BMEn 3015

Biomechanics

Lab 4
Fall 2013

Laboratory 4(A): Three Point Bending

I.

Introduction
Bend testing can reveal identifying properties, such as ultimate bending
strength, of a material.

II.

Purpose
i.

Perform 3-pt bending on known specimens of different size and

composition
ii. Determine how size affects the measurement
III.

Materials
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

IV.

Load cell (50 lbs)

Testing Platform
Calibration weights (barbells)
Micrometer
Ruler
Testing Materials
3 wooden dowels of different diameter
3-4 pieces different size chalk

Methods
Measure the diameter of each specimen. Figure A1 contains a picture of the
testing apparatus. Measure the three distances between the pins (Figure A2 on
the next page) using the ruler. The calculations are much simpler if d 2 is equal
to d3. The pins should be as far apart as possible; they will be brought closer
later in the lab.

Figure A1: Test Apparatus

Set up LabVIEW for 2-second voltage recording according to the

LabVIEW appendix. First, calibrate the load cell. To do so, have one
group member hang weights of known value on the bracket holding the
single point (nearest the load cell) while another group member holds the
test apparatus vertical to the ground. Another group member should run
a test and save data for each weight in an Excel file to the desktop, using

BMEn 3015
Biomechanics

Lab 4
Fall 2013

an obvious name for other groups use. Repeat twice for each weight for a
total of three runs for each weight. We will assume a linear relationship
between force and voltage.
After calibration, place the testing specimen between the three pins. Close
pins onto the specimen only enough to keep it from falling. Setup LabVIEW
to run a continuous test (as detailed in LabVIEW appendix). Once test is
running, turn the crank to bend the specimen at a steady rate until it breaks.
Be sure the voltage never exceeds 10 volts!! Once this occurs or the sample
breaks, end your run and transfer your data to an Excel sheet. Make any
special notes you may need to refer back to when analyzing your data in your
lab notebook.
Perform this test on all the specimens then bring the pins closer together
(decrease d1), record d1,d2,d3 and repeat the bend test for each specimen.
There should be two sets of data for each specimen.
For each specimen, you should have recorded:
Diameter, starting voltage, maximum voltage, bending length 1 (measured
from slide crank), starting voltage, maximum voltage, bending length 2
(measured from slide crank)
V.

Results
1. Calculate bending stress at failure for all tests (take change in voltage,
multiply by given calibration factor to get failure load in lbs, then use
bending equation described in class).
2. Report specimen diameters, bending lengths, failure stresses for all tests
performed.

VI.

Discussion
1. How does the bending length affect failure stress? Explain any
differences or similarities in the data.
2. Assume all the wood specimens are the same material. How does
diameter affect bending strength (failure stress)?
3. Assume all the chalk specimens are the same material. How does
diameter affect bending strength (failure stress)?

d2
d1
d3

Page 2 of 4
Figure A2. Assignment of critical length
measurements

BMEn 3015
Biomechanics

Lab 4
Fall 2013

Laboratory 4(B): Tensile Testing

VII.

Introduction
Mechanical tensile testing is a basic tool of the biomechanics researcher. It is
used to determine the mechanical properties of a material or structure and gain
understanding of how disease, temperature, or other factors affect these properties.
This very basic experiment will give you a glimpse into how tensile testing works
and what factors affect the outcome.

VIII. Purpose
i. Perform tensile testing
ii. Learn basic mechanical property terminology and calculations
IX.

Materials
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.

X.

Testing Platform with 50 lb load cell

Calibration weights (barbells)
Micrometer
Ruler
Testing Materials
One thin PDMS sample
One thick PDMS sample
One unknown material

Methods
Figure B1 shows a picture of the tensile testing apparatus. Seen to the right is the
manual crank, in the middle is the load cell, and on the left is the specimen (close
up in Figure B2.) Calibrate the load cell, if not already done (see bold in 4(A)).

Figure B1. Test Apparatus.

Figure B2. Test

Specimen

Measure the cross sectional area (width x thickness) of each specimen with a
micrometer - make sure you measure in the middle (narrow) part of each
specimen. Also, measure the gauge length with the ruler (Figure B3).

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BMEn 3015
Biomechanics

Lab 4
Fall 2013

Gauge length

Width

Thickness
Figure B3. Specimen measurements

Choose one specimen and place it in the testing platform as shown in Figure B2,
tightening the screws at each end to keep it secure. Setup LabVIEW for a 2second voltage recording according to the LabVIEW Appendix. Ensure the
specimen is neither being pulled nor compressed and record that unloaded voltage.
Record the initial length (on testing platform slide). Turn the crank slightly
clockwise to elongate the specimen ~0.5mm (50 increments on the crank dial) and
record the new voltage and length. The crank should only be turned in one
direction once the test has started to avoid backlash. Repeat this step
approximately 30 times; make sure the voltage never exceeds 9.9 V. Repeat the
entire process for each specimen.
NOTE: One full turn of the crank is 1.00mm, each increment on the crank dial is
0.01mm.
XI.

Results
Generate Load - Extension (L) and Stress (Load/area) Strain (L/Lo) graphs of
all the specimens tested. Plot load/stress on the y axis, extension/strain on the x
axis. Include these plots in your report.
Use a linear fit of each set of stress strain data to calculate the modulus of each
specimen. Give the results of these calculations in your report.

XII.

Discussion
i.

What is the unknown polymer? (Hint: You can look up the modulus in a
materials book or website such as www.matweb.com)

ii. Would the unknown specimen have the same modulus if it were smaller? Why?
iii. The Youngs modulus for each of the samples should be similar. Why?

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