SOLIDLAB Assignment 1-5 Section Two Team One

Mekelle University
Ethiopian Institution of Technology -Mekelle

School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Team one
Assignment 1-5: Strain Gauges (Tensile, Bending, and Torsion Experiments), Forces in a
Simple Bar Structure and Forces on a Beam
1. Strain Gauges
Introduction
Strain gauge permit simple and reliable determination of stress and strain distribution at real
components under load. The strain-gauge technique is thus an indispensable part of experimental
stress analysis. Widespread use is also made of strain gauges in sensor construction (scales,
dynamometers and pressure gauges, torque meters).
The test object used for tensile experiment is a steel with
✓ Cross section A=10x2 mm2

✓ Modulus of elasticity E =191000N/mm2
Both ends of the tension bars are provided with hooks for introduction of the tensile forces.
The following relationships are important in conducting tensile experiment;
𝐹
𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝜎 =
𝐴
𝜎 = 𝐸. 𝜀
1 1 𝑈𝐴
𝜀= . .
2(1 + 𝜈) 𝑘 𝑈𝐸
Where E= Modulus of elasticity of the material N/mm2
ε= strain
A= cross sectional area mm2
𝜈= Poisson’s ratio for this experiment takes 0.305
k= k-factor is 2.05
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𝑈𝐴
= this is the ratio of output voltage per input voltage or the number which display on the
𝑈𝐸
measuring amplifier in mV/V
The test object used for bending experiments is a clamped steel cantilever beam. An adjustable
slider with hook permits loading with a single force at a defined lever arm
✓ Length L=385mm
✓ Cross section A=4.75x19.75mm2
✓ Section modulus of bending 𝑊𝑦 = 74.26𝑚𝑚3
✓ Modulus of elasticity E=210MPa
The following relationships are important in conducting Bending experiment;
𝑀𝑏
𝜎=
𝑊𝑦
Where 𝑀𝑏 is bending moment
𝑊𝑦 is section modulus
Bending moment calculated for cantilever beam is
𝑀𝑏 = −𝐹. 𝐿
Where F is the load and L the distance between the point at which the load is introduced and the
measurement point.
According to Hooke’s law the stress being sought is obtained with the modulus of elasticity E
𝜎 = 𝜀. 𝐸
And strain is
1 𝑈𝐴
𝜀= .
𝑘 𝑈𝐸
The test object used for torsion experiments is clamped round steel bar
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✓ Length L=500mm
✓ Diameter D=10mm
✓ Sectional modulus of torsion Wp=196.3mm3
✓ Shear modulus G=80000N/mm2
A transverse lever is attached to the free end of the lever arm to generate the torsional moment.
The lever arm is 100mm. to suppress unwanted bending moments or lateral forces.
The following relationships are important in conducting Torsion experiment;
The Strain ε can be calculated as follows
1 𝑈𝐴
𝜀= .
𝑘 𝑈𝐸
With pure shear stress the relationship between strain and shear is as follows
𝛾 = 2𝜀
According to Hooke’s the shear stress being sought is obtained with the shear modulus G
𝜏 = 𝛾. 𝐺 = 2𝜀.
Experiment-1. (Tensile experiment)
• Fit the tension bar in the frame

• Connect up and switch on measuring instrument
• Use offset adjuster to balance display
• Load bar with 5N of weights. Increase load in steps of 5N up to 25N and note down reading
Tasks
1. Collect all the necessary information regarding the instruments used (model, accuracy,
sensitivity, calibration if any etc.).
2. Collect all experiment data from the experiment by apply different load (0N, 5N, 10N,
15N, 20N, and 25N) at least five load.
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3. Tabular and plotting the measured result in a graph, and explain the graph.
4. Determine the measured stress for each applied load.
5. Determine the theoretical stress for each applied load
6. Comment on the error involved in determining the stress using the theoretical and the
measured stress.
Experiment -2. (Bending Experiment)
• Fit bending beam in frame

• Set slider to distance of 300mm.
• Load beam with small set of weights. Increase load in steps of 1N up to 6N and note down
reading
Task
2. Collect all experiment data from the experiment by apply different load (0N, 1N, 2N, 3N,
4N, 5N, and 6N).
measured stress.
Experiment -3. (Torsion Experiment)
• Fit the torsion bar in the frame

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• Suspend set of weights from lever arm and generate torsional moment. Increase load in
steps of 5N up to 25N and note down reading
Task
15N, 20N, and 25N).
measured stress.
2. Forces in a Simple bar Structure
Introduction
Basic roof truss allows the user to demonstrate simple resolution of forces and force distribution
in simple girder structures. The model consists of three girders, which are connected to one another
in an articulated manner via joint discs. In order to set different angle proportions, one girder is
adjustable into three different lengths. The girders have easy-to-operate spring-loaded catches
which are latched into the joint discs. For defined loads, a weight support with weights max 50N
can be secured to the joint discs. The force acting in the girder is measured via the deformation of
leaf spring element. The leaf spring elements are mounted on the center of the girder. Deformation
is measured via permanently attached dial gauges.
Experiment-4
✓ Assemble the required girder structure in: -

1. 600-600-600
✓ Set the dial gauges to zero
✓ Consider the constant force of the leaf spring is k=227.27𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚
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✓ Load bar with 10N of weights. Increase load in step of 10N up to 50N and note down
reading.
Tasks
30N, 40N, and 50N) at least five load.
3. Determine the Absolute force in each bar𝑆𝑖 = 𝑘𝑥𝑖 .
Where 𝑥𝑖= 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑓 𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 which reading in the dial gauge.
4. Determine the force in each member using theory.

5. Tabular the result.
6. Comment on the error involved in determining the force using the theory and the measured.
3. EM 044 Forces on a Beam Apparatus
Introduction
The unit EM 044 Forces on a Beam Apparatus makes various experiments and demonstrations
from the field of statics of planar force systems possible. Through the use of simple experiments
it is possible to examine the forces applied to a single beam apparatus. The EM 044 is well suited
for both practical laboratory experiments as well as for demonstrational experiments carried out
by an instructor.
Experiment-5
In the following test is used to determine the bearing forces (reaction force) experimentally.
The distance between the supports is set at L = 1000 mm. The dynamometers must then be set to
zero. Three weight mounts, each weighing 22.5 N, are suspended from the beam at intervals of
𝑎 = 400 𝑚𝑚,
𝑏 = 500 𝑚𝑚,
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𝑐 = 900 𝑚𝑚.
Because a weight mount has a dead weight of 2.5 N, three forces of 25 N each will be applied to
the beam. The bearing forces can now be read on the dynamometers.
Tasks
calibration if any etc.).
2. Collect all experiment data from the experiment by apply different load 12.5N, 17.5N, and
22.5N apply at distance 40cm, 50cm, and 90cm respectively from lift end.
3. Determine the Absolute force in each supporter
4. Determine the force in each bearing end (supporters) using theory.
5. Tabular the result.
6. Comment on the error involved in determining the force using the theory and the measured.
Report
A technical report consists the following:

A title page
Objective
Theory
Equipment’s/instruments
Experimental set up and procedure
Experimental data analysis and interpretation
Conclusion
Reference
Bibliography (if it necessary)
Annex (if it necessary)
Some descriptions of the above parts of a technical report are discussed below.
Title page: University, Faculty/College,
Department
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Title of experiment/report
Name(s)
Objective of the experiment: briefly write about the objective of the experiment, what was the
purpose of conducting the experiment. About half a page maximum, usually one paragraph.
Theory: The theory behind the experiment should be clearly explained, including the key
components of the theory, equations used in calculations, and any assumptions that are being
considered during experimental work. Equations relevant to the experiment should be numbered.
All referenced material should be properly footnoted.
Equipment’s/instruments: list the equipment’s and instruments used to identify their model,
capacity and accuracy. If necessary, attach description in Annex. Don’t write how the equipment
works it is not necessary.
Experimental set up and procedure: write how the equipment’s were set-up when conducting
the experiment. Write the steps that you have followed during the experiment.
Experimental data analysis: presents experimental raw data obtained in tables, graphs or figures.
The tables, graphs or figures should be numbered and should have caption. In the text of your
report explain about the tables, graphs or figures. If you have collected large amount of data, you
may discuss selectively few of them and put the remaining data in the annex.
Interpretation of results: the raw data reported in previous section shall be referred and the
meaning of the results explained. Here possible sources of experimental error are discussed.
Comparison of the data with theory (when possible) or numerical analysis or other experimental
work may be discussed. If there are differences explanations are given on why the differences
occurred.
Conclusion: write about what you can conclude from the results of the experiment. Re-write the
analysis made in previous section in to concluding statements. What is your personnel opinion on
the results?
Reference: list in a standard format any books or articles referred in preparing the report. Number
your reference in the text of the report and list them at the end of your report. The following format
may be used.
Example:
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1. Beckwith, T.G., et al. “Mechanical Measurements,” fifth edition, p 45-85, Addison-

Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts, 1993.
2. Beer, F.B., “Mechanics of Materials,” second edition, McGraw-Hill, 1992.
Bibliography: you may also include general list of books, which were not referred but useful for
the topic covered. You may use the same format as the reference list above.
Annex: Any supporting materials such as description of equipment, when necessary. Any raw data
not included in your report. Annexes should be numbered and mentioned in your text of the report.
Attaching a number of pages at the end without proper mention in the report has no meaning.
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SOLIDLAB Assignment 1-5 Section Two Team One

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Mekelle University

Ethiopian Institution of Technology -Mekelle

The test object used for tensile experiment is a steel with

✓ Cross section A=10x2 mm2

The following relationships are important in conducting tensile experiment;

Where E= Modulus of elasticity of the material N/mm2

A= cross sectional area mm2

𝜈= Poisson’s ratio for this experiment takes 0.305

measuring amplifier in mV/V

The following relationships are important in conducting Bending experiment;

Where 𝑀𝑏 is bending moment

Bending moment calculated for cantilever beam is

The following relationships are important in conducting Torsion experiment;

The Strain ε can be calculated as follows

Experiment-1. (Tensile experiment)

• Fit the tension bar in the frame

Experiment -2. (Bending Experiment)

• Fit bending beam in frame

Experiment -3. (Torsion Experiment)

• Fit the torsion bar in the frame

✓ Assemble the required girder structure in: -

4. Determine the force in each member using theory.

A technical report consists the following:

1. Beckwith, T.G., et al. “Mechanical Measurements,” fifth edition, p 45-85, Addison-

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