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EXPERIMENT: ECCENTRIC LOADS OBJECTIVES: Study the combined effects of bending and axial loading by measuring the strain distribution for a member subjected to an eccentric tensile load. INTRODUCTION: In this task of the experiment, an aluminum specimen with a series of longitudinal strain gages is loaded eccentrically. The strain distribution is determined and compared to the theoretical distribution and to the case of centric BACKGROUND: Loading conditions can often be a combination of axial and flexural loads, and thus require special consideration when calculating theoretical stresses and strains. The eccentrically loaded specimen used in this laboratory is an example of combined loading where the load can be considered as a combination of flexural loading and axial loading. Figure 1 shows a rectangular bar with an eccentric load (P) applied at some distance, e, from the centroidal axis. Equal and opposite loads with a magnitude P can be added at the centroidal axis as shown in Figure 2 without changing the loading condition of the specimen. e w t P
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
This loading can then be represented by a moment tending to bend the member about the neutral axis and an axial load applied at the centroid as shown in Figure 3.
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P M
M + =
FIGURE 4
F IG U R E 3
The internal stress distribution produced by the axial load, P, and the bending moment, M, are shown in Figure 4. In both load components the resulting stress is uniaxial. The stresses can be combined using the principle of superposition as long as the stresses remain within the elastic limit. The resultant stress distribution is shown in Figure 4 and is given by equation 1.1: = My P + A I Where: M= Pe (1.1)
w FIGURE 5
MATERIAL TO BE TESTED: A 2024-T4 aluminum bar with a series of strain EQUIPMENT TO BE USED: Table top tester Strain Indicator Switch and Balance unit
y is measured from the centroidal axis I = bh3/12 Since the stress is uniaxial, the following form of Hooke's Law, equation 1.2, can be used to convert stress to strain: = /E (1.2)
PROCEDURE: PRELIMINARY CALCULATIONS: The moment of inertia of the specimen crosssection will be required. It is critical that the proper cross-sectional dimensions be used to calculate this. Discuss this with the members of your group and verify your conclusions with the lab instructor.
Figure 5 shows the strain distribution over the width of the bar for some eccentricity of loading. Whether or not compressive stresses will be developed on one edge depends on the amount of eccentricity in the loading.
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REPORT: REPORT REQUIREMENTS: (1) Develop a single plot of the strain versus specimen width showing the: a. Theoretical strain distribution for centric loading b. Experimental strain distribution for centric loading. c. Theoretical strain eccentric loading d. Experimental strain eccentric loading distribution distribution for for
This plot may be constructed using any suitable computer plotting software. 2) Comment on the correlation between the theoretical and experimental distributions. Provide possible explanations for discrepancies. Where should an eccentric uniaxial load be placed to obtain zero stress on one side of the specimen? Provide both an explanation and a numerical value.
3)
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