DEPARTMENT OF

CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Module Code: CE2617 Module Title: Engineering Mechanics and Materials II

Module Leader: Dr Esmaeel Esmaeeli Assessors(s): Dr Esmaeel Esmaeeli

Assignment title: Structural Lab’s Practice Weighting: 40%

Main Objectives of the Assessment:

- Evaluate the application of theoretical knowledge.
- Measure data analysis and communication skills
- Encourage critical thinking and problem-solving
Brief Description of the Assessment:
The lab experiments are focused on (a) the buckling behaviour of aluminium struts with different end
conditions and comparing their results with the Euler buckling formulae, and (b) the torsional behaviour of
circular section bars to evaluate the effect of materials (steel vs brass), cross-section (solid vs hollow circular
section) and length on the torsional behaviour of the rods.

Students should attend the lab according to the schedule uploaded to the Brightspace page of CE2617. They
should carry out the experiments and collect the data and pictures needed to prepare their individual lab
report.

Learning Outcomes for the Assessment: Assessment and marking criteria:

- Apply theoretical concepts to practical
scenarios - Technical accuracy (50%)
- Analyse and communicate experimental - Clarity of written report (20%)
results - Constructive discussions (30%)
- Demonstrate proficiency in experimental
techniques

Assessment method by which a student can demonstrate the learning outcomes:

Format of the assessment/coursework: (Guidelines on the expected format and length of submission):
A single PDF file composed of only A4 sheets and limited to 20 pages.

Distribution date to students: Monday, 13 November, 2023

Submission Deadline:
Indicative reading list:
Further information:
4 pm – Wednesday, 13 December, 2023 (WiseFlow)
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 CE2617 Structural Lab’s Practice

The lab experiments are focused on:

a) The buckling behaviour of aluminium struts with different end conditions and
comparing their results with the Euler buckling formulae, and
b) The torsional behaviour of circular section bars to evaluate the effect of materials (steel
vs brass), cross-section (solid vs hollow circular section) and length on the torsional
behaviour of the rods.

The students should attend the lab according to the schedule uploaded to the Brightspace page
of CE2617. They should carry out the experiments and collect the data and pictures needed to
prepare their individual lab report by strictly following the instructions given below.

Format of the report

- The report should be prepared using Microsoft Word and the graphs should be plotted
in Microsoft Excel and copied to the Word document. Handwritten reports are not
acceptable.
- It must not exceed 20 pages, including cover, text, tables, graphs, etc. Appendices will
be disregarded.
- Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial fonts with a minimum size of 12pt should be used.
The font size can be reduced to 10pt for tables and graphs if needed.
- The experiments should appear in the report in the same sequential order as presented
in this document.

Report Submission
- The report in the form of a single PDF file must be submitted to WISEflow by 4 pm
on 13 December 2023.

Mark
- This report constitutes 40% of the final mark of CE2617.

Assessment criteria
- Technical accuracy (50%)
- Clarity of written report (20%)
- Constructive discussions (30%)

2
 Experiments on the Effect of End Conditions on the Buckling Load of a Strut

In these experiments, students will test struts with different end conditions (pinned-end; pinned-
fixed; fixed-fixed) and compare their results to the Euler formulae.

Euler buckling load for a pinned-end strut, 𝑃𝑒 :

𝜋2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑒 = (1)
𝐿2

Euler Buckling load for a strut with one end fixed and the other end pinned, 𝑃𝑒 :
2𝜋2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑒 = (2)
𝐿2

Euler buckling load for a strut with fixed ends can be represented as, 𝑃𝑒 :
4𝜋2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑒 = (2)
𝐿2

where:
Pe = Euler buckling load (N)
E = Young’s modules (Nmm-2)
I = Second moment of area (mm4)
L = Length of strut (mm)

Fig. 1 Test rig for buckling of struts.

3
Based on the experiments carried out in the lab on the struts with pinned-end condition, pinned-
fixed end condition and fixed-fixed end condition, prepare a report that includes an introduction
on buckling of structural elements, the test procedure (methodology and test details), your
observations and the answers to the following:

1) Use Euler’s buckling equations to calculate the buckling loads for struts of varying lengths.
Compare these calculations with your experimental results.

2) Plot separate graphs of buckling load versus 1/L2 and calculate the gradient of each line for
each end condition.

3) Establish ratios between each end condition and the pinned-end condition.

4) Discuss the results and compare the experimental and theoretical ratios.

5) Explain the factors influencing the direction of lateral deformation in the struts during the
experiments.

6) Discuss how the buckling of column(s) in a structure (e.g., bridge or building) can
jeopardise the structural integrity. Provide a real-life or case-study example where buckling
resulted in the failure of a structure and describe the details in a maximum of one page.
Include appropriate bibliographic references.

4
 Experiments on the Torsion of Circular Sections
For torsion of circular section bars, the relationship between applied torque and torsional
angular deflection is:

𝐺𝐽
𝑇= 𝜃 (1)
𝐿

where:
T = applied torque (Nm)
G = shear modulus (N/m2)
θ = torsional angular (radians)
L = length of bar (m)
J = the polar second moment of area (m4)

For solid bar, 𝐽 = 𝜋𝐷4 /32, D is bar diameter.

𝜋(𝐷04 −𝐷𝑖4 )
For circular section hollow bar 𝐽 =
32

where D0 and Di are outer and inner diameters of the bar.

Fig. 2 Test rig for torsion of circular sections.

5
Experiments 1 & 2: Torsional deflections of a solid steel rod and a solid brass rod.

In these experiments, students measure the torsional deflections of a solid steel rod and a solid
brass rod subjected to an increasing torque, thus exploring the torque and deflection
relationship.

Based on the test results:

1) Plot graphs of angular deflection θ against applied torque T for brass and steel
rods and TL against Jθ for brass and steel rods.

2) Calculate and compare the shear modulus of each material.

3) Name at least three applications or situations where torsional deflection is

undesirable.

Experiment 3: Torsional deflection of a brass tube.

In this experiment, students compare the torsional deflections of a solid brass rod and a brass
tube with an identical (outer) diameter.

Based on the test results:

1) Plot graphs of angular deflection θ against applied torque T for both cases.
2) Compare the results between these two cases and give your own findings.
3) Remark on the efficiency of design using tube rather than solid.

Experiment 4: The effect of rod length on torsional deflection.

In this experiment, students explore the relationship between torsional deflection and rod length
at a constant torque.

Based on the test results:

1) Plot graph of angular deflection θ against rod length L
2) Comment on the graph of angular deflection against rod length.
3) Brass material was preferred to steel for the rods tested in this experiment.
Comment on why brass is deemed more suitable for this experiment.