Lab ReportLab report: deflection of a simply supported steel beam
An engineering lab report that compares measured deflections with theory, quantifies the error, and explains where the discrepancy comes from.
- Paper type
- Lab Report
- Subject
- Engineering
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Length
- 1,800 words
- Pages
- 7 pages
- Referencing
- IEEE
The brief
Write a formal laboratory report on the beam deflection experiment. Compare measured deflections with values predicted by beam theory and discuss sources of error. 1,800 words, IEEE referencing.
Why this sample works
What a marker would single out, and what to look for as you read.
- Theory stated with every symbol defined
- Results presented in a table and plotted against prediction
- Percentage error calculated and explained, not just reported
- Conclusions that answer the stated aim
Contents
- 01AbstractIn preview
- 02Introduction and aimIn preview
- 03Theory
- 04Apparatus and method
- 05Results
- 06Discussion and sources of error
- 07Conclusion
Preview
Lab report: deflection of a simply supported steel beam
Abstract
The mid-span deflection of a simply supported steel beam was measured under central point loads from 0 N to 50 N and compared with values predicted by Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Measured deflections followed a linear relationship with load, consistent with elastic behaviour, but were on average 6.8% larger than predicted. The discrepancy is attributed mainly to support compliance and to uncertainty in the measured cross-section, which has a strong influence on the second moment of area.
1. Introduction
Predicting deflection is central to serviceability design, since a beam can be strong enough to carry its load while still deflecting enough to crack finishes or feel unsafe. The aim of this experiment was to test how accurately simple beam theory predicts the deflection of a real beam in a laboratory rig, and to identify the main sources of any difference.
2. Theory
For a simply supported beam of span L carrying a central point load W, the maximum deflection at mid-span is δ = WL³ / 48EI, where E is the Young's modulus of the material and I is the second moment of area of the cross-section [1]. For a rectangular section of breadth b and depth d, I = bd³ / 12, so deflection is highly sensitive to any error in measuring the depth.
The rest of this sample is sent on request
Free, privately, usually within the hour. Kept off the web so it never turns up in a similarity check.
Request the full sampleReferences (extract, IEEE)
- [1] R. C. Hibbeler, Mechanics of Materials, 10th ed. Harlow, U.K.: Pearson, 2017.
- [2] J. M. Gere and B. J. Goodno, Mechanics of Materials, 9th ed. Boston, MA, USA: Cengage, 2018.
Samples are reference material written for a different brief. Use them to understand structure and argument; submitting one, in whole or in part, would be an academic integrity breach.
All samples
