FEU Institute of Technology MEMATSCILAB: Materials Science

School of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual

Experiment No. 2

Tensile Test of Reinforcing Steel Bar

OBJECTIVES

• To determine the suitability of reinforcing steel bars for concrete reinforcement

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

DISCUSSION OF PRINCIPLES

Perhaps the most important test of a material’s mechanical response is the tensile test1,
in which one end of a rod or wire specimen is clamped in a loading frame and the other
subjected to a controlled displacement. As the material is being pulled, the applied
strength is measured along with how much it will elongate. This experiment is based on
standard tensile test of American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) A 370 in
which the tensile load is applied to a specimen 500 mm in length and 10 mm - 70 mm
diameter having a gage length of 200 mm. Essential mechanical properties of the
specimen such as elastic limit, yield strength and ultimate strength will be illustrated by
the UTM during the process which can be identified from the plotted stress-strain curve.
The degree of deformation and elongation will then be calculated based from the actual
experiment results.

Stress strain curve is a behavior of material when it is subjected to load. Stress is

computed by dividing the axial load by the cross-sectional area of the material while
strain is measured by the elongation of the material relative to its original length. When
ductile materials such as steel are subjected to high stresses, the material’s cross
section typically decrease as it elongates. When the initial cross-sectional area is used,
the computed stress is called the nominal stress. A more exact value of stress is known
as the true stress, which is computed using the actual cross section of the specimen.
For nominal strain, the initial length is used in calculation. To get the true strain, the
actual length should be used. In this experiment, nominal stress and strain will be used.

In stress-strain diagram, stresses are plotted along the vertical axis and as a result of
these stresses; corresponding strains are plotted along the horizontal axis as shown
below in the stress strain curve.
FEU Institute of Technology MEMATSCILAB: Materials Science
School of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual

Figure 2-1. Typical Stress-strain Diagram of Ductile Materials

When a ductile material like mild steel is subjected to tensile test, then it passes various
stages before fracture. These stages are as follows:

Proportional Limit is point on the curve up to which the value of stress and strain
remains proportional. This is the point up to which Hook’s law of proportionality applies.
Elastic Limit is the limiting value of stress up to which the material is perfectly elastic.
Within this region, material will return back to its original state without sustaining
permanent deformation when the force is unloaded. Yield Strength is the stress after
which material extension takes place more quickly with no or little increase in load. At
this point, the material will sustain permanent deformation and will no longer return to its
original state even after the force is unloaded. Ultimate Strength is the maximum
strength that material has to bear stress before breaking. It can also be defined as the
ultimate stress corresponding to the peak point on the stress strain graph. Rupture Point
is point where the strength of material breaks.

Plain and deformed are the two classes of steel bars that are commonly used. These
are further classified into three grades – structural, intermediate, and hard. Properties of
which are listed in Table I (Data is based on Philippine National Standards provided by
MIRDC).
Plain & Deformed Round Bars
Structural Grade Intermediate Grade Hard Grade
(Grade 230) (Grade 230) (Grade 230)
Ultimate Strength (GPa) 0.390 0.480 0.620
Yield Strength (GPa) 0.230 0.275 0.410
Elongation, d < 25 mm 18% 10% 8%
Elongation, d ≥ 25 mm 16% 8% 7%
Table I. Tensile Requirements
FEU Institute of Technology MEMATSCILAB: Materials Science
School of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual

PROCEDURE

1.0 Preparation
1.1 Prepare two (2) specimens both plain and deformed round bar specimen
with a length of 500 mm each.
1.2 Mark the bars as specimen 1 or 2 (both plain and deformed bars).
1.3 Measure and mark 150 mm in length from both ends of each bar.
Note: Use a marking device, the middle section is the gauge length (GL)
of about 200 mm (standard).
1.4 Determine the weight of each specimen.
1.5 Determine the actual cross-sectional area of deformed and plain bars:

1.6 Determine the average space of lugs.

1.7 Determine the average height of lugs.
1.8 Determine the summation of gaps.

Figure 2-2. Deformed Round Bar Specimen

2.0 Tensile Test as per Appendix A.

FEU Institute of Technology MEMATSCILAB: Materials Science
School of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual

Figure 2-3. Deformed Round Bar Specimen

Where:

LG = Gage length of steel, mm

L = Length of Specimen, mm

3.0 Data Recording

3.1 Get data from generated results.
3.2 Compute for other necessary data.
3.3 Fill up the preliminary
4.0 Round Bar Analysis
4.1 After fracture, put together the end of the specimen.
4.2 Measure accurately the distances between the gage marks.

Figure 2-4. Behavior of Deformed Round Bar Specimen

Where:

LF= Final length of steel, mm

AF = Final Cross-Sectional Area of Specimen, mm2

4.3 Compute for percent elongation.

Note: A fracture occurring outside of the middle half of the gage length, the
elongation vale may not be representative of the material. IF the elongation
measured meets the minimum requirements specified, no further testing is
indicated, otherwise discard the test and repeat.

4.4 Fit the ends of the fractured specimen together.

4.5 Measure the mean diameter of the width of the specimen.
FEU Institute of Technology MEMATSCILAB: Materials Science
School of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual

4.6 Measure the thickness at the smallest cross section to the same accuracy
as the original length.
4.7 Compute for reduction of area.

Where:

AO= Initial/original Cross-Sectional Area,

mm2 AF = Final Cross-Sectional Area, mm2

Note: Reduction in area pertains to the difference between the original cross-
sectional area of the specimen and its final cross section after the test,
expressed in percentage.

APPARATUS

1. Shimadzu Universal Testing Machine UMH-100

2. Wedge Grips
3. Weighing Scale
4. Steel Tape / Digital Caliper
5. Marking Device (Centre punch or drawn with ink)
FEU Institute of Technology MEMATSCILAB: Materials Science
School of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual

SET-UP OF APPARATUS

1. Table 7. Insert Grip Hold-Down Plate

2. Lower Crosshead 8. Rubber Plate
3. Upper Crosshead 9. Upper Liner
4. Table Top Protective Mat 10. Lower Liner
5. Insert Grip Holder 11. Specimen Leap-Prevention Plate
6. Insert Grip 12. Compression Plate Mount
FEU Institute of Technology MEMATSCILAB: Materials Science Laboratory
School of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual

Preliminary Data Sheet

Engineering Materials and Testing Laboratory FEU Institute of Technology

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING
Experiment No.: 2

TENSILE TEST OF REINFORCING STEEL BARS

Preliminary Data Sheet

Name: BERSABE, JOHN PAUL A. Date: 2/26/2021

Section: AK31 Group No.:

Specimen Label 1 2 Specimen Label 1 2

Classification Regular Yield Strength, KPa

Steel Bar
Length, mm 500 Ultimate Strength, KPa

Weight, kg 0.3 Break Strength, KPa

Gage Length, mm 200 Final Length, mm 553

Variation in Mass, % 0 Percent Elongation, % 10.6

Average Height of lugs, mm 1.32 Final Cross-Sectional Area, mm2 69.11

Average Spacing of lugs, mm 4.32 Percent Reduction Area, % 9.58
Gap of lugs, mm 4.3 Grade 275
Nominal Diameter, mm 10.5

Cross-Sectional Area, mm2 76.43

Assisted by: Approved by:
Jaychris Georgette Onia
ME-UTM ENGINEER INSTRUCTOR
FEU Institute of Technology MEMATSCILAB: Materials Science
School of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual

Questions

1. Explain the importance of yield strength in design and analysis of machine.

Yield strength is important in design and analysis of machine to determine the

maximum allowable load in a mechanical component, since it represents the upper
limit to forces that can be applied without producing permanent deformation.

2. State the difference between proportionality limit and elastic limit.

Proportionality limit determines the greatest stress that is directly proportional to

strain. Meanwhile, elastic limit is the point where upon if the stress in the object is
released it is released back to its initial point.

3. Why is it necessary to state the gage length when reporting the percent
of elongation?

It is necessary to state the gage length when reporting the percent of elongation
because the elongation is not uniform over the entire gage length and is greater at
the neck, the percent elongation is not an absolute measure of ductility.

4. Are wedge grips suitable for testing of brittle materials?

No, because wedge grips are the most common tensile grip types for metals which
is a ductile material, not a brittle one. It is recommended to use for materials that
require high clamping force at higher forces.

5. Based from the experiment result, what is the steel grade of specimen? Explain.

Based on the tensile requirements given by the Philippine National Standard, the
grade of the specimen is 275-grade regular steel bar. The basis of this is the percent
elongation of the specimen which is 10.6%, compared to the 10% standard of grade
275, with a diameter less than 25 mm (10.5 mm).
FEU Institute of Technology MEMATSCILAB: Materials Science
School of Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual

Discussion of Results

Based on the result of the tensile strength test, the specimen has good ductility to
produce a low percent elongation (10.6%) and percent reduction area (9.58%). Based
on the tensile requirements given by the Philippine National Standard, the grade of the
specimen is 275-grade regular steel bar or an Intermediate Grade regular steel bar. The
basis of this is the percent elongation of the specimen which is 10.6%, compared to the
10% minimum standard of grade 275, with a diameter less than 25 mm (10.5 mm). In
which, we can say that the lower the percent elongation, the higher the grade of the
material.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the tensile test of reinforcing steel bar helps us to determine the tensile
strength, percent elongation, and percent reduction area of a material and its practical
use in the industry. The test can also differentiate different specimens in order to
classify each specimen to the right field of use.

Jaychris Georgette Onia

_________________________________
Instructor