Beam Bending Lab

Developed by the First Year Engineering Program faculty
at Ohio State University
(with support from the Gateway Engineering Education Coalition and NSF)

                                             
Overview:

Student teams will perform a bending test on a series of materials of different shapes. This test will allow the students to compare different materials and shapes by measuring the deflection using a cantilever beam.


Learning Objectives or Student Outcomes:

By the end of this lab, students will be able to work as a team to:

1. make measurements for cantilever beam bending.
2. compute the deflection of different materials and shapes.
3. understand how engineers compare different materials.
4. understand why cross-sectional shape is important in design.

Length of Workshop:

One week of lab time.

Assignment(s) to Ensure Student Preparation:

Although there is no specific assignment to ensure student preparation for the lab, different work done in the course prior to this point may come into play in completion of the exercise. The lab is introduced with a PowerPoint slide; some background information will be given to the students.

Team Size/Composition:

Teams of 4 work best; if necessary, a few teams of 3 or 5 students may be formed.

How is positive interdependence ensured?

Each team works together to complete the lab tests. Although the lab memo is written individually, it is important that all team members show the same results and come to a consensus on those results.

How is individual accountability ensured?

Individual accountability is ensured through the completion of individual lab memos/reports.

Components of Assessment:
Each student is assessed on his/her individual lab memo/report. The Beam Bending Memo Guidelines document that students receive details the breakdown of points.

Team Skills Needed for Success:

All team members must have the ability to communicate, cooperate and collaborate; they must also feel free to share their own ideas and to give and receive constructive feedback.

How Are These Skills Emphasized?
Because the teams will be conducting the lab tests together, yet turning in individual lab memos that should show consensus, these skills and the ability to work together in general are very important.

Materials Needs for Instructor:

• PowerPoint presentation system for proposal presentations
• Beam-Bending Introductory Presentation (PowerPoint presentation)
• Handouts for students (Beam Bending Lab Procedure and Beam Bending Memo Guidelines)

Materials Needed by Students:

Each team will need three cantilever beams. Two of the beams have the same cross section geometry (rectangle), but one is made of steel and the other is made of aluminum. The third beam is made up of aluminum with a smaller cross sectional area than the first two beams, but with a box cross-section. Teams will also need clamps, a magnet, a bucket and a dial indicatorOne sheet of newsprint

Content Lesson Links:

Instruction to Students

Handout

Beam Bending Introductory Presentation

Beam Bending Lab Procedure

Beam Bending Memo Guidelines

©2003, First Year Engineering Program Faculty at Ohio State University
These materials may be duplicated for educational purposes if properly credited.