Department of Civil Engineering

Papua New Guinea University of Technology

CE 261- Engineering Materials

Test 2 – Tensile Test of a Steel Specimen

Objective:
1. To observe the stress-strain relationship pattern for steel in tension.
2. To observe the failure pattern for steel in tension.
3. To determine the value of Young’s Modulus or Modulus of Elasticity.
4. To determine the value of Tensile Strength or Tensile Stress.
5. To determine the value of Yield strength or Yield Stress.
6. To determine the value of Strain or the Elongation.

Apparatus:
1. Torsee Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
2. Mechanical & electronic Extensometer
3. Venier caliper
4. Steel Specimen

Procedure:
1. Measure the diameter of the specimen using Venier caliper. Record on the data
sheet.
2. Place the specimen in the grips, make sure that the threaded ends of the grips are
threaded completely onto pull rods and the spherical seats are likewise threaded
completely onto pull rods so as to assure that the threads will not be stripped during
the operation. The spherical seats insure that the loading will be purelyu tensile in
nature and that no bending moment s will be induced.
3. Attached the extensometer securely to the specimen. Connect the extensometer
cable to the recorder. It is assumed that the testing machine has been turned on.
Adjust the extensometer so the drum in the recorder is activated.
4. Estimate the proportional limit and the maximum load the specimen may take and
select suitable load range, accordingly on the testing machine and a suitable load
scale and deflection scale in the recorder.
5. Apply a small load to the specimen and adjust the extensometer such that at small
load, the read-out mechanism in the recorder is fully activated. The loading dial
drives the pen movement while the extensometer movement drives the drum
movement.
6. Apply tensile load slowly an continuously (record every 2 KN) until the maximum
range of the recorder movement has been reached, or the maximum load had been
reached. Stop the machine (but hold the load) and remove the extensometer.
Measure the gage length of the specimen, using mechanical extensometer. Record
the data in the data sheet.
7. Remove the load and take simultaneous reading of deformation (using the
mechanical extensometer) and load until the maximum load had been reached.
Continue to load the specimen slowly to failure without taking any additional
deformation reading. At this stage, a necked region in the specimen should be
 visible and final fracture should occur in this region. Record the maximum load and
breaking load.
8. Remove the broken specimen from the machine. Observe the location and
character of the fracture. Fit the broken parts together and measure the gage
length. Record that data in the data sheet.
9. Plot two stress- strain diagrams for the test results; one shows the entire stress-
strain curve. Compute the properties as follows:
a. Tensile Strength = [Max. Load] / [Original cross sectional area]
b. Yield Strength= [Yield Load] / [Original cross sectional area]
c. Elongation (%) = [ (A) – (B) ] / (B) x 100
Where: A = increased gage length after testing
B = original gage length

Report for Test I should include the following:

1. Calculate the following:

𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
a. Tensile Strength also Ultimate Tensile strength = 𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
b. Yield Strength = 𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝐴−𝐵
c. Elongation (%) = 𝐵 x 100
Where:
A = increased gage length after testing
B = original gage length

𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
d. True Fracture Strength = 𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
e. Yield stress and strain
f. Young Modulus of Elasticity

𝜎 𝐹/𝐴 𝐹𝐿𝑜 𝐹𝐿𝑜

E = 𝜀 = 𝛿/𝐿𝑜 = =
𝐴𝛿 𝐴(𝐿−𝐿𝑜)

2. Draw the graph of load vs elongation (extension) for the whole test.
3. Draw the graph of true stress vs strain for the whole test.
4. Discuss the stress and strain curve as a result of the whole test and relate it to the
stress and strain diagram (elastic limit, proportional limit, yield point, fracture).
5. Comment on the difference between load vs elongation (extension) and the stress
and strain graph.

Assisted by: Checked by:

MR. SALI BAFINU Dr. MIRZI L. BETASOL0

Technical Officer Senior Lecturer
 Department of Civil Engineering
Papua New Guinea University of Technology
CE 261 (Engineering Material)

TENSILE TEST ON A STEEL SPECIMEN

(Practical Application #1) – RECORD SHEET

UNIAXIAL TENSION TEST

Name : ____________________________________Date Performed: __________________

Course: ____________________________________Date Finished:____________________
Group: ____________________________________

Material:_______________________Gage Length:______________ Diameter___________

Load Deflection Stress Strain Load Deflection Stress Strain

Assisted by: Checked by:

MR. SALI BAFINU Dr. MIRZI L. BETASOL0

Technical Officer Senior Lecturer