Guide Questions

1. In all of the trials, the measured deflection is greater than the calculated deflection. The
difference came from experiment errors such as inaccurate measurement of the length of
the beam and inaccurate usage or reading of dial gauge. Another factor is the calculation of
the beam deflection. In cantilever beam, weight of the beam is crucial because without any
additional loads the weight of the beam will already create deflection in the beam.

2. The Cantilever is fixed at one end. It is applicable for creating structures such as
balconies and extension over ground , cantilever bridges, cantilever truss
bridges, facades, roofs, and temporary structures in construction to support
formworks.

Analysis
A cantilever is a rigid structural element, such as a beam or a plate, anchored at only one
end to a (usually vertical) support from which it is protruding; this could also be a perpendicular
connection to a flat vertical surface such as a wall. Cantilevers can also be constructed
with trusses or slabs. When subjected to a structural load, the cantilever carries the load to the
support where it is forced against by a moment and shear stress

In the first part of the experiment, we put increasing loads on the free end of the cantilever
beam. For each trial we added 1N to the load giving us 2N, 3N and 4N for each of the trials. Each time
we added 1N, the deflection of the beam measured by the dial gauge for deflection measurement
increases giving us values of 3.90 mm, 4.90 mm and 5.90 mm.

On the second part of the experiment, we put a constant load on different lengths from the
fixed end of the beam. The lengths that we got are 180 mm, 250 mm and 330 mm which gave us
deflection value of 0.90 mm, 1.41 mm and 2.86 mm. Analyzing the values given by the experiment, it
can be seen that as we increase the length of the load from the fixed point or as we put the load farther
from the fixed point, the deflection measured increases.

Conclusion

After completing the experiment, we determined the expected deformation on the cantilever
beam. We concluded that in cantilever beam, the greater the load applied to the free end, the greater
the deflection of the beam will be. We also concluded that the greater the distance of the load from the
fixed support of cantilever, the greater the deflection of the beam will be in cantilever beam and that
the greatest deflection is located at the free end of the cantilever which is the greatest distance from
the fixed support.

The errors that we got are due to inaccurate measurement of the length of the cantilever where
we put the loads and inaccurate reading of the deflection when using the dial gauge. Some errors also
came from the calculation of the calculated value. In the set-up of the experiment, the deflection
measured by the dial gauge that represents the original position already includes the weight of the
beam, however we still added the deflection due to weight in the calculated value.
Reflection

Through the experiment I was able to understand how the cantilever beam works in actual or in
application. The experiment showed that the theoretical assumption is the same in the application and
thus gave assurance in the knowledge learned in beam deflections. In this experiment we had big errors
in the deflection value. To improve this, we must be precise in our computation of the calculated values.
It is important because in real life, small errors, specially in construction, can cause a lot of lives. In doing
the experiment, I think we must be more careful in doing the measurements specially while reading the
dial gauge. Small tap or movements increases the rotation of the dial gauge which causes big errors in
the experimental values in the experiment.