Author(s): Anna Kowalska and Michael Turner

Abstract: Accurate prediction of stress distribution in cantilever beams is fundamental to structural and mechanical engineering design, particularly for short-span elements used in brackets, machine components, and temporary supports. While classical beam theory provides reliable analytical solutions, experimental validation remains essential for understanding real structural behavior under practical constraints. This research presents an experimental investigation of stress distribution in short cantilever beams using a simplified strain gauge placement strategy. The primary objective is to verify theoretical bending stress profiles through laboratory-scale testing while minimizing instrumentation complexity. Mild steel cantilever specimens of uniform rectangular cross-section were subjected to static point loading at the free end. Electrical resistance strain gauges were strategically positioned along the beam length at critical locations predicted by theory to capture longitudinal strain variations. Measured strain data were converted into bending stresses using material elastic properties and compared with analytical solutions derived from Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Statistical tools, including regression analysis and paired t-tests, were applied to evaluate the agreement between experimental and theoretical values. The results demonstrate a strong linear relationship between measured and predicted stresses, with minor deviations attributed to boundary condition imperfections and localized effects near the fixed end. Analysis confirms that simplified strain gauge placement can yield reliable stress distribution profiles for short cantilever beams when proper calibration and installation practices are followed. The findings highlight the practicality of using minimal instrumentation for experimental validation in educational laboratories and preliminary structural assessments. This approach offers a cost-effective and efficient method for verifying beam behavior without compromising measurement accuracy. The research reinforces the relevance of experimental mechanics in validating classical theories and provides guidance for optimizing strain measurement strategies in small-scale structural testing.

DOI: 10.22271/27078388.2026.v7.i1a.64

Pages: 29-32 | Views: 22 | Downloads: 9

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