Mechanic of Materials Lab

Experiment # 2

Poisson’s Ratio Flexure Test

February 3, 2011

February 10, 2011

Aleah Bridges

Group B

Andrew Watts and Patrick Arterbure

Abstract:

The purpose of this experiment was to measure the Poisson’s Ration of an aluminum beam by
loading it as a cantilever. Once the beam was in the cantilever flexure frame, the longitudinal and
the lateral strain was measured. This first measurement was undeflected. The beam was then
deflected, and the strain measurements were taken again.

Background:

When a linearly elastic, homogenous, and isotropic material is subjected to uniaxial stress, the
specimen not only deforms in the direction of the applied load, but also exhibits deformation of
the opposite sign in the perpendicular direction. This is referred to as the Poisson’s effect. It is
characterized by a material property called Poisson’s ratio. The ratio is defined as v = - (Elateral /
Elongitudinal) But this is only for things in the uniaxial stress condition. Poisson’s ration, like
Young’s modulus, is a constant when dealing with a linearly elastic, homogenous, and isotropic
material. For this experiment there are two strain gages on the beam. One is longitudinally and
the other one it laterally. When the stress state of the material is different from that of the
calibration specimen, a correction should be made for transverse sensitivity.

Procedure:

The lab manual was used in this experiment. The specimen was an aluminum beam with one
lateral and one longitudinal strain gage.

Data and Calculations:

Raw data: Gage Factor (Sg): _2.085_

Transverse Sensitivity Factor (Kt): _1%_

Strain Measurments:

Longitudinal Lateral
Undeflected 0 -1322
Deflected 1629 -822
Net Strain 1629 -500

Calculations: v = -0.3069
C = 1.00014
v corrected = 0.3069
% error = 1%

Sample Calculations: All on raw data sheet

Results:

Poisson’s ratio was found to be 0.3069. The accepted value was 0.31. There was only a one
percent error. If the value of 0.3069 was rounded to two decimal places, it would be 0.31, which
as previously stated the accepted value. Therefore there was not really any error in this
experiment.

Conclusion:

The group’s finding of Poisson’s ration is acceptable. The results show that Poisson’s ratio can
be measured.

References:

1. The lab manual