WOODS BEAMS IN FLEXURE

AIM: To find out the Flexure properties of timber such that modulus of rupture,
modulus of elasticity, & failure.

LABORATORY SETUP

This lab experiment will measure the deflections of wooden beams that are loaded
at the midpoint of their lengths, or span. This experiment will also then compare
the observed deflections with the ones that are actually calculated
THEORY:

The main theory working behind this is wood is easily available and have lost cost
and durable so that it is used as civil engineering material.

Wood is also from light framed structural systems as well as in short span bridges
and docks. Hence, analysis of wood beam in flexure is critical.

Modulus of Rupture (R) can be calculated by

R = M/I

Where, I = Moment of Inertia i.e. b*(h^3)/12

M = Bending moment i.e. p*L/12

L = Span of Beam

B = Average width of beam

h = Average height of beam

Types of Failure in Static Bending:

(a) Simple Tension

(b) Cross grain Tension
(c) Splintery Tension
(d) Brash Tension
(e) Compression
(f) Horizontal Shear
PROCEDURE:

1. Place the wood specimen so that load will be applied at the center of
beam.

2. Apply the load continuously throughout the test at the rate of 10 in/min.

3. Record the load deflection curve up to or beyond maximum or breaking or

failure point.
 4. Finally note the load and deflection of first failure, maximum loads &
points of sudden change. Also, plot the load deformation data.

5. Find out type of Failure.

LOAD VERSUS DEFLECTION:

(Find by experimental data i.e. used from Data record)

Use 5 Data for each specimen

1. Data for first specimen:
S.No. Load(lb) Deflection(in)
1 100 0.05
2 150 0.07
3 230 0.11
4 480 0.20
5 750 0.32
2. Data for Second specimen:
S.No. Load(lb) Deflection(in)
1 190 0.13
2 350 0.23
3 440 0.29
4 570 0.37
5 620 0.43

3. Data for Third specimen:

S.No. Load(lb) Deflection(in)
1 180 0.13
2 350 0.26
3 440 0.32
4 505 0.39
5 585 0.435
GRAPH: LOAD VERSUS DEFLECTION

Conclusions

The system functions by using metal bending bars of varying thickness and
stiffness to deform the test specimen. The force applied is measured by use of a
built-in calibration and calculation system. Due to the large margin of error from
the measured and calculated results, the experimental results are not acceptable
for practical application. At maximum deflection, the percentage of error of the
experimental result for wood is 65% - 70%. One cause for this error occurs
because the equations used are accurate in small deflections and loads easily
handled by the material tested. The percentage error for steel is 60 % to 75 %.
Also, Hooke's law is only valid for a portion of the elastic range for some
materials, including wood