Let’s Check

Activity 1: Now that you review the most essential principles in structural steel design. Let us try to check
your understanding by solving the following activities:

Situation 1: Define the following:

a. Proportional limit - determines the greatest stress that is directly proportional to strain. It is the
point on a stress-strain curve where the linear, elastic deformation region transitions into a non-
linear, plastic deformation region.
b. Elastic limit – is the maximum stress per unit area it can withstand before there is permanent
deformation. In other words, it is the limit of the material’s elasticity, for up to that point, the
solid can resume its original shape when the load is removed; after that point, it undergoes
permanent (plastic) deformation and will not return to its original shape even after
the load (yield load) has been removed.
c. Yield stress - All objects will begin experiencing elastic deformation at first, but once the stress on
the object exceeds a certain amount, it will experience plastic deformation. When that switch
happens, the object has reached its yield stress. There are two types of deformation that can occur
in steel. First, is elastic deformation where the shape deforms because of the stress load imposed
on the sample and when the load is reduced or removed, the steel returns to its original shape;
there is no permanent deformation. Second, is the Plastic deformation where the steel deforms
because of an imposed load and the resultant deformation is retained after the load is reduced or
removed.

Situation 2: What are the differences between wrought iron, steel and cast iron?

Wrought iron and cast iron are both iron but cast iron is iron that has been melted, poured into a
mold and allowed to cool it is also a generic term used to describe a range of iron alloy. Whereas the
wrought iron is heated iron and then worked with tools. It is a tough malleable iron suitable for forging or
rolling rather than casting. steel on the other hand is an alloy of iron, same as the cast iron but has a
typically a few percent of carbon to improve its strength and fracture resistance compared to iron.

wrought iron and steel are both strong, hard materials that make a durable fencing that can last for years
but the difference between them is that wrought iron is composed of entirely iron, wherein the steel is
made up of alloy of iron and carbon.

Cast iron on the other hand is also made up of alloy of iron and carbon just like steel but the difference
between them is that cast iron has more carbon than steel in it. steel usually has 2 percent of carbon
whereas cast iron has 2 to 3.5 percent of carbon.