Experiment # 2

)Compression Test(

• Goal of the Experiment:-

1. To study the relationship between compressive force and corresponding change in

length
2. To study and verify the relationship between stress and strain
3. To compare the experimental results with theoretical.
4 . To calculate the modulus of elasticity under compression

• Equipments:-

1- Compression test machine.

2- Specimens to be tested like wood and tile.
3- caliper: to measure the dimension of the specimen dimension.

• Theory:
The compression test is considered as the opposite of tension test. The
materials in such tests are considered as brittle like wood and others. The
specimens are formed as cubic or cylindrical shape where the length is less
than twice of its width or diameter. The specimen is characterized as :-
1. The area exposed to compression is either of square, rectangular, or circular
shape.
2. The percentage of increasing in cross sectional area and decreasing in length
is calculated .
3.This experiment is generally conducted on brittle material .
4.There is no yielding point in this experiment.

• Relationship between force and reduction in length:

The amount of reduction in length compression test can be calculated by:-
 P  Lo
• ΔL = ………………………………………………………………(1)
E  Ao

And from Eq (1) :-

ΔL  E  A o
• P= ………………………………………………………….(2)
Lo
Where:-
Lo: Original length before testing in (mm)
Ao: Original Cross sectional area of specimen in (mm²)
E: Modulus of elasticity (or Young 's modulus) ( N/mm²)
P: Applied force (N)
ΔL: Amount of reduction the length of the specimen (mm)

• Relationship between stress and strain:

According to Hook's law, the stress is proportional to strain with proportional
coefficient called modulus of elasticity

• σ = ε  Ε …………………………………………………………………. (3)

Ρ
• σ= …………………………………………………………………..
Α
(4)
ΔL
• ε= …………………………………………………………………... (5)
L

• The effect of compression on brittle material:

When conducting the compression test on brittle material, the effect axial force on
specimen starts from zero and gradually increase until the material fails, and when
drawing the relationship between force and reduction in length or the stress and strain
can be shown in the next curve:
σ)N/mm²(

ε
*From the previous figure, the amount of strain in compression test is much less
than that in tensile test.
• Experiment procedure
1. Measure the dimensions of the specimen (L0, W0, t0) as original length, width and
thickness as shown below.

Lo

Wo to

2. Install the sample between the compression jaws.

3. Rest the measuring gauge, and start the machine and increase the force gradually.

4. Take the reading of ( ΔL) and P at the same time and fill the table below.

5. Increase the load P, till failure and fill the table with all readings at each increase,
you should notice the change in the shape and dimension of the specimen..

6. Measure the final length, width and thickness after failure.

7. Perform the required calculation according to the table.

8. Calculate the modulus of elasticity from the stress-strain curve.

9. Calculate the percentage of change in dimension such as change of length, width and
thickness.
 Length
Force (P) )σ(Stress )ε(Strain modulus of elasticity
No reduction
kN ΔL(mm) )N/mm²) E(N/mm²)
1 2.5 0.01
2 5 0.02
3 7 0.03
4 9 0.04
5 14 0.05
6 18 0.07
7 20 0.09
8 22 0.11
9 24 0.12
10 26 0.14
11 28 0.15
12 30 0.18

Where:
W0 = 40.3 mm , t0 = 41.5 mm , L0 = 79.8 mm
Wf = 40.4 mm , tf = 41.6 mm , Lf = 79.62 mm
Discussion:
1. What is the shape of failure occurred in this experiment?
2. What is the average of modulus of elasticity on this specimen?
3. Discuss the experiment results?
4. Describe at least four errors occurred in this experiment and how to avoid them?
5. Use English technical writing in preparing your report