MAPUA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

ME136P / A2
Engineering Materials, Processes and Testing

Experiment no. 2
Tensile Test of Reinforcing Steel Bars

Punzalan, Lancelot Miguel D. Date Performed: June 18, 2017

2015111697 Date Submitted: June 24, 2017

Engr. RJ Lawrence Tiu

Professor
 I. OBJECTIVES (5pts including title page)

a. To determine the suitability of reinforcing steel bars for concrete reinforcement by

performance of tensile test using ASTM Designation A 370.
b. To determine the grade of steel bars.

II. INTRODUCTION (10 pts)

Universal Testing Machine is also capable in testing the tensile test. Tensile testing can
measure the tensile strength of the materials. It is needed to measure the tensile strength of a
material before using it in other forms of structures, the materials’ capabilities and qualities must
be checked first by using this kind of test before using it. Also with tensile test we are able to know
the amount of force that the material can receive before it deform or break.
Two round steel bars, deformed and plain, will be tested for its tensile strength for this
experiment. The control unit of the UTM will differentiate the stress-strain diagram of the bars.
This diagram includes the change of length due to the force applied which covers the proportional
limit, yield limit, max stress and break stress of the bars. With the gathering of data, the properties
and behavior of the bars can be observed which determines the grade of the bars.

III. RELATED RESEARCH (10 pts including references)

The tensile test is the most widely used in mechanical property test. The intent is to measure
the inherent material behavior. The specimen or the material is placed in the loading unit of the
UTM. Tensile Strength can be obtained from the stress at the highest applied force. Yield
Strength is the stress required to make the materials deform plastically. Elongation is the termed
used when the material increases its length to the point it reached its breakage. Tensile test also
measure the material’s strength, ductility and stiffness. Tensile test includes the material to
elongate as the force applied increases until its breaking point for the purpose of getting the
tensile properties like tensile strength, elongation and percentage reduction area.
Tensile properties like modulus of elasticity, elastic and proportional limit, yield point and
strength can also be identified by the tensile tests under the stress-strain diagram. Stress-strain
curve shows how the specimen will react to the force applied in tension. On the vertical axis is the
force applied or stress while on the horizontal axis is the strain or the change in length. Before
reaching its breaking point, it passes through various stages. First stage is the proportional limit. It
is the stage where the stress and strain make a straight line or when they are proportional to each
other. Second stage is the elastic limit. It is the limiting value in which the material is perfectly
elastic. Materials being stretched can still return to its original position. In this stage the metal is
not permanently deformed third stage is yield stress point. It is the point where permanent
deformation occurs in the specimen. Materials will not return to original shape. In this stage there
is what we call the upper and lower yield limit. In the upper yield limit, the crystalline structures
of the specimen start moving and become dislocated and the stress needed to free these dislocations
until the critical level is the upper yield point. When the amount of dislocations is removed and
the stress drops the lower yield point is achieved. Fourth stage is the ultimate stress point. It is the
maximum strength before breaking. This is also the point at which the highest force is applied.
Last stage is the breaking point. It is the point where the specimen breaks, splits or ruptures
completely.
IV. LIST OF APPARATUS/MATERIALS (5 pts)
 Shimadzu Universal Testing Machine UH-A-C Series
 Plain and Deformed Steel Bars
 Digital Caliper
 Claw Hammer
 Center Punch
 Safety Goggles
 Electronic Scale
 Measuring Tape Center Punch

Claw Hammer
Deformed Steel Bar

Measuring Tape

Plain Steel Bar

Digital Caliper

Safety Goggles
V. PROCEDURES (10 pts)

1. Prepare all the materials needed for the experiment and classify which the two steel bars
(refer to Figure 1).

Figure 1. Preparing the materials

2. Measure the length (in mm) of the plain and deformed steel bars using a measuring tape
(refer to Figure 2).

Figure 2. Measuring the length of steel bar

3. Measure the weight (in kg) of plain and deformed steel bars using electronic scale (refer
to figure 3).

Figure 3. Weighing of steel bar

4. Measure and mark the end of the gage length by getting the midpoint of plain and
deformed steel bars then measure 100mm to left and right from it.. Mark it using a chalk.
5. Mark the ends of the gauge length by hammering the center punch on the chalked mark
of plain and deformed steel bars. This will be the basis for the final gauge length (refer to
figure 4).

Figure 4. Hammering of center punch on the steel bar

6. Measure the nominal diameter of plain and deformed steel bars by using the digital
𝜋𝑑2
caliper. Compute for the Cross-sectional Area by the formula , [𝐴0 = ]
4

(refer to figure 5).

Figure 5. Measuring the diameter of steel bar

7. Measure the average height of lugs, average spacing of lugs and gap of lugs for deformed
steel bars by using a digital caliper, (refer to figure 6, 7 and 8).
 Figure 6. Measuring the height of lugs

Figure 7. Measuring the spacing of lugs

Figure 8. Measuring the gaps of lugs

8. Compute for the actual variation in mass, ideal variation in mass and variation in mass of
plain and deformed steel bars. Use the formula below.
πd2
Ideal Variation in mass= mi = ρ x , where ρ = 7850 kg / m3
4
weight
Actual Variation in mass= ma = length
ma -mi
Variation in mass= x 100
mi

9. Place one end of the steel bar in the upper crosshead of the loading unit while the other
end in the lower crosshead. Make sure that both ends are tightly gripped. (refer to figure
9).

Figure 9. Tightening of upper and lower crossheads

10. Operate the control unit to start the tensile test. Set the UTM automatically.
11. Wait for several minutes until the steel bar breaks or split into two.
12. Repeat steps 8 – 10 for the other steel bar, you may use either of the two first.
13. Record the yield strength, break strength and ultimate strength of plain and deformed
steel bars. It can be obtained from the UTM software in the computer.
14. Connect the two pieces of plain and deformed steel bars (refer to figure 10).

Figure 10. Connecting the two pieces of steel bar

15. Measure the final gage length of plain and deformed steel bars by using the measure tape.
16. Compute for the percent elongation of plain and deformed steel bars. Use the formula
below. In the case where the breaking point of the steel does not include the gauge length,
replace the gauge length by the length of the steel bar.
Final gauge length-Gauge length
%Elongation= x 100
Gauge length
17. Measure the smallest diameter of plain and deformed steel bars by using the digital
caliper, (refer to figure 11). It is measured by connecting the bars that will form a necked
region. Compute for the final cross-sectional area.

Figure 11. Measuring the final diameter

18. Compute for the percent reduction area. Use the formula below.
So -Su
%Reduction of area= x 100
So
Where S0 = original cross-sectional area Su = final cross-sectional area
19. Identify the grade of plain and deformed steel bars (refer to table 1 below).
Table 1. Tensile Requirements
Plain & Deformed Round Bars
Intermediate
Structural Grade Hard Grade
Grade
(Grade 230) (Grade 230)
(Grade 230)
Ultimate Strength,
𝐾𝑁
0.39 0.48 0.62
𝑚𝑚2
(Minimum Value)
Yield Strength,
𝐾𝑁
0.23 0.275 0.410
𝑚𝑚2
(Minimum Value)
Elongation d < 25mm, 18% d < 25mm, 10% d < 25mm, 8%
d ≥ 25mm, 16% d ≥ 25mm, 8% d ≥ 25mm, 7%

Where: d is the nominal diameter of the deformed bar

 VI. FINAL DATA SHEET (5 pts)

Experiment No.: 2
TENSILE TEST OF REINFORCING STEEL BARS

Specimen Specimen
1 2 1 2
Label Label

Nominal
Classification PLAIN DEFORMED Diameter, 17.85 mm 15.29 mm
mm
Cross-
Length, mm 490 mm 505 mm sectional 250.25 mm2 183.61 mm2
Area, mm2

Yield
Weight, kg 0.893 kg 0.766 kg 292 340 kPa 355 450 kPa
Strength, kPa

Gage Length, Ultimate

200 mm 200 mm 399 920 kPa 490 840 kPa
mm Strength, kPa

Actual
Break
Variation in 1.822 kg/m 1.517 kg/m 276 980 kPa 385 490 kPa
Strength, kPa
Mass, kg/m
Ideal
Final Gage
Variation in 1.964 kg/m 1.441 kg/m 249 mm 248 mm
Length, mm
Mass, kg/m
Percent
Variation in
-7.23% 5.27% Elongation, 24.5% 24%
Mass, %
%
Average Final Cross-
Height of - 1.03 mm Sectional 75.28 mm2 107.33 mm2
lugs, mm Area, mm2
Average Percent
Spacing of - 7.22 mm Reduction 69.2 % 41.54 %
Lugs, mm Area, %

Gap of Lugs, 230 275

- 2.39 mm Grade
mm (Structural) (Intermediate)
COMPUTATIONS

FOR PLAIN ROUND STEEL BAR:

weight 0.893 kg kg
Actual Variation in mass (ma ) = = = 1.822
length 0.490 m m
πd2 kg π (0.01785m)2 kg
Ideal Variation in mass (mi ) = ρ x = 7850 3 x = 1.964
4 m 4 m
kg kg
ma -mi 1.822 m -1.964 m
Variation in mass = x 100 = x 100 = -7.23%
mi kg
1.964 m

πd2 π (17.85 mm)2

Cross-sectional Area (Arod ) = = = 250.25 mm2
4 4
kN (1000mm)2
Yield Strength = 0.29234 x = 292340 kPa
mm2 (1m)2
kN (1000mm)2
Ultimate Strength = 0.39992 x = 399920 kPa
mm2 (1m)2
kN (1000mm)2
Break Strength = 0.27698 x = 276980 kPa
mm2 (1m)2
Final gage length-gage length 249mm-200 mm
Percent Elongation = x 100 = x 100 = 24.5%
gage length 200 mm
πd2 π (9.79mm)2
Final Cross-sectional Area = = = 75.28 mm2
4 4
So -Su 250.25 mm2 -75.28 mm2
Percent Reduction Area = x 100 = x 100 = 69.92%
So 250.25 mm2
COMPUTATIONS

FOR DEFORMED ROUND STEEL BAR:

weight 0.766 kg kg
Actual Variation in mass (ma ) = = = 1.517
length 0.505 m m
πd2 kg π (0.01529m)2 kg
Ideal Variation in mass (mi ) = ρ x = 7850 3 x = 1.441
4 m 4 m
kg kg
ma -mi 1.517 m -1.441 m
Variation in mass = x 100 = x 100 = 5.27%
mi kg
1.441 m

πd2 π (15.29mm)2
Cross-sectional Area (Arod ) = = = 183.61 mm2
4 4
1.01 + 1.05 + 1.03
Height of Lugs = = 1.03 mm
3
7.22 + 7.32 + 7.12
Average Spacing of Lugs = = 7.22 mm
3
2.47 + 2.39 + 2.31
Gaps of Lugs = = 2.39 mm
3
kN (1000mm)2
Yield Strength = 0.35545 x = 355450 kPa
mm2 (1m)2
kN (1000mm)2
Ultimate Strength = 0.49084 x = 490840 kPa
mm2 (1m)2
kN (1000mm)2
Break Strength = 0.38549 x = 385490 kPa
mm2 (1m)2
Final steel length-steel length 248mm-200 mm
Percent Elongation = x 100 = x 100 = 24%
steel length 200 mm
πd2 π (11.69 mm)2
Final Cross-sectional Area = = = 107.33 mm2
4 4
So -Su 183.61 mm2 -107.33 mm2
Percent Reduction Area = x 100 = x 100 = 41.54%
So 183.61 mm2
ILLUSTRATIONS

PLAIN STEEL BAR

Before 200
mm

490.00
mm

After
9.79mm

249
mm

DEFORMED STEEL BAR

Before 200
mm

505
mm

After
11.69mm

553mm

Area =
17.85 mm
 Upper Yield Maximum Stress
Limit

Breaking Point
Proportional Limit Lower Yield
Limit

Proportional Limit
VII. QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS (10 pts)

1. Why would an engineer be interested in the yield strength of a metal for a particular
application?
- It is important to know the yield strength of the material because the material must
be qualified to the desired strength needed. The grade of the material must satisfy the
requirement because if it is too low then the structure might fail. The metals should
not exceed its yield strength because it will permanently deformed and break.

2. Distinguish clearly between proportional limit and elastic limit.

- Proportional limit – the stress is directly proportional to strain and the slope of the line
will be equal to the elastic modulus of the material. And it is the limit in which the
material can still sustain its original form.
- Elastic limit – the lowest stress at which permanent deformation can be measured.

3. How seriously are the results of tension test of reinforcement bar affected if the specimen
dimensions vary a little from the standard?
- The matter content between the reinforcement bar and the standard bar varies
significantly this is why there are big differences with the results of the tensile test.

4. Why is necessary to state the gauge length when reporting the percentage of elongation?
- Gauge length is necessary for the computation of the percentage elongation because
each ends of the gauge length serves as the location of the upper and lower
crossheads. Whereas it is the location where the metal are free to elongate.

5. Are wedge grips suitable for tests of brittle material? Explain.

- No, because wedge grips only applies to metals and plastics. As the force applied
increases, the wedge grip tightens and will make the brittle material to break easily.
 6. Distinguish between yield point and yield strength?
- Yield point is the point where in the material tested starts to change shape or where the
plastic deformation begins while the yield strength is the force needed to change the shape of the
material itself or the stress at which the material begins to deform plastically.

VIII. DISCUSSION (10 pts)

After classifying the two bars into plain and deformed steel bar, they were measured by its
lengths and weights. The plain steel bar was heavier (0.893kg) than the deformed steel bar
(0.766kg) but the deformed steel bar is longer (505 mm) than the plain steel bar (490mm). As we
computed for the variation in mass of the two, deformed steel bar has a higher value (5.27%)
compared to plain steel bar (-7.23%). It means that the composition of the deformed steel bar is
not that uniform maybe because of the lugs present. The nominal diameter of plain steel bar (17.85
mm) is greater than the diameter of deformed steel bar (15.29mm) which states that the cross-
sectional area of the plain steel bar is greater than the deformed steel bar. After the tensile force
was applied in the both steel bars, both steel bars break at a certain point and formed a neck region.
The final gage length measured for the plain steel bar were 249 mm while for the deformed steel
bar we were unable to compute its gauge length for the reason that the breaking point of the bar is
excluded from the gauge length therefore we used the final length of the deformed bar instead of
the gauge length. The percent elongations of the two are 24.5% and 24% respectively. It means
that plain steel bar elongates faster than the deformed steel bar and also deformed steel bar has a
high tensile strength. The final cross-sectional areas of the two became lesser because of the
decrease in diameter where we measured it from the neck region. With the recorded flow of the
process shown in the stress-strain diagram, we were able to see the maximum strength at which
both steel bars can be now identified to its equivalent grade. Our tensile test with plain steel bar
resulted to Grade 230 (Structural Grade) while the deformed steel bar resulted to Grade 275
(Intermediate Grade).
 IX. CONCLUSION (10 pts)

Tensile test, one of the tests the UTM can provide, determines the capabilities of the materials
tested. With the results of the tensile test shown in the stress-strain diagram, we can see the limits
and strength of the material through its proportional and yield limit, maximum stress and breaking
point. Also with the help of this diagram we can identify the grade of a plain steel bar resulted to
a grade of 230 (Structural Grade) and deformed steel bar resulted to a grade of 275 (Intermediate
Grade).
With the data gathered, it stated that the plain steel bar can elongate much longer, it means that
it has a lower tensile strength than the deformed bar. Which means that deformed bar is a better
pick in concrete as it doesn’t elongate that much it will result to lesser cracks. Also it has a low
tensile strength and ductility which is a better mix in concrete reinforcement as it blends better
with it than with plain steel bar.

X. RECOMMENDATION (5 pts)

I recommend in this experiment that the other groupmates who are not doing anything is to
take a picture of what his/her other groupmates is doing in the experiment. I recommend also to
be attentive in the experiment and lectures, so that we can easily differentiate the properties of
different composition of metals and determine which type of materials has the largest tensile
strength and at what point will it break at a certain force applied. Also the bars must have the same
length so that we can completely compare its result.

XI. REFERENCES
 http://en.sopromat.org/tensile-strength-test.php
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yield_(engineering)
 http://www.totalmateria.com/Article107.htm
 https://stephanfavilla.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/tensile-testing-laboratory.pdf
 http://me.aut.ac.ir/staff/solidmechanics/alizadeh/Tensile%20Testing.htm
 http://www.engineeringintro.com/mechanics-of-structures/stress-strain-curve-
explanation/
 https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-concept-behind-2-yield-points-Upper-and-
Lower-in-a-stress-strain-curve