ECCENTRIC LOADING EM 327: MECHANICS OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT: ECCENTRIC LOADS OBJECTIVES: Study the combined effects of bending and axial loading by measuring the strain distribution for a member subjected to an eccentric tensile load. INTRODUCTION: In this task of the experiment, an aluminum specimen with a series of longitudinal strain gages is loaded eccentrically. The strain distribution is determined and compared to the theoretical distribution and to the case of centric BACKGROUND: Loading conditions can often be a combination of axial and flexural loads, and thus require special consideration when calculating theoretical stresses and strains. The eccentrically loaded specimen used in this laboratory is an example of combined loading where the load can be considered as a combination of flexural loading and axial loading. Figure 1 shows a rectangular bar with an eccentric load (P) applied at some distance, e, from the centroidal axis. Equal and opposite loads with a magnitude P can be added at the centroidal axis as shown in Figure 2 without changing the loading condition of the specimen. e w t P

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

This loading can then be represented by a moment tending to bend the member about the neutral axis and an axial load applied at the centroid as shown in Figure 3.

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ECCENTRIC LOADING EM 327: MECHANICS OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

P M

M + =

FIGURE 4
F IG U R E 3

The internal stress distribution produced by the axial load, P, and the bending moment, M, are shown in Figure 4. In both load components the resulting stress is uniaxial. The stresses can be combined using the principle of superposition as long as the stresses remain within the elastic limit. The resultant stress distribution is shown in Figure 4 and is given by equation 1.1: = My P + A I Where: M= Pe (1.1)

w FIGURE 5

MATERIAL TO BE TESTED: A 2024-T4 aluminum bar with a series of strain EQUIPMENT TO BE USED: Table top tester Strain Indicator Switch and Balance unit

y is measured from the centroidal axis I = bh3/12 Since the stress is uniaxial, the following form of Hooke's Law, equation 1.2, can be used to convert stress to strain: = /E (1.2)

PROCEDURE: PRELIMINARY CALCULATIONS: The moment of inertia of the specimen crosssection will be required. It is critical that the proper cross-sectional dimensions be used to calculate this. Discuss this with the members of your group and verify your conclusions with the lab instructor.

Figure 5 shows the strain distribution over the width of the bar for some eccentricity of loading. Whether or not compressive stresses will be developed on one edge depends on the amount of eccentricity in the loading.

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ECCENTRIC LOADING EM 327: MECHANICS OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

The specimen will be loaded to a maximum load of 3000 lbs. The maximum hydraulic pressure of the tabletop tester that will be used must be determined based on this load limit. The crosssectional area of the piston in the hydraulic cylinder is 4.1 in2. (Do not confuse this crosssectional area with the cross-sectional area required for the specimen stress calculations.) Check your maximum hydraulic pressure with the lab instructor prior to testing. TEST PREPARATIONS: The cross-sectional dimensions of the aluminum specimen need to be measured along with the locations across the specimen width where strain gages are located as well as the distance of the eccentricity, e. These dimensions should be shown on a sketch and the gages should be properly identified. Extreme care should be taken not to damage the gages. Do not measure gage locations and cross-section dimensions on the gages themselves. Lines are drawn on the specimen to be used for this purpose. TESTING PROCEDURE: 1.) Install specimen between grips. Keep the specimen as vertical as possible to prevent unwanted bending. For the first test the pins should be placed through the center holes in the sample. The test will then be repeated with the pins in the eccentric holes of the specimen. 2.) Trace the hydraulic lines to confirm that the appropriate valves are open and closed so that the specimen will be loaded in tension. 3.) Zero the strain indicator. 4.) Apply the pressure to the hydraulic cylinder corresponding to a load of 3000 lbs. (Do not apply 3000 psi pressure!) 5.) Record the strain at the maximum load at each strain gage location. 6.) Release the hydraulic pressure. 7.) When all testing is complete be sure to turn off the strain indicator.

REPORT: REPORT REQUIREMENTS: (1) Develop a single plot of the strain versus specimen width showing the: a. Theoretical strain distribution for centric loading b. Experimental strain distribution for centric loading. c. Theoretical strain eccentric loading d. Experimental strain eccentric loading distribution distribution for for

This plot may be constructed using any suitable computer plotting software. 2) Comment on the correlation between the theoretical and experimental distributions. Provide possible explanations for discrepancies. Where should an eccentric uniaxial load be placed to obtain zero stress on one side of the specimen? Provide both an explanation and a numerical value.

3)

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