Curved Bars Apparatus

A bench mounted base supports a variety of Curved Bars Apparatus in the form of a ring, semi-circle or quadrant/davit. Loads are applied by specially designed weight hangers so that the specimen bends. The theoretical deflections of curved shapes are most easily found by applying strain energy ideas, such as Castigliano's first theorem. The shapes chosen in Curved Bars Apparatus provide a relatively easy introduction to the use of such techniques. Horizontal and vertical deflections are measured by dial gauges rigidly attached to the base and surrounding pillars. All specimens, weight hangers and a set of calibrated weights are supplied. The Curved Bars Apparatus can be readily changed and the position of the dial gauges relocated to measure the deflections of the new configuration.

Experimental Capabilities:
To compare with theoretical estimates using strain energy theories such as Castigliano's first theorem.
To experimentally determine the vertical and horizontal deflections of various Curved Bars whose cross sectional dimensions are small compared with the bar radius.

The shapes chosen in Curved Bars Apparatus provide a relatively easy introduction to the use of such techniques. The theoretical deflections of Curved Shapes are most easily found by applying strain energy ideas, such as Castigliano's first theorem.