Palestine Technical University – Kadoori.

Faculty of Engineering and Technology.

Department of Building Engineering.
Strength Of material Laboratory.

"Instruction Manual"

Hooke’s law and spring test

Instructor: Eng. Mohammad Abbas

Objective
✓ To find the stiffness or “spring rate “of a spring compare it with theory and manufactures
data.
✓ To prove that Hooke’s law works for extension springs.
✓ To demonstrate and find initial tension by experiment.
✓ To show the effect of two spring in series and parallel.

Spring Type
✓ Tension Springs

Figure 1: Tension spring

✓ Compression Springs

Figure 2: Compression Spring

✓ Torsion Springs

Figure 3: Torsion Spring

Theory
𝐹
𝑘 =𝛥 which
𝐾𝑁
k is the spring constant (𝑚𝑚).

F is the applied force (KN).

𝛥 is the extension of the spring (mm).

Figure 4: Force and extension curve (spring rate).

𝑑2 ∗ 𝐺
𝑘 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 = (𝑁/𝑚𝑚).
8 ∗ 𝑛 ∗ 𝐷3
d is the inner diameter of spring.
D is the outer diameter of spring.
n is the number of coils in spring.
G is the shear modules of spring materials.
Series springs

𝐹 = 𝐹1 = 𝐹2
𝛥 = 𝛥1 + 𝛥2
1 1 1 1 1
= + + + ⋯+
𝑘 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑣𝑢𝑙𝑛𝑡 𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑘3 𝑘𝑖
Parallel springs

𝐹 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2
𝛥 = 𝛥1 = 𝛥2
𝑘 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑣𝑢𝑙𝑛𝑡 = 𝑘1 + 𝑘2 + 𝑘3 + ⋯ + 𝑘𝑖

Procedure
✓ Choose one of the sample springs, use caliper to measure the outside and wire diameter
and spring length.
✓ Fit one end of the spring onto the hook at the top of equipment.
✓ Fit the other hook and transparent pointer to the bottom of the spring.
✓ Choose small or large weight hanger and fit it to the bottom of the transparent pointer.
✓ Slowly add your ten or more different weights, as you add each weight, record the
reading on the scale.
✓ Remove the weights after finishing your experiment.

To complete the experiment spring in series.

✓ As in experiment 1, test each spring to find its actual properties.

✓ Now use one of the extra hooks supplied to link the two spring together in series.
✓ Treat the series springs as one long spring and re test it in experiment 1.

To complete the experiment spring in parallel.

✓ As in experiment 1, test each spring to find its actual properties.

✓ Now use two parallel hanger plates to link the two spring together in parallel.
✓ Treat the series springs as one long spring and re test it in experiment 1.
Data and calculations
Spring Properties:
Outside Diameter
Wire Diameter
Length
Initial Tension
Maximum Extension
Spring Rate

Mass (Kg) Force(N) Scale reading Extension (𝜟)

(mm) (mm)

✓ Two spring different in length and same diameter.

Springs Properties:
Outside Diameter (s1, s2)
Wire Diameter (s1, s2)
Length (s1, s2)
Initial Tension
Maximum Extension
Spring Rate (k1, k2)

Mass (Kg) Force(N) Scale reading Scale Extension Extension

1 (mm) reading 2 series (𝜟𝟏) parallel (𝜟𝟐)
(mm) (mm) (mm)
 ✓ Two spring different in diameter and same length.
Springs Properties:
Outside Diameter (s1, s2)
Wire Diameter (s1, s2)
Length (s1, s2)
Initial Tension
Maximum Extension
Spring Rate (k1, k2)

Mass (Kg) Force(N) Scale reading 1 Scale reading Extension Extension

(mm) 2 (mm) series (𝛥1) parallel (𝛥2)
(mm) (mm)
 ✓ Spring in series and parallel
Springs Properties:
Outside Diameter (s1, s2)
Wire Diameter (s1, s2)
Length (s1, s2)
Initial Tension
Maximum Extension
Spring Rate (k1, k2)

Mass (Kg) Force(N) Scale reading Scale Extension Extension

series (mm) reading series (𝜟𝒔) parallel (𝜟𝒑)
parallel (mm) (mm)
(mm)

Result and conclusion

what are the relationship between length of spring and its constant?

What is the relationship between diameter of spring and its constant?

What happen if we add extra weight to the spring?

What is the effect of series & parallel in spring constant and its used ?