Bending Moments in a Portal Frame (Next Generation Structures)

One of a range of experiment modules that fit to the Structures platform (STS1, available separately), this product helps students to understand the bending moments around a portal frame due to a loads. Students add vertical or horizontal or combinational loads to a portal frame held between two fixing blocks. They may also add loads to moment arms on the vertical members (columns) of the frame. These simulate the effect of internal and external cantilever floors of a structure. Strain gauges at key points around the portal measure the strains and in turn the bending moment due to the loads.

A precision indicator measures any horizontal deflection (sway) due to the load. The positions of the strain gauges and resulting measured bending moments allow students to plot bending moment diagrams for the frame for different loading conditions, allowing comparison to calculated results.

Students use textbook analysis methods to predict the bending moments at key positions, along with the sway magnitude (if any).

This product includes a Vernier caliper for accurate measurement of cross-section.

The strain gauges connect to a strain gauge amplifier which connects (with the deflection indicator) to the USB interface hub of the Structures platform for computer display and data acquisition.