SIDDHARTH KRISHNA J
EXPERIMENT 5 203224023
Group 4
FLEXURAL TEST ON ROLLED STEEL JOIST
14.10.2024
AIM:
To understand the behaviour of rolled steel joist ISMB 150 under four-point loading flexural test
and to calculate the value of modulus of elasticity theoretically and graphically.
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:
• Dial gauge
• Load cell
• Meter scale
• Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
• Data acquisition systems (DAQ)
• Electrical resistance strain gauges (2)
• Digital Multimeter (DMM)
• Spreader beam
• Adhesive
THEORY:
The flexure test, also known as the Bending test, is a fundamental method used to evaluate
the mechanical properties of materials when subjected to bending forces. This test is crucial for
determining the resistance to flexing, or stiffness, of a material, which is essential for applications
where materials are expected to withstand bending stresses. The results from this test can provide
valuable insights into the structural integrity and performance of materials under load, which is
essential for safe and efficient design in engineering applications.
In a typical flexural test, a standardized specimen is bent under uniaxial bending stress using
a universal testing machine equipped with either a three-point or four-point bend fixture, depending
on the specific requirements of the material and the test.
Key Aspects of Flexural Testing:
• Flexural Strength: This property measures how well a material can resist deformation under
bending forces. It is particularly vital in construction projects where materials are often
subjected to such stresses.
• Testing Configurations: The three-point bending test involves applying a load at the midpoint
of the specimen, supported at two ends, while the four-point bending test applies two loads
symmetrically, allowing for a constant bending moment between the load points.
In this experiment, the Young's modulus of a rolled steel joist is determined by integrating
experimental load and strain data into flexural equations. The test employs a two-point loading
method to maintain a constant bending moment across the beam. A spreader beam is utilized to
ensure the load from the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) is evenly distributed across two specific
points on the beam being tested. Strain gauges are used to measure strain by detecting changes in
electrical resistance, which are then converted into strain values.
Basic assumptions of Flexural Theory:
• The plane section remains plane before bending and after bending.
• Load is applied gradually.
• Material should be homogenous, isotropic, and free from residual stress.
• The compression flange is laterally restrained.
• The material should follow Hook's law within the elastic limit.
Flexural formula:
M f E
= =
I y R
M = Bending Moment
I = Moment of Inertia
f = Bending Stress
y = Distance from Neutral axis Fig.1 Strain variation along cross section
E = Young's Modulus
R = Radius of Curvature
Moment Versus Curvature Relationship:
M 1 2ε
= =
EI R d
where ε = Strain in extreme fibre
Fig. 2 Four-point load
Deflection of simply supported beam:
1. The deflection at the center of the beam in a four-point bending test is calculated using:
Pa(3L2 −4a2 )
δ= Where:
24 EI
δ: Deflection
23 PL3 L: Total span length of the beam.
2. Deflection at middle of beam, δ =
648 EI E: Modulus of elasticity of the material.
I: Moment of inertia of the beam’s cross-section
PROCEDURE:
1. Preparation of specimen:
• The ISMB150 beam was carefully marked at the center and at one-third intervals from each
end to ensure accurate placement of the load, supports, and strain gauges.
2. Beam Support and Load Setup:
• The beam was securely positioned on the Universal Testing Machine (UTM) in a simply
supported configuration, maintaining a center-to-center distance of 900 mm.
• At the L/3 positions (i.e.,300mm from supports), two rollers were strategically placed to
promote even distribution of the load during the four-point bending test.
• Above the rollers, a spreader beam was installed to guarantee uniform load distribution
across the beam.
3. Measuring Device Setup:
• Strain gauges were affixed to the top and bottom flanges at the midpoint of the beam, where
the load application occurred, to accurately measure both tensile and compressive strains.
• The surfaces designated for the strain gauges were prepared by sanding, and the gauges
were adhered using a suitable adhesive.
• A load cell was positioned between the piston of the UTM and the spreader beam to enable
precise measurement of the applied load.
• A dial gauge was mounted on the lower flange to record vertical deflection.
4. Data Acquisition Setup:
• The strain gauges and load cell were interconnected with a Data Acquisition System (DAQ),
ensuring correct channel configurations for the collection of real-time data.
5. Loading Procedure:
• Loads were applied gradually, ensuring that the elastic limit of the beam was not exceeded.
• For each increment of 0.5 tons in load, vertical deflection values were recorded from the
dial gauge manually.
6. Graph Plotting:
• Graphs were subsequently plotted to illustrate the relationship between
o Experimental and Theoretical deflection.
o Strain vs. Depth
o Moment vs. Curvature
BEAM DATA:
• ISMB 150
• Length of beam = 900 mm
• Depth of beam = 150 mm
Fig 3. Experiment beam setup in UTM
Fig 4. Data Acquisition system
Table 1: Dial gauge readings and deflection calculation
Load Deflection Theoretical Deflection Load Deflection Theoretical Deflection
S.No. S.No.
(kN) (mm) (mm) (kN) (mm) (mm)
1 0 0 0 11 5 0.13 0.089052175
2 0.5 0.05 0.008905218 12 5.5 0.14 0.097957393
3 1 0.06 0.017810435 13 6 0.16 0.10686261
4 1.5 0.07 0.026715653 14 6.5 0.16 0.115767828
5 2 0.08 0.03562087 15 7 0.18 0.124673045
6 2.5 0.09 0.044526088 16 7.5 0.19 0.133578263
7 3 0.1 0.053431305 17 8 0.2 0.14248348
8 3.5 0.1 0.062336523 18 8.5 0.21 0.151388698
9 4 0.11 0.07124174 19 9 0.22 0.160293915
10 4.5 0.12 0.080146958 20 9.5 0.22 0.169199133
Load Deflection Theoretical Deflection Load Deflection Theoretical Deflection
S.No. S.No.
(kN) (mm) (mm) (kN) (mm) (mm)
21 10 0.23 0.17810435 56 27.5 0.53 0.489786963
22 10.5 0.24 0.187009568 57 28 0.54 0.498692181
23 11 0.25 0.195914785 58 28.5 0.55 0.507597398
24 11.5 0.26 0.204820003 59 29 0.56 0.516502616
25 12 0.26 0.21372522 60 29.5 0.56 0.525407833
26 12.5 0.27 0.222630438 61 30 0.57 0.534313051
27 13 0.29 0.231535655 62 30.5 0.58 0.543218268
28 13.5 0.29 0.240440873 63 31 0.59 0.552123486
29 14 0.3 0.24934609 64 31.5 0.59 0.561028703
30 14.5 0.3 0.258251308 65 32 0.6 0.569933921
31 15 0.31 0.267156525 66 32.5 0.61 0.578839138
32 15.5 0.33 0.276061743 67 33 0.61 0.587744356
33 16 0.33 0.28496696 68 33.5 0.62 0.596649573
34 16.5 0.34 0.293872178 69 34 0.62 0.605554791
35 17 0.35 0.302777395 70 34.5 0.63 0.614460008
36 17.5 0.35 0.311682613 71 35 0.64 0.623365226
37 18 0.36 0.32058783 72 35.5 0.65 0.632270443
38 18.5 0.37 0.329493048 73 36 0.66 0.641175661
39 19 0.38 0.338398265
40 19.5 0.39 0.347303483
41 20 0.4 0.3562087
42 20.5 0.41 0.365113918
43 21 0.42 0.374019135
44 21.5 0.43 0.382924353
45 22 0.44 0.39182957
46 22.5 0.44 0.400734788
47 23 0.45 0.409640006
48 23.5 0.45 0.418545223
49 24 0.46 0.427450441
50 24.5 0.47 0.436355658
51 25 0.48 0.445260876
52 25.5 0.49 0.454166093
53 26 0.5 0.463071311
54 26.5 0.51 0.471976528
55 27 0.52 0.480881746
Table 2: Strain gauge readings and calculations
Moment Curvature
LC 20Ton SG Top (µm/m) SG bottom (µm/m)
(kNmm) ( x 10-6 mm-1)
0 0 0 0 0
0.468 -1.5238 1.5453 70.2 0.020460667
1.04 -8.3809 8.3936 156 0.11183
1.508 -9.9047 9.8643 226.2 0.131793333
2.08 -12.9524 12.8923 312 0.172298
2.548 -18.2857 18.277 382.2 0.243751333
3.016 -19.0476 19.0042 452.4 0.253678667
3.536 -24.3809 24.4462 530.4 0.325514
4.004 -27.4286 27.4247 600.6 0.365688667
4.992 -36.5714 36.6084 748.8 0.487865333
5.512 -37.3333 37.3274 826.8 0.497738
5.98 -41.1428 41.1328 897 0.548504
6.5 -45.7143 45.7432 975 0.609716667
7.072 -51.0476 51.0474 1060.8 0.680633333
7.54 -52.5714 52.5386 1131 0.700733333
7.956 -56.3809 56.4126 1193.4 0.751956667
8.424 -59.4286 59.4819 1263.6 0.792736667
8.996 -64.7619 64.6749 1349.4 0.862912
9.516 -70.0952 70.1258 1427.4 0.934806667
9.932 -73.9047 73.9486 1489.8 0.985688667
10.452 -77.7143 77.7744 1567.8 1.036591333
11.128 -83.0476 82.97 1669.2 1.106784
11.544 -87.619 87.5745 1731.6 1.167956667
12.116 -93.7143 93.7866 1817.4 1.250006
12.48 -95.2381 95.2055 1872 1.269624
13.052 -99.8095 99.7552 1957.8 1.330431333
13.572 -105.9047 105.8581 2035.8 1.411752
13.988 -109.7143 109.7139 2098.2 1.462854667
14.508 -114.2857 114.3127 2176.2 1.523989333
14.924 -118.8571 118.8833 2238.6 1.584936
15.496 -120.3809 120.4136 2324.4 1.605296667
15.964 -128 128.0192 2394.6 1.706794667
16.536 -131.0476 131.1416 2480.4 1.747928
17.16 -140.1905 140.2672 2574 1.869718
17.524 -144 143.9929 2628.6 1.919952667
17.992 -147.8095 147.8938 2698.8 1.971355333
18.512 -149.3333 149.2869 2776.8 1.990801333
18.98 -152.3809 152.4745 2847 2.032369333
19.604 -160 160.0115 2940.6 2.13341
20.02 -164.5714 164.5062 3003 2.193850667
20.54 -169.1428 169.2398 3081 2.255884
21.008 -172.1905 172.1478 3151.2 2.295588667
21.476 -178.2857 178.2911 3221.4 2.377178667
21.944 -179.8095 179.7919 3291.6 2.397342667
22.516 -189.7143 189.6439 3377.4 2.529054667
22.88 -192 191.9165 3432 2.559443333
23.4 -195.0476 195.124 3510 2.601144
23.972 -200.3809 200.3942 3595.8 2.671834
24.44 -203.4286 203.3304 3666 2.711726667
24.856 -207.2381 207.1787 3728.4 2.762778667
25.532 -213.3333 213.4316 3829.8 2.845099333
26 -217.9047 217.8632 3900 2.905119333
26.52 -219.4286 219.5233 3978 2.926346
27.04 -223.2381 223.1819 4056 2.976133333
27.508 -226.2857 226.2514 4126.2 3.016914
27.872 -233.1428 233.159 4180.8 3.108678667
28.444 -235.4286 235.4397 4266.6 3.139122
29.016 -240 240.0635 4352.4 3.200423333
29.64 -246.8571 246.8434 4446 3.291336667
30.004 -249.9047 249.8079 4500.6 3.331417333
30.576 -255.2381 255.3038 4586.4 3.403612667
31.148 -259.8095 259.8191 4672.2 3.464190667
31.512 -262.0952 262.0318 4726.8 3.49418
31.98 -267.4286 267.375 4797 3.565357333
32.448 -271.2381 271.2474 4867.2 3.61657
33.072 -278.0952 278.0185 4960.8 3.707424667
33.592 -284.1905 284.1645 5038.8 3.789033333
34.06 -287.2381 287.2856 5109 3.830158
34.476 -292.5714 292.638 5171.4 3.901396
35.048 -294.8571 294.933 5257.2 3.931934
35.568 -303.2381 303.2957 5335.2 4.043558667
36.036 -305.5238 305.4407 5405.4 4.073096667
36.504 -308.5714 308.6328 5475.6 4.114694667
CALCULATIONS:
• Length of beam = 900 mm
• Depth of beam = 150 mm
PL 0.468×900
• Moment = = = 𝟕𝟎. 𝟐 𝐤𝐍𝐦𝐦
6 6
• Second moment of area, I = 𝟕𝟐𝟔. 𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎⁴ 𝐦𝐦⁴
SG1+SG2 1.5238+1.5453
• Curvature = = = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟖
150×106 150×106
• Slope of moment curvature graph, EI = 𝟏. 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟗 KNmm2
EI 1.3 × 109 ×103
• Modulus of Elasticity = = = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎𝟓 N/mm2
I 726.4 ×104
RESULTS:
Modulus of Elasticity, E =𝟏. 𝟕𝟗 × 𝟏𝟎𝟓 N/mm2
Load vs Deflection
40
35
30
25
Load (kN)
20
Experimental
15
Theoretical
10
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Deflection (mm)
Fig 5. Graph showing strain variation from top to bottom fibre
Moment vs Curvature Graph
6000
5000
4000
Moment (kNmm)
3000
2000
1000
0
0 0.0000005 0.000001 0.0000015 0.000002 0.0000025 0.000003 0.0000035 0.000004 0.0000045
Curvature (mm-1)
Fig 6. Graph showing curve fit for Moment vs Curvature
PRECAUTIONS:
• Ensure all equipment is calibrated and in proper working conditions.
• Apply the load gradually to avoid sudden failure or damage to equipment.
• Ensure proper alignment of the loading device to prevent unintended twisting or bending.
DISCUSSION:
The variation from theoretical value may be influenced by several factors, including:
• Material imperfections.
• Load Distribution: The testing setup ensured even load distribution, but minor discrepancies
in load application could still affect results.
• Uneven stress distribution across the beam.
• Potential inaccuracies in the measurement of applied loads or deflections.
INFERENCE:
The graph depicting the relationship between load and deflection demonstrates that the
experimental deflection values exhibit a strong correlation with theoretical predictions. This close
alignment validates the accuracy of the testing methodology, and the reliability of the theoretical
models used. In analyzing the modulus of elasticity (E) obtained from the moment versus curvature
plot, it was observed that the calculated value i.e.,1.79 × 105 N/mm² slightly deviates from the
standard modulus for steel, which generally range between 1.9 × 105 N/mm² and 2.1 × 105 N/mm².
