Tensile Test vs. Bending Test Stresses

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences in stress measurements obtained from tensile tests and bending tests on 1018 steel. Participants explore the theoretical implications of these discrepancies, particularly focusing on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and ultimate bending stress, as well as yield points in both testing methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports a UTS of 83 ksi from a tensile test and an ultimate bending stress of 204 ksi from a bending test, questioning why these values differ significantly.
  • Another participant argues that the two tests load the specimen in fundamentally different ways, suggesting that comparing the results is inappropriate.
  • There is a request for clarification on how bending stress is measured and the specifics of the test setup, including specimen diameter and span length.
  • One participant mentions that the fracture mode appearing similar does not imply that the underlying failure mechanisms are the same.
  • There is a discussion about the presence of tensile and compressive stresses in bending, with some participants clarifying that there is no uniform tensile stress across the entire cross-section in pure bending.
  • Hints are provided regarding the reasons for discrepancies, including references to "engineering stress" and the nature of loading in bending versus tension.
  • One participant expresses frustration over the complexity of the explanations and indicates they will present their findings to their boss.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus on the reasons for the differences in stress measurements. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the nature of the tests and the interpretation of results.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of detailed assumptions regarding material behavior under different loading conditions and the potential influence of test setup on results. The discussion also highlights the complexity of comparing tensile and bending tests without a clear framework for analysis.

Hyrax
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This is more of a theoretical question. Not sure if this should be under this section or Mechanical Engineering.

Homework Statement



For 1018 steel, I tested the UTS to be about 83 ksi for a dogbone specimen with a circular cross-section. However, when I determined the Ultimate Bending Stress from a 3 point bend test with 1018 steel cylindrical bar, the Ultimate bending stess was 204 ksi.

I've noticed the same differences in stress at the yield point. 73 ksi for tensile yield and 152ksi for bending yield.

I got similar values when running an FEA.

These values I got were what I was expected on seeing. I am just wondering why the stresses from a bending and tensile test vary so much? Bending fails in tension. They both also have the same fracture surface, microid covalesence.

Can anyone explain why there is a difference or recommend references?

Thanks!

Homework Equations


stress = force/area
stress = Mc/I

The Attempt at a Solution


Is some of the load absorbed by the compression component of bending?
Accuracy of equations? Mc/I is for elastic only.
 
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You are loading the specimen in two completely different ways. One is in pure tension and the other is in pure bending. Why would the results be the same?

You are comparing apples to oranges.

Also, the shear stress is usually about half the tensile stress for steels and other materials that obey Hooke's law.

Thanks
Matt
 
Hyrax: What was the specimen diameter and span length, and could you explain exactly how you applied and measured the transverse load, measured or calculated the moment, and measured or calculated the bending stress?
 
CFDFEAGURU said:
You are loading the specimen in two completely different ways. One is in pure tension and the other is in pure bending. Why would the results be the same?

You are comparing apples to oranges.

Also, the shear stress is usually about half the tensile stress for steels and other materials that obey Hooke's law.

Thanks
Matt

Matt,
can you point to a resource that explains that comparing them would be like comparing apples to oranges?

That is part of my question, Shouldn't the same material provide the same strength when tested under these two conditions especially considering that the failure mode at the fracture origin appears to be the same?

I've read up on bending theory and tension. I can't see why the two test conditions would yield different stresses. I've read that in bending, failure occurs in layers. But shouldn't a material fail or yield at the same stress regardless of testing conditions as long as grains are uniform?

Thanks for your input Matt!
 
Just because the fracture mode appears to be the same doesn't mean that it actually is.

I will look more deeply into this and get back to you.

Thanks
Matt
 
nvn said:
Hyrax: What was the specimen diameter and span length, and could you explain exactly how you applied and measured the transverse load, measured or calculated the moment, and measured or calculated the bending stress?

The diameter was 0.236 inches. 36mm between supports of the 3 point bend setup. I used an MTS test machine. The MTS machine plotted the graph. From the graph, I found the ultimate load then calculated the stress:

32*((758 lb * 1.42 in)/4) /(pi*.236 in ^3 )

I got the yield load from the yield point.

Thanks nvm!

It's late. I'll check for updates tomorrow. Thanks again for all your assistance.
 
Hyrax: According to the PF rules, we aren't allowed to figure this out for you and tell you the answers. I think that is what they want you to figure out in this assignment. Hint 1: The main reason for the discrepancy is listed in post 1. Hint 2: As perhaps (?) another, minor, contributing factor, look up "engineering stress."
 
nvn said:
Hyrax: According to the PF rules, we aren't allowed to figure this out for you and tell you the answers. I think that is what they want you to figure out in this assignment. Hint 1: The main reason for the discrepancy is listed in post 1. Hint 2: As perhaps (?) another, minor, contributing factor, look up "engineering stress."

I looked up pure bending. How can there be no tensile stress in pure bending when there is a compression and tension component to pure bending?
 
In bending, there is tensile stress on the tension side, and compressive stress on the compression side. They probably mean there is no axial load, so there is no uniform tensile stress across the entire cross section. Hint 3: The main reason for the discrepancy is not because part of the load was absorbed by the compression component.
 
  • #10
nvn said:
In bending, there is tensile stress on the tension side, and compressive stress on the compression side. They probably mean there is no axial load, so there is no uniform tensile stress across the entire cross section. Hint 3: The main reason for the discrepancy is not because part of the load was absorbed by the compression component.

argh.. I'll just take the possible explanations I found researching and present it to my boss. Thanks anyway.
 

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