ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Laboratory Module

EXPERIMENT 3
BENDING TEST

1.0 OBJECTIVES
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

To understand the concept of mechanical properties of solid materials

To construct the bending stress-deflection diagram based on Universal Testing
Machine data.
To understand the concept of bending stress-deflection.
To understand how to determine:
a) Maximum Bending Stress
b) Maximum Bending Moment
c) Maximum Deflection
d) Maximum Slope
e) Proportional limit
f) Youngs Modulus

2.0 INTRODUCTION & THEORY

The bending test is a ductility test which is employed to evaluate the ability of
metallic materials to undergo plastic deformation in bending. The test consists of
submitting a test piece of round, square, rectangular, or polygonal cross-section to
plastic deformation by bending, without changing the direction of loading, until a
specified angle of bend is reached.
For better understanding of the bending stress-deflection curve, it is necessary to
define a few basic terms that are associated with the bending stress-deflection plot.
M
E

I
y
R

(1)

where
M the moment at the neutral axis
y the perpendicular distance to the neutral axis
Ix the area moment of inertia about the neutral axis x
the normal stress in the member, which occurs at a point on the cross-sectional area
farthest away from the neutral axis.
R the radius of curvature
E Youngs Modulus

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Laboratory Module

Plate Specimen

b
h

Figure 1. A simply supported beam subjected to three points loading

Consider a beam AB, simply supported at both ends as shown in Figure 1 subjected to
mid-span concentrated load. Under this condition of loading, the upper fibers (or above
its neutral axis) of the beam, it is said to be subjected to compressive stress or strain
and on the other hand, it is subjected to tensile stress or strain for the bottom fibers of
the beam (or below its neutral axis). At a distance Px, from the left end A, bending
moment, M, of the beam may be written generally as;

M ( P ).x
2
When,

xL

(2)

2 , bending moment M, will be at its maximum i.e M =Mmax. Therefore;

M max P L PL
2 2
4

(3)

The bending stress along the beam may be determined from the general formula
of bending theory. Therefore, with M is given by Equation (1);

M . y P / 2 x .h

I
I

(4)

Equation (4), may be used to determine bending stress at any point along the beam.
Now, if we substitute x

2 , and M =Mmax., then Equation (4) will produce the

Maximum Bending Stress in the beam as follows;

M .y
max
I

P 2 L 2h 2 PLh
I

8I

(5)

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Laboratory Module

Where, I= moment of inertia of the beam cross-section given by;

I

bh 3
12

(6)

By substituting Equation (6) in Equation (5), we will obtain the general equation
of Maximum Bending Stress for the beam when subjected to concentrated load P;

max

3PL
2bh 2

(7)

The calculation of the bending strain, as follows:

6 Dh
L2

(8)

The modulus of elasticity in bending is calculated from the load increment and
the corresponding deflection increment between the two points on the straight line as far
apart as possible, using the Equation (8):

L3 P
E
4bh 3

(9)

where
= Bending stress
= Bending strain
E = Modulus of elasticity in bending
P = Load at a given point on the load deflection curve
L = Support span, (mm)
b = width of test beam
h = thickness of tested beam
D = maximum deflection of the center of the beam
P
= slope of the tangent to the initial straight-line portion of the load deflection curve.

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Laboratory Module

Fig. 2 Three-point bending test

3.0 EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

3.1. Equipments
1) Universal Testing Machine(100 kN)
2) Bending device with two supports and a mandrel

Fig 3. Universal Testing machine (UTM)

3.2. Materials
1) Specimens-Flat bar(Aluminum & Mild Steel)

b = Width of Specimen
h = Thickness of Specimen

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Laboratory Module

4.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

4.1. Set-Up Procedure
4.1.1.Make sure that the primary power supply capacity is proper.
4.1.2 Make sure that the power supply cable is properly connected to the connector.
(Note that most of the accessories such as the recorder and data processor need a
single-phase power supply. Provide a power supply for such equipment separately,
in addition to the power supply for the testing machine)
4.1.3 Turn ON the power supply circuit breaker of the testing machine.
4.1.4 Turn ON the power switch.
4.1.5 If the emergency stop switch on the main frame is locked, turn this switch to unlock
it. When the emergency stop switch is locked, power cannot be supplied to the
servo amplifier
4.1.6.Force amplifier calibration
4.1.7.Mounting the bending test jig.
Note
To stabilize the measurement system of the testing machine, take a warm-up time of
appox. 15 minutes after turning ON the power.
4.2. Procedure
4.2.1. Draw, with a pencil or maker, a line on the straight section of the specimen so that
the line are 100 mm. This will be the span length, L.
4.2.2.Measure the width and thickness of each specimen with a venier clipper at three
different location within the span length. Find the average width (b) and thickness
(h) then record in Table 1.
4.2.3.The testing machine has already been set up and calibrated by teaching engineer.
4.2.4.Place the specimen on the supports.
4.2.5.Start the test by pressing the START button and apply a continuously increasing
bending force through the mandrel in the middle of the test piece until a specified
displacement is achieved and press the stop button.
4.2.6.Then remove the specimen.
4.2.7.Obtain the data from data acquisition software of machine. Make sure you got the
correct data, that are load and displacement data. Save the data in ASCII file so
that you can edit it later by using spreadsheet software.
4.2.8.Make a sketch of the failed specimen. You may take the specimen with you and
keep it.
4.3. Shut-Down Procedure
4.2.1 Turn OFF the power switch
4.2.2 Turn OFF the power supply circuit breaker.
4.2.3 Turn OFF the circuit breaker of the primary power supply (at the users site)
4.2.4 Remove the bending test equipment

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Laboratory Module

5. ANALYSIS
5.1. Make a table giving the specimen, the original dimensions and the final
dimensions. This will be Table 1.
5.2. Construct a bending stress-strain curve from the load-deflection curve
i. First, print your load-deflection curve data and insert it on Table 2.
ii. Next, construct the load-deflection curves by utilizing spreadsheet
software and name it as Fig. 1. The load is on the y-axis and
deflection is on the x-axis. The unit of load and deflection are kN
and mm,respectively.
iii. For each point, compute the bending stress. Use Mpa as the unit
for bending stress. It is expected you have a proper knowledge to
compute it by using spreadsheet software. Insert the result on
Table 3
iv. Plot the data points of bending stress vs. strain and draw a
smooth curve through them and name it as Fig. 2. The bending
stress is on the y-axis.
5.3 Make another table containing the specimen, proportional limit, ultimate
strength, moduluss young, max bending stress, max bending moment, max
slope and max deflection. This will be Table 4.

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Laboratory Module

Name :

______________________________

Matrix No :

______________________________

Date : ______________

5. DATA & RESULTS:

Table 1
Material Type

Average

Span Length, L,(mm)

Thickness, h,(mm)
Width, b,(mm)

Table 2
No

Force
(kN)

Deflection
(mm)

1
2
3
.
End

Fig. 1

Fig. 1 Force vs. Deflection curve

Name :

______________________________

Date : ______________

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Matrix No :

Laboratory Module

______________________________

Table 3
No

Force

Deflection

Stress

Strain

(kN)

(mm)

(MPa)

(mm/mm)

1
2
3
.
End

Fig. 2

Fig. 2. Bending Stress vs. Strain curve

Table 5
Parameter

Results-Graph

Results- Formula

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Laboratory Module

Proportional Limit
Ultimate Strength
Modulus of elasticity
Max Bending Stress
Max Bending Moment
Max Slope
Max Deflection

Name :

______________________________

Matrix No :

______________________________

Date : ______________

6. QUESTIONS
Answer the question
6.1 Using your own word, what do you understand about Bending Test?

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Laboratory Module

6.2. Evaluate the following vernier clipper gauge readings:

Name :

______________________________

Matrix No :

______________________________

Date : ______________

7.0 DISCUSSION
(Include a discussion on the result noting trends in measured data, and comparing measurements with theoretical predictions when
possible. Include the physical interpretation of the results and graphs, the reasons on deviations of your findings from expected
results, your recommendations on further experimentation for verifying your results, and your findings.)

10

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Name :

______________________________

Matrix No :

______________________________

8.0

Laboratory Module

Date : ______________

CONCLUSION

Based on data and discussion, make your overall conclusion by referring to experiment objective.

The conclusion for this lab is

11

ENT 251/4 Solid Mechanics

Laboratory Module

12