Loading and Buckling of Struts.
Tests different types of struts and shows how they deflect under load
Connects to a Versatile Data Acquisition System
Experiments
Demonstration of buckled (crippled) shape of struts with different end conditions.
Determination of load/deflection curves and buckling loads for struts of different lengths
and cross‐sections, with any combination of ‘pinned’ or clamped end fixings.
Comparing experiment results with those using Euler’s buckling theory
Investigation of the effects of side load and eccentric loading on strut buckling
characteristics.
Flexural rigidity and buckling loads for struts of different materials.
The use of Southwell’s method to estimate buckling loads and strut eccentricities from
experimental results.
Determination of flexural rigidity and comparison with calculated values.
Deflections of a simply supported beam with a point load including the verification of
Flexural rigidity and buckling loads for struts of a further range of different materials.
Tests on typical engineering sections (circular, angle, channel and irregular section
specimens); the significance of the neutral axes; combined bending and twisting due to
eccentric loading.
The effect of flexibility in end fixings.
Tests on a compound strut with imperfect shearing connections between the two
components.
Specifications
The axial force is displayed on a separate Load Meter with peak hold facility
A digital indicator fixed to a movable slide measures the deflected shapes of the struts, and is
able to be mounted in two positions to allow for beam bending measurements
Includes a lateral pull attachment comprising an adjustable weight hanger, knife edge hanger
and pulley assembly, for students to apply light biasing loads, or larger side loads, as needed
o Biasing weights: 1 x 10 g weight hanger and 50 x 10 g weights
Loading device: Screw with linear and thrust bearing
Load measuring device: Electronic load cell, with digital readout of force (digital load meter)
1 to 2000 N capacity and output to the Versatile Data Acquisition System
Includes eccentric end fittings to apply out‐of‐centre loads, allowing two different out‐ofcentre
loading distances to be applied at 5 mm and 7.5 mm on a 3 mm strut
Maximum strut length allowable 800 mm in fixed‐fixed ends configuration
Deflection measurement: Digital indicator 0 to 25 mm in 0.01 mm increments, with output to
the Versatile Data Acquisition System Compatible with a Versatile Data Acquisition System
Standard Struts (nominal):
1 off mild steel, 20 mm x 3 mm, length 750 mm
1 off mild steel, 20 mm x 3 mm, length 700 mm
1 off mild steel, 20 mm x 3 mm, length 650 mm
1 off mild steel, 20 mm x 3 mm, length 625 mm
1 off mild steel, 20 mm x 3 mm, length 600 mm
1 off mild steel, 20 mm x 3 mm, length 550 mm
1 off mild steel, 15 mm x 4 mm x 750 mm
1 off mild steel, 10 mm x 5 mm x 750 mm
1 off Brass, 19 mm x 4.8 mm x 750 mm
1 off Aluminium, 19 mm x 4.8 mm x 750 mm
Net dimensions and weight: 1350 mm long x 500 mm wide x 500 mm high and 24 kg