Objectives:
Familiarize students with beam deflection calculations, which are one of the fundamental parts of strength of materials.
Discussion Topics:
Beam deflection is based on the following:
- How the beam is supported - Introduction to free body diagrams
- Length of the beam
- Loading (point load vs. distributed load) replica handbags
- Cross-sectional geometry of the beam (Moment of Inertia)
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Type of material the beam is constructed from (Modulus of Elasticity)
Classroom Practice (with other supporting materials):
- Set up a simple beam loading experiment where the students can use indicators to measure deflection to see if the theoretical matches actual
- Independently change the material, geometry, and support of the beam to see how the deflection changes
- Change the load to see how the deflection changes
