LAB REPORT:2

To find the stiffness of the extension spring and to plot a graph between load and displacement.

Objectives:

 To find the stiffness of an extension spring and plot a graph between force and displacement.
 To investigate that whether spring stiffness is effected by the displacement of the spring.

Theoretical background:

Spring:

It is an elastic component of any structure used to:

 Transfer force
 Provide flexibility
 To store elastic potential energy

Classification:

1: The classification is based on the spring material, and is classified as;

 Wire spring: a compression spring or wire spring is a mechanical device in the shape of a helix
made from spring wire.
 Flat spring: flat springs are flat strips of that material when deflected by external load store and
release energy.

2: The classification based upon the resistive response to the applied load.it is categorized as;

 Extension spring: Extension springs also known as tension spring are helical wound coils, wrapped
tightly together to create tension.
 Compression spring: It is open coil helical spring that offers resistance to a compressive force
applied axially.
 Torsional spring: It’s a spring that works by twisting its end along its axis that is a flexible elastic
object that store mechanical energy when twisted.
Technical specifications:

 Wire diameter(d)
 Outer diameter (OD)
 Mean spring diameter (OD-d)
 Body length
 Length inside hooks
 Material
 Stiffness:

1. WIRE DIAMETER:
Diameter of the wire from which the spring is made. It is denoted by d.

2. OUTER DIAMETER:
Outer diameter of the spring. It is denoted by OD.

3. MEAN SPRING DIAMETER:

The difference between outer diameter and wire diameter of the spring is called mean spring diameter.
It is denoted by D, such that 
D = OD – d
4. BODY LENGTH:
Total length of the spring excluding supporting hooks is called body length. It is denoted by BL.

5. LENGTH INSIDE HOOKS:

Total length of the spring including supporting hooks is called length inside hooks.

6. NUMBER OF TURNS/COILS:
As the name indicates, it is the total number of coils of material present in spring.

7. MATERIALS:
Mostly springs are made of Steel, Brass, CV, Plain Carbon, and Aluminum. The material type of spring
varies with its area of use.

10. STIFFNESS:
”It is the resistance offered by a body towards the applied force”.
 F=-Kx
F
K=
x

Apparatus:

 Extension spring
 Vernier caliper
 Weights
 Fine pointer
 Vertical wooden scale

Extension Spring:

Extension springs also known as tension spring are helical wound coils, wrapped tightly together to
create tension. Extension springs usually have hooks, loops, or end coils that are pulled out and formed
from each end of the body.

EXTENSION SPRING APPARATUS

SPRING←

NEEDLE←

HANGER
Vernier Caliper:

A vernier scale is a visual aid to take an accurate measurement between two graduations on a linear
scale using mechanical interpolation; thereby reducing error.

It consists of two scales:

1: MAIN SCALE:

2: VERNIER SCALE

The vernier reading is found by locating the best aligned lines between two scales. The 0.1mm
engraving indicates the “LEAST COUNT” for this scale.

Least Count:

It is calculated by dividing the smallest division on main scale with the total no of divisions on the
vernier scale.

smallest reading on main scale

Least count=
no of divisions on vernier scale

1
LC=
10

LC=0.1mm
 Procedure:

1. Take 3 different springs of same material A, B ,C.

2. Find out the technical specifications of each spring and fill the table below.

TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATION
S SPRING A(mm) SPRING B(mm) SPRING C(mm)

Wire diameter 1.7 2.5 2.7

Outer diameter 15.9 22.3 25.7

Mean diameter 14.2 19.5 23

No of turns 74 47 40

3. Suspend the spring from the rigid support with a pointer and a hook from the free end.
4. At the lower end hang a hanger from the hook.
5. Calibrate the pointer such that the tip of pointer comes over the scale.
6. Now go on adding the weights and note down the position of pointer on the scale and take
readings for each spring.
7. Repeat the steps for other springs and record your observations.

Observation And Calculations:

S. load Spring A Spring B Spring C Stiffness=Fx

No (N) avg
 deflecti deflecti deflecti deflecti deflecti deflecti
x x x
on at on at on at on at on at on at
av avg(m avg(m Ka Kb Kc
loading( loading( loading( loading( loading( loading(
g m) m)
mm) mm) mm) mm) mm) mm)
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 5 0 0 0 0 0.5 0.25 0 0 0 __ 20 __
1.2
3 10 8 8 8 1 1 1 0 0 0 10 __
5
0.6 8. 3.
4 15 24 24 24 2 1.51 1.75 4 4 4
25 57 75
0.5 1.
5 20 38 38 38 3 2 2.5 11 11 11 8
26 81
0.4 6. 1.
6 25 56 56 56 4 4 4 19 19 19
66 25 31

K actual K theoretical
%error
A B C A B C A B C
0.569 10.564 1.374 0.296 1.023 0.564 -101 -932 -60.2

DATA ANALYSIS:

Stiffness graph
60

50

40
FORCE

xa
30 xb
xc
20

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6
DISPLACEMENT

RESULT:
(Kavg)A=0.5734 N/mm^2

(Kavg)B=10.564 N/mm^2

(Kavg)C=.1.374 N/mm^2

PRECAUTIONS:

 Check the zero error in the apparatus.

 Set the pointer to zero before loading
 Note down the readings when the when the load hanger comes to rest

CONCLUSION:

Thus the stiffness depends upon the dimensions (geometry) keeping the material constant.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Errors will occur in this method, so for precise measurement use digital instruments.