Frame Deflections and Reactions
Product Code : EL-NGSP-11388
Quick Answer: Frame Deflections and Reactions is a structures experiment in which students load one of two portal frames between supports and measure the bending moment, horizontal reaction and sway. Load cells sit in the supports and an indicator reads the sway at the beam-upright junction.
Last updated: October 2026
Key Features
- Choice of two frames: one with uniform second moment of area, one with an upright of about half the second moment of area
- Vertical loads can be applied anywhere along the beam
- Load cells in the supports measure bending moment and horizontal reaction at the base of the uprights
- Indicator measures horizontal deflection (sway) at the beam-upright junction
- Support pointers work with the platform scale for positioning
- Vernier caliper included for measuring the frame cross-section
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Frames | Two; uniform section, and one upright at about half the second moment of area |
| Loading | Vertical, anywhere along the beam |
| Reaction measurement | Load cells in the supports |
| Sway measurement | Deflection indicator with its own display |
| Included | Vernier caliper |
| Data | Connects to the Structures platform USB hub |
About This Product
Students predict the reaction forces, fixing moments and whether, and by how much, the frame will sway, then compare the prediction with what they measure. The two frames show the two causes of sway other than direct loads, using the same textbook analysis applied to a symmetric and an unsymmetric frame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the frame need a computer?
No. The deflection indicator has its own display, but with the load cells it can also connect to the USB interface hub of the Structures platform for computer display and data acquisition.
What is the difference between the two frames?
One has the same second moment of area in both uprights and the beam. In the other, one upright has about half the second moment of area of the other upright and the beam.
Related: Next Generation Structures Products, Structures Platform Next Generation Structures, Plastic Bending of Portals Next Generation Structures and Continuous and Indeterminate Beams.
For a quotation on the Frame Deflections and Reactions, contact Educational Instrument.
