Deflection in a Simply supported beam

  • Thread starter Thread starter pukb
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Beam Deflection
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a simply supported beam subjected to a central load of 150 kN, where a finite element (FE) solver indicates a maximum displacement of approximately 4 mm, while theoretical calculations suggest around 11 mm. Observations reveal no hourglassing in the model, but a compression of about 0.8 mm at the center is noted. The beam's dimensions and material properties indicate that it is significantly overloaded, with calculated bending stress exceeding the elastic range of the material. This discrepancy raises concerns about the validity of both the FE results and the theoretical deflection formula, suggesting potential failure of the beam under the applied load.
pukb
Messages
94
Reaction score
1
Hi All

As shown in the attached image, I have a simply supported beam with a load of 150kN acting at the center of the beam span.
E = 210 GPa
rho = 7800 kgm-3
span = 250 mm

After solving this in FE solver, I got maximum displacement to be ~4mm (at node 52)
But, on using the theoretical relation of delta = P* l^3 / (48*E*I), it is about ~11mm.

Can somebody please help me on this ? how to co-relate this.

Some observations:
1. There is no hourglassing.
2. Beam looks compressed by about 0.8mm at the center at the end of solution.
 

Attachments

  • ss_beam.png
    ss_beam.png
    36.5 KB · Views: 688
Engineering news on Phys.org
Just eyeballing your problem, it appears you have a short, deep beam with a central load applied. The standard beam formulas for deflection are generally applicable to long slender beams where shear deflection doesn't need to be taken into account. The standard formulas are also approximations which assume that the slope of the beam in the deflected condition is very small. Without knowing more about the cross section of you beam, I can't provide any more insight into your dilemma.
 
Cross section:
Thickness = 2mm
height = 50 mm
 
pukb said:
Hi All

As shown in the attached image, I have a simply supported beam with a load of 150kN acting at the center of the beam span.
E = 210 GPa
rho = 7800 kgm-3
span = 250 mm

After solving this in FE solver, I got maximum displacement to be ~4mm (at node 52)
But, on using the theoretical relation of delta = P* l^3 / (48*E*I), it is about ~11mm.

Can somebody please help me on this ? how to co-relate this.

Some observations:
1. There is no hourglassing.
2. Beam looks compressed by about 0.8mm at the center at the end of solution.

pukb said:
Cross section:
Thickness = 2mm
height = 50 mm

Doing some simple calculations, your simply supported beam is wildly overloaded, with the calculated bending stress lying far outside the elastic range for the material used to construct it. Therefore, any deflections you are calculated using the deflection formula for a simply supported beam are certainly incorrect. The deflection your FE solver is giving you is suspect as well: this beam should probably have snapped in two.

Code:
Beam test:

L = 250 mm

depth = 50 mm
width =   2 mm

E = 210 GPa

P = 150 kN @ L/2

Simple supports

M = PL/4 = 150 kN * 0.25/4 = 9375 N-m

d = PL^3/(48EI)

I = (1/12)*0.002*0.05^3
I = 2.083E-8 m^4

d = 150000(0.25)^3/(48*210*10^9*2.083*10^-8)

d = 0.0111 m = 11.1 mm deflection

sigma = My/I = 9375 * 0.025 / 2.083*10^-8

sigma = 1.125*10^10 Pa = 11.25 GPa bending stress

yield strength = 186-758 MPa for steel

1 MPa = 145 psi

yield strength = 26970 - 109910 psi for carbon steels
 
How did you find PF?: Via Google search Hi, I have a vessel I 3D printed to investigate single bubble rise. The vessel has a 4 mm gap separated by acrylic panels. This is essentially my viewing chamber where I can record the bubble motion. The vessel is open to atmosphere. The bubble generation mechanism is composed of a syringe pump and glass capillary tube (Internal Diameter of 0.45 mm). I connect a 1/4” air line hose from the syringe to the capillary The bubble is formed at the tip...
Thread 'Physics of Stretch: What pressure does a band apply on a cylinder?'
Scenario 1 (figure 1) A continuous loop of elastic material is stretched around two metal bars. The top bar is attached to a load cell that reads force. The lower bar can be moved downwards to stretch the elastic material. The lower bar is moved downwards until the two bars are 1190mm apart, stretching the elastic material. The bars are 5mm thick, so the total internal loop length is 1200mm (1190mm + 5mm + 5mm). At this level of stretch, the load cell reads 45N tensile force. Key numbers...
I'd like to create a thread with links to 3-D Printer resources, including printers and software package suggestions. My motivations are selfish, as I have a 3-D printed project that I'm working on, and I'd like to buy a simple printer and use low cost software to make the first prototype. There are some previous threads about 3-D printing like this: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/are-3d-printers-easy-to-use-yet.917489/ but none that address the overall topic (unless I've missed...
Back
Top