Load Vs Deflection Study on cantilever beam

Aim: To determine the young’s modulus of the beam material

Apparatus required: Cantilever beam, dial gauge, Vernier calipers weights, scale, knife
edged support and fixed support.

Theory:
When the loads are placed on the beam, the beam undergoes deflection. The deflection
of the beam is measured with the help of a dial gauge with the help of the relation between deflection
of beam and the load system, the young’s modulus of the material of the beam is obtained.
Cantilever beam
Description: For a bema AB which is fixed at A and free at B, a maximum deflection of ' δ' can be
effected by applying a concentrated load of W at the free end. For this loading condition, the
deflection equation is given by

This can be written as

Where
W = concentrated load at the free end in N.
L = Length of the beam in mm
B = Breadth of the beam in mm
D= Depth of the beam in mm
' δ' =Deflection of beam at free end ‘B’ in mm
I = Moment of inertia about N.A. =

Procedure:
1. Breadth (b) and depth (d) of the beam at three sections along the span is measured and
average values are taken for further calculations.
2. The load at the free end ‘B’ in four or five increments is applied and the corresponding
deflections are measured with the help of dial gauge.
3. The deflections corresponding to various loads are tabulated.
 4. A graph between load and deflection is plotted.

From graph corresponding to any two convenient points, the value of W/ ' δ' ratio is found
and the value of E is calculated with the following expression.

Observations & Calculations:

b1 + b2 + b3
Average breadth of beam, b = = mm
3
d1 + d 2 + d 3
Average depth of beam, d = = mm
3
Length of beam L = mm
bd 3
Moment of inertia I = = mm 4
12

Load at free end Deflection at free end Young’s modulus

S. No
in N In div In mm in N/mm2

Result: 1. The average young’s modulus of the given beam material E = _________
2. From graph E = __________

Model Graph: