PRACTICAL NO 01

Title:

Deformation of Spring Apparatus

Objective:
To Determine the relationship between deflection and applied load, deflection and number of
coils" deflection and mean coil diameter, deflection and wire diameter and compare with the
theoretical values.

(Helical Spring Apparatus)

Theory:
In a close coil helical spring the helix angle is very small and it may be assumed that each coil is in a
plane perpendicular to the spring axis. When a load is applied, stresses are set up due to torsion, direct
shear and bending. The stresses due to direct shear and bending are very small and may be neglected in
comparison with those set up due to torsion. Consider a spring of mean coil diameter D, wire diameter
"d "and number of free coils N, subjected to an axial load W, Which produces deflection e

The work done by the load in deflecting the spring = Strain energy stored in the spring.

That is

q
1
q
=
= ( ) W D( )
2
2
2
2
Where = applied torque =

WD
2

q = Angle of twist of wire,

Deflection = =

Dq
2

From Equation of Torsion

i.e. q =

.
.

Where = Length of wire = DN

And = Polar second moment of area of wire cross section =

d4
32

WD
( 2 ) (D N) 162
f =
=
G d4
4
32
Deflection = =

83
4

(i.e. deflection l is proportional to

3
4

Apparatus:
Deformation of Spring Apparatus, Different weights with hanger

Procedure:
1. Position a spring in the apparatus and apply a suitable initial load. Zero the Vernier scale. Apply loads in

known increments and record the deflection in each case.

2. Replace the springs in (1) with springs (in turn) having the same wire and mean coil diameter, but a
different number of "free" coils. Apply the same load to each spring and record the deflection in each
case, and number of free coils".
3. Replace the springs in (2) with springs (in turns) having the same wire diameter and number or free" coils
but which differ in their mean coil diameter. Apply the same load to each spring and record the
deflection in each case and mean coil diameter.
4. Replace the spring in (3) with spring (in turns) having the same mean coil diameter and number of coils
but which differ in their wire diameter. Apply the same load to each spring and record the deflection in
each case, and wire diameter.

Load (Lbs)

Mean Coil Diameter D (in)

Deflection l (inches)

Deflection l (inches)

Number of Free Deflection l (inches)

Coil N

Wire
Diameter Deflection l (inches)
d(inches)

Calculation:
1. Plot the graph of load vs deflection
2. Plot the graph of free coils.
3. Plot the logarithmic graph using readings obtained, of deflection against mean coil diameter
4. Plot the logarithmic graph using readings obtained of deflection against wire diameter
From the graphs of load vs deflection and deflection vs number of free coils show that
I W and l N

By the determining the slopes of the Logarithmic graphs show that. l is

Proportional to D3 and l is proportional to 1 / D4

Conclusions:
Comment on the form of the graphs obtained and compare the relationships found with those indicated
by the theoretical equation for the deflection.