Laboratory Exercise No.

4
TENSILE TEST OF REINFORCING BAR

INTRODUCTION
This laboratory exercise is used to examine the behavior of reinforcing steel bar in
tension until failure. The tensile test of a steel specimen provides the important basic
mechanical properties of steel such as the proportional and elastic limits of the material,
the yield stress, the ultimate stress, the elongation and the material stiffness (Young's
modulus of elasticity. This laboratory test is in accordance with ASTM E8, Test Methods
for Tension Testing of Metallic Materials, Vol. 3.01.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Modulus of elasticity – the ratio of stress to strain below the elastic limit.
Percent area reduction – reduction in area at fracture in necking region with respect to
original cross-section area; this is a measure of the ductility of the material.
Strain – the unit deformation of the material under load. Strain is not normally
measured. Deformation is typically measured using extensometers with strain
subsequently computed by dividing the measured deformation by the original.
Strain hardening – portion of the stress-strain curve between the elastic limit and the
ultimate stress.
Stress – the load (force) per unit area; the normal (axial) stress is determined by
dividing the load by the original cross-sectional area of the specimen.
Stress-strain curve – an x-y plot of stress vs. strain through the entire range of loading
of the specimen until specimen failure.
Ultimate stress – the maximum observed stress that the specimen will withstand.
Yield stress – the stress at which the material begins to yield.

APPARATUS
1. Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
2. Extensometer
3. Vernier caliper
4. Meter
5. Steel bar cutter
SAMPLE DESCRIPTION
Specimen shall be reinforcing (deformed) bar, at least 13 mm diameter and 500 mm
long. It must be free from deformities and dirt.

1
PROCEDURE
1. Determine the mean diameter of the specimen and record.
2. Mark a 50 mm gage length on the specimen using the gage punch & hammer.
3. Insert the specimen in the UTM and attach the extensometer. Carefully follow the
manufacturer's directions for attachment of the extensometer. Select a load range
for the UTM that will accommodate the maximum anticipated load during the test.
4. Apply the load slowly , obtaining simultaneous readings of load from the UTM and
elongation from the extensometer. When the extensometer nears its range, remove.
Then continue monitoring the elongation of the specimen using the mechanical
dividers and machinist scale in 0.05 inch increment until fracture occurs. Attempt to
obtain the load at fracture.
5. After failure, fit the broken halves together and measure the final “gage” length, and
the smallest diameter.

CALCULATIONS
1. Strain ()

 
L

where:
 = deformation (mm)
L = gage length of the sample (mm)

2. Tensile Stress ()

P
 
A

where:
P = tensile force (N)
A = cross-sectional area of the sample (mm2)

3. Modulus of Elasticity (E)


E 


where:
 = tensile stress (N/mm2 or MPa))
 = strain (dimensionless)
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 Laboratory Exercise No. 4
TENSILE TEST OF REINFORCING BAR

FINAL DATA SHEET

Table 4.1. Sample Dimensions

Sample Nominal Actual Actual Gage

Brand
Diameter Diameter Length Length
ID Name
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
S1
S2
S3
S4

Table 4.2. Table of Collected Loads and Deformations

Sample ID:__________
Tensile
Reading Deformation, Strain, 
Load, P (kN) Stress, 
Numbers  (mm) (%)
(MPa)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

3
 Table 4.3. Table of Mechanical Properties of Steel
Yield Ultimate Yield Ultimate Modulus of
Sample
Load, Py Load, Pu Stress, Fy Stress, Fu Elasticity, E
ID
(kN) (kN) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
S1
S2
S3
S4

Figure 4.1 Stress – Strain Diagram

Sample ID:__________
Stress (MPa)

Strain (%)

4
Name: Date Performed:

Course/Year: Instructor:

Laboratory Exercise No. 4

TENSILE TEST OF REINFORCING BAR

PRELIMINARY DATA SHEET

Sample Dimensions

Sample Nominal Actual Cross- Actual Gage

Diameter Diameter sectional Length Length
ID
(mm) (mm) Area (mm2) (mm) (mm)
S1
S2
S3
S4

Table of Collected Loads and Deformations

Sample ID:__________
Reading Deformation,
Load, P (kN)
Numbers  (mm)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

5
 Table of Mechanical Properties of Steel
Cross-
Yield Ultimate Yield Ultimate Modulus of
Sample sectional
Load, Py Load, Pu Stress, Fy Stress, Fu Elasticity, E
ID Area, A
(kN) (kN) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
(mm2)
S1
S2
S3
S4

GROUP No. _________

Group Leader: __________________

Group Members: Signature:

1. _____________________ ____________
2. _____________________ ____________
3. _____________________ ____________
4. _____________________ ____________
5. _____________________ ____________

Approved by:

_____________________
(Instructor)