Experiment N1

Mass Spring system

( Spring Stiffness )
Set-up of spring-mass system
The spring mass system fig( 1.1) is mounted between
the upper and lower cross members of the frame.
- Insert adjustable spring mount (1) from
above through upper cross member ;to do so,
remove lower hand wheel (2) from threaded stem
- Screw lower hand wheel (2) back on again
- Secure spring mount with clamping lever (3)
- Place guide plate (4) with guide bushing on
lower cross member.
- Screw required spring (5) with retaining
Screw into threaded stem of spring mount
and secure with lock nut (6)
- Insert guide rod (7) into guide bushing
- Align base plate (4) such that spring and
guide rod coincide and secure with clamping
lever (8).
- Screw spring (5) with measurement plate (9)
into guide rod (7) and secure with lock nut (10)
- Fit bracket with depth gauge (11) on side of
upper cross member.

Figure 1.1

Determination of spring constant

The spring constant is a characteristic variable of springs. It reflects the relationship
between spring force and spring deflection. This relationship is linear for the helical
springs formally used, i .e. double the force will likewise double the spring deflection.
The following equation indicates the relationship between force F and spring travel x.
F k .x

Where k is the spring constant.

For the purposes of experimental determination, the spring is loaded by adding
weights m and the elongation x is measured

(m2 m1 ) g
x2 x1

As a check on linearity, the measured values can also be plotted in a force-elongation

plot see figure 1.2.

Figure 1.2
Plot of applied force F vs. elongation X for a helical spring according to Hooke's law (red line) and what the actual plot might look
like (dashed line). At bottom, pictures of spring states corresponding to some points of the plot; the
Middle one is in the relaxed state ( no force applied ).

Procedure
Set measurement plate with threaded stem of spring mount to 100 mm ( caliper gauge
reading ) .Load spring by adding weights to guide rod
Use caliper gauge to measure deflection at measurement plate and note down value .
Important : Do not overload spring .Max .perm. deflection :35 mm
Overloading the spring will cause permanent deformation.
Determination of spring constants
Mass in kg
Spring type 1 0
1
2
3
Spring type 2 0
2
4
5
Spring type 3 0
2

Force in N
0
9.81
19.62
29.43
0
19.62
39.24
49.05
0
19.62

Deflection in mm
100.0

Elongation in mm
0

100.0

100.0

4
6

39.24
58.86

Requirements :
Find out the experimental stiffness for the three types of springs, compare them with
the theoretical, and plot their curves .
On such curves the elongation, is plotted on the abscissa against the force on, the
ordinate .