the handbook value? What factors contribute to observed differences (if any) between
the theoretical and experimental values?
References
Gere & Timoshenko, Mechanics of Materials 4/e, PWS Publishing Company, Boston, 1997.

Measurements Group, Inc., Student Manual for Strain Gage Technology, Bulletin 309D
ME 124 Spring 2004

Expt. 1: Beam Stiffness