Gopalkrishna Advanced Rural Research Foundation

Academic Curriculum Integration & Experiment Scope

1. Target Student Cohorts (Which Year & Branch?)

This virtual lab experiment is a staple across premier institutions (such as IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, and IISc Bangalore) in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering curricula:

2nd & 3rd Year Undergraduates: Supports courses in Strength of Materials (SOM), Theory of Machines (TOM), and Mechanical Measurements to study beam deflection formulas ($y = \frac{PL^3}{3EI}$), natural frequency, and strain gauge/piezoelectric transducer calibration.
Final Year Undergraduates & Postgraduates: Core component for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Smart Materials & Structures, and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) to evaluate electromechanical impedance and vibration signatures for structural damage detection.

2. How Many Types of Experiments Can Be Conducted Here?

Students can perform multiple standardized laboratory modules using this single virtual workspace:

• Experiment A (Static Deflection & Strain Mapping): Verify Euler-Bernoulli beam theory by measuring static tip deflection and validating theoretical bending stress against elastic modulus variations.
• Experiment B (Natural Frequency & Resonance Analysis): Determine the fundamental natural frequency of cantilever beams with varying lengths and materials using free vibration decay curves.
• Experiment C (Piezoelectric Sensor Voltage Generation): Quantify surface strain conversion into electric potential via PZT patches placed at different distances from the clamped root.
• Experiment D (Damping & Energy Dissipation Study): Analyze logarithmic decrement and damping ratios under dynamic impulse loading.