Numerical and experimental analysis of large deflections of cantilever beams under a combined load

Abstract

We analyzed the large deflections of a uniform cantilever beam under the action of a combined load consisting of an external vertical concentrated load at the free end and a uniformly distributed load. The problem involves geometrical non-linearity and a differential equation governing the behavior of the beam is presented. The numerical solution was obtained using an algorithm based on the Runge-Kutta-Felhberg method. This algorithm was used to numerically evaluate the system, and the slopes and deflections were determined for various loads. Finally, we compared the numerical results with the experimental ones obtained in the laboratory and calculated Young's modulus for the beam material.