Scudley said:Do you want to know how to measure the actual curvature of an existing structure or predict the curve of a planned structure?
If you want to predict: If the beam is straight and and a steel section, it is not that complicated, it gets more complicated if the monorail track is concrete. It get very complicated if the beam curves. There are mathematics that allow you to calculate the curve of the unloaded beam as well as under load.
jamesd2008 said:Don't know if this is any help but here is the engineers bending theory equation
M/I=sigma/y=E/R
were
M=moment
I=second moment of area
Sigma=stress
y=neutral axis
E=youngs modulus
R=The radius of curviture of the beam
FredGarvin said:What size is this beam? Are we talking something that is very large or just a lab experiment?
FredGarvin said:With something that long, have you looked into the possibility of a transit used by surveyors? They can be quite accurate.
Beam curve measurement is a method used to determine the shape and intensity distribution of a light beam. It involves placing a detector at various positions along the beam path and measuring the light intensity at each point. This data is then used to create a curve that illustrates the shape of the beam.
Beam curve measurement is important for a variety of reasons. It allows for the characterization and optimization of optical systems, ensuring that light is properly focused and directed. It also helps to identify any aberrations or distortions in the beam, which can affect the accuracy and precision of scientific experiments and industrial processes.
Beam curve measurement is typically performed using a laser beam profiler or a beam profiler camera. These devices use either a scanning slit or a CCD camera to capture the intensity distribution of the beam at different points along its path. The data is then processed and plotted to create a beam profile curve.
Several factors can affect the accuracy of beam curve measurement. These include the quality and alignment of the optical components, the stability of the light source, and the sensitivity and calibration of the detector. Environmental factors such as temperature and air currents can also impact the accuracy of the measurement.
Beam curve measurement has a wide range of practical applications in fields such as astronomy, medicine, and industrial manufacturing. It can be used to optimize laser systems for medical procedures, to ensure the accuracy of optical telescopes and microscopes, and to improve the efficiency of laser cutting and welding processes. It is also useful in research and development for characterizing new optical materials and designs.