Properties and Testing of Materials

CES 152
LAB Manual

Name: I.D.:
Program: Section:
Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152
Table of Contents

Table of Contents
1- Tensile test for construction steel ....................................................................................................... 3
2- Tensile test for semi-ductile metals .................................................................................................... 5
3- Tensile test for reinforcement rebars ................................................................................................. 8
4- Cold bend test .................................................................................................................................... 12
5- Unwin’s constants .............................................................................................................................. 14
6- Compression testing of brittle metallic materials ........................................................................... 16
7- Direct shear test on bolts ................................................................................................................... 18
8- Torsion test of metallic materials ..................................................................................................... 20
9- Impact test .......................................................................................................................................... 22
10- Hardness test ..................................................................................................................................... 24
11- Bending test on brittle materials ..................................................................................................... 26

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

1- Tensile test for construction steel

Objective:
• Determining the properties of construction steel specimen (i.e. Young’s
modulus, ultimate strength and the percentage of elongation).
• Specifying the grade of the specimen.
Description:
This test aims to specify the mechanical properties of construction steel.
Mechanical properties obtained from this test include tensile strength, yield stress and
elongation of the tested specimen.
Procedure:
1- The test specimen should be machined first to limit the failure zone to be away from
the testing machine clamps.
2- Two light punched marks 5.65√𝐀 or 11.3√𝐀 apart shall be put on the machined
specimen representing the gauge length or the initial measuring length (Li).
3- The specimen, then, shall be fixed in the testing machine in a way that the axis of
the specimen is in alignment with the testing machine axis.
4- Fix LVDT on the specimen to measure the deformation induced during the test.
5- Start applying load at convenient rate on the specimen until failure.
6- Record the loads and displacements during the test.
7- Calculate modulus of elasticity (E) which is calculated within the elastic limit, yield
stress (fy), tension strength (fmax) and elongation (%).
𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
-E= (t/cm2)
𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧
𝐏𝐲
- fy = (t/cm2)
𝐀
𝐏𝐦𝐚𝐱
- fmax = (t/cm2)
𝐀
𝐋𝐟 −𝐋𝐢
- Elongation (%) = x 100
𝐋𝐢
8- State the grade of the steel according to the Egyptian code of practice 205-08
References:
‫ مقاومتها واختبارها لدكتور عبد الكريم عطا ودكتور أحمد على العريان‬:‫كتاب المواد الهندسية‬
ECP 205-08: Egyptian code of practice for steel construction (Allowable stress design –
ASD)

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab Work: Tensile test for construction steel

Property Specimen 1 Specimen 2

Width (mm)
Thickness (mm)
Area (mm2)
Py (ton)
Pmax (ton)
Li (mm)
Lf (mm)
Elongation (%)
E (t/cm2)
fy (t/cm2)
fmax (t/cm2)
Grade

Minimum yield stress Minimum tensile strength

Grade
(t/cm2) (t/cm2)
ST 37 2.4 3.7

ST 44 2.8 4.4

ST 52 3.6 5.2

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

2- Tensile test for semi-ductile metals

Objective:
• Determining the properties of a semi-ductile steel specimen (i.e. Young’s
modulus, ultimate strength and the percentage of elongation)
• Specifying the grade of a semi-ductile steel specimen
Description:
This test aims to specify the mechanical properties of a semi-ductile steel specimens.
Mechanical properties obtained from this test include tensile strength, proof stress and
elongation of the semi-ductile steel specimen.
Procedure:
1- The test specimen should be machined first to limit the failure zone to be away from
the testing machine clamps.
2- Two light punched marks 5.65√𝐀 or 11.3√𝐀 apart shall be put on the machined
specimen representing the gauge length or the initial measuring length (Li).
3- The specimen, then, shall be fixed in the testing machine in a way that the axis of
the specimen is in alignment with the testing machine axis.
4- Fix LVDT on the specimen to measure the deformation induced during the test.
5- Start applying load at convenient rate on the specimen until failure.
6- Record the loads and displacements during the test.
7- Calculate modulus of elasticity (E) which is calculated within the elastic limit, 0.1%
proof stress (fproof), tension strength (fmax) and elongation (%).
𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
-E= (t/cm2)
𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧
𝐏𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟
- fproof = (t/cm2)
𝐀
𝐏𝐦𝐚𝐱
- fmax = (t/cm2)
𝐀
𝐋𝐟 −𝐋𝐢
- Elongation (%) = x 100
𝐋𝐢
8- State the grade of the steel according to the Egyptian code of practice 205-08.
References:
‫ مقاومتها واختبارها لدكتور عبد الكريم عطا ودكتور أحمد على العريان‬:‫كتاب المواد الهندسية‬
ECP 205-08: Egyptian code of practice for steel construction (Allowable stress design –
ASD)

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab Work: Tensile test for semi-ductile metals

A tensile test was conducted on a long semi-ductile steel specimen with thickness 1.8
mm and breadth 35 mm. The results of the test were as follows:
Load cell reading
0 4.0 8.0 12.0 16.0 20.0 23.0 25.0 21.0
(t)
Extensometer reading
0 0.07 0.14 0.21 0.28 0.35 0.45 1.5 1.8
(mm)

• Draw the stress-strain curve

• Calculate young’s modulus, 0.1% proof stress, tensile strength, modulus of
resilience, modulus of toughness and elongation

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

3- Tensile test for reinforcement rebars

Objective:
Specifying the grade of a steel bar.
Description:
This test aims to specify the mechanical properties of the steel bars used as
reinforcement for concrete.
Mechanical properties required for this test include tensile strength, yield stress and/or
proof stress and elongation of the steel bar.
Procedure:
1- Chemical analysis is done on the specimens to figure out their chemical
composition.
2- Two light punched marks 5d/10d apart shall be put on the specimen representing
the gauge length or the initial measuring length (Li).
3- The specimen, then, shall be fixed in the testing machine in a way that the axis of
the specimen is in alignment with the testing machine axis.
4- Loading the specimen gradually until failure.
5- Record the yield/proof load and Maximum load. Measure the failure measuring
length between marks (Lf)
6- Calculate equivalent carbon content (CEV), upper yield stress (ReH), tension
strength (Rm) and elongation A5 (%).
𝐌𝐧 𝐂𝐫 +𝐕+𝐌𝐨 𝐂𝐮 +𝐍𝐢
- CEV = C + + +
𝟔 𝟓 𝟏𝟓
𝐏𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟
- ReH = (MPa)
𝐀
𝐏𝐦𝐚𝐱
- Rm = (MPa)
𝐀
𝐋𝐟 −𝐋𝐢
- A5 = x 100 (%)
𝐋𝐢
7- State the grade of the steel according to the Egyptian standards 262/2015.
References:
ES 262/2015: Steel for the reinforcement of concrete
ECP 203-2018: Design and construction of concrete structures – appendix 3 Guide
for testing of concrete materials

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab Work: Tensile test for reinforcement rebars

C (%) Mn (%) Cr (%) V (%) Mo (%) S (%)

Cu (%) N (%) Ni (%) Si (%) P (%)

d (mm)
Py (N)
Pmax (N)
Li (mm)
Lf (mm)
CEV
ReH (MPa)
Rm (MPa)
Elongation A5 (%)
Grade

First: High tensile steel (Ribbed bars)

a) Chemical composition:
Steel grade C (%) Si (%) Mn (%) P (%) S (%) N (%) CEV
B300A-R
B300B-R
B300C-R
B400A-R
B400B-R - - - 0.060 0.060 - -
B400C-R
B500A-R
B500B-R
B500C-R
B400AWR
B400BWR
B400CWR
0.22 0.60 1.60 0.050 0.050 0.012 0.50
B500AWR
B500BWR
B500CWR
B300D-R - - - 0.050 0.050 - -
B300DWR 0.27 0.55 1.50 0.040 0.040 0.012 0.49
B350DWR 0.27 0.55 1.60 0.040 0.040 0.012 0.51
B400DWR 0.29 0.55 1.80 0.040 0.040 0.012 0.56
B420DWR 0.30 0.55 1.50 0.040 0.040 0.012 0.56
B500DWR 0.32 0.55 1.80 0.040 0.040 0.012 0.61

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Value stated in previous table Value to be added

Element
(%) (%)
≤ 0.25 + 0.02
C
> 0.25 + 0.03
Si ≤ 0.60 + 0.05
≤ 1.65 + 0.06
Mn
> 1.65 + 0.08
≤ 0.05 + 0.008
P
> 0.05 + 0.010
≤ 0.05 + 0.008
S
> 0.05 + 0.010
N ≤ 0.012 + 0.002

b) Mechanical properties:

ReH 𝐑𝐦 A5 Agt
Elongation
Steel grade (N/mm2) 𝐑 𝐞𝐇 (%) (%)
degree
Min. Max. Mini. Mini. Mini.
B300A-R 300 - 16
B400A-R -
400
A B400AWR - 1.02 2
14
B500A-R -
500
B500AWR -
B300B-R 300 - 16
B400B-R -
400
B B400BWR - 1.08 5
14
B500B-R -
500
B500BWR -
B300C-R 300 - 16
B400C-R -
400
C B400CWR - 1.15 7
14
B500C-R -
500
B500CWR -
B300D-R -
300
B300DWR
17
B350DWR 350
D 1.25 8
B400DWR 400 1.3xReH(min)
B420DWR 420 16
B500DWR 500 13

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Second: Mild steel (Plain bars)

a) Chemical composition:

Steel grade C (%) Si (%) Mn (%) P (%) S (%) N (%) CEV

B240A-P
B240B-P
B240C-P
- - - 0.060 0.060 - -
B300A-P
B300B-P
B300C-P
B240D-P
- - - 0.050 0.050 - -
B300D-P
B420D-P
0.30 0.55 1.50 0.040 0.040 0.012 0.56
B420DWP

Value stated in previous table Value to be added

Element
(%) (%)
C > 0.25 + 0.03
Si ≤ 0.60 + 0.05
Mn ≤ 1.65 + 0.06
≥ 0.05 + 0.008
P
> 0.05 + 0.010
≤ 0.05 + 0.008
S
> 0.05 + 0.010

b) Mechanical properties:

ReH Rm 𝐑𝐦 A5 Agt
Elongation
Steel grade (N/mm2) (N/mm2) 𝐑 𝐞𝐇 (%) (%)
degree
Min. Max. Mini. Mini. Mini.
B240A-P 240 - 20
A - 1.02 2
B300A-P 300 - 16
B240B-P 240 - 20
B - 1.08 5
B300B-P 300 - 16
B240C-P 240 - 20
C - 1.15 7
B300C-P 300 - 16
B240D-P 240 - 520 22
B300D-P 300 - 600 19
D 1.25 8
B420D-P
420 540 - 16
B420DWP

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

4- Cold bend test

Objective:
Ensure that the elongation feature of the metals is used for special purposes.
Procedure:
The sample is bent until its ends are parallel and the relationship is between the
diameter of the rebar and the diameter of the cylindrical piece around which the rebar
is bent (rotation diameter) as shown in table:
Surface Rebar diameter Rotation
Steel type Grade
condition (d) diameter
240/350 ≤25 2d
Mild steel plain
280/450 >25 3d
≤20 4d
High tensile steel 360/520 Ribbed
>20 & ≤36 5d

Modes of failure:

References:
‫ مقاومتها واختبارها لدكتور عبد الكريم عطا ودكتور أحمد على العريان‬:‫كتاب المواد الهندسية‬

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab Work: Cold bend test

Draw mode of failure Describe the reason of failure

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

5- Unwin’s constants
Objective:
Determining a physical property for the metal used. Unwin’s constants can be used to
predict the elongation of proportional specimens for the same metal used.
Procedure:
1- Several light punched marks at equal distances shall be put on the tested specimen.
2- The specimen, then, shall be fixed in the testing machine in a way that the axis of
the specimen is in alignment with the testing machine axis.
3- Start applying load at convenient rate on the specimen until failure.
4- Reassemble the two parts resulted from the test together and take the measurements
between the light punched marks.
5- Calculate Unwin’s constant for the steel used.

ΔL = bLo + c √𝐀𝐨
Where: b & c are Unwin’s constants

References:
‫ مقاومتها واختبارها لدكتور عبد الكريم عطا ودكتور أحمد على العريان‬:‫كتاب المواد الهندسية‬

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab Work: Unwin’s constants

A tensile test was conducted on a long mild steel specimen with diameter 22 mm.
The specimen’s length was divided into 10 equal parts. The length of each part after
the test was as shown in the following table:

Part No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Length
(mm)

• State the part at which the failure occurs

• Draw the elongation distribution curve
• Calculate Unwin’s constants

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

6- Compression testing of brittle metallic materials

Objective:
The data obtained from a compression test may be used to determine the stress-strain
curve, and the compressive strength.
Description:
The specimen is subjected to an increasing axial compressive load; both load and
strain may be monitored either continuously or in finite increments, and the
mechanical properties in compression determined.
Procedure:
1- Measure the diameter of the cylindrical specimen by the micrometer at three
different positions along the specimen length. Calculate the average cross-
sectional area of the specimen.
2- Clean the ends of the specimen and fixture bearing blocks with acetone or another
suitable solvent to remove all traces of grease and oil.
3- Place the specimen in the test fixture and carefully align the specimen to the
fixture to ensure concentric loading.
4- Attach the extensometer or other strain measuring device to the specimen gage
section. The gage length must be at least one half or preferably one diameter away
from the ends of the specimen.
5- The specimen is loaded with a uniform rate. Continue the test until failure. Brittle
materials that fail by crushing or shattering may be tested to failure.
𝑃
6- Calculate the compressive strength: Fc = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐴

References:
ASTM E 9: Compression Testing of Metallic Materials at Room temperature.
‫ مقاومتها واختبارها لدكتور عبد الكريم عطا ودكتور أحمد على العريان‬:‫كتاب المواد الهندسية‬

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab work: Compression testing of brittle metallic materials

Specimen dimensions
Load Compressive strength
No.
(ton) (N/mm2)
D (mm) L (mm)

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

7- Direct shear test on bolts

Objective:
Determine Shear Stress () on the Screw or Rivet
Procedure:
1- Bring the first sample of mild iron to perform the shear test the sample is a nail
(D = 12mm) Made of mild iron.
2- Measure the diameter of the mineral sample before taking the test.
3- Attach the sample between the two special jaws, noting the offset scale gradient
(ruler) displacement.
4- Gradually increase the tensile strength (F) of the sample from scratch until the
sample is refracted and up to Shear stress that causes the sample to break.
5- Install the mild steel sample in the fixed jaw for the device.
6- Shake the sample by hand after installing it to ensure Secure it.
7- Move the other jaw in a direction the free end of the sample.
8- Use the torque wrench to tighten the hook Mobile jaw for sample.
9- Determine shear force:
P
q=
A

References:
‫ مقاومتها واختبارها لدكتور عبد الكريم عطا ودكتور أحمد على العريان‬:‫كتاب المواد الهندسية‬

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab Work: Direct shear test on bolts

Property Single shear Double shear

diameter (mm)
Area (mm2)
n
Pmax (ton)
qmax (t/cm2)

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

8- Torsion test of metallic materials

Objective:
Determination of the pure shear strength of the metallic material.
Description:
Applying a torsional moment (Torque) on the test specimen (which is usually a
cylindrical one) and measuring the corresponding angle of twist to draw the stress-
strain curve.
Procedure:
1- Measuring the dimensions of the specimen (diameter & length).
2- Fixation of the test specimen from its ends.
3- Starting to apply a torsional moment on one end of the specimen until failure and
measuring the corresponding angle of twist.
4- Draw the relation between the torsional moment and the angle of twist.
5- Calculate the following:
• Elastic torsional shear strength:
𝟏𝟔(𝐌𝐭 )𝐩𝐥
𝐪𝐑 =
𝛑𝐃𝟑
• Ultimate torsional shear strength:
▪ For brittle materials:
𝟏𝟒(𝐌𝐭 )𝐩𝐥
𝐪𝐑 =
𝛑𝐃𝟑
▪ For ductile materials:
𝟏𝟐(𝐌𝐭 )𝐩𝐥
𝐪𝐑 =
𝛑𝐃𝟑
▪ Modulus of rigidity:
(𝐌𝐭 )𝐩𝐥 𝐋
𝐆= ×
𝛉𝐩𝐥 𝐉

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab Work: Torsion test of metallic materials

A torsion test has been made on a cylindrical specimen of cast iron and the following
results are obtained:

Mt (kN)

θ (degree)

• Draw the relation between the torsional moment and the angle of twisting
• Calculate the elastic torsional strength and the maximum torsional strength of the
test specimen

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

9- Impact test
Objective:
measure the toughness of the material or the energy required to fracture.
Procedure:
1- The standard specimen is 55 x 10 x 10 mm with a V notch at the center
2- Before testing, the specimen is brought to the specified temperature for a minimum
of 5 min in a liquid bath or 30 min in a gas medium.
3- The specimen is inserted into the Charpy V notch impact-testing machine using
centering tongs. The swinging arm of the machine has a striking tip that impacts the
specimen on the side opposite the V notch. The striking head is released from the
pretest position, striking and fracturing the specimen. By fracturing the test
specimen, some of the kinetic energy of the striking head is absorbed, thereby
reducing the ultimate height the strike head attains.
4- the energy required to fracture the specimen is computed. The amount of energy
will be expressing about the number of the impact:

∆𝐔 = 𝐦 ∗ 𝐠 ∗ ∆𝐡 = 𝐦 ∗ 𝐠 ∗ (𝐇 − 𝐡)

References:
Materials for civil and construction engineers.

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab Work: Impact test

Mass of specimen [m] (g)

Hammer height [H] (cm)
specimen height [h] (cm)
Impact Number

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

10- Hardness test

Objective:
1- Determine the appropriate percentage of carbon to be added in the steel
industry because it is known that the lower the percentage the carbon in the
metal the less its hardness.
2- Knowing the hardness of the metal before operation helps in identifying
suitable operating machines and then controlling the production.
3- Using Brinell's method of hardness tests can give the approximate value of the
tensile strength of the metal Without having to do a destructive test.
Procedure:
1- Squeeze a steel ball diameter (D) with a load (p) for duration (15-30s).
2- Remove the load and measure the diameter of the impact )d). The measurement is
in two directions perpendicular and calculate the average of them.
3- Calculate the Brinell number for the hardness (BHN):

𝐏
BHN =
𝛑𝐃𝐇

D D d
H= − √( )2 + ( )2
2 2 2

Diameter of test ball

1 2 5 10
(mm)
Allowable deviation
± 0.0025 ± 0.0035 ± 0.004 ± 0.0045
(mm)

References:
‫ مقاومتها واختبارها لدكتور عبد الكريم عطا ودكتور أحمد على العريان‬:‫كتاب المواد الهندسية‬

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab Work: Hardness test

Test load [p] (kg)

Brinell ball diameter [D] (mm)

Impact depth [h] (mm)

Brinell hardness number [BHN]

(Kg/mm2)

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

11- Bending test on brittle materials

Objective:
Determination of the following mechanical properties: Flexural strength, Stiffness,
Resilience, and Toughness for brittle materials like cast iron.
Description:
Applying vertical loads on beam specimens and recording the loads with their
corresponding deflection to draw the stress-strain curve.
Procedure:
1- Measuring the specimen’s dimensions and each dimension is calculated as an
average of three measurements.
2- Placing the testing specimen on two supports at its ends.
3- Installation of both of the loading device and the deformation measuring device on
the specimen.
4- Starting to apply a vertical concentrated load in the middle of the beam’s span.
5- Recording the loads applied and the corresponding deflection until failure.
6- Calculate the flexural strength and the modulus of elasticity as following:
𝟑𝐏𝐋 𝐏𝐋𝟑
𝐅= , 𝐄=
𝟐𝐛 𝟐 𝐡 𝟒𝟖∆𝐈

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Structural Engineering Department
Properties and Testing of Materials – CES 152

Lab Work: Bending test of brittle materials

Specimen dimensions
(mm) Flexural Modulus of
Failure load Deflection
No. strength Elasticity
Width Height Span (ton) (mm)
(N/mm2) (N/mm2)
(b) (h) (L)

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