Andrew Pepel; Frank Porter; Kevin Brosnan

11/18/2010

ENGR 348

Strengths of
Materials Lab
Experiment 2: Bending Testing
 Abstract

Bending and Compression tests are important to engineering design.

Knowledge of a material’s and ultimate bending and compression strength
makes the difference between a successful, safe design and a dangerous
product or structure. In this experiment we examined a typical concrete
paver. The specimen was analyzed thoroughly before the procedures. First
the specimen was subjected to 3 point bending, and then one of the
resulting halves was compressed until failure. The resulting data from the
test allowed for measurements of ultimate bending and compression
strength, as well as the corresponding strains.

Table of Contents

Nomenclature.............................................................................................................3
Introduction................................................................................................................3
Procedure...................................................................................................................3
Data............................................................................................................................4
Analysis......................................................................................................................4
Results........................................................................................................................6
Discussion..................................................................................................................6
Conclusions................................................................................................................7
References.................................................................................................................7
Appendices.................................................................................................................8
 Nomenclature

Bending Stress (σ)–the result of a load applied σ = MyI

perpendicular to the surface

Units: PSI
Engineering Stress (σ) – the average uniaxial σ= FA0
tensile force (F) on the bar divided by the
original cross-sectional area (A0) of the bar

Units: PSI
Engineering Strain (ϵ) – the ratio of the change ϵ = l-l0l0
in length of the sample in of the sample in
the direction of the force divided by the
original length of the sample

Units: in./in.

Introduction

This report will present the findings of Group 2B (East) in a bending

and compression experiment. Included was one specimen of a concrete
paver that was used once more after breaking in the bending portion of the
experiment.

Procedure

The issued specimens included 1 concrete paver.Before beginning the

procedure the samplewas inspected for any obvious defects, such as cracks,
dents, or cavities. One half inch was marked on each end of the paver as well
as the center for the placement of during the bending test. Once marked,
measurements were taken off the specimen and the following values were
calculated

○ Average Length (in.)

○ Average Width (in.)
○ Average Thickness (in.)
 ○ Average Volume (in.3)

At this point the first part of the experiment was ready to proceed. The
machine was then finely adjusted until the brick was tight to the testing
apparatus and there was a miniscule force read on the machine.

The data was entered into the computer program and the test was
started. Slowly the bendingforce on the specimen was increased, while we
took a measurement of the deflection about once a minute.This process
lasted nearly 13 minutes until the specimen broke apart. The computer
program then stopped the procedure. Once complete the following data for
the test were downloaded from the machine’s supplied computer program:

○ Time (min.)
○ Position (in.)
○ Load (lbf.)

The specimen was removed from the machine and chiseled into a 6in2 cross
sectional area for the compression test.

For the compression test the paver was placed between two flat surfaces on
the machine that would exert the force on paver. From this point the
procedure was much the same as it was for the bending test. The force on
the brick gradually increased and we took measurements of the deflection
about every minute. The brick failed after about 12 minutes.

Data

See Appendices C&D

Analysis

From the raw data supplied by the testing machine and post-procedure
measurements, the first calculations to be made are thebending stress
(σ),bending strain (ε), and compressive stress(σ).Bending stress is the
bendingmomentabout the neutral axis of the specimen multiplied by the
perpendicular distance from the neutral axis, divided bythe second moment
of area of the specimen. The following is the bending stress from the sample
just before breaking:

M=Moment about neutral axis

y=perpendicular distance to the neutral axis
I=Second moment of area
I=bh312=(3.605in)(2.25in)312=3.423in4

M=Fd=1235lbf3.317in=4096.495 lbf∙in

σ=MyI= (4096.495lbf∙in)(3.317in)3.423in4= 3969.639psi

Compressive stress is simply the force appliedon the specimen divided by

the cross-sectional area of the specimen. For example, the compressive
stress just before failure:

F=force on specimen in lbf.

A0=Cross-sectional area of specimen in.2
σ= FA0=11960lbf6in2=1993.333psi
Once the stress and strain calculations are made, a stress-strain curve can
be plotted. Strain is represented on the x-axis, while stress is represented on
the y-axis.

The stress-strain curve is a very important piece of data in both the

bending and compression strength experiments. Besides being a graphical
representation of relationship between stress and strain during the
experiments, it also gives an idea of the size of a material’s elastic region,
and its ultimate strength.

Once the stress-strain curve is plotted, it can now be analyzed. There

are two major parts of the curve: the elastic region, and the plastic region. If
the specimen is only deformed within its elastic region, it will return to its
original shape undamaged. One it passes through the elastic region and into
the plastic region however, it is permanently deformed.

The ultimate stress and fracture stress can be calculated either from
the stress-strain curve, or from the raw data itself. The ultimate stress (or
tensile stress) is simply the highest stress value reached during the
experiment. The fracture stress is the stress experience at the time of the
specimen’s break.

The ultimate strength for the bending experiment was 3969.639 psi.
The fracture stress was 2986.068 psi. For the compression test, the ultimate
stress was 2088.333 psi, and the fracture stress was 1711 psi.
 Results

Bending Compression
Concrete
YieldStrength 3969.639psi 1993.333psi
UltimateStrength 3969.639psi 2088.333psi
FractureStrength 2986.068psi 1711psi
UltimateLoad 1235lbf 12530lbf

Discussion

The bending portion of the experiment took a total of about 13 minutes

and resulted in the paver being broken roughly in half. The break occurred in
the center as expected, and with an ultimate load of 1235 lbf. The stress –
strain graph clearly shows that there is virtually no plastic deformation for
the bending test. Therefore we can conclude from the data gathered that the
concrete is very brittle under bending conditions such as were applied.

For the compression segment of the experiment, one half of the

broken paver was formed into a chunk with roughly a 6in2 surface area that
the compression force was applied to. The stress – strain graph shows very
little plastic deformation before the failure of the paver. This shows that the
paver can be plastically deformed, but only by a small amount before it fails.
The ultimate load for compression was much higher than that of bending, but
that is because of the larger surface area the force was applied to.

Conclusions

Concrete is anespecially brittle material, with the only plastic

deformation occurring during compression.

References
Ferdinand P. Beer, E. R. (2006). Mechanics of Materials (5th ed.). New York: McGraw
Hill.

William F. Smith, J. H. (2006). Foundations of Material Science and Engineering (5

ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

Appendices

Appendix A – Bending Test

Appendix B – Compression test

Appendix C - Bending Test Data (reduced)

Partner Data Point File

Bending Test
Start of Test Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:23:52
Time Position Load ( lbf Stress(psi) Strain(in/i
( min ) ( in ) ) n)
0 0 0 0 0
44.99995 0.000301
0.16833 0.0023 14 501 284
96.42847 0.000366
0.33667 0.0028 30 502 78
151.0712 0.000419
0.505 0.0032 47 775 177
205.7140 0.000458
0.67333 0.0035 64 8 475
260.3568 0.000497
0.84167 0.0038 81 826 773
314.9996 0.000523
1.01 0.004 98 851 972
369.6424 0.000563
1.17833 0.0043 115 876 27
421.0710 0.000563
1.34667 0.0043 131 076 27
475.7138 0.000589
1.515 0.0045 148 101 468
530.3566 0.000628
1.68333 0.0048 165 126 766
584.9994 0.000628
1.85167 0.0048 182 151 766
639.6422 0.000654
2.02 0.005 199 176 965
694.2850 0.000654
2.18833 0.005 216 202 965
745.7135 0.000654
2.35667 0.005 232 402 965
800.3563 0.000681
2.525 0.0052 249 427 163
854.9991 0.000681
2.69333 0.0052 266 452 163
909.6419 0.000720
2.86167 0.0055 283 477 461
964.2847 0.000720
3.03 0.0055 300 502 461
1018.927 0.000720
3.19833 0.0055 317 553 461
1073.570 0.000746
3.36667 0.0057 334 355 66
1124.998 0.000746
3.535 0.0057 350 875 66
1179.641 0.000746
3.70333 0.0057 367 678 66
1234.284 0.000785
3.87167 0.006 384 48 958
1288.927 0.000785
4.04 0.006 401 283 958
 1343.570 0.000812
4.20833 0.0062 418 085 156
1394.998 0.000812
4.37667 0.0062 434 605 156
1449.641 0.000812
4.545 0.0062 451 408 156
1504.284 0.000851
4.71333 0.0065 468 21 454
1558.927 0.000851
4.88167 0.0065 485 013 454
1613.569 0.000851
5.05 0.0065 502 815 454
1668.212 0.000890
5.21833 0.0068 519 618 752
1722.855 0.000890
5.38667 0.0068 536 42 752
1774.283 0.000890
5.555 0.0068 552 94 752
1828.926 0.000916
5.72333 0.007 569 743 95
1883.569 0.000916
5.89167 0.007 586 545 95
1938.212 0.000916
6.06 0.007 603 348 95
1992.855 0.000916
6.22833 0.007 620 15 95
2047.497 0.000956
6.39667 0.0073 637 953 248
2098.926 0.000956
6.565 0.0073 653 473 248
2153.569 0.000956
6.73333 0.0073 670 275 248
2208.212 0.000982
6.90167 0.0075 687 078 447
2262.854 0.000982
7.07 0.0075 704 881 447
2317.497 0.000982
7.23833 0.0075 721 683 447
2368.926 0.001008
7.40667 0.0077 737 203 646
2423.569 0.001008
7.575 0.0077 754 006 646
2478.211 0.001008
7.74333 0.0077 771 808 646
2532.854 0.001047
7.91167 0.008 788 611 943
2587.497 0.001047
8.08 0.008 805 413 943
2642.140 0.001047
8.24833 0.008 822 216 943
 2696.783 0.001074
8.41667 0.0082 839 018 142
2748.211 0.001074
8.585 0.0082 855 538 142
2802.854 0.001074
8.75333 0.0082 872 341 142
2857.497 0.001074
8.92167 0.0082 889 143 142
2912.139 0.001113
9.09 0.0085 906 946 44
2966.782 0.001113
9.25833 0.0085 923 748 44
3018.211 0.001113
9.42667 0.0085 939 268 44
3072.854 0.001139
9.595 0.0087 956 071 638
3127.496 0.001139
9.76333 0.0087 973 873 638
3182.139 0.001139
9.93167 0.0087 990 676 638
3236.782 0.001139
10.1 0.0087 1007 478 638
3291.425 0.001178
10.26833 0.009 1024 281 936
3342.853 0.001178
10.43667 0.009 1040 801 936
3397.496 0.001178
10.605 0.009 1057 603 936
3452.139 0.001205
10.77333 0.0092 1074 406 135
3506.782 0.001205
10.94167 0.0092 1091 208 135
3561.425 0.001205
11.11 0.0092 1108 011 135
3616.067 0.001205
11.27833 0.0092 1125 813 135
3670.710 0.001244
11.44667 0.0095 1142 616 433
3722.139 0.001244
11.615 0.0095 1158 136 433
3776.781 0.001244
11.78333 0.0095 1175 938 433
3831.424 0.001244
11.95167 0.0095 1192 741 433
3886.067 0.001283
12.12 0.0098 1209 543 731
3940.710 0.001283
12.28833 0.0098 1226 346 731
Appendix D – Compression Test Data (reduced)

Partner Data Point File

Compression Test
Start of Test Wed 13 Oct 2010 11:50:34
Time Position Load Stress( Strain(in/
( min ) ( in ) ( lbf ) psi) in)
0 0 0 0 0
27.333 0.00031
0.16833 0.0007 164 33 1
0.00057
0.33667 0.0013 333 55.5 8
0.00075
0.505 0.0017 501 83.5 6
0.00097
0.67333 0.0022 669 111.5 8
139.66 0.00111
0.84167 0.0025 838 67 1
167.66 0.00133
1.01 0.003 1006 67 3
195.66 0.00146
1.17833 0.0033 1174 67 7
223.83 0.00155
1.34667 0.0035 1343 33 6
251.83 0.00155
1.515 0.0035 1511 33 6
279.83 0.00168
1.68333 0.0038 1679 33 9
0.00177
1.85167 0.004 1848 308 8
0.00191
2.02 0.0043 2016 336 1
364.16
2.18833 0.0045 2185 67 0.002
392.16 0.00213
2.35667 0.0048 2353 67 3
420.16 0.00213
2.525 0.0048 2521 67 3
448.33 0.00222
2.69333 0.005 2690 33 2
476.33 0.00235
2.86167 0.0053 2858 33 6
504.33 0.00235
3.03 0.0053 3026 33 6
 0.00244
3.19833 0.0055 3195 532.5 4
560.33 0.00257
3.36667 0.0058 3362 33 8
0.00257
3.535 0.0058 3531 588.5 8
0.00266
3.70333 0.006 3699 616.5 7
644.66 0.00266
3.87167 0.006 3868 67 7
672.66
4.04 0.0063 4036 67 0.0028
700.83 0.00288
4.20833 0.0065 4205 33 9
728.83 0.00288
4.37667 0.0065 4373 33 9
756.83 0.00297
4.545 0.0067 4541 33 8
784.83 0.00297
4.71333 0.0067 4709 33 8
0.00311
4.88167 0.007 4878 813 1
0.00311
5.05 0.007 5046 841 1
869.16
5.21833 0.0072 5215 67 0.0032
897.16
5.38667 0.0072 5383 67 0.0032
925.16 0.00333
5.555 0.0075 5551 67 3
953.33 0.00333
5.72333 0.0075 5720 33 3
981.33 0.00346
5.89167 0.0078 5888 33 7
1009.3 0.00355
6.06 0.008 6056 33 6
0.00355
6.22833 0.008 6225 1037.5 6
0.00364
6.39667 0.0082 6393 1065.5 4
0.00364
6.565 0.0082 6561 1093.5 4
1121.6 0.00377
6.73333 0.0085 6730 67 8
1149.6 0.00386
6.90167 0.0087 6898 67 7
1177.6
7.07 0.009 7066 67 0.004
1205.8
7.23833 0.009 7235 33 0.004
 1233.8 0.00408
7.40667 0.0092 7403 33 9
1261.8 0.00422
7.575 0.0095 7571 33 2
0.00435
7.74333 0.0098 7740 1290 6
0.00444
7.91167 0.01 7908 1318 4
0.00453
8.08 0.0102 8076 1346 3
0.00466
8.24833 0.0105 8244 1374 7
1402.1
8.41667 0.0108 8413 67 0.0048
1430.1
8.585 0.0108 8581 67 0.0048
1458.1 0.00488
8.75333 0.011 8749 67 9
1486.3 0.00497
8.92167 0.0112 8918 33 8
1514.3 0.00511
9.09 0.0115 9086 33 1
9.25833 0.0117 9255 1542.5 0.0052
0.00533
9.42667 0.012 9423 1570.5 3
0.00546
9.595 0.0123 9591 1598.5 7
0.00555
9.76333 0.0125 9759 1626.5 6
1654.6 0.00564
9.93167 0.0127 9928 67 4
1682.6 0.00577
10.1 0.013 10096 67 8
1710.6 0.00586
10.26833 0.0132 10264 67 7
1738.8
10.43667 0.0135 10433 33 0.006
1766.8
10.605 0.0135 10601 33 0.006
1794.8 0.00622
10.77333 0.014 10769 33 2
0.00631
10.94167 0.0142 10938 1823 1
0.00644
11.11 0.0145 11106 1851 4
1879.1 0.00653
11.27833 0.0147 11275 67 3
1907.1 0.00666
11.44667 0.015 11443 67 7
11.615 0.0152 11611 1935.1 0.00675
 67 6
1963.1 0.00697
11.78333 0.0157 11779 67 8
1991.3 0.00711
11.95167 0.016 11948 33 1
2019.3 0.00733
12.12 0.0165 12116 33 3
2047.3 0.00764
12.28833 0.0172 12284 33 4
0.00822
12.45667 0.0185 12453 2075.5 2