Lab 4: Stress vs.

Strain Lab

Lucien Filip

The purpose of this lab was to draw different conclusions about the properties of a steel
bar. During the lab we used a inch by 18 inch bar of 1020HR steel and tested it using a
Universal Testing Machine. This machine was located in the Strength and Materials Laboratory.
Using the results recorded, we had to create a stress vs. strain graph and calculate the modulus
of elasticity.

To conduct this lab, we attached the 1020HR steel bar to a universal testing machine.
Then, the instructed fastened an extensometer to the bar. The extensometer is used to measure
the slightest change of length that an object undergoes. Once the steel bar was correctly
hooked up to the universal testing machine, we began to apply a load to pull the steel bar. We
applied the load in 1000lbs increments until it reached 21,000lbs and recorded the results. At
this point, the instructor removed the extensometer and began to measure the change in length
using a gauge. With this gauge we began recording the results every .1inch until the steel bar
broke. With the data recorded up to the point of breakage, the next objective was to create a
stress vs. strain diagram and calculate the modulus of elasticity.

With the results, the next step was to convert the data into stress and strain figures. In

order to find the strain we used the equation, . Where, e represents the

elongation and gage length is the initial length of the bar, 8in. To determine the stress we used
 Lab 4: Stress vs. Strain Lab

the equation, . Whereas, the force was the load applied and . Using these

two formulas, the data was then graphed using a Stress vs. Strain diagram. This diagram shows
us that the ultimate stress is around 70,000psi and the ruptured stress is around 50,000psi. The
modulus of toughness is represented by the area underneath the curve in the diagram.

The last step in this lab was to figure out the modulus of elasticity for the 1020HR
3/4inch bar of steel. In order to do this, the same data used in the Stress vs. Strain Diagram was
graphed but only up to around 50,000psi, the yield point of the steel. This diagram is known as
the Modulus of Elasticity, which is also known as Joungs Modulus. The actual modulus is the

slope of the graph, where . The modulus of Elasticity we got was 30E6. This worked

out perfectly because the actual modulus of elasticity for 1020HRS is 30E6. Using this graph we
also noted that the area under the line is known as the modulus of resilience. This graph is
linear because all stress vs. strain diagrams will be linear up to the yield point, according to
Hookes Law. The yield range is shown in the Modulus of Elasticity diagram because it is when
the stress and strain are directly proportional. When stress and strain are not directly
proportional the steel bar has reached its proportional limit.
 Lab 4: Stress vs. Strain Lab

E-Mail Grade