Experiment 2 Tensile Stress Testing

Introduction

The purpose of this experiment is to apply a tensile force to a test specimen until the specimen is
pulled to failure. During the course of the tensile load application the computer will monitor
properties and generate a stress/strain curve from which various values such as the Modulus of
Elasticity of the material can be determined.

Objective: The purpose of this experiment is to measure the modulus of elasticity (Young’s
modulus) of an aluminum beam by loading the beam in cantilever bending.

Apparatus:
Materials and Equipment

1. Tensile testing machine

2. Test specimens
3. Micrometer
4. Calipers

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Experiment One –Tensile Stress Test
The tensile testing machine consists of an electro-mechanical test system that applies uniaxial
loading in a uniform manner to test specimens. It is general purpose in its capabilities and
applications. The system performs load versus elongation (stress versus strain) tests which
involve controlling forces from a few ounces to several-thousand pounds, gripping specimens
ranging from delicate fibers to high strength metals or composites, and measuring the resulting
forces (stresses) and deformations (strains). Measurement of the stresses and strains is
accomplished by the use of highly sensitive load and strain transducers that create an electrical
signal that is proportional the applied stress or strain. This electrical signal is measured, digitized
and then processed for display, analysis and report of stress, strain and other computed material
characteristics.

Theory:
The modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) is a material constant indicative of a material’s
stiffness. It is obtained from the stress versus strain plot of a specimen subjected to a uniaxial
stress state (tension, compression, or bending). The elastic modulus is used, along with other
material constants, in constitutive equations that relate stress to strain in more complex
situations. Bending test is performed on beam by using the three point loading system.

A simple tensile test is the most popular means for determining the elastic modulus. Figure 1, for
example, shows a cylindrical test specimen subjected to uniaxial tension. Two reference points,
located at a distance Lo apart, define a gage length. Engineering stress, ó, is computed as the load
is increased (based on the original cross sectional area, Ao) while engineering strain, å, is
determined when the elongation experienced by the specimen, ä, is divided by the original gage.

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Experiment One –Tensile Stress Test
A plot of these quantities produces a stress-strain curve. The modulus of elasticity, E, is defined
as the slope of the linear portion of this curve, and is given by above equations where the stress,
ó, is measured in psi (N/m2 or Pa). In Equation (3.3-2), å is the strain measured in in/in (m/m) in
the direction of the applied load. Since strain is dimensionless, the elastic modulus is measured
in units of psi (Pa).
It is important to realize that Equations above is valid only for uniaxial tension and is a special
case of a generalized set of relations known as Hooke's law. Much more complex relations must
be used when dealing with more complex loadings.

The shape of the stress-strain curve depends on the material and may change when the specimen
is subjected to a temperature change or when the specimen is loaded at a different rate. It is
common to classify materials as ductile or brittle. Ductile materials yield at normal temperatures
while brittle materials are characterized by the fact that rupture occurs without any noticeable
prior change in the rate of elongation. Figures Below typical stress-strain curves for such
materials.

In the case of a ductile material, the specimen experiences elastic deformation, yields, and strain-
hardens until maximum load is reached. Necking occurs prior to rupture and failure takes place
along the planes of maximum shear stress. Referring to Figure 2, the stress, óy, at which yield is
initiated is called the yield stress. The stress, óu, corresponding to the maximum load applied to
the specimen is known as the ultimate strength. The stress, óB, corresponding to rupture is
defined as the breaking strength.

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Experiment One –Tensile Stress Test
In the case of the brittle material characterized by Figure 3, there is no difference between the
ultimate strength and the breaking strength. Necking is negligible and failure takes place along

the principal planes perpendicular to the maximum normal stress. Since the slope of the elastic
portion of the stress versus strain curve often varies, different methods, such as secant and
tangent methods, have been developed to obtain the elastic modulus. When the yield point is not well
defined, a 0.2% offset method is often used to determine the yield stress. As illustrated in Figure 4, óy is
obtained by drawing a line parallel to the initial straight-line portion of the stress-
strain diagram starting from a strain value of ε = 0.2% (or ε = 0.002). The yield stress is defined as the
point where this line intersects the stress versus strain curve.

Procedure
The computerized tensile testing machine will be used to produce stress versus strain plots for
several different specimens having rectangular cross sections. The data is used to determine the
modulus of elasticity while the specimens are examined for failure characteristics. Information should
be entered on the attached work sheet. The steps to be followed are:
1. Measure and record the beam width (b), beam thickness (t), and length (L) of the test
section.
2. Mark a section of specimen and measure the effective length.
3. Mount the specimen in the machine using the grips provided. Make sure it is fixed and rigidly
positioned, and centered the testing area as much as possible.
4. Start the computer and select the tensile testing software.
4. Click on hardware. Connect USB connector.
5. Click properties icon, click on change sign. Click OK.
6. Click on calculator and insert

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Experiment One –Tensile Stress Test
 DIA = ………m
L = ................ m
Stress = right click and select force / ‘π * ‘DIA/2’^2’ unit Pa
Strain = right click and select Data position/L

7. Drag the graph icon to the screen. Select X-axis as strain and y-axis as stress.
8. Zero the sensor and hit record.
9. As soon as you hit the record button start rotating the handle clockwise manually with
A constant speed until the sample breaks.
10. Take the rupture specimen out and measure the new length between the original marked area and
record the number.
11. Upon completion return to main menus and get all reports.
.

Required:
From graph and data collected find:

1. elastic modulus (E) by using the tangent method

2. yield stress (óy) by using the 0.2% offset method
3. ultimate strength (óu)
4. breaking strength (ób)
5. Plastic deformation region
6. Examine each specimen after it has failed and note the degree of necking and
orientation of the fracture surface.

Dr. S. E. Beladi, PE Mechanics of Materials Lab P age|5

Experiment One –Tensile Stress Test
Dr. S. E. Beladi, PE Mechanics of Materials Lab P age|6
Experiment One –Tensile Stress Test
Dr. S. E. Beladi, PE Mechanics of Materials Lab P age|7
Experiment One –Tensile Stress Test