Features
Low cost, effective teaching
Self-contained
Bench mounted
Experimental determination of bending moment at a beam section
Loads and supports can be placed in any position
Visual verification of the nature of bending moment
Allows investigation of stability and influence lines
Reinforces concept of equilibrium of vertical forces and moments
Optional DAQ with ‘LabView’ interface

Description
A length of material supported horizontally and carrying vertical loads is called a beam. The loading causes bending and transverse shearing. The loads and reactions are the 'external' forces acting on the beam. They must be in equilibrium. However, the strength of the beam depends on 'internal' forces or moments. This experiment demonstrates the nature of these internal forces and their dependence on the external system of forces.
The experimental beam is in two parts, joined together by a pair of low friction ball bearings. An under slung spring balance provides a resisting moment, and also allows the section bending moment to be measured. A hinged metal strip to simulate the loading pattern of paneled girder for a more advanced experiment on influence lines is available.
The beam is simply supported on end bearings and several weight hangers can be attached at any position on either side of the hinge.
This equipment is part of a range designed to both demonstrate and experimentally confirm basic engineering principles. Great care has been given to each item so as to provide wide experimental scope without unduly complicating or compromising the design. Each piece of apparatus is self contained and compact. Setting up time is minimal, and all measurements are made with the simplest possible instrumentation, so that the student involvement is purely with the engineering principles being taught.
Optionally, computer interface & sensors to DAQ software with ‘LabView’ offered.
A complete instruction manual is provided describing the apparatus, its application, experimental procedure and typical test results.

Specifications
1. Overall length: 1000mm
2. Test Span variable
3. Cross section of beam: 50mmx25mm
4. Height of support: 300mm
5. Cut section: 350mm from support
6. Electronic Force Gauge
7. Horizontal force: 150mm from centre pin
8. Force Gauge capacity: 200N
9. Digital    Force    Gauge    indicator:    0.1N resolution
10. Able to load beam at any location.
11. 3 nos, load hangers
12. 10 nos, 10N weights

Optional
Usable on ‘Tesca mounting Frame 32150
Data acquisition DAQ software, through USB available in ‘LabView’

Experiments
To  comprehend  the  action  of  moment  of resistance in a beam
To measure the bending moment at a section of a loaded beam and to compare with a Theoretical estimate
To study the definition of an influence line for bending moment