Strength of Materials (9024) Experiment No.

Experiment No. 3
1.0 TITLE :
To understand the working of extensometer.

2.0 PRIOR CONCEPTS:

Elongation, Contraction.

3.0 NEW CONCEPTS:

Proposition 1 : Extensometer
An instrument used to measure very small extensions over particular portion of length(gauge length)
when axial tensile force is applied on the specimen.
Concept Structure :

Proposition 2 : Types of Extensometer

For magnification of extension there are three types of extensometer. The Elongation / extension of
the test piece may either be magnified by optical means or by mechanical means or by electronic
transducer system.

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Experiment No. 3 Strength of Materials (9024)

Concept Structure :

4.0 LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Intellectual skills:

To discriminate large extensions and very small extensions.

To select particular portion of length of bar for measurement.

To find the least count of extensometer.

To classify the available extensometer.
Motor skills:

Ability to observe the change in dial gauge reading.

Ability to measure extension from known number of divisions of dial gauge, in case of
mechanical extensometer.

Ability to connect the extensometer to the specimen.

Ability to record the failure load and view the failure pattern.

5.0 APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

Apparatus: Universal Testing Machine(UTM), extensometer, Punch.
Materials: Specimen of mild steel bar of standard dimensions.
Learning Material: Broacher supplied with the extensometer.

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Strength of Materials (9024) Experiment No. 3

6.0 DIAGRAM:
Sketch the specimen showing details of grip length and gauge length

Fig 3.1

Fig. 3.2 Optical Extensometer

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Experiment No. 3 Strength of Materials (9024)

Fig. 3.3 Electronic Extensometer

Fig. 3.4 Mechanical Extensometer

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Strength of Materials (9024) Experiment No. 3

Fig. 3.5 Lindleys Extensometer

7.0 STEPWISE PROCEDURE :

Study of different types of extensometer and their working shall be studied in this experiment. The
extension for a bar subjected to tensile load is measured.
1. Identify the type of extensometer / extensometers in your laboratory.
2. Note the least count of extensometer.
3. Observe the rotation of pointer of dial gauge by changing the position of lower knifes or
pivots in case of mechanical extensometer and on digital display by changing the position of
lower limbs in case of electronic extensometer.
4. Observe the magnification of very small change in position of pivots.
5. Take the mild steel bar and fix it in the jaw of upper crosshead with the help of grips. (The
lower grips shall be kept open)
6. Attach the extensometer on the bar by pressing or screwing the upper and lower pivots on
the bar. Depending on the make of the extensometer the length between upper and lower
pivots may be fixed or that can be changed.
7. Tare off the self-weight of the lower crosshead as per the step 6 and 7 in experiment no. 2
(page no 15)

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Experiment No. 3 Strength of Materials (9024)

8. Put on the UTM and slowly open the control valve when the load dial/display shows zero
value, fix up the lower grips.
9. Observe the changes in the load values as well as dial gauge reading of extensometer.
10. Note three observations for any three consecutive load applications.
11. Put off the machine, open the release valve. Observe the back rotation of the pointer or the
decrease in the reading on electronic display.

8.0 OBSERVATIONS :
Table for extension of bar.

9.0 SAMPLE CALCULATIONS:

Extension or elongation of specimen
l = Dial gauge reading X Least count of the extensometer.
= .. X .
= .. mm.

10.0 QUESTIONS :
Write answers to Q ......, Q ......, Q ......, Q ...... (Teacher shall allot the question)
1. When the UTM is put off, why does the Dial gauge reading reset back? Give reason.
2. What do you mean by Gauge length of a specimen.
3. Why extensometer is used only up to elastic limit? Give reason.
4. What is the maximum capacity of the extensometer you have used.
5. Can extensometer be used to measure the reduction in length.
6. How is gauge length calculated for a circular bar having diameter d.
7. What do you mean by Grip length of a specimen.
8. What will happen if one dial gauge of the mechanical extensometer is faulty.
9. Can you use the extensometer available in your lab for square bars.
10. Which length should be considered for calculation of strain after elastic limit.

(Space for answer)

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Strength of Materials (9024) Experiment No. 3

(Space for answer)

Signature of Teacher

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