AM 2540: STRENGTH OF MATERIALS LABORATORY

CODE: G
GROUP 25

1.SPRING STIFFNESS TEST

AIM
To find the spring constants for the given 3 samples and to compare these experimental values with those
obtained from theoretical calculations.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
Suspension system for the spring and platform for weights to load the spring.
3 sample springs.
Weights (500gm x 5).
Vernier calliper attached to spring system.

THEORY
SPRINGS
A spring is an elastic object used to store mechanical energy. Springs are made from a variety of materials,
the most common being spring steel. When a spring is compressed or stretched from its resting position, it
exerts a restoring force proportional to its change in length. Hence by Hookes Law, the change in length
(x) and the restoring force (F) are related as-
F = -K.x
Where K is the proportionality constant known as the Spring(or Stiffness) Constant .
COMMON APPLICATIONS OF SPPRING
Vehicle Suspension (Absorb shock)
Jewellery Clasp Mechanism
Locks and pens
Firearms
Mechanical toy (store energy and release as desired)

When the diameter of the wire is small in comparison to the radius of the coil and when the load is applied
in the longitudinal direction, an element of the spring between two closely adjoining sections through the
wire can be considered as a straight circular bar, subjected to torsion. It can be shown that the spring
stiffness is given by
KL=Gr4/4nR3
Here,
G is the shear modulus of the spring material,
n is the number of active coils in the helical linear spring,
r is the spring wire radius and R is the mean radius of the helical spring.
 Fig.1: Conical Spring Fig.2: Compression Spring Fig.3: Extension Spring

OBSERVATION TABLS AND GRAPHS

TABLE 1: Conical Spring

S.No. Load (Kg) Load (N) Loading Loading Unloading Unloading Mean
Vernier reading Deflection Vernier reading Deflection Deflection
(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
1 0 0 11 - 11 - -
2 0.5 5 10.9 0.1 10.9 0.1 0.1
3 1.0 10 10.8 0.2 10.8 0.2 0.2
4 1.5 15 10.65 0.35 10.6 0.4 0.375
5 2.0 20 10.4 0.6 10.35 0.65 0.625
6 2.5 25 10.2 0.8 10.2 0.8 0.8

1
GRAPH FOR CONICAL SPRING

0.8
y = 0.3286x - 0.0607
EXTENSION

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
-0.2 LOAD
TABLE 2: Cylindrical Extension Spring

S.No. Load (Kg) Load (N) Loading Loading Unloading Unloading Mean
Vernier reading Deflection Vernier reading Deflection Deflection
(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
1 0 0 41.1 - 41.1 - -
2 0.5 5 41.2 0.1 41.3 0.1 0.1
3 1.0 10 41.3 0.2 41.35 0.25 0.225
4 1.5 15 41.4 0.3 41.4 0.3 0.3
5 2.0 20 41.6 0.5 41.6 0.5 0.5
6 2.2 22 41.7 0.6 41.7 0.6 0.6
7 2.4 24 41.85 0.75 41.85 0.75 0.75

GRAPH FOR CYLIDRICAL EXTENSION SPRING

0.8
0.7
y = 0.2852x - 0.0304
0.6
EXTENSION

0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
-0.1 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

LOAD

TABLE 3: Cylindrical Compression Spring

S.No. Load (Kg) Load (N) Loading Loading Unloading Unloading Mean
Vernier reading Deflection Vernier reading Deflection Deflection
(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
1 0 0 11.3 - 11.28 - -
2 0.5 5 11.04 0.26 11.01 0.27 0.265
3 1.0 10 10.68 0.62 10.66 0.62 0.62
4 1.5 15 10.36 0.94 10.35 0.93 0.935
5 2.0 20 10.02 1.28 10.03 1.25 1.265
6 2.5 25 9.73 1.57 9.73 1.55 1.56

1.8
GRAPH FOR CYLINDRICAL COMPRESSION SPRING
1.6 y = 0.6351x - 0.0198
1.4
EXTENSION

1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-0.2 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
LOAD
TABLE 4: Dimensions of spring

Spring wire Mean radius Number of Spring

Spring Sample radius R1(mm) R2(mm) (mm) active coils Constant
r (mm) R=(R1+R2)/2 n KL (N/m)
1 1.65 10.6 16.25 13.425 33 1856.55
2 3.44 - - 16.2 34 19374.91
3 2.3 - - 38.64 11 881.93

CALCULATIONS

Theoretical Spring Constant

Experimental Spring Constant

Spring Sample S.No KL N/m Mean N/m

1 1
1 2 5000
1 3 5000
1 4 4000 4065
1 5 3200
1 6 3125
2 1
2 2 5000
2 3 4444.444
2 4 5000
4218.519
2 5 4000
2 6 3666.667
2 7 3200
3 1
3 2 1886.792
3 3 1612.903
3 4 1604.278 1657.513
3 5 1581.028
3 6 1602.564
INFERENCE
By the experiment we can infer that the cylindrical springs have nearly a linear expansion with increasing
load. We also see that the theoretical and experimental values of the spring constant vary considerably for
the different types of springs, especially the extension type. Hence it can be inferred from the experiment
that the spring constant and hence the behaviour of the springs depends on the geometry and types of
loading it is subjected to.

CONCLUSION
All the measurements taken during the lab session was tabulated and the calculations done. The spring
constants are derived both through experimental and theoretical methods.

SOURCES OF ERROR
o Parallax error may creep in while taking measurements.
o The weights if put carelessly or with jerks may give faulty readings.
o The spring may be faulty due to continuous loading and unloading