How can you measure compressive strength?

In summary, the conversation was about how to measure compressive strength. Suggestions included using a calibrated press, a vice grip, or a load cell attached to a motorized piston. It was also mentioned that ASTM has standards for testing different materials and that a DIY approach could involve using a screw clamp and a load cell to measure force and displacement.
  • #1
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It's a really tricky one to work out, but does anyone have any suggestions of how to measure compressive strength?

Thanks a lot.
 
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  • #2
Compressive strength of a material is measured experimentally. The apparatus plots a stress-strain curve and when the material crushes, the value of the stress is called the limit compressive strength. I'm not really sure what you are asking.
 
  • #3
How can you measure compressive strength, that's what I'm asking xD

Not sure how else to put it :'(
 
  • #4
One of them would be a vice grip maybe. Any others?
 
  • #5
Well it rather depends upon the material.

You can measure it directly by crushing a specimen in a in a calibrated press as Radou has described, or you can measure indirectly by testing a suitably shaped bending specimen to destruction.
 
  • #6
ASTM (American Society Testing Materials) has standards on how to test different materials. You can purchase the standards from their website. Basically you have a load cell attached to a motorized piston that simultaneously measures the force and compressive distance on a sample to failure. The samples must be a uniform size and composition.
 
  • #7
This might be a DIY approach. The difficult thing to measure is how far the specimen compresses before failure. Get a screw clamp and determine how far the screw end travels with every let's say 1/2 turn. You will still need a load cell to measure force but you should be able to equate force with displacement if the sample is not to brittle. It is worth a try.
 

1. How do you define compressive strength?

Compressive strength is the measure of a material's ability to withstand compressive forces or loads without breaking or deforming. It is typically expressed in units of force per unit area, such as pounds per square inch (psi) or newtons per square meter (N/m2).

2. What equipment is used to measure compressive strength?

The most common equipment used to measure compressive strength is a compression testing machine, also known as a compression tester or press. This machine applies a compressive force to a sample of the material and measures the amount of force needed to cause it to fail.

3. How is the compressive strength of a material determined?

To determine the compressive strength of a material, a sample is placed in a compression testing machine and a steadily increasing force is applied until the sample breaks. The maximum compressive force applied to the sample is then divided by the cross-sectional area of the sample to calculate the compressive strength.

4. What factors can affect the compressive strength of a material?

The compressive strength of a material can be affected by several factors, including the composition and structure of the material, the rate and direction of applied force, the temperature, and any defects or flaws in the material.

5. How is compressive strength used in materials testing and engineering?

Compressive strength is an important measurement for materials testing and engineering because it helps determine the load-bearing capacity and structural integrity of a material. It is used to assess the strength and durability of materials in construction, manufacturing, and other industries.

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