Plastic Bending of Beams | FortiTestX-46
The Plastic Bending of Beams FortiTestX-46 is a structural mechanics laboratory unit for investigating collapse load and plastic bending behaviour in mild steel beams under single point loading. This plastic bending of beams apparatus provides two end supports configurable as simple supports or fixed ends, with one support incorporating horizontal travel. A fine screw jack with integral 500 N load cell applies controlled loading, and a vernier gauge measures deflection through elastic and plastic deformation regions. Three fully annealed mild steel test beams (860 mm, 8 x 8 mm) are supplied, with optional LabVIEW-based Software FX-46 for data logging and results processing. A universal frame and stand and a display unit are required for operation and sold separately.
The Plastic Bending of Beams FortiTestX-46 is a structural mechanics laboratory unit for demonstrating plastic bending theory and collapse load behaviour in mild steel beams. This plastic bending of beams apparatus provides two end supports configurable as simple supports or rigid fixed ends, with a fine screw jack and integral 500 N load cell applying a single point load. Beam deflection is measured using a vernier gauge across both elastic and plastic deformation regions.
Product Overview
The Plastic Bending of Beams FortiTestX-46 enables experimental investigation of beam behaviour beyond the elastic limit, demonstrating the increase in bending moment capacity due to end fixity and redundancy. Two end supports are provided: one is fixed in position and the other allows horizontal travel to accommodate beam deformation during loading. Both supports can be configured as simple supports using knife edges, or as fully fixed ends using clamp plates that restrict end rotation. A fine screw jack mechanism with an integral load cell applies a controlled single point load of up to 500 N to the test beam. Load cell output and vernier gauge deflection readings connect to an external display unit, sold separately. Three fully annealed mild steel test beams are supplied, each 860 mm long with an 8 x 8 mm cross-section. This plastic bending of beams unit demonstrates how additional load capacity is generated as the beam becomes redundant through end fixing, and allows measurement of the collapse load at which a plastic hinge forms. All necessary assembly and operating tools are included. The apparatus must be used with a universal frame and stand, sold separately. Optional LabVIEW-based Software FX-46 enables data logging and results processing on any Windows operating system.
Plastic Bending of Beams FortiTestX-46, Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Reference | FortiTestX-46 |
| Category | Strength of Materials and Structures |
| Test Beam Length | 860 mm |
| Test Beam Width | 8 mm |
| Test Beam Breadth | 8 mm |
| Beam Material | Fully annealed mild steel |
| Test Beams Included | 3 |
| Load Application | Fine screw jack with integral load cell |
| Load Cell Capacity | 500 N |
| Support Configuration | Simple support (knife edges) or fixed end (clamp plates) |
| Horizontal Travel Support | 1 support allows horizontal movement |
| Deflection Measurement | Vernier gauge |
| Display Unit | Not supplied, sold separately |
| Mounting Frame | Universal frame and stand, sold separately |
| Optional Software | Software FX-46 (LabVIEW-based, Windows compatible) |
Technical Data
Test Beams
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 860 mm |
| Width | 8 mm |
| Breadth | 8 mm |
| Material | Fully annealed mild steel |
| Quantity | 3 |
Load Application
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Load Cell Capacity | 500 N |
| Load Type | Single point load via fine screw jack |
Key Features
- Test Beam Dimensions: 860 mm length, 8 x 8 mm cross-section, fully annealed mild steel, 3 beams supplied
- End Support Configuration: knife edge simple supports or clamp plate fixed ends, one support with horizontal travel
- Load Application: fine screw jack with integral 500 N load cell for controlled single point loading on this plastic bending of beams apparatus
- Deflection Measurement: vernier gauge covering elastic and plastic deformation regions
- Load and Deflection Display: output connected to external display unit, sold separately
- Collapse Load Measurement: experimental determination of collapse load and plastic hinge formation
- Redundancy Demonstration: demonstrates increased bending moment capacity due to end fixity
- Mounting: requires universal frame and stand, sold separately
- Assembly Tools: all necessary assembly and operating tools included
- Optional Software: Software FX-46, LabVIEW-based, for data logging and results processing on any Windows operating system
Experiments
- Measurement of collapse load for a mild steel beam
- Study of extra load carried as beam is made redundant by end fixing
Construction and Design
The Plastic Bending of Beams FortiTestX-46 consists of two end support assemblies and a fine screw jack mechanism, all designed to mount on a universal frame and stand sold separately. One end support is fixed; the other incorporates a horizontal travel mechanism to accommodate axial movement during beam deformation. Both supports accept knife edge inserts for simple support conditions or clamp plates that restrict beam end rotation to create fully fixed end conditions. Three fully annealed mild steel test beams, each 860 mm long with an 8 x 8 mm cross-section, are loaded at mid-span by the screw jack. An integral 500 N load cell in the screw jack measures the applied force directly. A vernier gauge measures beam deflection through both elastic and plastic deformation regions. Load cell and vernier outputs connect to a display unit sold separately. This plastic bending of beams apparatus includes all assembly and operating tools, a comprehensive instruction manual for students and lecturers, and sample results. Optional Software FX-46 provides LabVIEW-based data logging and results processing compatible with any Windows operating system.
Software
Software FX-46 (Optional): LabVIEW-based software for data logging and results processing. Compatible with any Windows operating system.
Scope of Delivery
- 1 experimental unit
- 1 instruction manual
- 3 test beams
- 1 vernier gauge
Required for Operation (Sold Separately)
- Universal frame and stand
- Display unit for load cell and vernier gauge output
Q1: What end conditions can be applied using the Plastic Bending of Beams FortiTestX-46?
Both supports can be configured as simple supports using knife edges or as fully fixed ends using clamp plates that restrict end rotation. One support also allows horizontal travel to accommodate beam deformation.
Q2: What is the load cell capacity on this plastic bending of beams apparatus?
The integral load cell within the fine screw jack has a capacity of 500 N, applied as a single point load to the test beam.
Q3: What test beams are supplied with the FortiTestX-46?
Three fully annealed mild steel beams are included, each 860 mm long with an 8 x 8 mm cross-section. Further sets are available separately.
Q4: Is a display unit included in the scope of delivery?
No. The display unit for viewing applied force and deflection readings is sold separately and is required for operation.
Q5: What does the redundancy experiment demonstrate?
By converting the beam from a simply supported to a fixed-end configuration, the experiment demonstrates the additional load capacity the beam carries before collapse, illustrating the increase in bending moment due to structural redundancy.
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