P.A.
Hilton Ltd
Horsebridge Mill, King’s Somborne
Stockbridge, Hampshire, England, SO20 6PX
F: +44 (0) 1794 388192 T: +44 (0) 1794 388382
HST7 – Deflection of Frames
Product Summary
• To compare the deflections experienced by a
simply supported frame with theoretical deflections
derived from Castigliano's first theorem and by
Simpson's rule
• Allows for the study of load, horizontal reactions,
sway and shear forces
• The apparatus provides a set of supports to enable
clamped, pinned or roller bearing conditions to be
imposed on a rigid steel frame
• A dial gauge and movable mount is provided
• Electronic load cells measure moment at one end
of the portal and horizontal reaction at the other
• Vertical and horizontal loading is provided
• Three rigid steel frames are provided; a
rectangular portal, an open square and an 'S'
frame
• Reactions, forces and deflections monitored using
HDA200 Interface (not supplied)
• Comprehensive technical manual for student and
lecturer
• Set of weights included
• 2 year warranty
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PRODUCT DATA SHEET
Tender Specification
• Three test frames supplied with four optional
frames available
• Vertical and horizontal loading deflection
measurement
• Uses Castigliano's theorem with numerical
analysis by Simpson's rule
• Study of load, horizontal reactions, sway
• A variety of end conditions provided
• Electronic load cells and displacement indicators
utilised
• Support reactions, horizontal forces, and portal
sway (deflection) can be captured on HDA200
Interface (not supplied)
• Full technical manual included, detailing
experiment set-up, theory, example results
• Text book and accessories included
• Set of weights included
• 2 year warranty
HST7
 P.A.Hilton Ltd
Horsebridge Mill, King’s Somborne
Stockbridge, Hampshire, England, SO20 6PX
F: +44 (0) 1794 388192 T: +44 (0) 1794 388382
PRODUCT DATA SHEET

Description
Calculation of the deflection of frames is an important part of structural analysis. Many industrial buildings are
single storey enclosed spaces with the roof and walls supported on portal frames. For economy these frames
are normally redundant, either two pinned or fixed base portals. The classical solution of the former is to find
what horizontal ground restraint is required to cancel the outward deflection the applied load would cause to the
unrestrained portal.

This experiment takes one through the process of determining deflections by the unit load method, and then
using the deflections of a portal frame to analyse a two-pinned portal.

A rectangular portal, an unclosed square frame and an 'S' frame made from rectangular solid steel section are
provided with a range of fixed or pinned ends and simple supports to enable each frame to be set up in the
HST1 Universal Frame and Stand (not supplied) and loaded horizontally and vertically.

One support measures the moment at one end of the portal whilst the horizontal reaction force is measured at
the other end using an electronic load cell.

All forces, i.e. support reactions, horizontal forces, can be viewed via the HDA200 Interface (not supplied) in
stand-alone mode or via a host computer (not supplied) when using the optionally available HST7S
experimental software.

Two displacement indicators, are used to measure deflections of the frames, one being on a moveable stand
and the other mounted on a track plate that carries the rollers fixed to the support of the portal or the 'S' frame.
Load hangers, cords and pulleys are provided to apply vertical and/or horizontal loading to the frames. A special
bracket is supplied for further end supports of the frames. The set of weights needed for the experiment is
included.

To compliment the HST7 hardware, the HST7S Experimental Software is available giving the student an
opportunity to simulate the experiment, varying a broader range of experiment parameters and to compare
actual results with theoretical results when the experiment is run with the software. When the HST7 hardware is
purchased with a dedicated HDA200 Interface as an essential extra the experiment software, HST7S, is
supplied as standard.

Experimental capabilities
• Comparison of experimental results with theoretical values derived using Castigliano's theorem and numerical
analysis by Simpson's rule
• Study the load, horizontal reactions, deflections, sway in portal frames

Specification
• Nett (excluding weights): 1300 x 150 x 800 mm, 12 kg
• Gross - approx. packed for export (including weights): 0.3 m³, 40 kg
• 110/120V, 60Hz or 220/240V, 50Hz, single phase, live neutral and earth.
• Portal frames provided:
o Rectangular
o Open Square
o “S” Frame with roller
• Steel Portal Frame material
• Load applied using slotted test weights, hangers and pulleys
• All connection leads to HDA200 Interface supplied

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www.p-a-hilton.co.uk
 P.A.Hilton Ltd
Horsebridge Mill, King’s Somborne
Stockbridge, Hampshire, England, SO20 6PX
F: +44 (0) 1794 388192 T: +44 (0) 1794 388382
PRODUCT DATA SHEET

Accessories and spares Essential Extras

• Hexagon Wrench • HST1 Universal frame and Stand
• Text book • HDA200 Interface
• Full instruction manual which includes:
- Operating instructions Recommended Extras
- Experimental set-up
- Experiment procedure • HST7S experiment Software
- Example set of results

Optional extras
HST3/3a Rectangular portal with overhanging top member
Rectangular portal with roller bearing and knife-edge. Overhanging top member, rigid steel frame made from 25
x 8 mm strip

Nett: 780 x 100 x 600 mm, 4 kg

Gross - approx. packed for export: 0.06 m³, 8 kg

HST3/3c Unsymmetrical portal frame

Unsymmetrical portal frame with roller bearing and knife-edge. Rigid steel frame made from 25 x 8 mm strip

Nett: 800 x 120 x 800 mm, 4 kg

Gross - approx. packed for export: 0.007 m³, 2 kg

HST3/3d Redundant square frame

Redundant square frame fitted with roller bearing and knife-edge. Rigid steel frame made from 25 x 8 mm strip

Nett: 800 x 120 x 800 mm, 4 kg

Gross - approx. packed for export: 0.07 m³, 8 kg

HST3/3g Square portal frame

Square portal frame fitted with roller bearing and knife-edge. Rigid steel frame made from 25 x 8 mm strip

Nett: 800 x 120 x 800 mm, 4 kg

Gross - approx. packed for export: 0.07 m³, 8 kg

Operational Conditions
• Storage temperature: -10°C to +70°C
• Operating temperature range: +10°C to +50°C
• Operating relative humidity range: 0 to 95%, non condensing

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