University of Engineering & Technology Taxila

Department of Industrial Engineering

Lab Session # 09
Course Title: Mechanics of Materials Lab Instructor: Mr.Waqar Ahmed
Semester: 4th Session: 2K22
Total Marks: Obtained Marks:
Name of Student: Roll No:

Evaluation Sheet

Knowledge components Domain Contribution Max. Obtained

Taxonomy level
marks marks

Student has conducted the

experiment by practicing the Manipulate (P2) 10
hands on skills and following
Psychomotor 70%
standard procedures.
Student has achieved required
Precision (P3) 5
accuracy in performance and
Calculations.
Student is aware of safety rules Receiving (A1) 3

Student used the safety Affective 3

Respond (A2)
equipment during experiment. 20%
Student has followed all the
Valuing (A3) 2
timelines provided during the
lab session
Student is aware of the basic Knowledge (C1)
concepts Cognitive 10% 2
Student has analyzed and Evaluate (C4)
compared the results.
Total 25

Normalize
marks out of 5
(5)

Lab Instructor’s Signatures: _________________________________

Safety Instructions for the Experiment

Do not operate the equipment without the permission of the lab supervisor

Wear safety attire in the laboratory

Objective

Determination of buckling force on a given specimen

Apparatus

1. Strut buckling apparatus 4. Vernier calipers

2. Dial gauge 5. Geometry box
3. Meter rod 6. Graph paper

Theory

Buckling

Materials can fail under very high tension or compression. For tension, the way materials fail is
simply breaking across section. However, for compression, materials can fail by breaking across
section or buckling. Usually in building or bridges, buckling
comes first before breaking occurs. In engineering
practice, design for buckling is important, especially for
slender columns. A well-known theory for buckling was
made by Euler back in 1744. Euler Buckling formula we know in
modern day is

𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃=
𝐿2

E is Young’s Modulus (stiffness) and I is moment of

inertia. EI together means stiffness against bending.
Strut Buckling apparatus

The test device mainly consists of basic frame, guide columns and the load cross bar. The basic
frame consists of bottom mounting for the rod specimen. A load measuring device is attached to
the apparatus to monitor the applied load on the column.

Procedure

1. Measure the length, breadth and width of

vertical bar.
2. Attach the bar to the apparatus and mount dial
gauge at the middle of the specimen.
3. Set the dial gage and buckling force to zero.
4. Apply the load by rotating load cross bar and
record the reading on the load cell as well as
deflection on the dial gauge.
5. Apply the load gradually until buckling
occurs.
6. Calculate the theoretical buckling by using
formula and compare experimental and
theoretical values.
7. Draw graph between load and deflection.

Precautions

1. Do not apply the loads for longer period of time.

2. Level the apparatus before the start of experiment.

Results

Observations

Length of the bar, L =

Width of the bar, h =
Breadth of the bar, b =
Area moment of Inertia of the bar, I =
 Deflection Deflection Critical Buckling
Sr. No. Force (N)
(mm) (exp.) (mm) Force (N)

Calculations

Graphical Results
Conclusion

Comments

State the difference between tie and strut.

Can Poisson’s ratio be calculated using the results of the experiment? Explain.
State the relationship between buckling force and length of the test specimen

State the safety measures you have taken while performing the experiment?

Write down the time taken for each task

Activity Understanding Performance Analysis

Time Taken