EXPERIMENT 08
To determine deflection components of a semi-circular bar
subjected to diametrical loading
8.1 Objective
➢ To observe the conduct of thin semi-circular rings under different directions
➢ To relate deflection components under same conditions of operations
8.2 Apparatus
➢ Curved bar apparatus
➢ Semi Circular Rings
➢ Vernier Calipers
➢ Meter rod
➢ Dial Indicator Gauge
➢ Weight and weigh pans
8.3 Theory
8.3.1 Deflection
In engineering, deflection is the degree to which a structural element is displaced under
a load. It may refer to an angle or a distance.
The deflection distance of a member under a load is directly related to the slope of the
deflected shape of the member under that load, and can be calculated by integrating the
function that mathematically describes the slope of the member under that load.
Deflection can be calculated by standard formula (will only give the deflection of
common beam configurations and load cases at discrete locations), or by methods such
as virtual work, direct integration, Castigliano's method, Macaulay's method or
the direct stiffness method, amongst others. The deflection of beam elements is usually
calculated on the basis of the Euler–Bernoulli beam equation while that of a plate or
shell element is calculated using plate or shell theory.[1]
8.3.1.1 Diametrical Deflection
When the material is subjected to loading which is in the shape of diameter or a circular
ring type so then the produced deflection is known as a diametrical deflection. The
formula for finding this deflection is:
𝟐
𝜹𝑯 = 𝑾𝑹𝟑 (𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)
𝑬𝑰
𝟑𝝅
𝜹𝑽 = 𝑾𝑹𝟑 (𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛)
𝟐𝑬𝑰
Where W is the load applied, R is the radius of the ring, E is the elastic modulus of the
material and I is the moment of inertia.
Figure 8.1
8.3.2 Applications of Deflection
It has very vast variety of applications like:
➢ In almost each field of architecture, the concept of deflection is used
➢ In machine design, there is a specific topic known as the bearing deflection
which tells us about that how to minimize the deflection at a certain load applied
while designing the machine
➢ Deflection is used in the framework of beams
➢ It is used excessively in the construction of buildings
8.3.3 Mechanical Loading
Loading, in mechanics, is the external mechanical resistance against which a machine,
such as a motor or engine, acts. The load can often be expressed as a curve
of force versus speed.
8.3.4 Diametrical Compression Test
A diametral compression test involves applying a stress load or force to the point
where a material object is split in half (down the diameter of the object). This test
indirectly measures the tensile property of a material object, as the molecules of the
material are pushed apart in opposite directions, similar to what happens to molecules
in a direct tensile strength test.[2]
Figure 8.2
8.3.5 HSLA
HSLA stands for High-Strength Low Alloy Steel. It is the material that we use in this
experiment. High-strength low-alloy steel (HSLA) is a type of alloy steel that
provides better mechanical properties or greater resistance to corrosion than carbon
steel. HSLA steels vary from other steels in that they are not made to meet a specific
chemical composition but rather to specific mechanical properties. They have a carbon
content between 0.05–0.25% to retain formability and weldability. Other alloying
elements include up to 2.0% manganese and small quantities
of copper, nickel, niobium, nitrogen, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, titanium, ca
lcium, rare earth elements, or zirconium. Copper, titanium, vanadium, and niobium are
added for strengthening purposes. These elements are intended to alter
the microstructure of carbon steels, which is usually a ferrite-pearlite aggregate, to
produce a very fine dispersion of alloy carbides in an almost pure ferrite matrix. This
eliminates the toughness-reducing effect of a pearlitic volume fraction yet maintains
and increases the material's strength by refining the grain size, which in the case of
ferrite increases yield strength by 50% for every halving of the mean grain
diameter. Precipitation strengthening plays a minor role, too. Their yield strengths can
be anywhere between 250–590 megapascals (36,000–86,000 psi). Because of their
higher strength and toughness HSLA steels usually require 25 to 30% more power to
form, as compared to carbon steels. [3]
8.4 Procedure
➢ Demonstrate whether there is a zero error in the devices or not
➢ Now measure the dimensions of the circular bar with the help of measuring
devices like Vernier caliper
➢ Stable the dial indicator so you can get an accurate result
➢ Balance the whole apparatus using the balancing screws
➢ Now put a load on the hanger
➢ Mark the deflections with the help of the gauge
➢ Repeat the same steps and note the deflection until five or six readings and then
stop
➢ When you stop, then start unload and reverse the procedure and mark the
readings for unloading
8.5 Observations and Calculations
8.5.1 Observations
𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 0.0001′′
𝑮𝒆𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝑹𝒊𝒏𝒈:
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝑡 = 0.197 𝑖𝑛
𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ = 𝑏 = 1 𝑖𝑛
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = 𝑅𝑜 = 8.28 𝑖𝑛
𝑡
𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 = 𝑅𝑚 = 𝑅𝑜 − = 8.18 𝑖𝑛
2
𝑏𝑡 3
𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 = = 6.37 × 10−4 𝑖𝑛4
12
𝑀𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 29 𝑀𝑝𝑠𝑖
8.5.2 Table
No.of Load Experimental Deflection Theoretical % Error
Obs Deflection 𝛿𝑒𝑥𝑝 − 𝛿𝑡ℎ
W 𝛿𝑒𝑥𝑝
%=
𝛿𝑡ℎ 𝛿𝑡ℎ
(lb) (x10-3 in)
(x10-3 in)
Horizontal Vertical Horizontal Vertical Horizontal Vertical
Loading Unloading Average Loading Unloading Average
1. 0.5 10 10 10 8.5 9 8.75 7.4 11.6 26 24.5
2. 1 20 19 19.5 23 23.5 23.25 14.8 23.3 24.1 0.2
3. 1.5 28.5 28 28.2 38 38 38 22.2 34.9 21.4 8.1
4. 2 37 28 32.5 51 51.5 51.25 29.6 46.5 21.0 9.3
5. 2.5 45.5 45.5 45.5 67 67 67 37 58.2 18.6 13.1
𝑨𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟐%
𝑨𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟎𝟒%
8.6 Discussion
➢ The error is due to defective apparatus
➢ The other reason might be due to unskilled observations
➢ The error is decreasing as the load is increasing
➢ The material that we used in this experiment is steel of type HSLA
➢ The deflection is found by the above formulae
➢ The radius we use for this is of the ring
8.7 References
[1] J. M. Gere and B. J. Goodno, Mechanics of materials, Eighth. Cengage
Learning, 2013.
[2] Science.gov. .
[3] “Classification of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels :: Total Materia Article.”
[Online]. Available:
https://www.totalmateria.com/page.aspx?ID=CheckArticle&LN=EN&site
=kts&NM=62. [Accessed: 05-May-2019].
