MALICDEM, LYNEL JIM A.

BSCE- 3B

Direction: To check your understanding of the topic, answer the following:

1. What is the chemical composition of steel? What is the effect of carbon on the mechanical properties of
steel?

Steel is an alloy of iron with a mixture of carbon. The carbon content in the steel varies from 0.15% to
1.5% by weight depending upon the grade of the steel. According to the carbon content in the steel,
steel can be classified into three different classes:

•Mild steel- steel in which the carbon content ranges from 0.15% to 0.6% is called Mild steel. Mild steel
is also known as low carbon steel or soft steel.

•Medium carbon steel- steel in which the carbon content ranges from 0.3% to 0.8% is called Medium
carbon steel. Medium carbon steels are harder and tougher than the Mild steels.

•High carbon steel- steel in which the carbon content ranges from 0.6% to 2% is called as High carbon
steel. The High carbon steel with carbon content greater than 1% is also known as cast steel or carbon
tool steel.

The effect of the carbon content in steel:

▪︎Increases the brittleness of the steel

▪︎Increases the hardness of the material

▪︎Increases the compression strength of the material

▪︎Ductility of the material decreases

2. Name three mechanical tests used to measure properties of steel.

Three mechanical tests used to measure properties of steel:

•Tension Test- the tension test (ASTM E8) on steel is performed to determine the yield strength, yield
point, ultimate (tensile) strength, elongation, and reduction of area. Typically, the test is performed at
temperatures between 10°C and 35°C (50°F to 95°F).
•Torsion Test- the torsion test (ASTM E143) is used to determine the shear modulus of structural
materials. The shear modulus is used in the design of members subjected to torsion, such as rotating
shafts and helical compression springs. In this test, a cylindrical, or tubular, specimen is loaded either
incrementally or continually by applying an external torque to cause a uniform twist within the gauge
length.
 •Charpy V Notch Impact Test- the Charpy V Notch impact test (ASTM E23) is used to measure the
toughness of the material or the energy required to fracture a V-notched simply supported specimen.
The test is used for structural steels in tension members.

3. Why is reinforcing steel used in concrete? Discuss the typical properties of reinforcing steel.

Since concrete has negligible tensile strength, structural concrete members subjected to tensile and
flexural stresses must be reinforced such as steel are needed to withstand shear and tensile forces on
the concrete. Steel is used because it bonds well with concrete and expands and contracts due to
temperature at similar rates which will make it to withstand against compression, tension, and shear.

Typical properties of reinforcing steel are:

•It possesses high tensile strength, elasticity, hardness, toughness, tensile strength, yield strength,
elongation, fatigue strength, corrosion, plasticity, malleability and creep
•Its thermal coefficient is nearly equal to that of concrete
•It develops good bond with concrete.

4. A mild steel specimen originally 300 mm long is pulled in tension with a stress of 500 MPa. If the
deformation is entirely elastic, what will be the resultant elongation? The modulus of elasticity of steel is
200 GPa.
5. A steel bar with a 30 mm diameter is tested in tension. By monitoring the load reading of the testing
machine, it was found that the specimen yielded at a load of 185 kN and fractured at 215 kN. Determine
the tensile stresses at yield and at fracture. Estimate how much increase in length would occur at 70%
of the yield stress in a 50 mm gauge length.