Understanding Fixed End Beam Theory and Modeling Stress/Strain

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the theory and modeling of stress and strain in a fixed end beam subjected to multiple loads. Participants share observations from a lab experiment involving a 1m beam with loads applied at specific points, and they seek to understand the underlying principles and calculations related to shear force, bending moments, and deflection.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes observing deflection and increasing stress in the beam with added weight, seeking to model these effects.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on the specific observations and calculations attempted, indicating a need for more information to provide assistance.
  • A participant mentions using superposition and standard bending moment equations but expresses uncertainty about their application, particularly with the Macaulay Method for fixed end beams.
  • One response suggests that superposition is appropriate and encourages checking for algebra mistakes, referencing Roark's formulas for stress and strain as a potential resource.
  • Another participant outlines a method involving force and moment equilibrium to derive equations for the forces and moments at the beam's supports, leading to calculations of shear stress.
  • A participant seeks guidance on calculating strain from the strain gauge positioned at 290mm along the beam.
  • One participant shares an equation derived from an example but struggles with solving it, expressing difficulty with calculus.
  • A participant questions the notation used in the equations and seeks clarification on the relationships between forces and reactions at the beam's supports.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various approaches to modeling the problem, with no consensus on the best method or specific calculations. Uncertainty remains regarding the application of certain equations and the interpretation of results.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention potential algebra mistakes and the need for clarification on the strain gauge's position, indicating that assumptions and definitions may affect their calculations. Some mathematical steps remain unresolved, particularly in relation to the Macaulay Method and the specific equations being used.

bakoo
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Hey

I recently observed a lab where we had a fixed end beam of 1m, and applied two loads to it at 0.25m and 0.75m.

I was trying to figure out the theory of what i had just seen, but so far coming up with nothing that actually seems close to the actual results i logged down.

This is not homework, but i want to know it incase it surfaces in the future in work, test or even real life.

/|...L1...L2...|\
/|____V______V_____|\
/|......|\


/| represents the wall/clamp/rigid fixture

L
v represents load

____ represents beam

... represents nothing as is used to format the diagram

I also want to try and model the stress /strain.

A quarter bridge strain gauge was placed in-between L1 and the clamp/wall/rigid fixture

Any help or light to shed on this problem would be great.

Maybe this would be better placed in homework too even though in theory its not?
 
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what did you observe and how did it differ from what you tried to calculate? What theories have you applied? Are you interested in the stress measurements from the strain gauge set up, or the deflection that you saw? A little more info and I'm sure somebody could help.
 
Hey

What i observed was the bending of the beam to a deflection in (mm) and the stress of the beam increasing when more weight was applied.

I want to model this. Basics are that the beam was fixed support, 1m in lengh, 2 loads applied, 6kg at 400mm and 4kg at 850mm. B and D of beam was 22.2 and 6.34 respective to give second moment of area/intertia of 471.454.

I am interested in shear-force and bending, reactions at either end, shear stress, deflection and how the stress gauge reading. Stress gauge as located at 290mm to the mid-point of the strain gauge.

So far i have tried superpossition using standard bending moment, shearforce equations and have gone wrong, i think with superpossition.

I am now trying to apple the Macaulay Method but not 100% how to apply it to a fixed end beam with 2 loads.

Any help would be most useful
 
superposition is the way to go - straightforward problem - go back and start over, looking for algebra mistakes - if you have a library handy - Roarkes formulas for stress and strain will have a textbook examples of this beam (and most other) beam problems
 
with the info you gave, i did a force equilibrium and a moment equilibrium ie Sum of forces=0 and sum of moments=0.

]----------[
a.....b

There are opposing forces in the vertical direction at a and b. So, L1+L2=Fa+Fb.
With that you can write Fa in terms of L1 and L2 and Fb. Fb can also be written in terms of L1,L2 and Fa. 2 equations, 2 unknowns

Taking moments about a (and using the convention that clockwise moments are positive), Ma=L1*(distance from L1 to a) + L2*(distance from L1 to a) + Fb*(distance from Fb to a)
then same for moments around b
Now you have 4 equations and 4 unknowns (Ma,Mb,Fa,Fb). So sub some of the equations into each other until you find the unknowns in terms of L1,L2 and the known lengths.

From this you should get the forces at a and b and use shear stress (tau)=F/A to find the shear stresses at each end. You have A (22.2*6.34).
Use the Forces to calculate the moments at the ends. That should be it.

I did some quick clacs and got shear stress at a to be 0.293MPa and at b to be 0.404MPa.

I don't understand exactly where the strain gauge is positioned and I'm still trying to figure out how you would calculate the deflection, but I hope that helps a little.
 
Thanks for that info, working back thorugh it now to see what i get.

Any ideas on how to find the strain in the strain guage?

Strain gauge (quarter bridge) is located at 290mm.
 
I have formulated this equation from some example i have found, but i don't know how to solve this equation?

[tex]\therefore\: -MA*1 + RA \frac{1^2}{2} - 29.43 * 0.4 - 19.62 * 0.85[/tex]

The example i am trying to follow is:

[tex]\therefore -\;MA * 20 + RA * \frac{20^2}{2}- \frac{20^3}{8} + \frac{10^3}{8} -6 * 5^2\;=\;0[/tex]

=

[tex]\displaystyle \therefore\;\;\;\;\;\;10\;R_a\;-\;M_a\;=\;\frac{205}{4}[/tex]


----

I don't know, and can't figure out how to achieve this result for the top formula? Calculus is not my strong point at all...
 
Last edited:
Hey

Can you confirm that

Ma = L1 * (Distance from L1 to A) * L2 (Distance from L1 to A) * fb (distance from fb to a)

Is the *L2(DL1 TO A) meant to be *L2 (Distance from L2 to A)?

I have solved for Ra, but now i am lost on how to solve for Rb

Same goes for Ma and Mb, little unsure if i have the correct answer for Ma and don't know how to find Mb.

Is the convention Fa and Fb the same as Ra and Rb? R standing for reactions?
 

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