HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF EGIS

D38TA : Construction Technology 2

Exploration 1 : Mechanical properties of steel

Introduction
The mechanical properties of materials are the features that determine how materials will behave when forces
are applied to them. Examples of properties that are important in structures are elasticity, yield point, plasticity,
ductility, toughness, fracture and ultimate strength. This exploration will measure some of these properties for
mild steel, a basic structural material.

Objective
To observe the relationship between stress and strain, identifying elastic, plastic and fracture behaviour, and to
determine the modulus of elasticity, yield point and ultimate tensile strength of mild steel.

Equipment
Denison universal testing machine, extensometer, measuring callipers.

Procedure
Working with the supervisor you will use the Denison universal testing machine on a sample of mild steel rod
in order to record the relationship between stress and strain, identify elastic, plastic and fracture behaviour, and
determine its modulus of elasticity, yield point and ultimate tensile strength.

Relevant relationships
Stress = force or load /area of application of the force. (1)
Tensile strain = change in length /original length. (2)
Modulus of elasticity = increase in stress /increase in strain. (3)

Tensile test. Using the calliper measure the diameter of the turned section of the mild steel rod, place it in the
jaws of the testing machine and carefully place the extensometer around it. Increase the tensile force on the
specimen, taking pairs of readings of force and extension. After 20 kN pause and note the trend of the readings
so far. Then continue to increase the load until the specimen yields, noting the readings. Remove the
extensometer and continue increasing the load until the specimen breaks. When it has broken, compare the
length of the tested specimen with its original length and measure the diameter of the steel at and near the point
of failure. Note any interesting features of the mode of failure of the specimen. Convert the readings of load and
extension to values of stress and strain, use Microsoft Excel to plot a graph of stress against strain and
determine the modulus of elasticity from the slope of the elastic region. The line will not necessarily pass
through the origin because of unavoidable errors in setting up the extensometer. Also record the maximum load
the specimen withstood and use this to calculate the ultimate tensile stress as peak force/cross-sectional area.
Consider whether the maximum load was the same as the load at the instant of breakage. Determine the yield
point (the stress at the elastic limit) from the graph.

Report
In your report you should aim to be providing answers to the questions posed by your objectives (above).
Sketch the relationship between stress and strain, identifying elastic, plastic and fracture behaviour, calculate
the modulus of elasticity, yield point and ultimate tensile strength of mild steel and compare it with published
data on steel from a reference source. Discuss your results and comment on the level of agreement. Discuss any
sources of error and also whether the method used is appropriate for the objective. Report and comment on the
differences between the yield point and the ultimate tensile stress for steel as determined in the tensile test.

References
Construction Materials by Illston and Domone, chapter 1.