Force Apparatus
Reactions of Beams Apparatus: Experimental determination of the reaction forces in the supports of a simply supported beam under various loadings. Validation of the principal of equilibrium.
- Single test beam for reactions and cantilever
- Simple force measuring and recording
- Adjustable span
Triangle of Forces Apparatus : Allows for the study of three or more coplanar forces acting at a point, on a circular disc, or on a rectangular shape.
- Direct measurement of forces
- Adjustable lines of action of forces
- Practical verification of Triangle of Forces
Polygon and Forces Apparatus : To resolve by experiment any suitable system of static coplanar forces which may or may not be concurrent.To verify graphically triangle of forces polygon of forces link polygon.
Centre of Gravity Apparatus: The centre of gravity of a shape of uniform thickness can easily be found by this apparatus. It provides a simple technique for complicated shapes, far quicker than using calculus for example.
- position of the centre of gravity
- Lines of action,moments, Equilibrium
- Six different shapes provided
Three Wire Suspension Apparatus: To investigate the possibility of redundancy in the vertical tie. To compare the sum of the vertical components of the forces in the three wires with the vertical load they support.
- Equilibrium and redundancy investigated
- Three wires suspension
- Horizontal Forces
Wall Jib Crane: Determination of forces in crane members allows for the confirmation by theory and polygon of forces.
- Crane with compression jib and tension tie
- Tension tie length adjustable
- Direct measurement and recording of forces
Derrick Crane: Determination of forces in the crane members; confirmation of theory, and polygon of forces.
- Simulates Crane
- Determines forces within JIB and TIE
- static co-planar forces
Tension Coefficients Apparatus: To determine experimentally forces induced in individual frame members.calculate the theoretical forces induced, using the method of tension coefficients.
- Three dimensional equilibrium
- Tension coefficients
- Direct reading of jib and tie loads
Toggle Joint Apparatus: Determines the horizontal reaction due to loading a toggle joint mechanism; assesses the effect of the toggle angle.
- Direct measurement of Horizontal Reaction
- Application of Velocity Diagrams
- Variable Toggle angles
Centrifugal Force Apparatus: To verify that the centrifugal force on a rotating mass is proportional to the square of the speed, mass, radius of gyration.
- Fully guard with power ‘cut-out’
- Six adjustable masses
- Speed controlled and digitally displayed
Coriolis Force Apparatus: To observe the Coriolis Force on a jet of water being rotated in a horizontal plane Effect of jet deflection as a function of boom rotational speed and the direction of boom rotation.
- Visual deflection of water jet
- Fully enclosed under guarded dome
- Battery operated pump
Combined Shear Force and Bending Moment Apparatus: Allows for the study of both shear force and bending moment in a single compact unit. Shear Force and Bending Moment at a ‘cut’ section in a beam.
- Bending and Shear in one Apparatus.
- Visually realistic, ‘cut’ beam
- Load position at ‘cut’ in beam
Conservation of Linear Momentum: Observe collisions between two trolleys, testing for the conservation of momentum Measure energy changes during different types of collisions.
- Precision Air Track
- Accurate recording and display of time
- Conservation of Linear Momentum
Basic Roof Truss: Experimental values of the forces in the struts and tie of a basic roof truss with theoretical predictions To observe the effect of changing the tie bar length.
- Two rafter struts, joined at an apex
- Load applied at apex
- Member forces directly measured and recorded in Newton’s
Work Done by a Variable Force (Combined Vertical and Tangential): A single unit for experiments on mechanical work and potential energy. Lifting a weight using a lever and a dynamometer (spring balance) in both the vertical and tangential plane.
Friction Apparatus
Friction on an Inclined Plane: A compact, bench mounted apparatus to measure the force required to move a body up an inclined plane and measure the friction coefficient for various materials in contact with that plane.
- Static and Sliding Friction
- Angle of Friction
- Equilibrium of Forces
Clutch Plate Friction Apparatus: A self contained, wall mounted unit, to demonstrate and determine the coefficient of friction of brake lining material and minimum torque to maintain rotation
- Three Friction discs supplied
- Contact pressure applied vertically.
- Pure torque applied using weights
Pivot Friction Apparatus: A wall mounted apparatus that demonstrates the relationship between friction torque and axial thrust; determines the influence of bearing cone angle.
- Pure torsion applied to the table
- Apparatus supplied with four sets of pivots
- seating is in mild steel and the pivot is in brass
Journal Friction Apparatus: Self-contained, free-standing, floor mounted unit driven by a speed controlled motor. Determines the friction torque under variable load , speed and lubrication.
- Coefficient of friction between two bearing surfaces
- Effect of lubrication
- Torque arm lever 4 : 1 ratio
Bearing Friction Apparatus: Wall mounted unit to compare the frictional losses of bearings by measuring the coefficient of sliding friction between pairs of materials.
- Flywheel on a horizontal shaft
- Inertia and energy transfer
- Customer specific bearings can be used
Rope Belt Friction Apparatus: A self contained, wall mounted unit for the effective determination of the coefficient of friction between a steel pulley and cotton rope. To also investigate belt tensions; evaluate effects of different `V` angles in a pulley, and of different lap angles.
Friction of Belts Apparatus: A self-contained, wall mounted apparatus for determining relationship of friction in varying beltsdetermine the coefficient of friction between the pulley and belt for the belt sections Safety interlock to stop pulley rotating.
- Constant tangential drive of pulley
- Three belts supplied; flat, vee, rope
- Effect of angle of lap
Brake Drum Friction Apparatus: A self contained, bench mounted apparatus, with a single leading and trailing shoe, for the study of coefficient of friction and determine experimentally the variation of tangential force with braking load.
- Simulates a real braking system.
- Aluminium brake drum
- Industry standard brake shoes
Strength of Material
Deflection of Beams Apparatus: Experiments to show, Deflection of a simply supported beam with varying span. Deflection for an offset load on a simply supported beam. Distributed Loads on a simply supported beam.
- Bending Theory
- Point, offset and uniformly distributed
- Two reaction piers with digital display
Torsion of Bars Apparatus: Apparatus to understand and investigate directly the relationship between the torsional load applied to a round bar and the angular twist produced and how this relationship varies with the beam material and it’s cross sectional polar moment of area.
- Modulus of Rigidity.
- Polar Moment of Inertia.
- Angle of Twist can be measured in two positions
Extension of Springs Apparatus: : To determine spring stiffness using measured spring data and load versus extension graphs. The dependence of spring stiffness on the wire diameter, spring diameter, length, number of turns and material can be calculated.
Curved Bar Apparatus: To experimentally determine the vertical and horizontal deflections of various curved bars whose cross sectional dimensions are small compared with the bar radius
- Circular, semi-circular, quadrant specimens
- Castigliano’s first theorem
- Simpson’s Rule
Combined Bending and Torsion Apparatus: A self contained, bench mounted apparatus to determine elastic failure of a specimen subjected to several ratios of simultaneous bending and torsion : allowing comparison of results with the established theories of failure.
- High Quality
- Rankine (Principal Stress)
- Shear Strain Energy
Critical condition of Struts: To observe the behaviour of four struts of the same length, but with different end constraints, when subjected to buckling loads. Compare the results with theoretical predictions, such as Euler’s formula.
Electrical Resistance Strain Gauge: The apparatus has been designed to illustrate the basic features of electrical resistance strain gauges and their application in measuring bending and torsion.
- Torsion, bending in one unit
- Wheatstone Bridge
- Second moment of Area
Rotating Fatigue Machine: This unit has been designed to introduce students to the effects of material fatigue using a sinusoidal variation of bending stress. Comes complete with data logging functionality.
- Automatic motor cut-off
- Fatigue testing based on Wohler
- ‘Keyless’ chucks
Unsymmetrical Cantilever Apparatus: This apparatus allows the vertical and horizontal deflections of the free end of a test specimen to be measured when loading occurs along a principle axis or at a known angle.
Torsion Testing Machine: Torsion testing machine for destructional testing of steel, brass and aluminium samples. Strain gauge technology is used within the torsion head and the output from these strain gauges.
- Modulus of Rigidity
- Yield shear stress
- Polar Moment of Inertia
Pendulum Impact Tester: A study bench top mounted unit for the study of notched bar (Charpy) impact strength tests. A heavy base plate with protective guard surrounds all the componentsLockable door and brake mechanism.
- Mass of Impact hammer adjustable
- Brake system to stop hammer swing
Extension and Compression of Springs: Wall mounted apparatus to demonstrate Hooke’s law and the relationship between deflection and load for tension and compression springs.
Torsion and Deflection Testing Apparatus: This bench top unit allows a variety of experiments to be undertaken to investigate test specimens under torsional loading and bending loading within their elastic limits.
- Torsion & Bending
- Angle of twist along specimen length
- Young’s Modulus of Elasticity (E)
Structures
Three Hinged Arch: To study the Relationship between horizontal thrust at arch springing for varying applied load Understand characteristics of symmetrical &unsymmetrical three pinned arch.
- Visual reality of Three Hinged Arch
- Unrestricted loading positions along arch span
- High quality, sturdy and robust sections
Simple Suspension Bridge: Comparison of theory with actual results for a uniformly distributed load and point load and rolling load .Cable tension obtained for loads at varying positions and magnitude along the bridge deck.
- Modulus of Rigidity.
- Polar Moment of Inertia.
- Angle of Twist can be measured in two positions
Two Hinged Parabolic Arch: To study relationship between applied loads and horizontal thrust ,Comparison of horizontal thrust at springing with simplified theory Verifies model analysis theory.
- Visual reality of an Arch
- Seven load points
- Loads can be applied at the same time or one at a time
Deflection of Frames: Study the load, horizontal thrust, deflections, sway in portal frames .Comparison of experimental results with theoretical values derived using Castigliano’s theorem and numerical analysis by Simpson’s rule.
- High quality, robust and durable components
- Realistic steel welded portals
- x optional portals available
Plastic Bending of Portals: Studies the change in the collapse mechanism as the ratio of horizontal to vertical load is varied Verifies that hinges occur at positions of greatest bending moment.
- Commercially available specimen material
- Rectangular & Pitched portals supplied (10 each)
- Realistic Portal shapes
Shear Force in a Beam: Shear force variation with varying point loads, load positions and load arrangements. Visual demonstration of shear force at a ‘cut’ in a beam.
- Visually realistic, ‘cut’ beam
- Takes internal forces and shows them externally
- Shear Force output via load cel
Bending Moment in a Beam: Shear force variation with differing load points, positions and arrangements Visual demonstration of shear force at a ‘cut’ in a beam .Law Bending Moment Diagrams Young’s’ Modulus Verification of Equilibrium of Vertical Forces and Moments.
- Visually realistic, ‘cut’ beam
- Takes internal forces and shows them externally
- Bending Force output via load cell
Continuous and Indeterminate Beams: Study of the general formula for beam deflections in bending in the form y= c Verification of the effect of changing the length of the beams The principle of superposition Indeminate Beams Cantilevers and Propped Cantilever.
- Most comprehensive Beam apparatus available
- Three movable reaction piers for all experiments
- All reactions piers vary height
Deflection of Curved Bars: Comparison of experimental results with those derived by exact and approximate methods of analysis Use Castigliano’s rule and Simpsons rule Deflection of free end analysed using twin displacement gauges.
- Six specimens supplied as standard
- Two Digital Dial Gauges supplied for HDA200 & software connection
- Deflections measured at tip of specimens
Deflection of Beams and Cantilevers: Measure beam deflections for point and uniformly distributed loads. Verify differential equation for beam bending. Measure and calculate slope and end rotations.
- Wide variety of beam experiments achievable
- simply supported, cantilever, propped cantilever and encastre (built in)
Redundant Truss: Study of deflection of a truss with and without redundancy Study of strains, forces and deflections in a determinate and indeterminate framework.
- True pin jointed structure
- Load can be applied at three joints
- No disassembly required
Forces in a Truss (Resolution): Measure strains exerted on each truss member Calculate member forces by resolution of joints To view compressive and tensile forces/strains.
Suspended Centre Span Bridge: The model three span bridge has a flat deck and solid spandrels to the three spans. Use of the influence lines for a tandem rolling load Production of influence lines for all six reactions.
- Visual reality of centre span bridge
- 2 x Point load or 1 x rolling load
- Six Reaction load cells
Pin Jointed Frameworks: To study of strains and Stresses within various true pin jointed frameworks Comparison of actual and theoretical results.Using Law Castiglianos’ Theorem Modulus of Elasticity. Reactions. Bow’s notation.
- Visually realistic ROOF truss and WARREN truss
- True pin jointed structures
- No disassembly required
Unsymmetrical Bending & Shear Center: Study of the horizontal and vertical deflection of asymmetrical cantilevers when the plane of loading does not coincide with a principle axis of the section, neutral axis in an angle section & Shear Centre in U channel section.
- Three test beams supplied as standard
- 360° adjustment in one degree increments
- Free end defl ection measured relative to its fixed end
Torsion of Rods and Tubes: Theory of torsion in circular section rods and tubes Comparison of the extended theory of torsion for a hollow square section member using Law Modulus of Rigidity Polar moment of inertia.
- Low profile apparatus
- Five specimens provided; solid, tube, ‘slit’
- Torque output using Load cell
Strain Measurement for Structures: Determination of the gauge factor materials with strain / stress conversion using Young’s Modulus. Different Clamp Arrangements.
- Five test specimens; Cantilever, bending, box, tapered
- Strain gauges on all specimens
Equilibrium of Forces: Equilibrium of a set of forces acting in a vertical plane Equilibrium of up to six concurrent and non-concurrent forces Graphical solution of a triangle of forces.
- Unique to HST Structures Range
- Very visual experiment
- Model Warren and ‘N’ truss options available
Buckling of Struts: Varying end conditions and strut length against Euler’s buckling load Off-centre Strut loading.
- Four test specimens, spring steel, four different lengths
- Force and Defl ection connect to HDA200 Interface
- Dial Gauge can traverse specimen length
Combined Shear Force & Bending Moment: Visual demonstration of the Shear Force and Bending Moment at a ‘cut’ section in a beam .Variation in bending moment for variations in load, load position and load arrangement.
- Two experiments in one; Bending and Shear
- Visually realistic, ‘cut’ beam
- Load cell output for Bending and Shear Force
DIGITAL INTERFACE HDA200: The HDA200 Interface is supplied in a corrosion resistant metal enclosure, with rubber feet for bench top mounting. A frame mounting bracket is also supplied for mounting onto the HST1. The LCD has an excellent viewing angle.
- Single Interface used with 18 ‘HST’ Structures Experiments
- USB Interface
- Inputs: Force/Strain(x20), Deflection(x4), Angle(x2)
BENCH MOUNTED FRAME: Bench mounted frame offers the ideal working area for assembling and operating a large majority of the Structures range of experiments. Manufactured from high quality, aluminium profile, it comprises a dual frame, which creates a continuous mounting slot around all four sides of the frame.
- Ideal if laboratory floor space restricted
- Extra Height feet included creating 200-250mm gap
- Quick, accurate and easy mounting of experiments.
TRUESTRUCTURES™ STRAIN ANALYSIS LAB: TrueStructures™ is a complete system for the exploration of structural engineering topics that involve bending, torsion and combined loads. A variety of test specimens, an I-Beam, tube and wing section, are included.
- Portable, rigid structural frame with interchangeable test specimens
- Pure bending, torsional, and combination forces adjustable with the integrated load cell system
- data acquisition system configured with LabVIEW
Vibration Apparatus
Compound Pendulum: A wall mounted apparatus to determine the radius of gyration and centre of gravity of a compound pendulum. Investigations also include the effect of fulcrum position, finding gravitational acceleration ‘g’, and comparison with a simple pendulum.
- compound and Simple Pendulum
- Acceleration due to Gravity
- Radius of Gyration
Seismic Table: A bench mounted uniaxial motion simulator allowing some of the fundamental concepts of structure design and designing principles to be investigated. Topics as resonance, dampening, torsion, material properties and end condition fixings.
- Frequency Range: 1 to 14Hz,
- Single Axis Accelerometers: x 2
- Amplitude range: 0- 10mm
Bifilar / Trifilar Suspension: Both Bifilar and Trifilar setup apparatus to determine experimentally the moment of inertia and radius of gyration of a rectangular bar, ring and cylinder.
- Two suspensions in One experiment
- Moment of Inertia of common shapes
- Bifilar and Trifilar setups.
Torsional Vibration Apparatus: A bench top unit for investigating torsional vibration and stiffness and demonstration of the effect of frictional damping.
- Forced torsional vibration and resonance
- Free and fixed end conditions
- Multi-mass torsional systems
Universal Vibration System: To allow the study of free and forced vibration, resonance and damping Kit ,Natural Frequency A damping absorber is also supplied that attaches to the beam, and can be adjusted
- Newton’s Second Law
- Spring stiffness
- Active and inactive damping absorber
Beam Bending: A flexible beam supported between two end brackets which create simply supported end conditions. Allowing the study of free and forced vibrations, resonance, amplitude and phase lag.
Tachometer:
Displays the excitation force frequency as part of the HVT12G free and forced vibrations experiment. Unit to control the rotational speed of the motor exciters used on the HVT12C and HVT12G.The unit connects directly to the HAC90 tachometer.
- excitation force frequency
- vibrations experiment unit
- control the rotational speed
Torsional Oscillation Module: Accessory to verify the dependence of the periodic time of oscillation of a “shaft” mounted flywheel on the moment of inertia, length of shaft, and shaft diameter . Allows the study of the modulus of rigidity and effect of damping.
- Torsional stiffness
- Multi-mass torsional systems
- Rotational Machinery
Data Acquisition System: Two channel digital oscilloscope and software allows the capture, display, storage and retrieval of the excitation frequency and beam response from the HVT12 apparatus.
- Two channel digital oscilloscope
- beam response from the HVT12 apparatus
- software allows the capture, display, storage
Vibration Frame: HVT12 Universal Vibrations Apparatus Modules are all mounted within the HVT12f Vibration frame
- Characteristics of Vibration
- Bench top: 1500(L) x 450(W)mm
- 2 x Frame dividers