TEST ON HELICAL SPRINGS

Aim:To determine the stiffness &rigidity modulus of the given springs by

compression test.

Principle:When an axial compressive load 'W' is applied on a spring, every section of the spring is subjected to a twisting moment 'WR',where R is mean radius of the coil, if 'S' is the deflection of the spring due to compressive load.

Description:The every spring testing machine is designed to test small coil springs both in tension and compression. The capacity of the machine is 15lbs.Tensionsprings of 6cm length & having 5 max length & 8 max. The maximum deflection is 2.5.Compression strength of 4.5maximum length and 8 maximum outside diameter can be tested. The crosshead on which is fitted, the crank &piston straining mechanism is mounted on two turns, and may adjusted to suit any length of the spring in above range. These tubes are supported directly on the base of the machine and the assembly forms the dead or non weighing portion. The lower compression plate and also the tension loads which supports the cross-head carrying the upper tension loads are fixed on the same support bracket. This bracket is fitted directly on the mechanism and thus loads applied to either tension or compression, springs are transmitted and indicated on the scale. To measure deflection, on adjustable scale with a range of 4 and a least count of 1/38 is

attached. Procedure:The spring is placed centrally on the lower plate and its weight is tossed of by sliding back the power on it where beam till the pointer is again at zero. If the load required to deflect the spring is within the range for the scale, the poise on the capacity beam at the left hand side of the machine is against the first stop i.e.., at the front stop. If the load is more than the

maximum reading, the poise must be slide back until it is at the rear stop. The two clamping knobs of the straining crosshead is closed, the upper plate is lowered just clear of the of the spring, and the knobs are tightened. The plates are brought into contact with the straining handle, and the deflection scale is set .The load is applied in stop; and the corresponding deflection is noted.

FORMULAE:
Stiffness of the spring=W/S N/mm. For a closely coiled helical spring,

S=(64WR3n)/ (Nd4) Where, S=deflection of the spring, W=Load on the spring, R=mean radius of the spring, N=Rigidity modulus, d=Diameter of the wire of the coil, n= no of turns of the spring. For the above expression for a given spring, N can be determined, by measuring 'S' under a particular load 'W'.
Observations and Calculations: Mean Radius of the coil of the spring = (D-d)/2,

= Diameter of the spring d = mm. No of deflection of the spring = per reading.

mm.

Table-1
S.no Load W Deflections in divisions S Stiffness W/S Rigidity modulus N=(64WR3n)/(sd4)

1 2 3 4 5

Table-2

Sno 1 2 3 4 5 6
Calculations:-

Load in Newtons

Deflection in mm

Graph:-

LOAD

DEFLECTION

Calculate (w/y) from graph: From graph W/Y= N/mm= N/mm

Calculations:-

N= (64WR3n)/ (sd4)
= =
N/mm2 Precautions:1.., Apply the concentrated loads without any jerks. 2.., Measure the deflections only when the beam is steady. 3.., Loading should be within the elastic limit of the material. Result:The rigidity modulus of the material of the spring is

N/mm2.