One of a range of experiment modules that fit to the Structures platform (STS1, available separately), this product provides a comprehensive set of experiments for the subject of beams and their support reactions and deflections.
The first experiments use two simple supports and a ‘rigid’ and heavy beam to examine statically determinate systems. Students learn basic principles such as moments, the principle of superposition, uniformly distributed loads (UDLs) and the concept of the influence line.
The second set of experiments relates to more advanced beam structures that are statically indeterminate or involve a measurable beam deflection. Students use a light and ‘flexible’ beam. Using a ‘flexible’ beam allows students to consider the supports significantly more rigid, so the normal textbook theory becomes valid. Two additional supports help complete the experiments. One allows measurement of the support fixing moment; the other ‘universal support’ works as a simple support, a clamped support, and a sinking knife edge support. A precision indicator on a slide can be easily positioned to measure beam deflections. All supports and the indicator slide have pointers that work with the scale and the platform for accurate position.
Note: The alternative product, Equilibrium of a Simply Supported Beam (STS22), contains the first set of this experiment module’s experiments as a more economical option if you do not need the more advanced areas of study.
Students apply loads to any position along the beams and measure the resulting reactions, deflections, and moments. They use textbook beam equations to predict the results for any given load and compare the calculated results with the measured results. This helps confirm the textbook equations' reliability and the experiment results' accuracy.
The deflection indicator has a display but it can connect (with the load cells) to the USB interface hub of the Structures platform for computer display and data acquisition.
TecQuipment's Frame Deflections and Reactions (Next Generation Structures) experiment is for the study of rectangular portals subjected to vertical loads. It mounts on the Structures platform and connects to Structures automatic data acquisition unit and software.
TecQuipment's Structures Platform is a benchtop platform that holds the 21 different experiments available in the Next Generation Structures range. TecQuipment engineering apparatuses are found in undergraduate and graduate engineering labs across the globe.
TecQuipment's Shear Force in a Beam (Next Generation Structures) illustrates and proves the basic theory of shear force in a beam. The experiment mounts on the Structures platform and connects to the Structures automatic data acquisition unit and software.
