HARDWARE
The experiment hardware fits onto the Structures Test Frame (STR1, available separately). Students use masses on weight hangers to apply various loads to a portal frame.
A backplate holding the portal fits to the Test Frame. The portal has three members: a horizontal beam and two vertical members or ‘legs’ joined at two upper corners. All members are of the same material and have the same flexural rigidity (IE value). The backplate holds the bottom of the portal legs to form rigid fixings. The portal has sixteen strain gauges - eight along its horizontal member and four along each vertical member. The gauges connect to the Structures Digital Strain Display (supplied) to display their measured strain.
As students apply loads, they use the measured strain to find the bending moment at the gauge positions and plot them on a diagram. They can then check the diagram against one created from theory.
The hardware includes a digital indicator to measure horizontal deflection (sway) in the portal. It also includes a pulley bracket so students can apply horizontal loads and compare sway direction with that predicted from theory.
The hardware also includes two removable moment arms. Students may fit one or both moment arms to the frame to simulate internal or external floor supports on the sides of a portal structure. Students can find the bending moments caused by these supports and compare with theory.
The lecturer guide provides details of the equipment including sample experiment results. The student guide describes how to use the equipment and gives experiment procedures.
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VIRTUAL EXPERIMENTS
The Bending Moments in a Portal Frame Experiments Software enables computer simulation of experiments working with or without the Structures teaching hardware. As well as all the experiments possible with the hardware, the software extends investigations further. For example: using higher loads, uniform loads or different test specimens
During experiments, the software displays a force diagram. Students can visualise, tabulate and graph data, reducing the time required for students to obtain, process and present results. This allows students to realistically, efficiently and conveniently investigate the characteristics of a simple suspension bridge.
The Virtual Experiments Software is available in a variety of multi-user and networked options, as well as single-user format.
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