Facilities
Basic Solid Mechanics Experiments
Bending Stress in Beams
The bending stress in a beam teaches stress and strain, bending moment, section properties and the bending equation. Adjusting a load cell that bends the beam and, when connected to the optional Digital Force Display, it measures the bending force (load). Strain gauges and a digital strain bridge measure the strains in the beam. Dummy strain gauges compensate for temperature variation and balance the strain bridges.
Experiments: Bending stress in a beam
Buckling of Struts
The buckling of struts gives a visualization and proof of basic concepts such as the relationship between strut length, end conditions and buckling load. An integral load cell connected to a Digital Force Display displays the load on the strut as it is compressed. A magnetic deflection scale shows how much the strut buckles.
Experiments: Buckling load of as pinned-end strut, The effect of end conditions on the buckling load.
Creep Machine
The creep machine shows how different materials creep when subject to a load (stressed). It will decide the right type and thickness of materials. The machine also teaches about the three stages of creep, the effect of temperature on creep, Material failure (fracture) due to creep, Plastic and elastic limits and creep recovery.
Experiments: Creep and Elastic extension and creep recovery.
Deflection of Beams
Deflection of Beams and Cantilevers teaching a visualization and proof of the basic concepts of beam deflection, end fixing conditions and Young’ modulus. The apparatus enables a range of laboratory, classroom and computer-based experiments for civil, mechanical, aeronautical and structural engineering students.
Experiments: Deflection of a cantilever, Deflection of a simply supported beam, The shape of a deflected beam, Circular bending.
Diaphragm
Diaphragm shows the change of shape and strains in the surface of a circular diaphragm when it is under stress from an increased pressure on one side. It also teaches the use of strain gauges, Radial and circumferential strains, the cross-section of a diaphragm under pressure (deflected shape) and how to calculate the theoretical strains and deflected in a diaphragm.
Experiments: Deflected shape, Surface strains.
Hardness Tester
For all Rockwell Hardness testing of steels and non-ferrous metals at loads of 60, 100 and 150 Kgf with 10kgf minor load. Also for Brinell testing at loads of 187.5 Kgf on 2.5mm ball (F/D2 = 30) for Brinell hardness testing of ferrous metals using a Brinell Microscope.
Experiments: Rockwell Hardness testing, Brinell Hardness testing.
Hertzian Contact Apparatus
Hertzian contact apparatus gives a useful introduction to help engineers study and predict contact shapes in comman machined surfaces and materials for example-different types of bearings. The apparatus uses an easily deformed, elastic material for magnified and repeatable results, but the calculations are the same as for other materials.
Experiments: Constant angle, varied pressure and Constant pressure, varied angle.
Rotating Fatigue Machine
Many parts stressed below their yield strength repeatedly for long periods will also break, due to fatigue. But some designs include parts that must flex, bend or twist repeatedly, to work correctly (springs). Also, many parts of a product flex repeatedly while they work (aircraft wings).
Experiments: Basic tests (aluminium specimens only), high cycle fatigue tests (all specimens).
Spring Testing Apparatus
It tests wire extension springs and helps to understand how to use them correctly. Springs store mechanical energy, in a simple, efficient and reliable way. The energy is held for as long as the spring stays in good condition, ready for use.
Experiments: Hooke’s law, spring rate and initial tension, to prove the basic rules of spring design, A simple spring scale, Two springs in series and Two springs in parallel.
Strain Gauge Trainer
The strain gauge trainer shows how to measure strain in different ways and compare displayed strain with theoretical strain for different materials and structures.A digital strain display shows the voltage output from the strain bridge circuits and automatically calculates and shows strainI.It shows strain in the commonly accepted reading of microstrain(µε).
Experiments: The bending system, the torsion system and tension system.
Thick Cylinder
Thick cylinder shows the strains in the walls of a thick-walled cylinder when it is under stress from an internal pressure.This arrangement is similar to many ‘real world’ applications, including pressure vessels and medium caliber gun or cannon barrels. The thick cylinder also teaches, Stress and strain distribution in the walls of a thick cylinder, How to predict the stress and strain in a thick cylinder, The use of strain gauges and Shear stress in thick cylinder.
Experiments: Strain gauge linearity, Strain and stress distribution.
Thin Cylinder
The thin cylinder shows the strains in the surface of a thin-walled cylinder when it is under stress from an internal pressure. The thin cylinder also teaches a biaxial stress system, the use of strain gauges, Young’s modulus, Poisson’ Ratio and Construction and use of a Mohr’s circle.
Experiments: Open ends and Closed ends.
Torsion Testing
Torsion testing machine shows the torque (stress) and twist (strain) in a specimen to find the yield strength and modulus of rigidity or ‘shear modulus’ for the metal.The machine can also test specimens to destruction to find their failure point.
Experiments: Shear modulus.
Universal Testing Machine
Universal Testing Machine shows the force applied (stress) and displacement (strain) in a specimen or structure. The measurements used to find the strength, stiffeness and modulus of elasticity ‘Young’s modulus’ for the material or structure. The machine can also test tensile specimens to destruction to find their failure point.
Experiments: Tensile test, Brinell hardness test, Deflection of a coil spring, Deflection of a leaf spring, Deflection of beams.
