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Lab 2 Torsion Lab Instruction Spring

This document outlines the procedures for a mechanics of materials lab experiment on torsion testing cylindrical bars. Students will use an Instron machine and a simple mechanical device to test specimens made of different materials and determine their shear modulus and other material characteristics. Key steps include mounting specimens in chucks, applying a twisting force at a controlled rate, recording the torque and angle of twist, and analyzing the results to calculate material properties and compare to known values.

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Yong Jin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
185 views

Lab 2 Torsion Lab Instruction Spring

This document outlines the procedures for a mechanics of materials lab experiment on torsion testing cylindrical bars. Students will use an Instron machine and a simple mechanical device to test specimens made of different materials and determine their shear modulus and other material characteristics. Key steps include mounting specimens in chucks, applying a twisting force at a controlled rate, recording the torque and angle of twist, and analyzing the results to calculate material properties and compare to known values.

Uploaded by

Yong Jin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Spring 2018 ME 2356

Mechanics of Materials Lab


Northeastern University
Department of Mechanical, Industrial Engineering
Lab #2: Torsion Test

The goal of this lab is to determine material characteristics of cylindrical bars under torsion.
You will use two different devices. The first is the Instron machine which you will use to test
two samples. The second is a simple mechanical device which you will use to test one specimen.

PROCEDURE: TORSION TEST USING INSTRON

Preliminary set up:


1. Wear safety goggles.
2. Measure the work length and diameter of each specimen.

Hardware set up:


3. Check that the power to the controller is on (I: on, O: off).

4. Check that the power switch of the amplifier is on (left-back side of the tester, vertical: off,
horizontal: on).
Spring 2018 ME 2356

Software set up:


5. Open the ‘Blue Hill 3’ software, click the ‘Method’ button, click ‘create a test method’ at the
left side. (Choose ‘torsion method’).

6. Under the ‘Specimen’ section, choose specimen type as circular.


Spring 2018 ME 2356

7. Under the ‘Test Control’ section, set up the loading rotation speed (5 degree/min is
recommended) in the ‘test’ menu and accept the default failure mode (Rate of Torque 40%)
in the ‘End of Test’ menu.

8. Under the ‘Exports’ section, make sure the ‘Export raw data’ box is checked so the angle and
torque reading will be exported to a .csv file after each test.
Spring 2018 ME 2356

9. Save and close the method.

Prepare to start your test:


10. Click Test, choose the right test method, and follow the steps to name your test and set up the
data save location.

11. Balance the torque transducer by clicking the ‘Balance Torque’ soft key at the upper right
corner.
12. Unlock the chuck at the right side by pushing the chuck locker handle up.
Spring 2018 ME 2356

13. To load the specimen, first open the protective lid. Then move the chuck at the right hand
side so that the separation will allow you to put the specimen in the chucks. Put the specimen
in the chucks. Make sure that the work section of the specimen coincides with (that is, starts
at) the free surface of each chuck. Tighten the specimen in the chucks. Lock the chuck by
pushing the chuck locker handle down. Finally, close the protective lid.

Perform your test:


14. Balance the angle by clicking the ‘Zero rotation’ soft key at the upper right corner.
15. Under the ‘Specimen’ section, enter the sample diameter and length values.
16. Look at the transducer icon (upper right corner, circled in red) to check whether the frame is
enabled. If it’s not already enabled, you will need to enable it. You can tell if it’s enabled
because the soft key will say “disable frame” when it’s enabled. You can tell if it’s not
enabled because the transducer icon will be grayed out. To enable the frame if it is not
already enabled, right click the transducer icon.
Spring 2018 ME 2356

17. Click start to start the test.


18. Wait for the finish button to become highlighted; this is an automatic process controlled by
the ‘end of test’ setting. Then click ‘Return’ (this is an important step to release the
stress in the specimen and ensure safety when you unload it), then click ‘Finish’.
19. Unload the specimen from the chucks.
20. Repeat steps 10 to 19 for the second specimen.
21. Your data will be saved in the folder you designated. Collect the data files (.csv files) with a
USB drive or upload them online.

Notes:
1. Find the following experimental data in the output data files (pay attention to the units):
- The Torque, T and
- The angle of twist φ.
2. Use the “report template” posted on the web page to prepare your report.

Evaluation of the Test Results:


1. Construct one graph for each specimen. Each graph should have one curve of
torque vs. angle of twist, where the torque, T, is on the vertical-axis and the angle of
twist, φ, is on the horizontal-axis.
Please, do not give the tabulated DATA in the appendix.

2. Calculate the shear stress τY and shear strain γY at the yield point for each specimen.

3. Calculate the value of G (Modulus of Rigidity or Shear Modulus) for each specimen. Find the
value of G for each specimen from the curves in question #1. Compare the values calculated
to typical values for these materials. Discuss your results in light of known values.

4. Calculate the value of E (Young’s Modulus) for each specimen. Assume that the
Poisson’s ratios are: νbrass= 0.33 and νaluminum = 0.3. (Use the best G value from question
#3). Compare this value with the tabulated E values from the textbook.

5. Draw and explain the type of fracture observed. Where do you expect that the crack
(which developed to bring on failure) appeared first? Explain?
Spring 2018 ME 2356

PROCEDURE: TORSION TEST USING SIMPLE MECHANICAL TESTER

1. Measure the work length and diameter of each specimen.


2. Install the specimen in the chucks. Make sure that the work section of the specimen
coincides with the free surface of each chuck.
3. Zero the level, zero the coarse angular displacement scale and zero the torque meter.
4. Zero the fine scale and zero the counter.
5. Apply a torque to the specimen by twisting it in angular steps of 1° (fine scale). Record
the magnitude of the torque and the angle reading from the radian meter until the yield
point is observed. Then gradually increase the angle increments until failure.
6. Repeat steps 2 to 7 for all the specimens provided.

Notes:
1. Record the following experimental data:
- The Torque, T and
- The angle of twist φ.
2. Use the “report template” posted on the web page to prepare your report.

Evaluation of the Test Results:


1. Construct one graph for each specimen. Each graph should have one curve of
torque vs. angle of twist, where the torque, T, is on the vertical-axis and the angle of
twist, φ, is on the horizontal-axis.
Please, do not give the tabulated DATA in the appendix.

2. Calculate the shear stress τY and shear strain γY at the yield point for each specimen.

3. Calculate the value of G (Modulus of Rigidity or Shear Modulus) for each specimen. Find the
value of G for each specimen from the curve in question #1. Compare the value calculated to
typical values for these materials. Discuss your results in light of known values.

4. Calculate the value of E (Young’s Modulus) for each specimen. Assume that the Poisson’s
ratios are: νbrass= 0.33 and νaluminum = 0.3 and use the G value from question #3. Compare this
value with the tabulated E values from the textbook.

5. Draw and explain the type of fracture observed. Where do you expect that the crack
(which developed to bring on failure) appeared first? Explain?

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