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Question

A simply supported beam is under a uniformly distributed load (UDL) along the full span. The mid-span deflection is measured as 24 mm. If the length and depth of the beam is doubled while keeping other parameters unchanged, the mid-span deflection is _____________ mm. (answer in integer)

Problem Analysis:

  • We are given a simply supported beam under a Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL).
  • Initial mid-span deflection ($\delta_1$) is 24 mm.
  • The beam's length (L) and depth (D) are doubled ($L_2 = 2L_1$, $D_2 = 2D_1$).
  • Other parameters (UDL intensity 'w', Young's Modulus 'E', beam width 'b') remain constant.
  • We need to find the new mid-span deflection ($\delta_2$).

Deflection Formula Explanation

The mid-span deflection ($\delta$) for a simply supported beam under a UDL (w) over its full span (L) is given by the formula:

$ \delta = \frac{5 w L^4}{384 E I} $

Where:

  • $L$ = Beam Length
  • $E$ = Young's Modulus of the beam material
  • $I$ = Moment of Inertia of the beam's cross-section

For a rectangular cross-section with width '$b$' and depth '$D$', the Moment of Inertia is:

$ I = \frac{b D^3}{12} $

Substituting $I$ into the deflection formula:

$ \delta = \frac{5 w L^4}{384 E \left( \frac{b D^3}{12} \right)} = \frac{5 \times 12 w L^4}{384 E b D^3} = \frac{60 w L^4}{384 E b D^3} $

Since $w, E, b$ are constant, the deflection is proportional to $\frac{L^4}{D^3}$:

$ \delta \propto \frac{L^4}{D^3} $

Deflection Calculation Steps

  1. Initial State ($\delta_1$): Let the initial length be $L_1$ and initial depth be $D_1$. $ \delta_1 \propto \frac{L_1^4}{D_1^3} $ We are given $\delta_1 = 24$ mm.
  2. Final State ($\delta_2$): The new length is $L_2 = 2L_1$ and the new depth is $D_2 = 2D_1$. $ \delta_2 \propto \frac{L_2^4}{D_2^3} $
  3. Substituting new dimensions: $ \delta_2 \propto \frac{(2L_1)^4}{(2D_1)^3} $ $ \delta_2 \propto \frac{16 L_1^4}{8 D_1^3} $ $ \delta_2 \propto 2 \left( \frac{L_1^4}{D_1^3} \right) $
  4. Relating $\delta_2$ to $\delta_1$: Since $\delta_1 \propto \frac{L_1^4}{D_1^3}$, we can write: $ \delta_2 \propto 2 \left( \frac{L_1^4}{D_1^3} \right) $ Therefore, $\delta_2$ is twice the proportionality factor that gives $\delta_1$. $ \delta_2 = 2 \times \delta_1 $
  5. Final Calculation: $ \delta_2 = 2 \times 24 \text{ mm} = 48 \text{ mm} $

Conclusion

By doubling the length and depth of the beam, while keeping other parameters constant, the mid-span deflection increases by a factor of 2. The new mid-span deflection is 48 mm.

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Important Questions from Strength of Materials

  1. A simply-supported steel beam made of an I-section has a span of $8 \text{ m}$. The beam is carrying a uniformly distributed load of $15 \text{ kN/m}$. The overall depth of the beam is $450 \text{ mm}$. The moment of inertia of the beam section is $18000$ cm$^4$. The maximum bending stress in the beam will be _________ N/mm$^2$. [in integer]
  2. A simply supported RCC beam of cross section $0.4 \text{ m} \times 0.6 \text{ m}$ covers a span of $8 \text{ m}$. It is subjected to a uniformly distributed load of $30 \text{ kN/m}$. If the unit weight of concrete is $24 \text{ kN/m}^3$, the tensile stress (in $N/mm^2$, rounded off to two decimal places) at the bottom of the beam at mid-span is______

  3. A rectangular beam section of size 300 mm (width) X 500 mm (depth) is loaded with a shear force of 600 kN. The maximum shear stress on the section in N/mm² is ___________

  4. A steel I-beam section is subjected to a bending moment of 96 kN-m. The moment of inertia of the beam section is $24,000 \text{ cm}^4$. The bending stress at 100 mm above the neutral axis of the beam in MPa will be ________
  5. A simply supported beam AB has a clear span of 7 meter. The bending moment diagram (BMD) of the beam due to a single concentrated load is shown in the figure below.

    The magnitude of the concentrated load in kN is __________.

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