Bending of Beams

A physical version of this lab is standard in many courses, but there is also a digital-twin version of the lab, on the 'iLabs' platform.

In the physical experiment, students test a selection of beams to see how their performance (resistance to bending) varies with cross section.

The 'iLabs' digital twin experiment, is an image-based interactive webpage with control buttons. It is constructed from an array of images taken of the real experiment.

Therefore it includes real data and real errors. It also offers a close subsitute to the real experiment, for any students unable to attend.

 A separate helpsheet is made to explain how to operate the iLabs experiment, but it is rather self explanaroty! 

Students complete an exercise of making predictions using theoretical equations, before they conduct the iLabs virtual experiment.

Students can then compare the experimental results to the theory, covering a range of different cross sections - teaching them how 'Second Moment of Area' effects beam performance.