Demonstration of Different Beam Models by Simple Experiment

Experimental validation of various beam models is presented. The validation could form part of a course in strength of materials, mechanical vibration and finite element analysis of structures. Natural frequency is used as the key parameter. Such a presentation will also acquaint students with the various instruments used in a dynamics laboratory. However, it suggests that the finite element method, as well as other analytical or numerical tools, merely model the original structure and so reminds students of the importance of experiments.