Mechanics of Materials Lab Reports Experiment No.

EXPERIMENT NO. 7
“To determine diametrical deflection of a quarter circular bar
subjected to vertical loading”
1 Objective
i. To analyze the effect of loading in quarter circular ring with differential geometrical
parameters.
ii. To compare deflection components in rings experimentally.

2 Apparatus
v. Curved bar apparatus
vi. Quarter circular ring
i. Vernier caliper
ii. Meter Rod
iii. Dial Indicator gauge iv. Weight and weight pans

3 Introduction
When a vertical load is applied to a quarter circular beam, both horizontal and vertical
displacement of the beam takes place. In this experiment, we will determine the deflection of the
circular beam using Castigliano’s theorem. We will also discuss the types of circular beam or
curved beam and the method to determine their slope and deflection when subjected to
diametrical or horizontal loading.

4 Theory
4.1 Load
“Any external force acting on a body is called load.”
Loads can be classified into number of categories but on the basis of the axis upon which the
load acts there are two types of load:
iii. Axial Load
iv. Radial Load
4.1.1 Axial load
“The type of load acting along the longitudinal axis of any member or shaft is called Axial
load.”
4.1.2 Radial load
“The type of load acting perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of member is called Radial load.”

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Mechanics of Materials Lab Reports Experiment No. 7

Figure 1: Radial and Axial Load [1]

4.2 Castigliano’s theorem

Castigliano’s theorem is one of the fundamental principles to determine the force or
displacement of a linearly elastic system. It states that:
“If the elastic strain energy U of the system can be expressed as a function of the generalized
force G then the partial derivative of the strain energy with respect to generalized force give the
generalized displacement δG.”

Mathematically,
∂U
δG = ∂ G

Depending upon the type of load δG may be linear or rotational.

Figure 2: Sense of δG [2]

In the case a system (beam system) is subjected to bending stress, the Castigliano’s theorem can
be written as:

G =  L M2 ds

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Mechanics of Materials Lab Reports Experiment No. 7

G  2EI 
0 
OR,

G =  M M ds

Where 

M = bending moment E
E = Young’s Modulus I
I = Moment of Inertia
L G

0
s = distance along the length of beam

4.3 Curved Beams

In many practical applications, beams are not straight rather they are curved in the form of
circular arcs. There are two types of curved beams:
iii. Thin Curved Beams
iv. Thick Curved Beams
4.3.1 Thin Curved Beams
“The type of curved beam in which the beam’s depth is very small as compare to the radius of
curvature is called thin curved beam.”
4.3.2 Thick Curved Beams
“The type of curved beam in which the beam’s depth is comparable with the radius of curvature
is called thick curved beam.”

4.4 Derivation

Figure 3: Curved Bar subjected to load F [3]

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Mechanics of Materials Lab Reports Experiment No. 7

Consider a quarter circular beam of radius R, rectangular cross section having area bd subjected
to force F.
4.4.1 Vertical Deflection
Since the only force acting in the vertical direction is V. Therefore, the moment of the force is:
M VR= sin
Taking partial derivation w.r.t V, we have
M =Rsin
V
Using Castigliano’s Theorem, we have

V

Since ds = Rdθ, we have



12
L

= M M ds  EI V
0

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Mechanics of Materials Lab Reports Experiment No. 7

V = EI 0(VRsin)(Rsin )Rd

 

V =VREI3 2(

2 d
=VR3

 1−cos2
2

2d sin 

) EI
0 0

OR,


V =VR2EI3 − sin22 02


Applying the limits, we have

V = VR2EI3 −0− 12(sin−sin0)

2 
And finally, we have

VR3
V =
4.4.2 Horizontal Deflection 4EI
Since no force is acting in the horizontal direction, therefore, a dummy load H is
applied in the horizontal direction as shown in Figure 3. Now, the net moment is:
M VR= sin+H R R( − cos )
M VR= sin+HR(1−cos)
Taking partial derivative w.r.t H, we have

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Mechanics of Materials Lab Reports Experiment No. 7

M
=R(1−cos)
H
Using Castigliano’s theorem, we have
L

H = M M ds
 EI H
0

Putting the values, we have



12
H = EI 0VRsin+HR(1−cos)R(1−cos )Rd

Putting H = 0, we have
 

12 VR3 2
 
H = EI VRsinR(1−cos )Rd = EI 0sin(1−cos )d
0

V
R
3

H = EI 0(sin   −sin cos )d

OR,


VR 
3
sin22

H = EI −cos− 2 0

Applying the limits, we have

H =VR EI3 −cos 2 −cos0− 12sin22 −sin 02 =VR

EI3 −(0 1− −) 12(1 0− )

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Mechanics of Materials Lab Reports Experiment No. 7

H =VREI3 1−12

And,
VR3
H =
2EI
5 Procedure
i. First of all, check the zero error and least count of instruments used in the
experiments e.g. Vernier caliper etc.
ii. Using the Vernier caliper measure the width and thickness of the quarter
circular beam.
Then using the beam rod, determine the diameter of the beam.
iii. Position and fix the dial indicator gauge on the ring to get the desired
deflection. iv. Level the whole apparatus using the leveling screws at the
bottom and level indicator.
v. Apply a small load by adding a weight on the hanger.
vi. Note the deflection in dial indicator gauges (horizontal and vertical).
vii. Keep adding weights with regular increments and note the dial indicator
reading for each successful addition.
viii. Note the dial gauge reading while unloading the weights one by one. ix.
Calculate the mean deflection in using and vertical direction using
formulas.
x. Determine the difference between the experimental and theoretical values of
deflection.
6 Observations and Calculations
Following are the observations and calculations:

6.1 Zero Errors

Zero error of Vernier calipers: Nil
Zero error of Dial gage Indicator: Nil

6.2 Least counts

Least count of Vernier calipers = 0.01cm
Least Count of Dial Indicator Gauge (Vertical) = 0.001in
Least Count of Dial Indicator Gauge (Horizontal) = 0.001in

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Mechanics of Materials Lab Reports Experiment No. 7

6.3 Dimensions of Curved Bar

Following are dimensions of curved bar:
Width = b = 1.05in
Thickness = h = 0.201in

bh
Moment of Inertia = I = 123 -4
in4
= 2.7 × 10

Radius = R = 8.315 in
Table 4: Theoretical and Experimental values of Deflections

Theoretical
Percentage
Experimental deflection Experimental deflection Load
Deflection
Error
No. Vertical
Hori
WR3 πWR3
Load unload Avg Load unload Avg 2EI 4EI
Sr.
Horizontal Vertical Horizontal

(lb) (in) (in) (in) (in) (in) (in)

0.5 0.008 0.007 0.0075 0.0105 (in)
1. 0.011 0.01075 0.0069 0.01095
8 1.86
2. 1 0.017 0.0165 0.01675 0.024 0.0245 0.02425 0.0139 0.0219 17.01
3. 1.5 0.026 0.0265 0.02625 0.0375 0.0375 0.0375 0.0209 0.0329 20.38 1
4. 2 0.0345 0.0345 0.0345 0.051 0.052 0.0515 0.029 0.0439 15.94 1
5. 2.5 0.0435 0.0435 0.0435 0.0645 0.0645 0.0645 0.035 0.0548 19.54 1

7 Discussion
Castiglino’s Theorem is one the most efficient method in the analysis of beam
subjected to various form of loading. It can be used to determine the slope
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Mechanics of Materials Lab Reports Experiment No. 7

and deflection at any point along the length of beam using strain energy
method. It can also be used to analyze the curved bar.
The difference between the experimental and theoretical values may be due
to following reasons: (1) Friction between the dial indicator gauge and the
beam surface, (2) Continuous loading and loading of the beam that produces
permanent deformation in the material. (3) Effect of atmospheric conditions
such as temperature etc. (4) Improper adjustment of the dial indicator gauge.

8 References
[1] [Link]
[Link]
[2] [Link]
[Link]/web/library/enginfo/textbooks_dvd_only/DAN/MST/thin/
[Link]
[3] [Link]
[Link]/web/library/enginfo/textbooks_dvd_only/DAN/MST/thin/
[Link]
[4] [Link]
[Link]/web/library/enginfo/textbooks_dvd_only/DAN/
MST/thin/[Link] [5] [Link]
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