Mechanics of Solids Laboratory Manual

Experiment No. 2

Tensile Test

Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Experiment 2: Tensile Test

Objective
(a) To become conversant with the principle of working of 100 kN Universal Testing Machine.
(b) To carry out a tensile test on mild steel specimen and to draw stress-strain curve.
(c) To evaluate the following
(1) Yield stress
(2) Ultimate stress
(3) Breaking stress (Nominal)
(4) Breaking stress (Actual)
(5) Elongation on gauge length (Present)
(6) Reduction in area (Present)
(7) Proportional limit
(8) Elastic limit.

Equipment specification
(1) Standard dimension test specimen of mild steel.

(2) Universal Testing Machine (walter + bai), 100 kN capacity

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Theory
When a member is subjected to axial loads within elastic limit, a deformation in length takes place
along the length and the deformation so produced is proportional to the load producing it. Only if the
stress are in the elastic limit. Hook’s law holds good with in the elastic limit of the material. If a
further load is applied when an elastic limit is reached, a permanent deformation takes place, and the
material starts yielding. Stress corresponding to this load is called yield stress. Further load addition
causes a plastic flow of material and finally neck is formed which result into fracture of the material
along the portion. Stress corresponding to breaking load is called breaking stress and that
corresponding that corresponding to max load to which the material is subjected during the testing is
known as ultimate stress. If a load extension curve is drawn, from the data obtained during a tensile
test all above mentioned specific stress can be calculated easily.

Yield stress: Py / A N/mm2

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 Percentage elongation of gauge length: 𝐿1 − 𝐿
× 100
𝐿
Percentage reduction of area: 𝐴 − 𝐴1
× 100
𝐴
where,
L = original gauge length of the specimen.
L1 = final gauge length of the specimen when fractured.
A = original cross-section area of the point of fracture.
A1 = minimum cross-section area at the point of fracture.
Py = load in kgs at which yielding take place.
Pu = maximum load in tons during the test.
Pb = load in N at which the test piece breaks.

Limit of proportionality is the maximum stress during a test up to which the hook’s law holds
good and this can be obtained from the load extension curve. Similarly, elastic limit is the max stress
up to which the material has elastic behaviour, this can also be obtained from the above-mentioned
curve. In case of mild steel this stress has a value in between the yield stress and the limit of
proportionality. Yield point is not obtained in case of brittle materials i.e. cast iron.

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Test procedure
1. Measure the diameter of the given test specimen at three different places in its parallel length.
Take two readings each time at right angle to each other. Tabulate the diameter reading on
the standard data sheet as given in table no. 1 and find out the average diameter.
2. Make off the gauge length on the test piece with the help of given marking block. Measure
the actual gauge length and record it on data sheet. This gauge length will be used only to
calculate the percentage elongation.
3. Firstly, turn on the water chiller pump and ensure the temperature of the water to be below 20
ºC.
4. When the temperature falls well below 20 ºC, turn on the compressor otherwise wait
for the water temperature to drop below 20 ºC.

5. Turn the main switch of the hydraulic power pack on.

6. As we switch on the power pack, the remote control handset and the machine unit will get
turn on.

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 Remote control handset and control unit
7. Open the software and turn the flushing pump on using the software which will help to
develop the necessary pressure to hold the specimen.
8. Install the specimen and close the grips using remote control handset.
9. Perform the final check on the entire setup.
10. Set the parameters on the software itself which are necessary for the experiment.

11. Start loading the specimen using the software. A stress strain graph will get generated on the
display window to the computer as the load increases.
12. Note down the elongation of the specimen.

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13. Note down the yield point, ultimate stress point.
14. During the test, carefully observe the specimen as it is being deformed, and note down
any change in the shape.
15. After the specimen fails, remove the specimen pieces from the testing machine.
16. Make a detailed record of the general features of the fractured surfaces, and measure the
diameter of the specimen at the point of failure.

Table No. 1
Diameter of the specimen (in mm)
Least count of the micro-meter gauge/Vernier Calliper: mm
Position No. 1 Position No. 2 Position No. 3 Average diameter
in mm
D1 D2 D1 D2 D1 D2

Table No. 2
1. Gauge length: mm
Load Elongation in Stress in kg/mm2 Strain in
mm mm/mm

Table No. 3
Average diameter of the test piece……………………..mm
Gauge length of the test piece………………………….mm
Cross-section area of the test piece…………………….mm2
Yield load………………………………………………ton
Breaking load…………………………………………..ton
Maximum load…………………………………………ton
Elongation……………………………………………..mm
Distance of fracture from gauge mark…………………mm
Diameter of fracture……………………………………mm
Area at fracture…………………………………………mm2

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Analysis of Results
1. Tabulate data in your practical notebook as per table No. 1, 2, 3.
2. Plot the stress-strain curve from the table No. 2 and calculate the modulus of elasticity by
considering any point of the straight line portion of the curve.
3. Make neat calculation and tabulate the result as required in the object of the experiment.
4. Your understanding of the result obtained and referred literature in view of the following.
a) Behaviour of mild steel and cast iron under test.
b) Type of fracture for mild steel and cast iron.
c) Breaking load is less than the maximum load.
d) Mention the possible source of error, if any