MAE 3181 Materials and Structures Laboratory

Fall 2014

Laboratory Report #2.2

Tensile Test Material Response

Submitted to

Dr. D. Stefan Dancila

By
Hasintha Amaranayaka
Class Section 001
Class Group 01
E-mail: hasintha.amaranayake@mavs.uta.edu
In Partial Fulfillment of Course Requirements

Laboratory Experiments Performed on 9/16/2014

With Class Section 001, Class Group 1
Due Date and Time: 9/23/2014, 8 am
Submission Date and Time: 9/23/2014, 8 am

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX 76019

Summary

Provide a single paragraph, self-sufficient (i.e. without external

references) 200-300 word summary of the experimental work
performed describing the objectives, approach, results, and
conclusions. Do NOT include equations, figures, tables, etc. A reader
knowledgeable in the field should be able to fully understand the work
and its major findings by reading this section, and only need to refer to
the body of the document for detailed aspects if/when necessary.

Dr. D S Dancila
(*change to your name*)

2
UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

Table of Contents
Provide a table of contents with page number information for each
section/subsection of the document. (* Delete this statement after
reading *)
Summary
Table of Contents
List of Symbols

Dr. D S Dancila
(*change to your name*)

ii
iii
iv

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UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

List of Symbols
Provide in alphabetical order, lower case followed by upper case, one
per line, a list of all the symbols used and their meaning. Symbols
used in mathematical expressions are in italic. (* Delete this statement
after reading *)
Greek Symbols: (* Greek letters*)

angle of attack

bank angle

angular velocity of the shaft

Roman Symbols: (* Letters *)

a
rivet spacing

body mass

Subscripts:
f

final value

Superscripts:
u

ultimate value

GTA Comments:
- Do not include known units such as kg kilograms
- Pay attention to the symbol headers (ie: Greek, Roman etc)

Dr. D S Dancila
(*change to your name*)

4
UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

List of Figures
Provide a complete, sequential list of figure captions, together with
page information for each.
GTA Comments:
- Do not include actual figures; ONLY include title and page
number.

Dr. D S Dancila
(*change to your name*)

5
UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

List of Tables
Provide a complete, sequential list of table captions, together with
page information for each.
GTA Comments:
- Do not include actual tables; ONLY include title and page number.

Dr. D S Dancila
(*change to your name*)

6
UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

1. Objectives of the Laboratory Experiments

In this laboratory experiment the main objective was to determine the
stress and the strain of a steel specimen. A universal testing machine
and an extensometer was used to determine the specimens yield
point, ultimate stress, fracture stress and young modulus using hooks
law. Furthermore, different amounts of weights were hanged on the tip
and a strain gauge was to determine the strain from a strain indicator.
Thereafter, graphs were plotted by analyzing the data collected,
ultimate stress, fracture stress and yield stress based upon a 0.2%
offset was determined. Moreover, students gain a vast knowledge and
experience in using the instruments in the correct way to obtain
accurate results.

2. Experimental Setup
In the following experiment some mechanical instrument and
electronic instruments were uses to obtain data. A vernier caliper,
micrometer screw gauge was used to determine the length and the
width of the steel specimen area where the strain gauge is attached. A
universal testing machine, shown in Figure - 1 with a load cell of
33700lb consist of wealth stone bridge and strain gauges was used to
determine the stress values and a MTS extensometer, shown in
Figure-2 was used to determine strain in order to plot the stress vs.
strain graph.
Different masses in lb, shown in Figure -3 were used and a linear
pattern strain gauge was attached to the steel specimen, shown in
Figure -4. In order to attach the linear pattern strain gauge a surface
preparation for the steel specimen was followed; degreasing: M-prep
CSM Degreaser, abrading: dry silicon carbide paper SCP-3 400 grit,
burnishing of layout lines, conditioner: M-prep Conditioner A,
neutralizing: M-prep neutralizer 5A, gauze sponges and a HB-4 pencil.
Firstly, all the expiration date for all the chemicals was checked. Using
clean hands the work surface was cleaned using neutralizer 5A. CSM
degreaser was sprayed on to a gauze sponge and the specimen was
wiped thoroughly until sponge comes up clean. Next, using the carbide
silicon paper the surface was dry abraded and the gauging area was
flooded with m-prep conditioner A and wet abraded using the silicon
carbide paper. The specimen was dried using a gauze sponge by
wiping away from the gauging area. Next the burnishing of layout lines
were done using HB-04 pencil by holding it perpendicular to the
specimen surface. And then using a little amount of M-prep Conditioner

Hasintha Amaranayaka

UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

A clean the line to remove the graphite. Final step, use the neutralizer
m-prep 5A flood the entire surface area and clean with a cotton tip and
wipe the area dry.
Less than 30 minutes the strain gauge is installed to avoid any surface
contamination. For this bonding process twisters, PCT 2M tape, gauze
sponge, M-Bond 200 catalyst and M-Bond 200 adhesive is used. Firstly,
clean the twisters using neutralizer 5. Take out the folder which contain
the CEA Stain gauge and open it in a butterfly pattern. Using twisters
grasp the gauge carefully at one corner near the end without touching
the grid area. Place the gauge on the clean work surface with facing
the bonding side down. Use the PTC tape to transfer the gauge.
Remove piece of tape and place it on the gauge to cover the entire
gauge and remove the tape at a shallow angel to reduce and damages
and place it on the specimen on the alignment lines. Reposition if
necessary. Then lift the tape again at a shallow angle to expose the
bonding side of the tape and additional inch. Next apply a very small
amount of catalyst to the bonding side of the gauge wait 1 minute until
the catalyst dries. Place a drop of adhesive on the beam surface right
beside the tape align the gauge tape assembling over the bonding
area the surface and apply medium thumb pressure for 1 minute.
Remove the thumb using a twisting action. And remove the tape.
Using a pair of wires solder the wires to the copper area and fix it to
the portable strain indicator MODEL P-350A, shown in Figure-5 Vishay
instruments.

Hasintha Amaranayaka

UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

Figure-1 Universal testing machine.

Figure-2 Extensometer attached to the steel specimen.

Hasintha Amaranayaka

UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

Figure-3 Weights use to calculate the strain.

Figure-4 Steel Specimen.

Hasintha Amaranayaka

UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

Figure-5 Strain indicator Model P-350A.

3. Experimental Procedure and Results

Firstly, all the equipments and fixing the strain indicator was done as described in the
experimental setup. Secondly, to carry out a safe experiment and to obtain accurate
results all the mechanical and the electronic connections were checked. To obtain the
strain from the strain gauge, which was fixed, and using the strain indicator, weights were
hanged at the end of the specimen from 10g to 600g. Next, all the results were taken
down, strain values corresponding to the weight and was transferred to Ms-excel for
further processing. Raw data values showed in Table -1.
In order to obtain the yield stress, fracture stress and ultimate stress of the specimen it
fixed to the universal testing machine. In order to determine the hooks law we need to
calculate the strain corresponding to the load applied. Therefore, an extensometer was
attached to the specimen, which measure the strain, shown in Figure-2. A vertical
displacement was applied and was increased at a certain increment until the specimen
reached the fracture stress. Data from the universal testing machine was also
processed and output text file and was transferred to MS- excel for
further analysis, shown in the Appendix A.
This experiment may have affected by environmental factors such as
temperature, physical variations when hanging the weights and
Hasintha Amaranayaka

UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

instrumental drifts in the strain indicator and the universal testing

machine.
Strain
Microin
/in
3
10.5
20.5
21.5
30
34
55
67
98
160
190

Mass(g)
10
20
40
50
70
100
150
200
300
500
600

Table-1 Raw data collected from hanging weight.

4. Data Analysis, Interpretation, and Discussion

All the raw data collected by hanging weights was transferred to MS
excel, mass was converted in to kg and using Equation-3 weight was
calculated to plot a graph to determine whether the values were linear
or not, shown in Figure6. The calculated values are shown in Table2. As shown in the graph, a linear line trend line was added to the
points as we can see some point are off the line which shows us that
some factors have affected the experiment. Such factors are,
environmental factors such as temperature, oxidation in the strain
gauge, instrumental drift etc.
The text file which was produced by the universal testing machine
which includes strain and load was also transferred in to MS excel to
calculate for stress. Area was calculated by the measured values of the
specimen using the vernier caliper ad the micrometer screw gauge.

Hasintha Amaranayaka

UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

Stress was calculated using the Equation-2. Thereafter, the inches

were converted to feet since it was easier to determine 0.2% offset.
Stress Vs. Strain graph was plotted, Shown in Figure-7. Moreover,
according to this specific graph young modulus, 0.2% offset yield
strength, fracture strength and the ultimate strength was found.
Young modulus is the gradient of the stress strain graph for the region
that obeys the Hooks law. Therefore, two points were taken on the
region that obeys the hooks law:
( 9.9996*10^-6,196551.7241) and (0.000179576,3282019.704)
and the gradient was determined using the Equation 1.
Yield strength was determined by having a 0.2% offset parallel line to
the line, shown in Figure-8, which obeys the hooks law. Ultimate
stress is the point where maximum stress is therefore this value was
determined by the excel using the MAX function in the stress Column
and the corresponding strain value was determined. Fracture stress
point can be determined from the graph the very last point where the
specimen breaks and the corresponding value of strain was also
determined. These values are shown in Table-4.
Some of the calculated values to plot the graph shown in Table-3.
Gradient = (y2-y1/x2-x1)
1

Equation

= F/A

Equation - 2

W=mg

Equation-3

weight( Microin
Mass(g) N)
/in
10
0.0981
3
20
0.1962
10.5
40
0.3924
20.5
50
0.4905
21.5
70
0.6867
30
100
0.981
34
150
1.4715
55
200
1.962
67
300
2.943
98
500
4.905
160

Hasintha Amaranayaka

UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

600

5.886

190

Table-2 Calculated weight values.

Hasintha Amaranayaka

UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

Figure-1 Strain vs. weight graph for the hanging weight

experiment.

Load
(lbf)

Crossh
ead
(in)

636.4

0.00073
9
0.00141
6
0.00205
8
0.00273
1
0.00340
9
0.00406
5
0.00472
6
0.00540
2
0.00607
7
0.00672
1

689.4

0.00739

742

0.00807
0.00872
9
0.00938
5
0.01006
2
0.01074
1
0.01138
5

79.8
149.4
215.4
281.9
346.9
406.8
467.2
526.7
584.4

793.5
844.7
896.3
947.4
995.4

Hasintha Amaranayaka

_Strain
1 (in)
0.00012
0.00023
2
0.00034
3
0.00045
1
0.00056
0.00065
8
0.00075
7
0.00085
5
0.00094
9
0.00103
7
0.00111
9
0.00120
6
0.00128
8
0.00137
3
0.00145
5
0.00153
6
0.00161
4

Area(ft
^2)

Stress(l
b/ft)

0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6

196551.7
241
367980.2
956
530541.8
719
694334.9
754
854433.4
975
1001970.
443
1150738.
916
1297290.
64
1439408.
867
1567487.
685
1698029.
557
1827586.
207
1954433.
498
2080541.
872
2207635.
468
2333497.
537
2451724.
138

strain
(ft)
9.9996E06
1.93326E
-05
2.85822E
-05
3.75818E
-05
4.66648E
-05
5.48311E
-05
6.30808E
-05
7.12472E
-05
7.90802E
-05
8.64132E
-05
9.32463E
-05
0.000100
496
0.000107
329
0.000114
412
0.000121
245
0.000127
995
0.000134
495

UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

1045.7
1096.4
1144.1
1191.5
1239.7
1288
1332.5

0.01205
3
0.01273
3
0.01339
6
0.01404
8
0.01472
3
0.01540
1
0.01604
8

0.00169
2
0.00177
7
0.00185
1
0.00192
5
0.00200
6
0.00208
2
0.00215
5

0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6
0.00040
6

2575615.
764
2700492.
611
2817980.
296
2934729.
064
3053448.
276
3172413.
793
3282019.
704

0.000140
994
0.000148
077
0.000154
244
0.000160
41
0.000167
16
0.000173
493
0.000179
576

Table-3 Calculated stress and strain values.

#D

Hasintha Amaranayaka

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UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

Figure-7 Stress vs. Strain Graph.

#E
Gradient = (y2-y1/x2-x1) =
(196551.7241-328019.704/((9.9996*10^-6)-0.000179576)
= 1.82*10^10 lb/ft^2

#F
Yeild strength

Hasintha Amaranayaka

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UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

Figure-8 Yeild strength 0.2% offset method.

Yield strength was determined to be 6611576.355 lb/ft^2

Hasintha Amaranayaka

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UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

#G and #H
Fracture and Ultimate stress determined to be was:

Ultima
te
Fractu
re

Stress
(lb/ft^2 Strain
)
(ft)
7220689
0.01007
.655
1847
6391871
0.01697
.921
1071

Table-4 - Fracture and Ultimate stress values and

corresponding strain values.

Hasintha Amaranayaka

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UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

5. Conclusions
Provide the conclusions of the experimental work performed in light of
the results obtained and their interpretation.
GTA Comments:
- Answer the question What do your results mean?
- Show us you understand what you saw in the lab!

6. Recommendations
Provide recommendations for future experiments based upon your
experience and results. If you were to repeat the experiments, what
would you do differently in order to avoid problems encountered, and
or to improve the quality of the results? What are the lessons learned
that can be passed on?

References
Provide a numbered list of reference documents that you have relied
upon in the performance of the investigation. Assign reference
numbers sequentially in the order of first reference in the text.
GTA Comments:
- There is no need to reference the question sheet or the
presentation slides it is expected that you will use these
sources!

GTA Comments Formatting:

- Follow the template diligently!
- Ensure you have the proper axes in your graphs!
Hasintha Amaranayaka

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UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

o Plot controlled variable on the x-axis, and resultant

variable on the y-axis.
o If a specific graph is requested (ie: Stress vs Strain
curve), it is specified in a y-variable vs. x-variable
manner.
o Please be aware of this it can affect calculations
dependent on slope!
- Proper spelling & grammar!

Hasintha Amaranayaka

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UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014

Appendix A
If necessary, use one or more appendices to provide information that
may be useful to a reader but is not required in the body of the report
in order to understand the work performed. Raw data, detailed
derivations, and details of the experimental setup and procedure, are
examples of information that may be presented in this section.
GTA Comments:
- Use this section for extra long data tables!
- Remember to reference in your report that data is included in the
Appendix.

Hasintha Amaranayaka

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UTA MAE 3181 Fall 2014