Photoelasticity Experiment

Nick Leach

Group 3A

MAE 244, Sec. 2, Dr. Feng

October 19, 2005

Schematic:

Image 1: Tension Test Setup for Semi-Circular Notch Specimen

Image 2: Four-Point Beam Bending Setup
 Analysis of Results:

• Data Reduction: In this lab experiment we dealt with a few equations used,

in the end, to calculate the maximum stress of the material. For maximum

Mc
stress we implemented the equation σ max = and compared it to the
I

Nf σ
experimental value calculated as σ max = where N is the fringe order
h

(integer value), fσ is the fringe constant, h is the height, I is the inertia, c is half

1
the height, and M is the net moment applied. I is calculated as I = bh 3 and
12

the moment is calculated using the load and distance values applied to the

P (L - L )
moment diagram (Image 3): M = δ where δ = 2 1 .
2 2

The stress concentration factor is

2 3
 2r   2r   2r 
K tn = 3.065 − 3.472  + 1.009  + 0.405  where r is the radius of
w w w

w−d
the semi-circular notch =0.5575” and the width w=2.000”.
2
 • Comparisons:

Specimen Thickness h=.120"

Gross width w=2.00"
Net Width d=.885"
Notch Radius r=(w-
d)/2=.5575"
Applied Load; P1=80 lbs,
P2=160 lbs

Theoretical Experimental
Fringe Dist to
Load # edge τmax σmax σmax=Nfσ/h per. Diff.
(lb) N (in) (lb/in) (psi)
80 1 2.55 51.2 1139.842
80 2 0.125 51.2 1139.842 1241.6666 8.933221

160 2 0.73125 102.4 2279.6831

160 3 0.28125 102.4 2279.6831
160 4 0.0625 102.4 2279.6831 2483.333 8.933255

Table 1: Data for Photoelastic Tensile Test

For the tensile test, Ktn was calculated as 1.51314.

Fringe Constant fσ=135 lb/in

Distance between upper supports L1=6"
Distance between lower supports L1=11 5/8"
Thickness b=.25"
Height h=.75"
Moment of Inertia I=(bh^3)/12= 0.0087891 in^4
Weight W=19.5 lb

Black Fringe Distance Th. Stress Exp. Stress Per. Diff.

Number (in) σ=Mc/I σ=Nf/b |A-B|/A
-2.5 -0.34 -1046.849133 -1350 22.45561974
-1.5 -0.18 -554.2032354 -810 31.57984748
-0.5 -0.06 -184.7344118 -270 31.57984748
0.5 0.06 184.7344118 270 31.57984748
1.5 0.18 554.2032354 810 31.57984748
2.5 0.28 862.1022417 1350 36.14057469

Table 2: Data for Four-Point Bending Test

 Discussion:

• Conclusions: As you can see, the prediction that we calculated for the maximum

stress is a bit off (~9% diff.). This accuracy is directly related to our

measurements of the fringe order and measurements of the load and specimen

dimensions.

Photoelasticity is ideally applied to analyze stress distributions of structural

components with complex geometrical configurations, where analytical methods

can be very cumbersome, or unavailable altogether. The accuracy of the technique

can be highly relied upon if the measurement devices have a high level of

resolution resulting in much lower uncertainties.

• Limitations and Experimental Error: A major limitation for our

experiment is the way we measured the fringe orders and specifications of the

specimens. I feel that if we could have used a better measuring device then our

percent difference would be closer to the actual value, yet obviously it would be

difficult to change it by 5% with only altering the uncertainties by .01% or so. A

large error could have been derived from non-uniform placement of the points in

the beam bending application. The loading fixture for the tensile test could have

had a small level of friction, also.

Appendix:

Beam Bending Image Data

Tensile Test Data with 80 lbs

Tensile Test Data with 160 lbs
Image 3: Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams for Four-Point Bending