Tensile Test

Tensile test is one of the most common tests for steel. The test is described by standard EN 10 002.
The test involves straining a test piece by tensile force, generally to fracture, for the purpose of
determining tensile strength, yield strength, event. ductility and reduction of area.
16.1.1 Definitions

gauge length (L) - length of cylindrical or prismatic portion of the test piece on which elongation is
measured at any moment during the test [m]
original gauge length (L0) - gauge length before application of force [m]
final gauge length (Lu) - gauge length after rupture of the test piece [m]
elongation - increase in the original gauge length at the end of the test
ductility percentage elongation after fracture (A) - permanent elongation of the gauge length
after fracture , expressed as the percentage of the original length:

A=

[%]

Lu - L0
L0

extension increase of the original length at a given moment of the test

percentage reduction of area (Z) - maximum change of cross sectional area, which was
occurred during the test, expressed as a percentage of the original cross-sectional area .

Z=
where S0 is
Su

S0 - S u
S0

[%]

original cross-sectional area before testing [m2]

minimum cross-sectional area after fracture [m2]

maximum force (Fm) - the greatest force which the test piece withstand during the test [N ]

stress () - force at any moment during the test divided by the original cross-sectional area (S0) of
the test piece :

F
S0

tensile strength (Rm) - stress, corresponding to the maximum force Fm :

Rm =

Fm
S0

[MPa]

yield strength (Ry) when metallic material exhibits a yield phenomenon, a point is reached
during the test at which plastic deformation occurs without any increase in the force :

Ry =
where Fy is

[MPa]

Fy
S0

[MPa]

force at the point of yield [N]

proof strength (Rp) stress at which extension is equal to a specified percentage of the gauge
length. the symbol used is followed by a suffix giving the prescribed percentage,for example Rp, 0,2

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Fig.:46 Stress strain diagram

a) steel with yield point

b) steel with proof strength Rp,0,2

[N/mm2]

[N/mm2]

( F [N] )

( F [N] )
proof strength

Rp,0,2

tensile strength

Rm

fracture
Ry

yield strenght
elastic limit
proportionality limit

[-]

[-]

( l [mm] )

0,2 %

( l [mm] )

16.1.2 Test Pieces

The shape and dimensions of the test pieces depend on the shape and dimensions of the metallic
products the mechanical properties of which are to be determined.
The test piece is usually obtained by machining a sample from the product. However product of
constant cross-section may be subjected to test without being machined. The cross section of the test
pieces may be circular, square, rectangular, annular or, in special cases, of some other shape.
16.1.3 Determination of Original Cross-Section Area
The original cross-section area S0 shall be calculated from measurements of the dimensions of the
test piece.
for products of circular cross-section and smooth surface S0 may be calculated from formula:

S0 =

.d 2
4

[mm ]
2

where d is the arithmetic mean of two measurements carried out in two perpendicular direction

for products of ribbed surface S0 may be determined from the mass of a known length L and its
density (7850 kg/m3) according the formula :

v =

page 2

m
m
=
V
S0 L

and from it :

S0 =

m
v L

[m ]
2

Vocabulary.
strain

deformace

cold worked steel

ocel tven zastudena

ductility

tanost

elongation

prodlouen

extension

protaen

final gauge length

konen men dlka

gauge length

men (odmrn) dlka

grip

pevn uchytit

jaw

elist

original gauge length

poten men dlka

percentage elongation after fracture

tanost

percentage reduction of the area

stanost (kontrakce)

proof strength

smluvn mez kluzu

reinforcing steel

betonsk ocel

ribbed

ebrovan, s vroubkovanm povrchem

stress

napt

stress-strain diagram

pracovn diagram

weldability

svaitelnost

yield

kluz, prtanost

yield strength

mez kluzu

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