Test-a-Beam
Components for the beam deflection testing activity.Copyright 2010 Ronald Poveda, Polytechnic Institute of NYU
Students measure different types of small-sized beams and calculate their respective moments of inertia. They compare the calculations to how much the beams bend when loads are placed on them, gaining insight into the ideal geometry and material for load-bearing beams.
Civil and mechanical engineers design structures for buildings and machines to make sure that the structures hold up under the various loading conditions that they are expected to encounter. Engineers use different types of materials and designs to achieve durable structures. Beam stiffness is essential to consider, which entails an understanding of beam material and geometry. Thus, the measurement and testing of beams, similar to students' explorations in this activity, is very important to successful structure design.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Define a beam.
- Describe beam shapes and materials that should be used for various structures.
- Explain how a beam's area moment of inertia relates to the amount of deflection that the beam allows.