Mechanics of Materials Laboratory

Lab #5
Poisson's Ratio

David Clark
Group C
9/15/2006
 Abstract
The purpose of the following experiment is to determine Poisson's ratio for 2024-
T6 aluminum, as well as serve as an outline for the procedure to test various other
materials. Poisson's ratio refers to a characteristic dimensionless number which
accurately predicts the amount of strain experienced in non-parallel directions to an
applied load. To find this value, a cantilever setup was combined with dual strain gages to
record changes in lateral and longitudinal strain. Poisson's ratio for the aluminum
specimen was found to be 0.307, which is less than 1% from the scientifically accepted
0.310.

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 Table of Contents
1. Introduction & Background............................................................4

2. Equipment and Procedure............................................................5

3. Data, Analysis & Calculations.......................................................6

4. Results..........................................................................................9

5. Conclusions...................................................................................9

6. References....................................................................................9

7. Raw Notes...................................................................................10

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1. Introduction & Background
When a material experiences deformation, it not only changes on the axis of the
applied load, but also in the perpendicular direction as well. This is known as Poisson's
effect and can be predicted by Poisson's ratio. For a specimen experiencing a simple
uniaxial load, this ratio is expressed as:

ε lateral
υ=−
ε longitudinal

Equation 1

More complex loading configurations utilize the same principles; however these
setups were not used in the determination of Poisson's ratio in this exercise. These more
advanced conditions are beyond the scope of this lab.

Poisson's ratio is constant for all homogeneous, isotropic, linearly elastic

materials. For most materials, this value is between 0.0 and 0.5. Poisson's ratio should not
be confused with stiffness or hardness. Materials with similar Poisson's ratio may have
completely different Young's Moduli. For example, diamond is very hard whereas cork
can be deformed by hand without and special equipment; however they both have very
low Poisson's ratios (Lakes.) Below is a table of common ratios for various materials.

Material Poisson's ratio

Isotropic upper limit 0.5

Rubber 0.48- ~0.5
Lead 0.44
Copper 0.37
Aluminum 0.35
Copper 0.34
Polystyrene 0.34
Brass 0.33
Ice 0.33
Polystyrene foam 0.3
Stainless Steel 0.30
Steel 0.29
Beryllium 0.08
Isotropic lower limit -1

Table 1

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 The following experiment determines Poisson's ratio for 2024-T6 aluminum. This
process uses the change in strain from an unloaded to a loaded configuration. The change
in strain for both lateral and longitudinal directions is easily found, however due to the
nature of the instrumentation used, correction must be used. The following form is the
final equation used in this experiment.

ε longitudinal
υ=− ⋅C
ε lateral

Equation 2

where C is the correction factor. For more information and an example of determining
this correction factor, see section 3.

2. Equipment and Procedure

This experiment was conducted using the following equipment:

1. Cantilever flexure frame: A simple apparatus to hold a rectangular beam

at one end while allowing flexing of the specimen upon the addition of a
downward force.

2. Metal beam: In this experiment, 2024-T6 aluminum was tested. The beam
should be fairly rectangular, thin, and long. Specific dimensions are
dependant to the size of the cantilever flexure frame and available weights.

3. P-3500 strain indicator: Any equivalent device that accurately translates

to the output of strain gages into units of strain.

4. Two strain gages:

5. Micrometers and calipers:

The specimen should be secured in the flexure frame such that an applied force
can be placed opposite of the securing end of the fixture. The strain gage on the top of the
test material should run longitudinally (or parallel to the length) at the same length as a
second strain gage running perpendicularly on the adjacent side.

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 Figure 1

Whenever taking a reading from a strain gage, consult the strain gage
measurement device for optimal setup. When this experiment was performed, the
following setup was utilized:

• The independent lead to the P+

• One dependent lead to the S-

• One dependent lead to a dummy connection (D120)

The strain indicator should be initially set to read zero strain for the longitudinal
gage. The indicator should then be set to read the initial strain for the lateral gage. A load
should be placed such that an increase in strain is created. (Note: The load applied should
be verified to be below the yield stress to minimize damage to the specimen and ensure
the integrity of the results.)

Next, the strain indicator should be reconfigured to read the longitudinal gage.
The net change in stress for both gages should be recorded for later calculations.

3. Data, Analysis & Calculations

The gage factor for the strain gage used was 2.085 and the transverse sensitivity
was 1.0. Both these factors are dependant upon the strain gage used and are generally
given by the manufacturer.

The following table lists the initial and final strain gage measurements, along with
the net strain.

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 Longitudinal (με) Lateral (με)
Undeflected 0 80
Deflected 1645 580
Net Strain 1645 -500

Table 2

The net longitudinal and lateral strain were found by the following equations:

εˆlongitudinal = εˆlongitudinal ( deflected ) − εˆlongitudinal (undeflected ) = 1645 − 0 = 1645µε

Equation 3

εˆlateral = εˆlateral ( deflected ) − εˆlateral (undeflected ) = 580 − 80 = 500µε

Equation 4

The initial calculation of Poisson's ratio can be found using these two strains.

ε longitudinal − 500
υ=− =− = 0.304µε
ε lateral 1645

Equation 5

The correction factor that appears in equation 2 is found from visual inspection of
the transverse sensitivity correction chart. Kt is supplied by the manufacturer of the strain
gage. This value should be traced up to the 0.304 line on the chart. Since this line is not
graphed, visual estimation must be used.

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 Figure 2

The estimated correction factor in this case is 1.01. Inserting this value into
equation 2, the new determination for Poisson's ratio is found in equation 6.

υ=−
( − 500) C =−
( − 500)(1.01) = 0.307
εˆlongitudinal 1645

Equation 6

The scientifically accepted value for Poisson's ratio of 2024-T6 aluminum is:

υ std = 0.31

Equation 7

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 The percent error in the calculated ratio can be found using equation 8.

υ std − υ calculated 0.310 − 0.307

%error = × 100 × 100 = 0.967%
υ std 0.310

Equation 8

4. Results
Poisson's ratio for the 2024-T6 beam was 0.307. This value has an error of
0.967% from the accepted 0.31.

The main source of error may be in the correction factor for transverse sensitivity.
Since this factor was found by visual inspection of a chart, the actual value is difficult to
determine. Other sources of error include, but are not limited to, imperfections in the
adhesive on the strain gage and resolution of the strain indicator.

5. Conclusions
For most materials that are available in bar form, the following experiment
provides acceptable results. This was reflected in the percent error using aluminum 2024-
T6, which was less than 1% from the accepted value.

6. References
Gilbert, J. A and C. L. Carmen. "Chapter 7 – Poisson's Ratio Flexure Test." MAE/CE 370
– Mechanics of Materials Laboratory Manual. June 2000.

Lakes, Ron. "Meaning of Poisson's Ratio." University of Wisconsin. 11 Sept. 2006.

<http://silver.neep.wisc.edu/~lakes/PoissonIntro.html>

Elgun, Serdar Z. "Poisson's Ratio". 11 Sept. 2006.

<http://info.lu.farmingdale.edu/depts/met/met206/poissonsratio.html>

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7. Raw Notes

Figure 3

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Figure 4

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