1.

0 Compression Test

A compression test determines behavior of materials under crushing loads. It is

conducted in a manner like tensile test, except that the force is compressive and the
specimen contracts along the direction of the stress. The specimen is compressed and
deformation at various loads is recorded. Compressive stress and strain are calculated.
Plot a stress-strain diagram and determine elastic limit, proportional limit, yield point,
yield strength and, for some materials, compressive strength.

When a simple compressive load is applied to a specimen, the following types of

deformation may take place: elastic or plastic shortening in ductile materials, crushing
and fracture in brittle materials, a sudden bending deformation called buckling in long,
slender bars, or combinations of these. Ductile materials, such as mild steel, have no
meaningful compressive strength. Lateral expansion and thus an increasing cross-
sectional area accompany axial shortening. The specimen will not break: excessive
deformation rather than loss of strength often characterize failure. Brittle material
commonly fractures along a diagonal plane which is not the plane of maximum
compressive stress, but rather one of high shear stress. Strain is a measure of the
intensity of deformation (deformation per unit length). Normal strain, ε, measures the
contraction (or elongation) of a body during deformation.
2.0 Experiment Setup

Equipment & Material preparation

 INSTRON 50kN
 Calliper
 Material: Aluminium, Copper & PVC

Test preparation

 Measure and tabulate the dimensions of the specimen (Mild steel, Aluminium,
Brass) as in the table below before and after the experiment.

Table 1 Specimen Dimension

Material Initial Height Inner radius Outer radius Final height

(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
Mild Steel 10.0 4.0 5.0 9.20
Aluminium 10.0 4.0 5.0 7.15
Brass 10.0 4.0 5.0 8.30

3.0 Experiment Procedure

1. Set up the testing machine for compression and place the specimen between the
plates.
2. Compress the specimen until reaching the desired height. That is when the
specimen has a barrel shape.
3. Measure the final dimensions of the specimen.
4.0 Results

a) For each material tested, plot the stress against strain graph.
b) Identify the proportional limit and compressive strength as shown in Figure 2.
c) Calculate the elastic modulus and modulus of resilience using the formula given.
d) Tabulate the results as in the table below.

Sample: Mild Steel_

Properties Value
Elastic Modulus 448.1326MPa
Proportional Limit 2896937.939m²
Compressive Strength 2896937.94MPa
Modulus of Resiliency 5.515kPa

Sample: Aluminium_

Properties Value
Elastic Modulus 97.3504MPa
Proportional Limit 673444.276m²
Compressive Strength 674681.57MPa
Modulus of Resiliency 0.985kPa

Sample: Brass_

Properties Value
Elastic Modulus 206.9018MPa
Proportional Limit 1296788.363m²
Compressive Strength 12967880.34MPa
Modulus of Resiliency 5.314kPa
5.0 Analysis

a) Based on your result, compare the properties of each material used in the test.

-Based on our result, properties of harder used in the test is a mild steel. Mild steel is
harder than brass and aluminium.

b) Discuss why compression testing is important in manufacturing industry.

-Compression testing is important in manufacturing industry because compression

testing provides data on the integrity and safety of materials, components and products,
helping manufacturers ensure that their finished products are fit-for-purpose and
manufactured to the highest quality. The data produced in a compression test can be
used in many ways including, to determine batch quality, to determine consistency in
manufacture, to aid in the design process, to reduce material costs and achieve lean
manufacturing goals, to ensure compliance with international and industry standards.

c) Analyse the critical unit load for long columns experiencing axial compressive loading.

-A straight uniform column is under an axial compression load P at its two ends.
Assume that the compression load increases from zero. When P is small, the column
remains straight; that is, the transverse displacement of the column is zero. As P reaches
a critical value, the column suddenly buckles sideways. This critical value is called
buckling load, and the corresponding displacement is called buckling mode shape. The
least compression load (Pcr) at which the column buckles are called the Euler buckling
load.

d) Analyse the total compressive stress of an eccentric loaded strut (a short compression
member).

The case of an ideal column under an axial load, the column remains straight until the
critical load is reached. However, the load is not always applied at the centroid of the
cross section, as is assumed in Euler buckling theory. This section analyses a simply-
supported column under an eccentric axial load.
6.0 Conclusion

7.0 References

1. Available online:https://www.testresources.net/applications/test-
types/compression- test/

2. Compression Testing of Homogeneous Materials and Composites: A Symposium

Issue 808 of ASTM special technical publication, ISSN 0066-0558

3. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frBDo8NNfoU

4. Available online: https://www.google.com