LAB REPORT 4:
To fnd the material of an unknown spring by compression spring and extension spring
apparatus:
OBJECTIVE:
To fnd the material of an unknown spring.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:
Spring:
It is an elastic component of any structure used to:
Transfer force
Provide flexibility
To store elastic potential energy.
Classification:
1: The classification is based on the spring material, and is classified as;
Wire spring: a compression spring or wire spring is a mechanical device in the shape of
a helix made from spring wire.
Flat spring: flat springs are flat strips of that material when deflected by external load
store and release energy.
2: The classification based upon the resistive response to the applied load.it is categorized as;
Extension spring: Extension springs also known as tension spring are helical wound
coils, wrapped tightly together to create tension.
Compression spring: It is open coil helical spring that offers resistance to a compressive
force applied axially.
Torsional spring: It’s a spring that works by twisting its end along its axis that is a
flexible elastic object that store mechanical energy when twisted.
Technical specifications:
Wire diameter(d)
Outer diameter (OD)
Mean spring diameter (OD-d)
Body length
Length inside hooks
Material
Stiffness
1. WIRE DIAMETER:
Diameter of the wire from which the spring is made. It is denoted by d.
2. OUTER DIAMETER:
Outer diameter of the spring. It is denoted by OD.
3. MEAN SPRING DIAMETER:
The difference between outer diameter and wire diameter of the spring is called mean spring
diameter. It is denoted by D, such that
D = OD – d
4. BODY LENGTH:
Total length of the spring excluding supporting hooks is called body length. It is denoted by
BL.
5. LENGTH INSIDE HOOKS:
Total length of the spring including supporting hooks is called length inside hooks.
6. NUMBER OF TURNS/COILS:
As the name indicates, it is the total number of coils of material present in spring.
7. FREE LENGTH:
Length of spring when no external force is acting. It is denoted by Lf.
8. SOLID LENGTH:
Length when spring is fully compressed. It is denoted by LS.
9: MATERIALS:
Mostly springs are made of Steel, Brass, CV, Plain Carbon, and Aluminum. The material
type of spring varies with its area of use.
10. STIFFNESS:
” It is the resistance offered by a body towards the applied force”.
F=-Kx
F
K=
x
APPARATUS:
Extension spring
Vernier caliper
Weights
Fine pointer
Vertical wooden scale
Extension Spring:
Extension springs also known as tension spring are helical wound coils, wrapped tightly
together to create tension. Extension springs usually have hooks, loops, or end coils that are
pulled out and formed from each end of the body.
Procedure:
1. Take 3 different springs of same material A, B, C.
2. Find out the technical specifications of each spring and fill the table below.
TECHNICAL SPRING A SPRING B SPRING C
SPECIFICATIONS (mm) (mm) (mm)
Wire diameter(d) 1.7 2.5 2.7
Outer diameter(OD) 15.9 22.3 25.7
Mean diameter(D) 14.2 19.8 23
No. of turns(N) 74 47 40
3. Suspend the spring from the rigid support with a pointer and a hook from the free end.
4. At the lower end hang a hanger from the hook.
5. Calibrate the pointer such that the tip of pointer comes over the scale.
6. Now go on adding the weights and note down the position of pointer on the scale and
take readings for each spring.
7. Repeat the steps for other springs and record your observations
OBSERVATION AND CALCULATIONS:
S.NO. (Kexp)A (Kexp)B (Kexp)C (Kexp)A*
1 0 0 0 0
2 -- 20 -- 5
3 0 10 -- 3.33
4 0.625 8.57 3.57 3
5 0.526 8 1.81 2.85
6 0.466 6.25 1.31 2.77
The (Kexp)A, B, C are the values of the extension spring and (Kexp)A* is the value of the
compression spring. the assumption we make here is Kexp=Ktheoretical
G d4 3
KTH= G= K 8 N4 D
8 N D3 d
RESULT:
GA=65634332.06 N/m^2, GB=657762156.2N/m^2, GC=206964987.6N/m^2,
GA*=830794832.7 N/m^2
PRECAUTIONS:
Check the zero error in the apparatus.
Set the pointer to zero before loading
Note down the readings when the when the load hanger comes to rest
