How to Find Yield or Tensile Strength of a Steel Bar?

June 13, 2012

Engineering0
10038

Theory:
1) UTM:
UTM stands for Universal Testing Machine. By help of this machine, we can have Tensile test,
Compression test, Shear test and Bend test. UTM can apply high load. It applies load through oil.
i) Parts of UTM:
It has two main parts;

a) Loading Unit:
Specimen is placed in this unit.
This unit has further three parts:-

 Upper cross head (also called upper clamping head)

 Lower cross head (also called lower clamping head)
 Table
b) Control Unit:
It is used to control the applied load. This unit is also called Measuring Unit.
ii) Accessories:
UTM has some accessories like bending table, jaws for grapping specimen,
Recorders (which can draw a graph also).

Universal Testing Machine

2) Terminologies:
Now let us define some terminologies to be used in this experiment.

i) Proportional Point:
Is the point at which HOOKE’S LAW is applicable i.e. tress is directly proportional to strain.
ii) Elastic Limit:
It is the point at which the material will not return to its original shape but will retain a permanent
deformation.
iii) Yield Point / Load:
It is the point where needle of UTM stops for a very short time (just for one or two seconds).
It can properly be defined as the point at which there is appreciable large elongation of material with out
any considerable increase in stress. Such property is found only in structural steel.
iv) Ultimate Load and Ultimate Point:
Ultimate load is the maximum stress of the material. While Ultimate Point is the maximum or highest
ordinate on the stress-strain curve. Or the point where needle of UTM stops permanently.
v) Rupture Load:
The stress at failure is called rupture stress or rupture load. Actually it is tensile stress.
The above points are shown below on the curve;
 Hookes Law
a >>> Elastic limit
b >>> Yield point
c >>> Ultimate strength
d >>> Rupture strength
Apparatus:
UTM, test specimen, vernier calliper etc.
Procedure:
a) I prepared a test specimen of about 2ft.
b) I measured its diameter by help of vernier calliper three times and took its average.
c) Then I inserted suitable jaws in the grips and selected suitable scale on testing machine.
d) I inserted test specimen in grips by adjusting the cross heads of UTM.
e) I started the machine and applied load continuously.

f) I noted the point where the needle stopped for a while (this is yield point). When the specimen
broke, I noted that point also (this is ultimate value of load).
g) I determined the yield and ultimate strength of the steel bar by dividing yield load and ultimate load by
cross sectional area of the bar.

Precautions:
a) UTM must be handled carefully.

b) Be careful of noting the yielding point.

Observations and Calculations:

AASHTO (American Association for State Highway and Transportation Officials) STANDARDS
YIELD STRENGTH GRADE-40 GRADE-60 GRADE-75
Min. 40,000 Psi 60,000 Psi 75,000 Psi
Max. 60,000 Psi 70,000 Psi 100,000 Psi

Tensile strength is measured in units of force per unit area. The unit is newton per
square meter (N/m^2), kilogram (force) per square centimeter (kg/cm^2) or pounds per
square inch (psi). The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of a material is the force per unit area at
which it breaks in two.